According to a report, Walt Disney World and Disneyland are experiencing significantly shorter wait times for rides this summer. This decrease in foot traffic is attributed to visitors being deterred by high ticket prices. Touring Plans, an analysis firm, has collected data showing smaller crowds at Disney’s US-based theme parks and its competitors. This decline in attendance poses challenges for the entertainment giant as it undergoes a $5.5 billion cost-cutting initiative, resulting in layoffs in various divisions, including ESPN.
Touring Plans uses information from Disney park mobile apps to measure wait times. Their data reveals that the average wait time for rides at the four Walt Disney World parks in Orlando, Florida has decreased over the years. In 2019, the Magic Kingdom had an average wait time of 47 minutes, which dropped to 31 minutes in 2022 due to the pandemic. This year, the average wait time is even lower at 27 minutes. EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom follow a similar trend.
Hollywood Studios, known for its Star Wars attractions, had its third-slowest day in the past year on the Fourth of July, reinforcing the observation of fewer visitors at the theme parks. Visitors such as Jaime Brown, an annual pass holder, have noticed the lighter crowds, allowing easier access to popular attractions like Spaceship Earth and Topolino’s Terrace restaurant.
Experts speculate that the combination of expensive ticket prices, Florida’s intense summer heat, and the allure of international destinations like Europe contribute to the decrease in attendance at Disney theme parks. The Post has reached out to The Walt Disney Company for comment. In response to customer feedback, Disney CEO Bob Iger has rolled back some price increases and reinstated certain free services at the parks. This includes eliminating parking fees for guests at Disney-run hotels who drive to the theme parks.
Despite these challenges, Disney theme parks generated significant revenue and profit in fiscal year 2022, surpassing their pre-pandemic performance in 2019. However, the company has faced political controversies, particularly with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, regarding issues such as sex and gender education for children and the autonomous tax district governing the land occupied by Disney’s theme parks.
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