As summer winds down at Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom is gearing up for a seasonal shift that will affect when guests visit, how long they stay, and which experiences they can enjoy. September always brings a different feel to Disney's flagship park, but this year there are several confirmed operational changes worth knowing about before you arrive.
\n\nHalloween Season Takes Over Magic Kingdom
\nSeptember officially marks the point when Halloween becomes the focus at Magic Kingdom. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party moves into full swing, transforming the park with festive decorations, themed entertainment, specialty food, exclusive character appearances, and trick-or-treat locations throughout the evening. The event remains one of Walt Disney World's most popular seasonal offerings, drawing guests from around the world who want to experience Halloween in a family-friendly setting.
\n\nOne of the most notable differences between party nights and regular operating days involves Disney's costume policy. During normal park hours, guests age 14 and older generally cannot wear costumes inside Magic Kingdom. However, those attending Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party may dress up, provided they follow Disney's costume guidelines — and that temporary exception has become one of the event's biggest draws each year.
\n\nThe party is scheduled for the following dates in September: September 1, 4, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, and 29.
\n\nEarlier Closing Times Return on Party Nights
\nThose party dates come with an important caveat for guests without party tickets. On every Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party date, Magic Kingdom will close at 6 p.m. for guests who do not have separately priced party admission. Once regular operating hours end, only ticketed party guests may remain inside the park.
\n\nThat means anyone visiting on a standard park ticket should carefully review the September calendar before choosing their Magic Kingdom day. Visiting on a non-party date will provide significantly more time to enjoy attractions, entertainment, and dining than visiting on an evening when the park closes early.
\n\nEven on party nights, all guests visiting during September can still enjoy the festive Halloween decorations that fill Magic Kingdom throughout the month.
\n\nDeluxe Resort Guests Receive One Exclusive Extended Evening Hours Night
\nDisney is also making a noticeable adjustment to Extended Evening Hours at Magic Kingdom. Throughout much of the summer, eligible guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villas had multiple opportunities to enjoy extra time inside select parks after regular closing. In September, however, Magic Kingdom will host just one Extended Evening Hours event — scheduled for September 9 from 10 p.m. until midnight.
\n\nFor guests staying at qualifying resorts, those additional two hours often provide one of the best chances to experience major attractions with shorter wait times after most visitors have left for the evening.
\n\nPlenty of Attractions Will Be Available During Extended Evening Hours
\nAlthough Extended Evening Hours appears just once on Magic Kingdom's September calendar, Disney plans to keep many popular attractions operating during the event. Eligible guests should still be able to experience favorites including:
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- TRON Lightcycle / Run \n
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train \n
- Space Mountain \n
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad \n
- Haunted Mansion \n
- Pirates of the Caribbean \n
- Peter Pan's Flight \n
- Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin \n