As the new year rolls in, Disney World is preparing for one of its busiest times: January 2025, when crowds are expected to swarm the parks.
Disney World Crowd Surge: 2025 Brings New Guest Experiences
As 2025 approaches, Disney World is gearing up to deliver even more magical experiences to visitors. The parks are constantly evolving, with new attractions, shows, and events being introduced to keep things fresh and exciting. Here’s a glimpse of some of the exciting additions coming to Disney World in 2025 that will make your visit even more memorable.
A brand-new nighttime parade, Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away, is set to light up the skies at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, offering a blend of nostalgia and innovation. This vibrant parade will bring to life beloved Disney characters from both timeless classics and modern Disney Animation Studios films, including favorites like Peter Pan and Moana.
For those who love to root for the villains in Disney films, the new “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” show will be a must-see. This thrilling live performance features some of Disney’s most iconic antagonists, including Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent, as they break free from the confines of their stories to take center stage.
This summer, dive into the world of Ariel in “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure”, an all-new stage production based on the beloved Disney animated classic. The show will feature spectacular new sets, vibrant puppetry, and a talented cast of live performers, creating an unforgettable underwater adventure for guests of all ages.
Later this spring, a brand-new experience will open inside the iconic Spaceship Earth at EPCOT. The Spaceship Earth Lounge will offer a serene and elevated retreat, giving guests a unique opportunity to take in panoramic views of the park and its breathtaking surroundings.
To accommodate this surge, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is adjusting its entertainment schedule with exciting changes that could significantly impact crowd levels. One of the park’s most beloved nighttime spectacles, Fantasmic!, will be running additional performances on January 2 and 3, 2025, which could mean even bigger crowds at Disney World.
More Chances to See Fantasmic!
On January 2 and January 3, 2025, guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have three opportunities to experience the breathtaking Fantasmic! show, a favorite among visitors for its stunning combination of fireworks, water projections, and beloved Disney characters. The show will be staged at 6:00 pm, 8:00 pm, and 9:30 pm on both days, a change from the usual two performances.
This adjustment gives guests more flexibility in choosing when to catch the show, but it also indicates that Disney expects the park to be busier than usual. The addition of a third Fantasmic! performance could be an attempt to manage the overwhelming demand for this fan-favorite attraction, especially as crowd levels at Disney World continue to rise during the holiday season.
The Impact of Additional Showtimes on Crowd Levels
The increase in Fantasmic! performances is a direct response to expected high crowds during the beginning of January. Disney World has long been known for experiencing large crowds right after the New Year’s celebrations, as families take advantage of post-holiday vacation time.
With the addition of a third show, Disney hopes to distribute the guests more evenly across showtimes, potentially easing some of the pressure on individual performance slots. However, this adjustment could also attract even more visitors, as the expanded schedule provides more opportunities for people to see the show.
What This Means for Disney World Visitors
As a result, Disney World visitors can expect higher-than-usual crowd levels throughout the parks, not just in Hollywood Studios, but across the entire resort. If you’re planning to visit during this time, it’s important to be aware that wait times for other attractions may increase, and popular dining reservations may be harder to secure.
For those hoping to avoid the largest crowds, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will operate from 8:30 am to 9:00 pm on January 2 and January 3, 2025. On January 3, the park will extend its hours for eligible resort guests, offering a special evening window from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
This extra time gives resort guests a chance to enjoy the park when the majority of visitors have already left, which could provide a welcome opportunity for those seeking a quieter experience.
However, this extended evening time frame also has the potential to attract even more visitors, particularly those hoping to catch the later showings of Fantasmic! and enjoy the park’s more peaceful atmosphere.
Should You Stay Away From Disney World During This Time or Embrace the Potential Crowds?
The addition of a third Fantasmic! performance shows that Disney World is doing everything it can to manage the expected crowd levels in early January. However, this doesn’t mean that things will be easy for guests hoping to experience the park without facing massive crowds. If you’re planning to visit during this time, it’s essential to plan ahead and expect busier-than-usual conditions across the resort.
In the end, while the additional Fantasmic! showings give visitors more opportunities to enjoy this spectacular experience, they also signal that Disney World will be brimming with people.
It’s up to each guest to prepare for the crowds and make the most of their visit by arriving early, booking ahead, and being ready to adjust plans as needed. With a little preparation, your trip to Disney World can still be magical, even amidst the hustle and bustle.
January 2025 will be a particularly busy time at Disney World, and the adjustments made at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are a clear indication of the expected surge in attendance.
By adding a third Fantasmic! show, Disney is providing more options for guests, but it also means that crowds will likely be larger than usual. With smart planning, however, visitors can still enjoy everything Disney World has to offer, despite the bustling atmosphere.
Source: Disney World Website