So you’ve done it…you’ve finally planned that Disney World holiday trip you’ve always dreamed of.
Orlando Airport
You’ve figured out where you’re staying and you’ve bought tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party or Jollywood Nights. You’ve made plans to see the fun gingerbread displays at Disney World hotels. You’re ready to eat ALL the things at the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays and enjoy the Candlelight Processional. However, if you haven’t yet booked your flight to Disney World, it could be a bit more difficult this year than in previous years.
According to the Orlando Business Journal, fewer flights are heading to the Orlando International Airport this holiday season than in previous years. How many less? Well, it’s a LOT. Compared to last year, 4,151 fewer flights are heading to Orlando this holiday season. OUCH. This is because officials believe holiday travel will be lighter to to the area than last year.
©Orlando International Airport
This is pretty interesting because across the U.S., airports are expecting to break travel records for the holiday season AND major airlines have seen strong demand for travel during this time of year. But that’s just not the case for Orlando. Scheduled flights are down 8% from this time last year, while seats are also down 8%. Interestingly enough, travel for Thanksgiving this year was also predicted to be lighter.
Spirit Airlines at Orlando Airport
So what’s going on? Is travel to Orlando, in general, slowing down? Who knows? A lot of big changes and updates are coming to both Universal Orlando Resort and Disney World in 2025, so maybe folks are waiting until those changes are made before they travel to these destinations again. It’s also typically much more expensive to visit Disney World this time of year, and perhaps, that’s keeping travelers away, at least from Disney World. Whatever the case, it is interesting that Orlando seems to be impacted more than other airports.
Stay tuned to DFB for more.
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MORE Disney World Holiday INFO!
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What do you think? Why are fewer people flying to Orlando this holiday season? Let us know in the comments!
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What do you think? Why are fewer people flying to Orlando this holiday season? Let us know in the comments. Ok:
Simple….Airfares are ridiculously high! Airlines are cracking down on carryons! There aren’t enough nonstops! Flights are not at ‘normal’ daytime hours! Bottom Line….Flying simply isn’t fun anymore and money is tight.
As for Disney….it is nearly unaffordable. Both flying and Disney are now for the wealthy. Average, middle class Americans have been shoved to the side in the name of corporate greed. But they just don’t get it….