If you're heading to Walt Disney World in September, the date on your ticket could make a bigger difference than you might expect.
Several experiences will disappear during the first half of the month, including an entire water park. At the same time, Disney is preparing to debut new experiences at Hollywood Studios and EPCOT.
In fact, a vacation at the beginning of September could look surprisingly different from one taken near the end.
Here are five changes happening around Disney World in September 2026.
Disney's Summer Celebration Is Ending
Summer doesn't officially end in September, but Disney's seasonal celebration does.
Cool KIDS’ SUMMER concludes on September 8.
Disney hasn't confirmed a 2027 return for the event, making the remaining weeks the final chance to experience this year's activities.
At Magic Kingdom, that includes Jessie’s Roundup.
Jessie and her friends have been entertaining younger guests with dancing and activities while also giving families an opportunity to escape the Florida heat.
Once the experience ends, Disney will prepare the Diamond Horseshoe location for a new dining experience.
EPCOT Loses a Popular Dining Option
September 8 brings another temporary goodbye, this time at EPCOT.
Coral Reef Restaurant will close beginning that day.
The restaurant has one of the most recognizable settings at EPCOT, thanks to its enormous aquarium views. Guests can dine while watching marine life swim through The Seas with Nemo & Friends aquarium.
Disney has already said Coral Reef will reopen later in 2026.
What's missing is a specific return date.
Until Disney provides one, guests traveling after September 8 should plan on finding another restaurant.
Typhoon Lagoon Is Going Away for Months
The biggest September closure involves much more than a restaurant.
Typhoon Lagoon will seasonally close beginning September 8 and remain closed through the end of 2026.
Blizzard Beach will continue operating while Typhoon Lagoon is unavailable.
Before Typhoon Lagoon shuts its gates, Disney will hold one final H2O Glow After Hours event on September 5.
For guests arriving later in September, that means both regular Typhoon Lagoon visits and H2O Glow After Hours will no longer be options.
A Major Hollywood Studios Addition Finally Opens
Not everything happening in September involves a closure.
Hollywood Studios gets something new on September 14 when The Magic of Disney Animation officially opens.
The experience is located inside the new Walt Disney Studios Courtyard and draws inspiration from Disney Animation Studios' headquarters. Disney has four attractions planned for the location.
Off the Page will provide a large meet-and-greet area featuring six characters.
Meanwhile, Olaf Draws will give guests the chance to sit down and learn how to draw Disney characters.
That makes September 14 an important date for Hollywood Studios. Visitors arriving after the opening will have an experience that guests during the first two weeks of the month won't.
EPCOT Adds Cheers to Cheese
Finally, another new experience arrives at EPCOT on September 18.
Cheers to Cheese will take over space inside CommuniCore Hall during the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival.
Rather than simply serving cheese, the interactive exhibit will explore its history and provide guests with a variety of facts.
Cheers to Cheese is scheduled to operate from September 18 through November 8.
It's a smaller addition compared to what's opening at Hollywood Studios, but it gives Food & Wine visitors another reason to step inside CommuniCore Hall.
Disney World Will Change Quickly This September
September essentially comes in two different versions at Disney World this year.
Visit early enough, and you can still experience Typhoon Lagoon and Cool KIDS’ SUMMER.
Wait until later in the month, and those offerings will be gone. In exchange, The Magic of Disney Animation will be open at Hollywood Studios and Cheers to Cheese will have arrived at EPCOT.
Meanwhile, Coral Reef Restaurant will be temporarily unavailable as Disney prepares it for a return later in 2026.
For anyone planning a September trip, it's worth looking beyond park hours and attraction wait times.
This month, a difference of only a few days could completely change what's available during your Disney World vacation.
