Walt Disney World in September 2012 - crowd warnings, ride closures, and Special Events

1.Disney World Free Dining Promotion - September isn't a particularly high crowd time at Walt Disney World - they wouldn't offer the "free dining promotion", if it was. But you will have a lot of competition at the sit-down restaurants; especially the most popular locations like Chef Mickey's, Cinderella's Royal Table, LeCellier, etc. Make your dining reservations as soon as you are eligible. Warning: Fantasmic Dinner Packages will probably completely fill the first day that they're offered. At this time, dining reservations can be booked 180 days prior to your arrival.

2. Labor Day Weekend (September 1 - 3, 2012) - Because so many schools are back in session, this holiday doesn't draw nearly as many people as the 4th of July. Don't think the parks will be empty though - there will still be a lot of people looking for one last hoorah! before summer ends. TIP: Make dining reservations right away.

3. Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival ~ September 28 - November 11, 2012. This event is included with regular theme park admission; there a few special events related to this festival that have a separate admission fee. The Epcot Food & Wine Festival is very popular as chefs and winemakers from around the world set up booths where you can savor the wonderful flavors offered for sale. There will be food & wine themed demonstrations as well. You typically can use your Disney Dining Plan meal and snack credits at this event - in fact, many people "hoard" their snack credits just for this event. Warning: This event is very, very popular. Expect Epcot to be busier than usual on weekends as locals and annual passholders come to enjoy the festival. TIP: Monday is always a great day to visit Epcot.

4. Fantasmic! (Disney's Hollywood Studios) - Yea! Hooray! Fantasmic! is being offered every evening this month except September 29th. Disney had gone to only offering this great show a couple of nights a week and that really impacted crowds. Know that crowds will be much higher on nights where Disney's Hollywood Studios is having an Extra Magic Hour. This show is included in the cost of admission. Warning: This show is excellent but it does feature villains for a good 8-10 minutes. The scene is fairly intense and can be frightening to small children.

5. Disney's Main Street Electrical Parade (Magic Kingdom) - This wonderful nighttime parade is not offered every night and the Magic Kingdom will be more crowded on days featuring a Main Street Electrical Parade. The Main Street Electrical Parade will be presented on September 1, 3, 6, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, 2012 .

6. Extra Magic Hours - (Special hours only available to Disney resort hotel guest). We recommend that everyone avoid the Extra Magic Hour park of the day. Disney has 33,000 hotel rooms and no one goes to Disney alone - that means too many people are pointed in the same direction at the same time. You'll have a much nicer time by going to a less busy park. This is doubly important if you are not staying at a Disney resort - you don't want to get to the theme park and find a bunch of Disney guests in line in front of you.

7.A good touring plan will keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines. We provide three choices for touring plans - a subscription to TouringPlans.com, the 2010 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World (book), or a subscription to Tour Guide Mike (online service) - at no charge to you when you book your trip through Build A Better Mouse Trip.

Contact us today to start planning your Disney Vacation:
Build A Better Mouse Trip Travel
Toll free: 877-815-6515

1. Nights of Joy (September 7 & 8, 2012) - (Magic Kingdom) - This special event features some of the top performers in Christian Contemporary music today. These nights require a special event ticket - you cannot enter using your Magic Your Way or Park Hopper tickets. There is usually an Advance Ticket Discount. Warning: Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park will close to the public at 7:00PM on Friday, Sept. 7th and Saturday, Sept. 8th. There is a lot to see and do at this park so - you'll probably want to visit this park on a day with longer park hours if you're not attending the Nights of Joy.

2.Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (Disney's Magic Kingdom) - 7:00PM to Midnight -Dates to Be Announced. This special event is a lot of fun for families, with rides, trick-or-treating, and fun party type events. These nights require a special event ticket - you cannot enter using your Magic Your Way or Park Hopper tickets. Ticket prices vary with an advance purchase discount offered on select nights. There are a limited TIP: A lot of children dress up for this event but select costumes that will let your kids comfortably enjoy the rides and attractions - remember that September can be hot & muggy in Orlando. Warning: The Magic Kingdom will close to the public at 7:00PM on party nights. Magic Kingdom resort area restaurants (Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fare, Whispering Canyon, etc.) will fill their reservations early as people look for something nearby to enjoy after the early park closing.

3. Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival ~ September 28 - November 11, 2012. This event is included with regular theme park admission; there a few special events related to this festival that have a separate admission fee. The Epcot Food & Wine Festival is very popular as chefs and winemakers from around the world set up booths where you can savor the wonderful flavors offered offered for sale. There will be food & wine themed demonstrations as well. You typically can use your Disney Dining Plan meal and snack credits at this event - in fact, many people "hoard" their snack credits just for this event. Warning: This event is very, very popular. Expect Epcot to be busier than usual on weekends as locals and annual passholders come to enjoy the festival. TIP: Monday is always a great day to visit Epcot.

4. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend. September 28 - 29, 2012. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler is a nighttime road race that will end in the shadows of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Your run into the fifth dimension will also take you to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex before returning to Disney's Hollywood Studios where the course will feature the Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show, then turn down New York Street, wind past the Sorcerer's Hat and return you to an unforgettable finish at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Registration now open. Click Here for Event Information and Registration

Here's the current list of Disney rides closed in September:

Magic Kingdom - Ariel's Grotto & Pooh's Playful Spot have closed to make room for the big Fantasyland expansion project.

Mickey's Toontown Fair (Magic Kingdom) closed permanently on February 11, 2011. A new area is being constructed in this space. The Walt Disney Railroad will continue to run but the Toontown station will be closed during construction. The Disney Princess, Mickey Mouse, and Minnie Mouse Meet-and-Greets are now offered at the new Town Square Theater. FASTPASS tickets available. TinkerBell & Friends are meeting guests at Tinker Bell's Magical Nook in Adventureland.

Epcot: Test Track is closed April 2012 - Fall 2012

Epcot: "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience" 3-D movie has been replaced by Captain EO, featuring Michael Jackson

Disney's Hollywood Studios: Fantasmic! - No performance scheduled on September 29, 2012.

Disney's Yacht Club Resort - Yachtsman Steakhouse (restaurant) is closed from August 27 - September 14, 2012.

Disney's Magical Express (Airport Shuttle Service) - New luggage procedure for late night arrivals only. Luggage service will no longer be available for arrivals to Orlando International Airport after 10:00PM. Collect your luggage at baggage claim and take with you to the Disney's Magical Express check-in desk.

If you find this report helpful, please consider using Build A Better Mouse Trip to book your Disney vacation reservations. We are authorized Walt Disney World Vacation Planners and book directly with Disney so you never pay more than if you booked the reservation yourself. Then we provide lots of help and advice designed to take the stress out of vacation planning.

1) Help with building a Best Days Itinerary - a daily schedule that puts you in the best park for each day of your trip

2) Help with dining reservations (subject to availability)

3) Theme park touring plans that keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines. We will provide a subscription to Tour Guide Mike, a subscription to touringplans.com or the newest edition of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World (guidebook) at no extra cost to you when you book your Disney vacation through Build A Better Mouse Trip.

At Build A Better Mouse Trip, we are convinced that everyone can benefit with good touring plans. During busy times, a good plan will absolutely keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the lines - our clients typically wait less than 20 minutes for rides, even thrill rides and headliners. During less crowded times, a good plan factors in shorter park hours and fewer performance times. But the most important benefit of a good plan is that everyone gets to ride and see the things that they are looking forward to because everyone's priorities are included in a plan that tours the parks efficiently and effectively. We book directly through Disney so you never pay more than if you booked the trip yourself - you just receive more expert help to make your vacation the best it can be.

Contact us today to start planning your Disney Vacation:
Build A Better Mouse Trip Travel
Toll free: 877-815-6515

Disney World Promotions for September 2012:

Free Dining Promotion ~ August 25 - September 29, 2012: Offered when you book a Walt Disney World Vacation Package of at least 3 nights. Must be booked by May 18, 2012. Click Here for Full Details

Disney has once again offered reduced room rates for active duty United States military members & their families.

Call Build A Better Mouse Trip toll free at 877-815-6515 to book your Disney vacation.