October is shaping up to be one of the busier months for changes at Walt Disney World this year. Guests visiting the resort will find new dining and entertainment options, a couple of temporary closures, adjusted park hours, and a popular runDisney race weekend all packed into a single month.
On the dining and entertainment front, Disney's BoardWalk welcomes Hurly-Burly on October 1st — a new lounge offering live entertainment, vintage cocktails, and light bites, with family-friendly programming during the day and a 21-and-older atmosphere after dark. A few days later, the Diamond Horseshoe in Magic Kingdom reopens on October 4th with a fresh cowboy-themed menu; reservations open September 29th, though walk-ins are also welcome. Meanwhile, the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival gains its final four booths — Coastal Eats, Earth Eats, The Alps, and India — starting October 2nd. On the closure side, Scat Cat's Club Café and Lounge at Disney's Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter closes October 6th for refurbishment, though beignets and coffee will remain available at Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory and a temporary bar will operate near the café from 5 PM to 11 PM nightly. Also on October 6th, Olivia's Cafe at Disney's Old Key West Resort drops its brunch service in favor of separate breakfast, lunch, and dinner seatings.
Park hours see some adjustments as well. Guests staying at deluxe Disney World resorts can take advantage of Extended Evening Hours at Animal Kingdom on October 20th and October 26th, with two extra hours in the park from 6 PM to 8 PM — including Pandora: The World of Avatar lit up after dark. EPCOT, meanwhile, will shift to a later 10 AM opening (9:30 AM Early Entry) on October 23rd and October 25th to accommodate early morning races.
Those race days are part of the runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, running October 23rd through 25th. The event includes a 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and a 19.3-mile challenge option for those wanting to go the distance.
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Information for this article came from the Disney Food Blog.
