These are all of the things to know if you’re going to Disney World in the last half of 2025. This includes, holidays, closures, events, and more. It’s good to learn all about these things to plan your vacation out before you go.
Halloween Time
Halloween time starts at Disney World on August 15th and goes until October 31st. The parks will be decorated with Halloween decor, there will be Halloween menu items, and more going on during this time.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will have its first event on August 15th and will be on select nights until October 31st. Magic Kingdom will close early on the event dates. There will be a Halloween parade, Halloween firework show, exclusive merch and food, and more.
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is a long festival that will be going from August 28th through November 22nd. There will be special event food, concerts, and more going on.
Ride Closures
Disney World can add ride closures at anytime without a ton of notice. The ride closures we know of so far that we can expect are Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Spaceship Earth, and Jungle Cruise will close briefly to get its holiday overlay. Read all about the ride closures and dates here.
Blizzard Beach Closure
The waterpark Blizzard Beach is open for the summer, then it will close on September 8th for maintenance. Disney World’s other water park, Typhoon Lagoon, will remain open while Blizzard Beach is closed though.
Upcoming Permanent Closures
The Boneyard in Animal Kingdom is going to close permanently on September 2nd. The rest of DinoLand USA will be closing in early 2026. This is to make room for a new Tropical Americas land in Animal Kindom that will feature new rides including an Indiana Jones attraction and an Encanto ride. See the new rides coming to Disney World here.
Free Water Park Admission For Resort Guests
If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel you can go to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach for free on your check-in day. Blizzard Beach will be closing on September 8th, so after that Typhoon Lagoon will be the only option for this.
Halloween Rides
Disney World doesn’t do any big Halloween overlays on the rides like Disneyland does, but Space Mountain will be pitch black with Halloween music and Mad Tea Party will have special Halloween lighting during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Halloween Day
Halloween day in 2025 is Friday October 31st. Remember that you cannot wear costumes into the parks during normal hours. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will be on this night, so Magic Kingdom park will close early for that.
Mickey & Minnie’s Birthday
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse share a birthday on November 18th. Disney World will do a birthday cavalcade parade for them, special birthday menu items, and the characters might wear birthday outfits.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is on Thursday November 27. 2025. A lot of people have a few days off for this holiday, so Thanksgiving and the days surrounding it will have increased crowds. Some restaurants offer special Thanksgiving meals.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will begin November 28th and go until December 30th. This festival will feature candlelight processionals, festive food, meet n greets with Santa Claus, Christmas entertainment, and more.
Christmas Season
The Christmas season at Disney World starts on November 14, 2025 and will last until December 30st. This will come with lots of holiday decor, Christmas merch, seasonal foods, and more.
Christmas Rides
There are a few rides that change for the Christmas season. Living with the Land in EPCOT becomes Living With The Land – Glimmering Greenhouses, Jungle Cruise becomes Jingle Cruise, Space Mountain will have holiday lights and music, Mad Tea Party has holiday lights and music, and more.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is in Magic Kingdom and it is an after hours event. It will be on select nights starting on November 7th. The Christmas party will have a special holiday firework show, a Christmas parade, holiday foods, special characters, and more.
Jollywood Nights
Jollywood Nights is in Hollywood Studios on select nights from November 8th until December 22nd. This Christmas event will have exclusive holiday entertainment, food items, and more. It is an event that people typically dress up more for.
Christmas Day
Christmas day is on Thursday December 25th. Christmas day is one of the busiest days of the year at Disney World’s four theme parks. There will be some special holiday offerings on this day.
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is on Wednesday December 31, 2025. This day is kind of known for being the busiest day of the year at Disney World. There will be special New Year’s Eve dance parties, a New Year’s Eve fireworks show, extended park hours, and more.