Some Disney days are busy. Others are just plain bonkers.
October 20, 2025, is shaping up to fall into the latter category. Between an insanely popular Halloween event and one of the biggest tech conferences in the country, Disney World is expected to be packed to the brim. If you’ve got plans for that day—especially to visit Magic Kingdom—it’s time to rethink your strategy.
Let’s break down exactly what’s happening and how you can still have a great Disney day without being buried in crowds.
Why It’s Going To Be So Bad
Magic Kingdom is already seeing wild crowd levels throughout the fall thanks to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. The separately ticketed event brings in thousands of costumed guests each evening. But to make room for the party, the park closes early—usually around 6 p.m.—for regular day visitors.
On October 20, it’s happening again. And when that early closure kicks in, the entire guest flow changes. Party attendees begin flooding into the park by late afternoon, while daytime guests scramble to get their money’s worth before they’re shown the exit. It’s like rush hour at Cinderella Castle.
On top of that? The Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo is happening from October 20–23 at the Swan and Dolphin Resort. We’re talking about a major influx of business travelers who also like to enjoy the parks during downtime. In years past, this event even led to entire parks being rented out in the evening, further straining availability.
What You Can Expect on October 20
Brace yourself for bottlenecks.
Expect long waits for everything from Pirates of the Caribbean to popcorn carts. The parks—especially Magic Kingdom and EPCOT—will be buzzing with more people than usual, and transportation systems like the Monorail and Skyliner could be backed up as resort guests try to escape the chaos.
Attractions like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Space Mountain could easily soar past 90-minute waits. Even usually overlooked rides like it’s a small world might look more like headliners.
Smarter Ways To Spend the Day
Now for the good news: you don’t have to be part of the madness. Here’s how to make the most of October 20:
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Pick a different park: Animal Kingdom usually sees lighter traffic on party nights. Rope drop it, conquer Flight of Passage, and leave before the afternoon heat and crowds roll in.
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Use Park Hopper like a pro: Start at a quieter park and hop later in the day to another if crowd levels shift.
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Skip the parks altogether: This is a great day to explore Disney Springs, take a resort monorail crawl, or even book a relaxing table-service brunch.
Is the Halloween Party Worth It?
If you’ve got a ticket to the Halloween party, then yes—your night could still be magical. The party includes trick-or-treating, themed fireworks, special character meet-and-greets, and a parade led by the Headless Horseman. Just be ready to share that experience with a sea of fellow partygoers.
Bottom Line
October 20 is going to be one of those Disney days that tests your patience. But if you plan around it, avoid the hot zones, and stay flexible, you can still find some magic—even if it’s not at Magic Kingdom.
