Credit: Inside The MagicIn August 2045, an extraordinary celestial moment will unfold directly over Walt Disney World Resort. On August 12, exactly twenty years from now, the skies above the Central Florida destination will darken for six full minutes during a rare total solar eclipse.
According to a 2024 Fox 13 Seattle report, “The path of totality for this eclipse will sweep over a multitude of major cities, creating an awe-inspiring sight for residents and visitors alike.” This sweeping path includes locations such as Reno, Salt Lake City, Colorado Springs, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Tampa, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Nassau, Santo Domingo, Belém, São Luís, and Recife.
The phenomenon has already sparked conversation among fans and astronomy enthusiasts alike. National Eclipse (@NationalEclipse) on X (formerly Twitter) posted the event’s trajectory and posed a playful question: “What will a ticket to @WaltDisneyWorld cost on August 12, 2045, when a six-minute total solar eclipse crosses directly over the park?”
In a 2025 update, Click Orlando shared the times that Florida counties will be under totality.
- Kissimmee, Celebration, Poinciana, Groveland, Clermont: Greater than 6 minutes
- Orlando, Apopka, The Villages: Nearly 6 minutes
- Ocala: Approximately 5 minutes and 40 seconds
- Titusville: Approximately 4 minutes and 30 seconds
- Daytona Beach: Approximately 2 minutes and 30 seconds
While the date is still two decades away, 2024 offered a taste of what’s to come. On April 8, a total solar eclipse swept across North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. NASA explains, “A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk.”
The eclipse in 2024 coincided with an especially busy spring at the resort, as Florida’s Spring Break season brought a record 7.6 million travelers through Orlando International Airport (MCO). This influx meant packed parks, extended attraction wait times, higher Disney Lightning Lane pricing, and limited park availability.
Of course, the eclipse in 2045 will arrive in the midst of other big changes for the resort. Over the next decade, Disney Experiences plans to invest heavily in its theme parks around the globe.
A while ago, CEO Bob Iger announced a $60 billion expansion and improvement initiative, with $30 billion earmarked for theme parks and resorts alone. While much of the spending is expected toward the end of the decade, enhancements are already underway.
From Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea to World of Frozen in Disneyland Paris, and the addition of franchises like Encanto, Cars, and more Indiana Jones at Walt Disney World Resort, new experiences continue to shape the parks.
At Disneyland Resort, several projects are also in motion–including the doubling of Avengers Campus–ensuring there’s always something fresh for guests to discover.
With growth, however, comes the reality of rising vacation costs. Admission prices at Walt Disney World have increased significantly over the decades. Food, beverages, merchandise, and accommodations have also seen price adjustments.
Still, the allure remains strong. Crowds continue to fill the Orlando parks, and Lightning Lane offerings regularly sell out. Even as prices shift, the magic of Disney World draws millions each year.
Looking ahead, the upcoming decade of development and the spectacular eclipse in 2045 promise unique moments in the resort’s history. One will reshape the guest experience for years to come, and the other will cast the entire park under a rare shadow, giving visitors a reason to look to the sky.
We’ll be watching closely to see what August 12, 2045, brings to Walt Disney World Resort.