EPCOT will look a little different for guests visiting Walt Disney World in October.
The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will continue throughout the month, but Disney still has several additions waiting to arrive. A new fireworks dining option will also make its debut, giving guests another premium way to end their evening.
However, one change deserves extra attention from anyone already planning a park day.
EPCOT will open later than normal twice in October, shifting both the regular park opening and Early Entry.
Add three nights of Extended Evening Hours into the mix, and October visitors have several dates worth marking on their calendars.
October 23 and 25 Bring Later EPCOT Openings
Guests who like starting their Disney World mornings early may want to reconsider their strategy on two specific dates.
EPCOT will open at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 23, and Sunday, October 25.
That's one hour later than its usual 9 a.m. opening.
Early Entry will shift as well. Instead of beginning at 8:30 a.m., eligible guests will enter at 9:30 a.m.
The schedule change comes as Walt Disney World hosts the runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend. The 5K takes place Friday, while the Half Marathon follows Sunday.
For guests who plan their vacations months in advance, it's an easy operational change to miss.
Anyone with EPCOT scheduled for either day should account for the lost morning hour. Guests may also encounter increased crowds connected to the race weekend.
Fortunately, October doesn't only bring reduced park time.
Extended Evening Hours Return Three Times
Eligible guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts and other qualifying hotels can get two additional hours at EPCOT on three October nights.
Extended Evening Hours will run from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on October 5, 12, and 19.
The attraction lineup gives guests plenty to accomplish during those two hours.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Frozen Ever After, Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, Test Track, Mission: SPACE, Spaceship Earth, Soarin' Around the World, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, and Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana are included.
For guests who qualify, the extra time could change how they approach their entire EPCOT day.
Instead of rushing between major attractions during peak daytime hours, visitors can potentially save several experiences for later and spend more time enjoying the Food & Wine Festival beforehand.
Food & Wine Expands on October 2
October also brings more options to the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.
Four remaining festival booths will begin operating October 2: Coastal Eats, Earth Eats, The Alps, and India.
They'll stay open through the conclusion of the festival.
For guests whose EPCOT plans revolve around eating and drinking around the park, waiting until October 2 means having access to the broader festival lineup.
It also gives guests who visited earlier in the festival a reason to explore again.
And those aren't the only new dining options arriving that day.
A New Way to Watch Luminous Arrives
October 2 also marks the beginning of the Shiki-Sai fireworks dining package.
Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya in the Japan Pavilion will offer guests a meal paired with a view of EPCOT's nighttime spectacular, Luminous The Symphony of Us.
The meal includes an appetizer, traditional sashimi, sushi, beverages, and an exclusive dessert.
Adults pay $120 before tax and gratuity, or $149.50 with those charges included. Children cost $60 before tax and gratuity, with a listed total of $74.70.
Luminous generally begins at 9 p.m., though Disney can adjust the show schedule. Guests should confirm the nighttime spectacular's start time around their reservation date.
Reservations for the dining package are already open.
Between the new Food & Wine booths and Shiki-Sai package, October 2 brings more experiences to EPCOT. The later openings on October 23 and 25, however, could have the biggest effect on vacation planning.
Checking EPCOT's schedule for your exact visit date before heading to the park could prevent an unexpected start to your day.
