Tips for Planning a Fall Visit to DVC

The holidays are approaching at Walt Disney World. And one of them has somehow evolved into the most passionate of all for DVC members. 

You may think the answer is Christmas, but I’d argue against that fact. The fall vacation season is now among the best times to visit Central Florida…and not just for Disney!

Here are a few tips for planning a fall visit to Walt Disney World.

Disney in the Fall

When you visit in September and October, you’ll discover three things. The first is that the DVC Points chart is your friend, especially in September.

That’s arguably the cheapest month to visit Walt Disney World in terms of DVC Points per night/week. 

Also, you’ll discover two beloved amenities available, one of which is free with admission.

I’m referring to the 2023 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, the crown jewel of all Disney festivals.

While the Flower & Garden Festival is technically older, nothing else can match the name recognition and popularity of Food & Wine. 

As usual, the event starts in July and ends in November. The expectation is that Disney will follow the same pattern as in recent years.

So, a visit in September assures you access to all the Global Marketplaces, some of which won’t open until late August. 

Also, you can watch some of your favorite semi-washed up bands from the 1980s-2000s during the Eat to the Beat concert series.

In September, performers like Ray Parker Jr., 98 Degrees, and Boyz II Men will remind you of how often you changed the station back when radio was still a thing.

October’s lineup isn’t any better, as it includes less heralded musicians like Sugar Ray, Taylor Dane, and Hanson. Billy Ocean is probably the most successful performer for this month.

Jokes aside, the Eat to the Beat concert series is both fun and popular. You should consider a dining package if you plan to attend a show.

At a minimum, you’ll hear the songs as you roam the World Showcase, allowing you to shout “GHOSTBUSTERS!” if you visit on September 8^th and 9^th, the date of the Ray Parker Jr. shows. 

The Best Reason to Visit in the Fall 

Food & Wine is the free event for guests who hold park admission. I prefer the after-hours paid ticketed event, though.

In fact, I’ve voted with my wallet here, spending more than half of my Halloweens over the past decade at Magic Kingdom.

I’m a sucker for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP), and I relish the festivities that much more on Halloween Night!

For those of you unfamiliar with the event, it’s a silly rather than spooky Halloween celebration at Magic Kingdom.

Disney starts letting guests with MNSSHP tickets into the event before 7 p.m., but that’s when the activities start on most nights.

You’ll discover unique ride overlays at some attractions to make them scarier. For example, Space Mountain often turns off all the lights. 

If you think the attraction is unsettling enough with some lights, wait until you ride it in a pitch-black setting!

Other attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean sometimes add cast members as live actors. 

You’ll hear a pirate talk smack to you while you visit, which is a tremendous enhancement to the experience, in my opinion.

Disney also offers specialty food, beverages, and merchandise during MNSSHP. And it’s turned into the social media triumph of the entire event.

Still, many guests visit for the character interactions. Some of the rarest Disney characters host interactions during the after-hours event.

I’m talking about the Gravediggers at Haunted Mansion, Elvis Stitch, and the Bowler Hat Guy from Meet the Robinsons. It’s an eclectic group.

In short, this party provides so much entertainment that it makes five hours feel like five minutes. 

Tickets for 2023 range from $109.99 to $199.99 this year. DVC members and annual passholders are entitled to modest discounts, too. 

Don’t Forget Universal Studios!

I must confess that I didn’t historically offer this advice. However, much has changed in recent years.

While Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) at Universal Orlando Resort traces its roots back to the 1990s, it rarely made the radar of Disney fans back then.

Over the past 15 years or so, the situation has evolved. Now, HHN has grown so popular that Area15 in Las Vegas will turn it into a full-year affair!

That’s right. Las Vegas plans to celebrate Halloween every day of the year. In Orlando, Universal fans aren’t quite as lucky.

However, HHN has expanded to 44 dates in 2023. You can attend the after-hours ticketed event 22 times in September and 22 times in October. 

Here are the official dates:

• September 1^st-3^rd
• September 6^th-10^th
• September 13^th-17^th
• September 20^th-24^th
• September 27^th-30^th
• October 1^st
• October 4^th-8^th
• October 11^th-15^th
• October 18^th-22^nd
• October 25^th-29^th
• October 31^st

You’ll notice that many weekend nights offer HHN. So, that’s a good way to plan a combined Disney/Universal vacation.

In fact, you don’t even need to stay at Universal. You can ride-share to the park in time for the event. Then, you can ride-share back afterward.

You’ll spend about 20-40 minutes in the car each way, and it should cost $50 or so, depending on surge pricing. 

By taking this approach, you can drink and have fun without worrying about having to drive back to your DVC hotel.

Tickets for the event start at $109.99 per person per night and max out at $219.99.

Also, if you’re prone to make it rain during your vacation, you should know about the Private RIP Tour and other upsell ticket options. 

These offerings allow you to experience more attractions and all the Houses/Scare Zones during your visit. They will cost more, though.

Tips for Planning a Fall Visit to DVC

I know that some people prefer to celebrate Halloween close to the actual date; I’m one of them. 

Still, you’ll have an easier time booking in September, particularly after Labor Day.

You’ll spend fewer DVC Points and face smaller crowds at the parks. Meanwhile, the tickets to MNSSHP and HHN will cost less as well. 

As such, I’ll suggest that you do something I personally don’t. Travel in September unless you’re a Halloween Week type. 

Plan for strange weather as well. Central Florida has grown a bit mercurial in September and October.

We’re getting a significant hurricane seemingly every other year, one severe enough to force a closure. 

So, you should consider travel insurance to hedge your bets. Disney works diligently with customers to protect them in inclement weather as well.

With travel insurance and customer service make-goods, you could feasibly come out better than you started. 

When you plan, you should check the weather to verify whether it’ll be hot or cold. 

Disney has had a few surprisingly cold dates in the fall, along with some 100-degree temperatures. Plan for all of it and adjust accordingly.

Something else to keep in mind involves November. Yes, that’s theoretically outside the boundaries of this topic.

However, MNSSHP lasts through November 1^st this year. Should you stay until early November, you’ll gain the side benefit of watching the Christmas decorations go live.

Disney starts adding them overnight on Halloween. You could feasibly marry Halloween and Christmas decorations, food, and merchandise during one visit this way.

This strategy explains why you’ll usually find me at Walt Disney World on Halloween Night…and several days after that!

By the way, if you do intend to attend HHN, I should warn you that it’s significantly less child friendly than MNSSHP. Please allow for that!