Visitors to Walt Disney World this summer are facing significantly shorter wait times to enter attractions – a sign that the theme parks may be receiving fewer visitors.
Data from the analysis company Touring Plans shows that smaller crowds are visiting the North American theme parks of The Walt Disney Company, as well as its competitors, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Touring Plans, which measures wait times in lines through information posted by Disney parks on their mobile apps, compiled data comparing the average wait times for attractions at the four parks of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
In 2019, the average wait time to board an attraction at Magic Kingdom was 47 minutes. In 2022, the wait time decreased to 31 minutes. So far this year, the average wait time is 27 minutes.
Hollywood Studios, which houses Disney’s Star Wars attractions, had its third slowest day last year on the July 4 holiday, according to Touring Plans.
Travel agents and industry analysts say that the combination of high ticket prices for theme parks, the sweltering summer heat in Florida, and the allure of visiting Europe and other foreign destinations may explain the decline in foot traffic at Mickey’s house.
Earlier this year, Disney CEO Bob Iger, who returned to lead the company after the tumultuous reign of his successor, Bob Chapek, reversed some price increases at its theme parks and reinstated some free services available to visitors.
He also determined to increase the number of days when $104 tickets will be available, while decreasing the days when he will charge the highest price – $179 – for adults.
In fiscal year 2022, Disney’s theme parks generated $28.7 billion in revenue and $7.9 billion in profit – surpassing their pre-pandemic performance in 2019 ($26.2 billion in revenue, $6.8 billion in profit).
Photo: The New York Post and The Wall Street Journal