On Wednesday, Disney Parks fans once again noticed sparse crowds at three of the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. These claims follow weeks of reporting that Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park aren’t seeing the summer crowds they usually do.
Rumors about low attendance at Walt Disney World Resort began earlier this summer, especially after the Central Florida Disney park offered several simultaneous discounts on theme park tickets and Disney Resort hotels. Reports of low attraction wait times and ample advanced dining reservations shocked Disney Parks fans, especially after spring break brought weeks of packed theme parks.
Many Disney Parks fans have blamed the harsh political and economic climate in the United States and boycotts from foreign tourists for the less-crowded theme parks. Others blame the summer heat in the Sunshine State. Still, some Disney Park guests say Walt Disney World Resort is just as busy as ever. Because Disney rarely releases live crowd data, it’s impossible to say for sure.
Nevertheless, the discussions about crowd levels continue. On Wednesday, July 2, Redditor u/reddituser6742 shared screenshots of shockingly low wait times at EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park during what should be a busy summer afternoon, especially just days away from Independence Day.
WDW parks seem to be EMPTY based off the wait times in the app
WDW parks seem to be EMPTY based off the wait times in the app
byu/reddituser6742 inWaltDisneyWorld
Surprising wait times included 40 minutes for Avatar Flight of Passage, 45 minutes for Frozen Ever After, and 45 minutes for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Most Disney Parks fans expect to wait one to two hours for these popular attractions on a summer day.
Some commenters blamed the unpredictable Central Florida weather for the low attendance. Summer afternoons often fluctuate between pouring rain and blazing heat.
“The great realization that florida is miserable during the summer has arrived ( I live in florida and treat july like a month long blizzard.),” said u/Duox_TV. “I am shocked those 99 dollar a night offer didn’t pull ppl in. If I could have gotten it in time I would have gone during july instead of my plan in September.”
Others said Walt Disney World Resort blocked out too many Annual Passholders ahead of the Fourth of July.
“Most Locals being blocked out probably plays a part in that,” u/wrestlefan44 wrote.
“Those are walk-on wait times!” u/Ok-Molasses7673 replied. “Disney needs to take out blockout dates for this weekend.”
Most Disney Park guests were just grateful for the lower wait times and less crowded walkways.
“I’ve been here since Friday,” u/taflad commented. “Whilst it’s not completely empty I’m any of the parks, we haven’t queued for more than an hour for anything yet. I’m [at] HS today, mickey and Minnie RR was 45 mins, tower was 15 mins. RnRcoaster is currently closed. We hit tron on Friday and took 20 mins.”
“I hope it’s like this next week when I’m there,” said u/temporary-brother206.
What’s keeping crowds away from Walt Disney World Resort this summer? Share your opinion with Inside the Magic in the comments!
The post Guests Flee Disney World as Theme Park Troubles Sink In appeared first on Inside the Magic.
