Park Watch: What’s Happening This Month
AUGUST 2023
Things really start heating up in August as both Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party AND the EPCOT International Food and Wine festival return to Disney World! And also because well… Florida + August = Devil’s armpit weather with the occasional hurricane.
Seriously though, August is the start of Hurricane Season in Florida, so definitely check the weather and get the travel insurance for any August trips to the happiest place on earth.
Disney World
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is in full swing and runs through November 18. This popular festival event includes an awesome variety of food with over 25 global marketplace booths, great wine selections, entertainment, and more.
Disney has released the full line-up for the popular Eat to the Beat Concert Series that includes Boyz II Men, Hanson, 98° and more! Eat to the Beat Dining Packages will go on sale July 6, so you’ll be able to setup MouseWatcher alerts to snag a seat for your favorite performances!
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Spooky season in the Magic Kingdom kicks off on August 11 with the first night of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and, new this year, runs through November 1. Tickets go on sale to guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels April 27 and go on sale to the general public May 2.
August: 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29
September: 1, 4, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29
October: 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31
November: 1
Ticket prices range from $109 to $199 plus tax, depending on the date selected. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can save $10 per ticket to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, valid for select event nights in August and September.
Confirmed party-exclusive entertainment and activities:
- Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade
- Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular stage show
- Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular fireworks show hosted by Jack Skellington
- Meet-and-greets with characters in their Halloween costumes and rare character appearances
- Trick-or-Treat trails
- Access to most Magic Kingdom rides and NEW in 2023, guests will have a chance to join a Virtual Queue for the new TRON Lightcycle / Run in Tomorrowland
- Special Halloween ride overlays on many attractions including Halloween music on Space Mountain, live actors on Pirates of the Caribbean, spooky lights and music on the Mad Tea Party teacups, and the pièce de résistance – spooky lighting and special cast member costumes on the Haunted Mansion and live “ghostly” story tellers outside.
- Disney Junior Jam Dance Party at Storybook Circus and more character-themed dance parties
- Cadaver Dans Barbershop Quartet
- Party-exclusive snacks and merchandise
- Event-exclusive PhotoPass Magic Shots
Also returning this year, the Not-So-Spooky Spectacular Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace, the Not-So-Spooky Spectacular Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing, and the Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Dining Packages at Be Our Guest and Cinderella’s Royal Table.
Read more on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party:
What to Expect at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon
Disney H2O Glow After Hours events continue this month at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. This late night splash fest includes a DJ dance party with some beloved Disney characters, special park lighting effects, glowing accessories, plus snacks and drinks. And of course, all of the attractions at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park will be available.
This is a separate ticket event and will be held on August 5, 12, 19 and 26, and September 2.
Flavors of Florida – Disney Springs
Savor the flavors of summer during this Disney Springs celebration through August 13. Over 30 locations all throughout Disney Springs will be featuring a variety of the best homegrown dishes, snacks and sips the Sunshine State can offer. There will also be live culinary demonstrations from the experts at Jaleo by José Andrés, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, Wine Bar George and more. Plus, enjoy tasty samples!
Disney After Hours at EPCOT
Disney After Hours at EPCOT takes place select nights June 1 to August 24, 2023. This is a limited-capacity, separate ticket event that gives you the chance to ride most of your favorite EPCOT rides with much lower wait times – including Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Frozen Ever After, and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. No Lightning Lane or Virtual Queue required! Snacks are included in your ticket cost, but select dining locations will also be open late to serve heartier meals as well. But since this is only a 3-hour event it’s best to schedule your dinner plans before the event starts. The event itself doesn’t start until 10:00 PM, but ticketholders can enter the park and check in as early as 7:00 PM so it’s a good time to schedule a dining reservation at your favorite EPCOT Restaurant. Remember that this is a separately ticketed event, so you’ll need to buy an after-hours ticket separate from a normal Disney World ticket.
Disneyland
San Fransokyo Square Officially Opening at Disney California Adventure Park
San Fransokyo Square is officially set to open on August 31. Pacific Wharf in California Adventure is being rethemed into San Fransokyo based on the Big Hero Six movie. This new area will include a new character meet and greet with Baymax and plenty of new shops and restaurants.
New dining locations inspired by the Big Hero 6 movie include Aunt Cass Café, offering soup bowls and dishes inspired by Japanese cuisine, Port of San Fransokyo Cervecería offering Karl Strauss beer, and Rita’s Turbine Blenders offering margaritas and other cold blended beverages.
CHOC Walk at Disneyland
The Children’s Hospital of Orange County holds a fundraiser with a walk through Disneyland and Disney California Adventure called the Disneyland CHOC Walk. The theme parks may open later on the date of the event which takes place on August 20th this year. Expect larger than normal crowds in the parks, Downtown Disney, and even surrounding hotels as people come to participate in this event.
Disney Junior & Friends Playdate
New in Disneyland, Disney California Adventure will be holding a 3 day event August 18-20 called “Disney Junior & Friends Playdate.” to celebrate the shows and characters of Disney Junior. This special, limited time event will showcase characters, music, parades, and a dance party!