Crowds at Disney theme parks have been noticeably thinner this summer, with July 4th weekend being the slowest in nearly a decade.
Travel experts say the park’s recent price increases and change in operations have contributed to the number of people visiting the most magical place on Earth.
Summer, especially July 4th, at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is normally one of the busiest times.
But the holiday weekend was one of the slowest compared to previous years in nearly a decade, according to tour plan detailsa travel company that tracks wait times at amusement parks.
Crowds at Disney theme parks have been noticeably thinner this summer, with July 4th weekend being the slowest in nearly a decade.
The holiday weekend was one of the slowest compared to previous years in nearly a decade, according to data from Touring Plans, a travel company that tracks wait times at amusement parks.
At Disney’s Magic Kingdom, the posted average wait time was 27 minutes for the July 4 holiday, up from 31 minutes in 2022, despite a special fireworks display produced at the park.
Park guests have seen significantly shorter wait times for rides and industry analysts say this generally correlates with smaller crowds.
At Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park in Florida, the posted average wait time it was 27 minutes this year for the July 4 holiday, up from 31 minutes in 2022 and 47 minutes in 2019, according to Touring Plans data.
This is despite a special fireworks display that occurs in the park on the 4th of July each year.
In Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park, the holiday was the third slowest day last year.
It’s been a tough year for Disney, which has been involved in a massive legal battle with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law passed in 2022.
At the time, former CEO Chapek spoke out against the parental rights in education bill, which prohibits classroom instruction on gender identity or sexual orientation from kindergarten through third grade.
DISNEY 4TH OF JULY: The park was significantly less crowded over the holiday weekend
Travel experts say the park’s recent price increases and change in operations have contributed to the number of people visiting the most magical place on Earth.
Castle Hub grass area blocked off ahead of the 4th of July 2023 fireworks display. Visitors are in for something they haven’t seen in a long time: room to move
Park guests have seen significantly shorter wait times for rides and industry analysts say this generally correlates with smaller crowds.
Park attendance was reported to be down in 2022 compared to 2019, but experts say Disney had intentionally reduced crowds by using a reservation system it implemented in 2020.
Despite all this, experts say that the low attendance was not as expected.
“It’s something that no one would have predicted, just unfathomable,” Len Testa, a computer scientist who runs Touring Plans, told the outlet. Wall Street Journal.
Some blame Florida’s summer heat, humidity and heavy rain for low attendance, as the heat index topped 100 degrees for several days in early July.
Park attendance was reported to be down in 2022 compared to 2019, but experts say Disney also intentionally reduced crowds by using a reservation system it implemented in 2020.
The goal was to improve the park experience for fewer visitors who will spend more money.
At Universal Studios Florida theme park, crowds are also relatively sparse, with an average wait time of 28 minutes on July 4, up from 38 minutes in 2022, but in line with 2019 levels, the data showed. .
Visitors can also opt for less expensive vacations after Disney increased admission prices and eliminated free services, experts said.
Splash Mountain in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World closed permanently on January 23, 2023, to be repurposed with a new theme as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
While Magic Kingdom and Epcot cost the same this year as last year, one-day tickets to Disney’s Hollywood Studios are up $184 and Animal Kingdom is up to $164.
While Magic Kingdom and Epcot cost the same this year as last year, one-day tickets to Disney’s Hollywood Studios are up $184 and Animal Kingdom is up to $164.
And at Disneyland on the West Coast, the company increased the cost of multi-day tickets by 9 percent or more in October, with the price of a two-day ticket rising from $255 per adult to $285.
“People might be a little tired with economy-based price increases right now,” Stephanie Oprea, Atlanta-based senior planner and director of marketing for Pixie Travel, told WSJ.
In an effort to attract more people to Disney, the company is offering promotions including discounts for subsequent visits and savings of up to 40% on rooms at select Disney World hotels for Annual Passholders on certain days in December around Christmas. Besides the 4th of July, Christmas is another busy time.
