It’s Not Just Disney, Theme Parks Nationwide See Double-Digit Drop in Attendance

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It’s Not Just Disney, Theme Parks Nationwide See Double-Digit Drop in Attendance

in Disney Parks, Theme Parks

Posted on July 10, 2025 by Rick Lye

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A picturesque view of Cinderella Castle with tall spires, set against a vibrant sunset sky with purple and pink clouds. The foreground features lush greenery and a pathway with visitors walking. The castle is surrounded by trees and a body of water.

Credit: Becky Burkett

The prevailing narrative of the summer is that Disney World has been very slow. Despite Disney executives telling everyone that the opening of Epic Universe would give the parks a bump, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Crowds in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park. — Credit: Jess Colopy, Inside the Magic

We won’t know just how low Disney World’s crowds have been this summer until August 6, when Disney CEO Bob Iger meets investors. Even then, we will only know how much money the parks made, not how many people walked through the gates.

Reports have also surfaced that Disneyland has been empty so far this summer. That should change later this month when Disneyland celebrates its 70th Anniversary, but that isn’t going to make up for what has been a slow summer.

But it’s not just Disney that is empty this summer. According to Bloomberg, theme parks nationwide have been startlingly vacant so far this summer.

A stunning castle with blue and gold spires stands tall under a vibrant, orange sunset sky. The sun shines brightly, casting a warm glow over the scene. Trees and a neatly manicured garden frame the foreground, evoking a magical Disney-like charm at Disney World. — Credit: Inside The Magic

According to Bloomberg’s numbers, attendance at United Parks and Resorts, which owns SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Sesame Place, declined 9.6 percent during the first months of the summer season, and Six Flags Entertainment, which runs parks across the country, declined 17 percent.

But why? What has caused a double-digit decline in attendance at theme parks nationwide? Bloomberg has a theory.

Bloomberg believes that the extreme weather is a significant issue facing theme parks this summer. Most of the country faced colder weather and massive rainstorms at the start of the spring season. That was followed by a heat dome that covered the country for the latter part of June and early July.

A large sign with colorful flags and bold white text reading "Six Flags World Headquarters" stands amid manicured landscaping with red flowers and green bushes, signifying the new policies on guest access. A building and a parked vehicle are visible in the background. — Credit: Six Flags

Forecasters don’t expect temperatures to moderate this summer. They expect the forecast to fluctuate between extreme heat and violent thunderstorms for most of the country. And hurricane season still hasn’t gotten into full steam yet.

With these forecasts, don’t expect your local theme park to get crowded anytime soon. Even Disney doesn’t expect crowds to pick up, given they’ve already started discounting for the holiday season.