To ensure we are equipping our readers with all the information they need, we will continue to report on all travel, safety, and COVID-related news that could impact a Disney Parks visit.
Summer in Disney World = more people.
Crowd levels in the Magic Kingdom
Summer vacation is quickly approaching, and we’ve already seen record high gas prices (that are continuing to climb), as Orlando International Airport continues to see busy travel days, as well.
Now, a poll conducted by the Washington Post in tandem with George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government shows that gas prices and the overall cost to travel is a bigger factor when individuals are making decisions regarding their summer travel plans than COVID-19 is.
In fact, concerns over COVID-19 ranks sixth on the list of major factors behind gas prices, hotel costs, flight prices, time off work, and family logistics. All 8 of these factors are coming into play when people are making decisions on whether or not they are going to travel. And everything from work to gas prices is playing a role.
©️Washington Post
This is a shift from the last couple of years where COVID-19 has been a bigger concern. Now, fewer than 3 in 10 Americans consider it a major factor, despite a potential summer surge.
COVID-19 Sign in Magic Kingdom
Cost is the biggest concern now, especially as we’re seeing inflation soar to the highest it’s been in 40 years. Despite rising prices, many Americans are still choosing to go away on vacation this year, with 72% of Americans saying they will “definitely” or “probably” take a vacation, and more than three-quarters of those individuals say they will be getting there by car, as gas prices have risen to a national average of $4.59 per gallon.
©️Washington Post
According to the poll, 22% of Americans plan to head to theme parks this summer, and Disney is gearing up for busier days as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind prepares to open in EPCOT, and park passes have already sold out for Magic Kingdom for the Fourth of July. Summer is historically one of the more crowded times for Disney World, and we’re already seeing summer months starting to fill up.
Prepare for the parks to be crowded!
We’ll be keeping an eye on crowd levels in the Disney World parks as summer begins to ramp up, so make sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest updates! Are you worried about gas prices or flight prices? We keep a close eye on both of these and how they could impact your Disney vacation. You can read more about the fluctuating gas prices in Florida here.
We also monitor flight prices and do our best to give you monthly information on how that could impact your trip to Disney World. See information about June flights here!
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Are you planning a vacation this summer? Let us know in the comments!
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Of course I am worried about prices, but the main reason I don’t plan to fly for the rest of this year is the horrible news, both on travel websites and on individuals’ reports on their experience, is the uncertainty. There are shortages of airline staff, there are major weather delays – canceled flights, big flight delays – many people who have flown in the past three months have had stressful, if not nightmare, experiences. I can wait.
Disney is pricing out the middle class. Gas prices are outrageous hurting traveling to the airport (for us a 90 minute drive each way) and airline prices going up related to fuel costs. I priced a 3 night trip for 3 adults–$3550. That includes a moderate room, tickets with park hopper and genie+, and Not so scary halloween. Still would need funding for air, parking fees at BWI, transportation round trip Orlando International and Port Orleans Riverside, and food/dining. It would be cheaper to live there and have an annual pass.
I work remotely and could not work using the Disney internet in April-May 2022. It was not secure enough and my business VPN laptop would never connect to it. Wish they could have just private secure (log in) internet for those who need it to work while they are there.
Gas prices, which impact all travel, air, rail, busses etc are probably the primary wait and see motivator. Disney has always outpaced inflation and with inflation hovering at about 9% that’s a factor. As for Disney specifically, the crowding in the parks would seem to indicate very little negative impact, some people say it’s ‘vengence travel’ people just wanting to get out. We’ll see as the months go by. There is a considerable amout of consumer anger at Disney for their entering the political arena, we’ll see how that plays out, I think most Americans would prefer neutrality, particularly as they have always been considred a family venue and the rush to get on board the LGBTQ bandwagon doesn’t sit well with everyone.
Renee LaPorte:
At some Disney hotels (mainly the ones with Convention Centers) there are business centers with hardwired computers. The drawback to this is that (at least a few years ago) the hotels charged $5/minute to use that service.
All inflation is impacting my vacation plans. We are driving to Orlando from NC. But we are only doing 1 Park Day, 1 night at Typhoon Lagoon for H2O Glow Nights, and 1 day to visit Disney Springs and a few Disney Resorts. We are staying off property, driving down, and cooking most of our own meals. We will be relaxing and truly enjoying the Resort where we are staying. HMMMM….. Sounds like a true vacation.
Disney stock price has plummeted to below $100/share. How can the board seriously consider renewing Chapek’s contract? Time for new leadership… NOW!