Disney’s enchantment waning? Theme park visits dwindling, says travel analysis.

The Magic of Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts May Be Fading

The enchantment of the Disney theme parks seems to be losing its sparkle, as new travel analysis reports indicate a significant decrease in wait times. This suggests that attendance is down at both the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts.

Wait Times Plummet

Touring Plans, a company that collects waiting time data from the Disney parks’ mobile apps, has observed a remarkable decline in average posted wait times. On the Fourth of July, for example, the average wait time at Disney’s Magic Kingdom park in Orlando, Florida, was only 27 minutes. This is a significant drop from 31 minutes in 2022 and a staggering 47 minutes in 2019.

“It’s something that nobody would have predicted – just unfathomable,” says Len Testa, a computer scientist who runs Touring Plans, expressing his surprise to the Wall Street Journal.

Regular park-goers have also noticed the decrease in attendance. Jamie Brown, an annual pass holder, couldn’t believe how light the crowds were. She was able to enjoy popular attractions like Spaceship Earth and the Topolino’s Terrace restaurant without the usual high demand.

In September, Disney enthusiasts revealed that they were opting out of trips to the theme parks due to rising prices and what they perceived as money-grabbing tactics.

Price Increases and Disillusionment

A Time2Play poll conducted among nearly 2,000 self-described Disney World enthusiasts revealed that 92.6% believed a vacation to the resort was unaffordable for average families. Additionally, almost 70% felt that the price hikes had diminished the park’s magic.

Earlier this year, Disney responded to the criticism by rolling back some of the price increases and reintroducing certain free services, such as no longer charging guests for ride photos. They also announced an extension of the lowest-priced ticket availability.

In light of the declining attendance, Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) suggested that Disney’s “woke” agenda may be impacting ticket sales.

A Controversial Agenda

Speaking on the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show, Governor DeSantis expressed his belief that Disney’s departure from traditional pro-American values is affecting their popularity. He stated, “What made Disney the all-American company under Walt and beyond was a focus on family, a focus on traditional pro-American values. They would never have wanted to sexualize children the way Disney has gone down this.”

As the Disney theme parks navigate these challenges, it remains to be seen how they will adapt to regain their former magic and appeal to a wider audience.

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