The New Rules You HAVE To Follow in Disney World This Fall

Heading to Disney World this fall? Trust us, you NEED to follow these rules.

If you want to have a smooth vacation, you’ll want to plan ahead (at least a little bit!). This fall, things are looking slightly different in the parks, so we’ve got some new tips to share!

Beware of Magic Kingdom Construction

There are quite a few construction projects taking place in Magic Kingdom at the moment. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin are both closed for long refurbishments, and there are walls up all around Frontierland and Liberty Square after the permanent closure of Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat.

On top of that, the Frontierland station for the Walt Disney World Railroad is temporarily closed due to construction for Villains Land, so you’re going to have to prepare for all these unavailable rides and attractions in your schedule. Basically, don’t forget to check the park hours on the Disney World website to see what’s closed for refurbishment before you leave! Wouldn’t want you to be caught off guard during your trip.

Prioritize the New Lounges

If you’re heading to Disney World this fall, there are going to be not one, but TWO new lounges available to check out! GEO-82 opened in EPCOT this summer, and the adults-only spot is known for inventive drinks and food with a stellar view of the park.

The Beak and Barrel is a new pirate-themed lounge coming to Magic Kingdom on August 29th, and it’s going to be a HOT ticket! So if you’re planning on visiting either of these spots, you’ll want to be prompt with snagging your reservations before your trip, and make sure to budget the time (and the stomach space!) into your busy vacation schedule.

Don’t Forget About the New Parade

Another new offering in Magic Kingdom is Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away! This entertainment option is the first time the park has had a nighttime parade in years, and in its first few days, it drew some heavy crowds.

Currently, it shows at 9PM and 11PM nightly (except on nights when Magic Kingdom is hosting Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party), so you can watch it either before or after the Happily Ever After fireworks. Nighttime is often prime time to hop on rides with short waits, so you’ll have to decide if it’s worth it to eat up some of those minutes to watch the parade instead. Decisions, decisions!

Check the Halloween Party Schedule

And speaking of the Halloween Party, another fall tip is to check the party schedule ahead of time! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party happens on select nights in Magic Kingdom, and for those who don’t have a ticket to go to the party specifically, the park will close at 6PM. Yes, Disney WILL kick you out.

The official Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party map

We’ve often found that party days tend to bring much lower crowds and lower wait times to Magic Kingdom during the day, so sometimes it’s actually possible to get more done with less time, but the day you visit is totally up to you. Many people prefer to go on a day when the party is not happening so that they can get more hours in the park.

Have a Hurricane Backup Plan

Finally, we’ve got a tip that’s not exactly new, but important all the same. You NEED a hurricane backup plan if you’re visiting in the fall. Fall is prime hurricane season for Central Florida, and we’ve seen storms roll through this time of year on several occasions.

All Parks Closed Sign during Hurricane Milton

If there is a major hurricane, there’s a chance that Disney World operations could be modified, which may include the closure of the parks. If you’re traveling during hurricane season, it’s wise to have refundable or modifiable travel plans, and you should keep an eye on the weather ahead of time. If you do get stuck at Disney World during a hurricane, just know that they do a great job of prioritizing guest safety.