Disney World and Universal Orlando are almost mandatory stops for those traveling to the United States, especially Florida, for tourism. The first bills itself as “The World of Magic” with a variety of attractions for both adults and children, including character-driven experiences.
Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. | Photo: Portal / Octavio Jones
The United States is in the summer season which is often used for visiting these types of places. However, the agglomeration and/or the number of people arriving seems to be a reflection of a ‘bad spell’ due to their decline.
Why has the number of visitors decreased?
According to the international chain CNN, there is not just one reason that could explain this drop and, citing travel experts, it lists the drop in travel that has sparked the coronavirus pandemic and the political infighting that has led to it to travel to Florida. Weather conditions are also added.
A woman surfs a longboard as the sun sets on a hot day on Thursday July 13, 2023 in Encinitas, California. | Photo: AP/Gregory Bull
“High temperatures from Sunday to Monday could reach very dangerous levels (extreme heat risk) as heat-sensitive people will be affected by heat illnesses. Avoid excessive exertion and drink plenty of water,” the Hanford National Weather Service warned.
Are there other reasons?
CNN, referring to Cnbc, pointed out that the lower attendance was due to a general decline in tourism in Florida. This is what Disney CEO Bob Iger told the latter media.
“Florida opened earlier during the Corona crisis and generated tremendous demand and there was no competition because there were a number of other places and states that hadn’t opened yet (…). If you look at the Florida numbers in 2023 versus 2022 when there weren’t as many open spots and Florida was the only spot, there’s a lot more competition today,” Iger said.
The Thrill Data portal links reduced influx to indications of a reduction in waiting times to access theme parks. This platform, quoted by CNN, puts it at 33 minutes, while the period in 2022 was an average of 8 minutes longer.
To reverse this situation (which is more notorious on holidays like July 4th), Disney World and Universal Orlando have tried to attract more tourists with special offers (bigger than those announced in other years).
Conflict between Disney and Ron DeSantis
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis clashes with Disney. | Photo: Portal/Henry Nicholls
The foregoing after the latter raised questions about the “Don’t say gay” law, which restricts references to sexual orientation in school settings. The dispute revolves around autonomy over the lands on which the parks are built.
“The actions of this government are clearly retaliatory, openly anti-business and unconstitutional,” the entertainment company said, according to El País in Spain.