October is a HUGE month for Walt Disney World Resort!

In case you haven’t heard, Disney World turned 50 on October 1st, which means lots of celebrations throughout the next year and a half. But on top of that, there are reopenings, grand openings, and annual events going on as well, so there’s quite a bit you need to know if you plan on visiting. To make it simple, we’re breaking down the list of the top 10 things to know about Disney World in October!

50th Anniversary Happenings

Let’s start with the big one! All month long (and for the next 18 months) Walt Disney World will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary.

The celebrations kicked off on October 1st with new entertainment, rides, snacks, dining options, character costumes, and so much more. There’s quite a bit to do around the resort, so you’ll want to keep following DFB for all the news and updates. (It’s too much to put in one point on this article!)

Click Here to See Reviews of All the 50th Anniversary Snacks!

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Opens

It’s not often that new rides arrive in the Disney World parks, so when they do, it’s a pretty big deal! On October 1st, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure officially opened to the public in EPCOT’s France Pavilion. Although, we (and many others) have already been able to stop by thanks to previews for media, Annual Passholders, DVC members, and more.

To make way for the new ride, the pavilion got a big expansion, so there are some other new things to check out back in that area. At first, as of right now, the only way to ride Remy’s is through the virtual queue system, which is the same boarding pass option that was used on Rise of the Resistance for the past two years. (Side note: Rise of the Resistance switched to a standby queue in September, so that’s another new thing to keep in mind.)

Click Here to See Our First Ride on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure!

There Are New Restaurants

If you’re headed to Disney World this month, you’ll be able to experience not one, not two, but THREE new restaurants at EPCOT and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Space 220 opened in September but is still relatively new and very popular, so you’ll want to snag a reservation or stop by early in the morning to put your name on the waitlist for the lounge. Here, you’ll dine 220 miles above the earth “in space” with a prix fixe menu of delicious options.

Over in the expanded part of the France Pavilion, you’ll find the new La Crêperie de Paris, serving authentic crepes and galettes from the Brittany region of France. The new restaurant doesn’t accept dining reservations yet (only walk-ups) and also has a quick service window. And finally, make sure to check out Steakhouse 71, which is replacing The Wave at the Contemporary. You’ll enjoy traditional steakhouse fare here, with reasonable prices for breakfast and lunch and a fancier option for dinner.

Click Here to Read Our Review of Space 220 in EPCOT!

Crowds May Be Unpredictable

Going into October, we currently don’t know what to expect as far as crowds go for most of the month. The 50th Anniversary and the days before and after are sure to be crowded, but the rest of the month is a bit of a gamble.

Historically, October has been a low crowd month, but with all the new offerings and Halloween at the end, it’s difficult to predict how things will be. Don’t worry though — we’ll make sure to cover any noteworthy crowd levels and report back to you!

Crowds Were LOW a Few Weeks Ago — Check it Out Here!

New Entertainment Options

All around the parks, there are new and returning entertainment options for the 50th Anniversary. Many pavilion-specific performers are coming back to EPCOT, like the drummers in Japan, and the Let the Magic Begin morning welcome show is returning to Magic Kingdom.

But, there are also some new options! Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade will be happening daily at Magic Kingdom, with Mickey and his pals in their EARidescent best and the 50th Anniversary anthem playing in the background. And over at Animal Kingdom, Disney KiteTails is livening up the Discovery River Amphitheater with multiple shows daily — themed to either The Lion King or The Jungle Book.

Click Here to See Photos and Videos From Disney KiteTails!

New Perks for Resort Guests

If you’re staying at a Disney World Resort in the coming months, you’ll definitely want to know about the new perks that are being offered! Guests of Disney-owned (and some select other) hotels will have access to Early Theme Park Entry, where they can enter any of the four parks 30 minutes before they open to regular guests for the day.

Also, if you’re staying at a Deluxe Disney World Resort, you’ll be able to hang out late in the parks during Extended Evening Hours. These happen at select parks on select nights, so make sure to check the schedule online before your visit. Extra time in the parks can be incredibly valuable!

Full List of Rides Available During Early Theme Park Entry — Click Here!

Two Popular Resorts Are Reopening

After more than a year and a half of being closed, two fan-favorite Disney World Resorts are reopening in October…the Port Orleans Resorts! First, Port Orleans — Riverside reopens on October 14th.

Two weeks later, Port Orleans — French Quarter opens to guests on October 28th. This section of Disney World has been particularly quiet for the past several months, and we can’t wait to stop by and enjoy Mickey beignets and enjoy the Mardi Gras atmosphere. It’s going to be a blast!

Click Here to See the New Port Orleans MagicBand!

It’s Still Halloween Season

With all the 50th Anniversary stuff happening, it’s easy to forget that we’re still in the midst of the Halloween season! This month brings more snacks, plus several more nights of the Disney After Hours Boo Bash.

If you’re still hoping to attend the event but the night you want to visit is sold out online, you may want to check at Magic Kingdom on the morning of your chosen date. In the past, we’ve seen Boo Bash tickets available for purchase in person, although it’s not guaranteed that there are any left.

Click Here for a Full Guide to Boo Bash!

It’s Still the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

And speaking of things you may have forgotten were happening — let’s talk about the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival! Between your visits to the crêperie and Space 220, make sure to save some room to enjoy the more than 30 food booths currently stationed around the park with eats and drinks from around the world.

On October 1st, two new booths joined the lineup: Belgium and Brazil. You’ve got until November 20th to stop by and taste everything on your list!

See All Our Reviews From the Festival Here!

There Are Two New Fireworks Shows

We started with a big one, so let’s end on one as well: there are two brand-new fireworks shows at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT! Happily Ever After and EPCOT Forever ended their runs to make way for the new shows, both of which premiere for the 50th Anniversary.

Harmonious is the new show at EPCOT, featuring pyrotechnics, water effects, and giant screens with Disney animation, plus a spectacular soundtrack with artists from around the world. At Magic Kingdom, Disney Enchantment will light up the night with castle projections and fireworks, and for the first time…projections down Main Street, U.S.A.! These shows are sure to be a highlight of your trip!

Click Here to Check Out the First Showing of Harmonious!

That’s the short-ish list of things you need to know about Disney World in October. There are so many other important dates and happenings throughout the month, so stay tuned to DFB to get updates on all of them!

Staying At Home? Here’s Everything Coming to Disney+ in October!

Are you visiting Disney World in October? Let us know in the comments!

The post 10 Things You NEED to Know If You’re Visiting Disney World This October! first appeared on the disney food blog.