Home » Theme Parks » Disney Parks » Walt Disney World

Disney World Faces Substantial Attendance Drop, Rides Hit Rock Bottom Wait Times

in Disney Parks, Walt Disney World

Posted on by Luke Dammann 5 Comments
A crowd of people gather around the statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse in front of Cinderella's Castle at Disney World.

Credit: Nicholas Fuentes, Unsplash

Crowd levels are noticeably lower than usual this week at Walt Disney World, with wait times dropping during the final days of summer.

A screenshot of a mobile app showing Disney Wait Times for various attractions at a theme park. The list includes rides like "Star Tours," "Spaceship Earth," and "Expedition Everest," with wait times ranging from 5 to 70 minutes. Each ride has an icon and a brief description.
Credit: My Disney Experience App

Related: ‘Star Wars’ Attraction Discontinued at Disney Park: What You Need to Know

The Walt Disney World Resort, also known as “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” has seen significantly lower crowd levels during the months of June and July, with wait times for rides and attractions dropping as a result.

Despite the summer months traditionally bringing in a larger number of guests, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT are all relatively empty compared to previous summers. The weather is likely to blame, with Orlando battling temperatures of 90+ degrees every day this week.

At the start of the year, both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts saw high wait times and attendance, with one ride hitting an astoundingly high wait time in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. July 4, 2024, was one the emptiest days at Walt Disney World in a decade, with the parks pulling in a record-low number of guests.

This trend has continued in the final days of July, with wait times dropping across the entire Orlando resort.

Magic Kingdom

A fantasy castle illuminated in blue and purple lights with towering spires stands against a twilight sky. Nearby, a colorful medieval-style lantern glows, and shadowy trees frame the scene. It's a sight so magical that even a Drunk Disney World Guest might find themselves momentarily arrested by its beauty.
Credit: Disney

Wait times at the Magic Kingdom have dropped substantially, with several popular rides now walk-ons. Only Space Mountain has managed to break the 60-minute mark, boasting a wait time of 75 minutes. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train trails slightly behind, with a wait time of 55 minutes.

The following rides all currently fall between a five and 20-minute wait:

  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • Astro Orbiter
  • Tom Sawyer Island
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
  • Swiss Family Treehouse
  • Tomorrowland Speedway
  • “it’s a small world”
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Surprisingly, Magic Kingdom’s newest attraction, Country Bear Musical Jamboree, sits at a wait time of 15 minutes, despite just opening a few weeks ago. Other heavy hitters like Pirates of the Caribbean are currently a 10-minute wait.

EPCOT

A large geodesic sphere with a triangular pattern, lit up with vibrant blue and purple lights against a twilight sky. The sphere is elevated on angled supports, surrounded by trees and greenery at its base.
Credit: Disney

Related: Deadpool Defeats Disney, Interview Tells All

EPCOT tells a similar story to Magic Kingdom, with the following attractions all displaying a five-minute wait:

  • Gran Fiesta Tour
  • Journey Into Imagination with Figment
  • Living with the Land
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends
  • Spaceship Earth

The highest wait time at EPCOT is for Frozen Ever After, which consistently ranks as the park’s most popular attraction. The ride currently has a wait of 45 minutes. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is just five minutes shorter, at a 40-minute wait. Soarin’ Around the World, another of EPCOT’s more popular rides has a wait of 20 minutes.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Crowds at Disney's Hollywood Studios at night.
Credit: Jess Colopy, Inside the Magic

Related: Dolly Parton Joins New ‘Batman’ HBO Series in Pivotal Role

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also seeing considerably lower wait times, with the following rides and attractions all falling between a five and 15-minute wait:

  • Meet Edna Mode
  • Star Tours
  • Muppet Vision 3D
  • Vacation Fun
  • Walt Disney presents
  • Alien Swirling Saucers
  • Star Wars Launch Bay: Meet Chewbacca
  • Toy Story Mania!

Rock’ n’ Roller Coaster currently has a 65-minute wait time, which is unsurprising considering it reopened earlier this summer following an extended refurbishment.

Slinky Dog Dash isn’t too far behind at 60 minutes, with Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Star Wars Rise of the Resistance both sitting at a cool 50-minute wait.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror rests at 40 minutes.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Two joyful young women walking hand in hand through a lush, verdant pathway framed by large, twisted tree roots and exotic plants.
Credit: Disney

Related: Disney Ends Debate on Haunted Mansion’s Hanging Corpse Scene With New Update

Things are just as quiet at Animal Kingdom, with multiple attractions all coming in under the 30-minute mark.

Wait times jump slightly when looking at attractions in Pandora – The World of Avatar, with Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey sitting at 50 minutes. Kali River Rapids is the most popular ride currently, likely due to it being the only water ride at the park.

Will you be visiting Walt Disney World soon? What’s your favorite Disney ride?

in Disney Parks, Walt Disney World

Tagged:FloridaMagic Kingdom

Luke Dammann

When at Disney world, Luke will probably be found eating with his favorite animatronic, Sonny Eclipse at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe. When not at Disney World, Luke will probably be found defending Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe to people who claim "there are better restaurants"

View Comments (5)