The strange phenomenon happening at Disney theme parks this summer – and it’s good news for visitors
VISITORS to Walt Disney World and Disneyland have been surprised to see shorter queues than they might have expected this summer.
The parks remain hugely popular attractions for tourists and families, but for one reason or another it looks like people are staying away this year.
Data from the analysis firm Touring Plans shows that smaller crowds have descended on The Walt Disney Company’s US-based theme parks as well as its competitors, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Touring Plans, which measures wait times through information posted by Disney parks on their mobile apps, compiled data comparing the average wait times for rides at the four Walt Disney World parks in Orlando, Fla.
In 2019, the average wait time to board a ride in the Magic Kingdom was 47 minutes, while in pandemic-hit 2022 it had shrank to 31 minutes.
However, so far this year, even as the busier summer months arrive, the average wait time is still down even further to 27 minutes.
The figures also reveal that wait times for rides at EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom follow the same trajectory.
While this may seem like good news for visitors, it will be seen as concerning for the parks, who perhaps ought to have been hoping for an increase in footfall with demand for travel increasing.
The report in the WSJ claims that “price hikes” are part of the reason people aren’t attending the parks, as well as “changes to park operations”.
Jaime Brown, a Walt Disney World annual pass holder who lives in Celebration, Fla., told The Journal that she visited all four of the resort’s theme parks during the week of July 4.
Brown said that she managed to easily patronize attractions that are normally in high-demand such as Spaceship Earth and the Topolino’s Terrace restaurant.
She said: “I couldn’t believe how light the crowds were.”
Travel agents and industry analysts say that as well as high theme park ticket prices, Florida’s sweltering summer heat, and the allure of visiting other foreign destinations could also be to blame.
Disney has acted to try and bring back some of their guests with several price hikes rolled back by CEO Bob Iger.
He also brought back some free services that had been made unavailable to visitors.
They included free downloads of photos snapped during rides and meet-and-greets with Disney characters for Disney World annual pass holders.
Iger also scrapped parking fees he brought in for guests at Disney-run hotels, with visitors charged between $15-25 to park their cars per night.
Meanwhile, this Disney World sale has 14-day tickets for the price of 7, including up to $2,100 (£1,650) of free spending money and early park access.
And these are 22 things that are free at Disney World including souvenirs and food.