Walt Disney World Sees September Slowdown Amid Reports of Lower Crowds

Walt Disney World experienced one of its slowest stretches of 2025 last month, with multiple guest reports describing unusually short wait times across the parks.

Data compiled by Thrill-Data showed that from mid-August through mid-September, average standby waits were about 24 minutes per attraction. That figure is lower than typical summer crowds and even shorter than the averages recorded over the July 4 holiday.

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On social media, some guests described the parks as feeling like “ghost towns,” sharing videos of walk-on experiences at major rides including Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Disney, however, reports steady attendance overall and pointed to revenue growth in its most recent earnings. Analysts have suggested that faster standby times may partly reflect operational changes, such as adjusting how many guests are admitted through Lightning Lane versus traditional standby queues.

Industry experts note that September is historically one of the quieter months at Walt Disney World, as schools resume and hurricane season reaches its peak. This year, several factors likely contributed to the lull:

• Seasonal Timing – Late summer and early fall are traditionally less busy.
• Special Event Schedules – Magic Kingdom’s early closures on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party dates often lead to lighter daytime crowds.
• Discounted Promotions – Disney offered aggressive deals, including $89 per-day tickets excluding Magic Kingdom and 50% off children’s tickets, to encourage attendance.

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Weekends in September showed slightly higher crowd levels than weekdays, while Disney’s Hollywood Studios continued to post the longest waits resort-wide. Analysts also expect a bump in attendance in early October, when Florida residents use expiring ticket offers and travel demand rises around Columbus Day.

Despite viral claims of “empty parks,” statewide tourism has remained strong. Visit Florida estimates 34.4 million visitors arrived in the state from April through June, a slight increase over the same period in 2024.

Taken together, the numbers suggest that while Walt Disney World did see a notable slowdown in September, the trend appears consistent with historical seasonal patterns rather than a sharp decline in overall attendance. Crowd trends throughout October will provide a better glimpse of the Orlando travel market ahead of the typically busy holiday season.

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