The Walt Disney World Resort is chock-full of fun to celebrate this season, with the return of annual festivals, events and more.
Here are our suggestions for 9 must-do’s this fall at Walt Disney World Resort.
1. Celebrate Epcot’s 35th Anniversary – Visit Epcot on Sunday, October 1, to celebrate the park’s 35th anniversary with a ceremony, exclusive celebration merchandise, a special edition of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” and more. Click here to see the full plans.
Floating mountains grace the skyline while exotic plants fill the colorful landscape inside Pandora – The World of Avatar, which opens May 27, 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Pandora – The World of Avatar will bring a variety of new experiences to the park, including a family-friendly attraction called Na’vi River Journey and new food & beverage and merchandise locations. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kent Phillips, photographer)
2. Visit Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – The world of Pandora – the World of Avatar is can’t-miss adventure this fall. Here, guests can soar on a banshee, sail down a sacred river and explore a world of glowing rainforests and floating mountains. Don’t forget to stop into Satu’li Canteen for some exotic eats.
Walt Disney World Resort guests can discover the newest, most spectacular fireworks show in the history of Magic Kingdom Park with “Happily Ever After.” The stunning nighttime extravaganza features more lasers, lights and projections than any Magic Kingdom Park show before it. Characters and scenes from more than 25 Disney films are featured through state-of-the-art projections, enchanted by more than 50 choreographed spotlights, brilliant lasers and plenty of awe-inspiring fireworks. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)
3. Check Out “Happily Ever After” at Magic Kingdom Park – Magic Kingdom Park’s new nighttime fireworks show is truly must-see entertainment. This stunning nighttime extravaganza features lasers, lights and projections – plus characters and scenes from more than 25 Disney films and awe-inspiring fireworks.
4. Dine Around the World at The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – This guest-favorite fall event is back with 35 specialized marketplaces with unique menus for guests to enjoy.
5. Attend an Eat to the Beat Concert – This year’s Eat to the Beat concert lineup at Epcot features 32 bands, including Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Sugar Ray, Boyz II Men and more. Concerts are held at the park’s America Gardens Theatre and are included in park admission.
Jack Skellington and Sally, from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” bring their unique Halloween celebration to Magic Kingdom during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Guests can meet the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town and his love during the party for a little “spook-tacular” fun in Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party takes place on select nights through Oct. 31, 2014 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kent Phillips, photographer)
6. Celebrate At Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – Magic Kingdom Park is already hosting this guest-favorite event that features “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade,” the “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular,” “Happy HalloWishes Fireworks Spectacular” and more. Available dates are: September 22, 24, 26 and 29; October 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29 and 31; and November 1. Visit Disneyworld.com/Halloween for party dates and prices.
7. Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – The Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend takes place Nov. 2-5, and includes Kids Races, a 5K, a 10K and a Half-Marathon.
Dressed in their holiday finest, the Seven Dwarfs parade down Main Street, U.S.A., at Magic Kingdom during “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.” The festive processional is one of the happy highlights of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a night of holiday splendor with lively stage shows, a unique holiday parade, Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season nighttime fireworks, and snow flurries on Main Street, U.S.A. The special-ticket event takes place on select nights in November and December in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Ryan Wendler, photographer)
8. Celebrate the Holidays Early at a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – Magic Kingdom Park will light up with excitement of the holiday season starting November 9, with the return of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Party nights include “Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade,” “Holiday Wishes” fireworks and more. Event dates are: November 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 26 and 28; and December 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 22.
9. New Merchandise at Disney Parks – Keep your eye out for new Disney merchandise to debut this fall, including new items that celebrate Epcot’s 35th anniversary, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties and more.
