Credit: Video Screenshot, TIkTok, @pinoystarbbqMore than a month after a debunked rumor of ICE activity inside Disneyland Resort, guests say crowds haven’t returned to the Southern California theme parks. Despite wall-to-wall masses for Disneyland Park’s 70th birthday on July 17, Disney Parks fans claim that the rest of this summer hasn’t lived up to years past.
In early June, amid protests about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement breaking apart families in Los Angeles, rumors spread that ICE agents were spotted in Disneyland Resort parking garages and near Disney cast member entrances to the Southern California vacation destination. Hours after the claims surfaced, Disneyland Resort issued an official statement confirming that ICE was not present on its property, and that theme park operations were continuing as usual.
Nevertheless, Disney Parks fans say that ICE activity around Southern California is impacting crowd levels at Disneyland Resort. Some guests have canceled their scheduled vacations, while other local Magic Key holders are avoiding the Disney parks because it “doesn’t feel right” to visit The Happiest Place on Earth while families nearby are suffering.
Last week, several TikTok users reported that after the 70th anniversary excitement ended, the Disney parks were once again “empty.” On July 20, TikTok user @1vjpn shared this footage taken in different spots around Disney California Adventure Park, calling the lack of crowds the “ICE effect.”
@1vjpn #disneylandcalifornia #california #disneyland #ice #immigration
On July 23, @pinoystarbbq shared this video from Disneyland Park, showing several empty and sparsely crowded areas:
@pinoystarbbq Breaks my heart that it’s been this slow!! In just the matter of weeks!! #Disneyland #disney #disneyworld #ice
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“Entrance is empty…Castle is empty!!” the Disney Park guest wrote. “Trams are completely empty!!! We love Disneyland but ICE has everyone in a bundle!! …Breaks my heart that it’s been this slow!! In just the matter of weeks!!”
When the TikToker pulled into the parking garage and told the Disney cast member that it “looked a little slow today,” she replied, “A little bit, yeah.”
Several social media commenters agreed that Disneyland Resort seems less crowded this summer.
“I have noticed that it’s not as busy as it was last summer!” @ofeliao78 wrote. “I have a pass and it’s definitely much less packed.”
“Yup. Very sad this administration has done!” @mommachingona replied. “Not spending big on this administration.”
Still, others said these videos don’t represent a typical summer day at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.
“It’s never slow when I go!” said @sassyluv.1. “Big crowds and long line wait times.”
“Literally just left. Disney is not empty!” @disney.mom4 agreed. “You guys need to stop making saying it’s ICE and bla bla. I was happy to see that’s not stopping people to go to Disney.”
Disneyland Resort doesn’t release live attendance data, so it’s impossible to know whether this summer is less crowded than last. However, the Southern California Disney park is currently offering a $70 ticket for Anaheim residents–a sign that the company is trying to entice guests.
Have you visited Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park recently? Share your experience with Inside the Magic in the comments!