Walt Disney Co (DIS)

[Prudent Capitalist]

‘Nobody was there’: What’s behind the summer slump at Disney World and Universal Orlando

Wait times for rides at Disneyworld parks have actually been longer than at the Universal's Orlando parks.

Long lines and jam-packed crowds tend to go hand in hand at Central Florida’s world-famous theme parks during the summer months, but Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando parkgoers may be in for a reprieve this season.

Wait times for rides and attractions at both resorts have shortened, according to analysts who track theme park attendance. Videos on social media also show park attendees remarking on thinner crowds.

The reasons behind the slowdown are hard to pin down, but travel experts point to extreme weather and heat in Florida, a waning post-pandemic travel boom and a tense political climate in Florida that has prompted travel warnings from some groups. ......

So far this month, Thrill Data has reported that the average wait time at Disney World is 33 minutes — one of the shortest of any month since January 2022, and during what is typically high season for the parks. Last year, July’s wait time for Disney’s Florida parks averaged 41 minutes.

Universal’s two parks, Universal Studios Florida and Island of Adventure, saw wait times dip from last year, as well, according to Touring Plans. Wait times at Island of Adventure dipped to 25 minutes this July Fourth, compared to 30 minutes last year and 28 minutes in 2019.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/13/business/disney-world-universal-orlando-attendance-down/index.html