Skip to Content

September 2018 Disney World park hours, Extra Magic Hours and Crowd Calendar released

September 2018 Disney World park hours, Extra Magic Hours and Crowd Calendar released


For a stress-free Disney or Universal Studios vacation, let the FREE expert planners at Royal Carriage Vacations take care of every detail including dining reservations, applying discounts, and onboard cruise credit.


I just completed creating my September 2018 Disney World Crowd Calendar which includes the initial park hours, Extra Magic Hours and some of the nightly entertainment schedules.  I continue with my educated guesses on Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties and possible dates for Night of Joy as well.  Check out some thoughts on my September Crowd Calendar here.

Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade will continue with the 2pm showing that it began back in mid-August.  Magic Kingdom will continue with its 6pm closings on potential Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party nights.  Disney World tested this last year during Christmas Party season and found it was successful in clearing the crowds from the park prior to the party beginning.

Speaking of Halloween Parties, you’ll notice that the Magic Kingdom is marked as “Worst Park” on nights that don’t offer a 6pm closing.  Last year I tracked every party and found that the crowds on non-party nights were equal to visiting the park on a day during Spring Break.  Even though you might see some days with Light or Very Light crowds, by visiting the Magic Kingdom when it is marked as “Worst Park,” you’ll be facing formidable crowds.  If seeing Happlily Ever After is important to you, I recommend using a Park Hopper.  Visit a green park during the day and hop into the Magic Kingdom at night for that fireworks show.

Halloween Party tickets typically go on sale in May each year, so there is no need to stress over that purchase.  The only party that sells out in advance is the Halloween night party.

Also a note for this September Crowd Calendar, you’ll find that Star Wars Fireworks aren’t listed.  It’s typical that Disney World provides that schedule about 3 to 4 months in advance and I’ll update the schedules.  It’s also possible that some nights at Animal Kingdom will see a 2nd Rivers of Light showing.

All park hours are initial offerings and they WILL be updated by Disney as we draw closer to your travel dates.  You’ll find that Magic Kingdom will close later on many nights, especially on Saturday nights.  Epcot never changes their park hours.

Visit my Disney World Crowd Calendar page for full details, park hours and Extra Magic Hours for your dates.

 

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Ana

Wednesday 8th of August 2018

Hi Kenny, Do you think/know if Disney will extend park hours for September 2018? Thanks!

kennythepirate

Thursday 9th of August 2018

We should know in the next few days

Matthew

Sunday 24th of June 2018

I think you’re right if you’re planning to stay in a deluxe resort. If you’re staying @ All Stars the rooms do not get discounted often so free dining can be a benefit. I’m booked 9/29-10/5 and it would be $1200 more for the same package without free dining.

T Sweeney

Friday 1st of June 2018

they offer free dining on no discounted room rates. It usually ends up being cheaper if you take the room discount. The meal plan includes a drink and desert with every meal, so if you don’t typically want that then the room discount is absolutely better. I’ve been many, many times and only did the free dining option just once.

London mamma

Friday 23rd of March 2018

Can you explain free dining! This sounds too good to be true.

Peggy

Thursday 22nd of March 2018

Why did Disney take the FB page and Twitter for NOJ down. Are they saying they are going to have it. Would like to make reservations if they do at DVC if not we are considering dec. I can not get any information on NOJ anywhere. Also Rock the Universe had nothing anywhere. Too

kennythepirate

Thursday 22nd of March 2018

Rick the Universe will occur. I'll post that info. Haven't heard a peep about NoJ though

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.