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'I visited Disney World in Florida and was taken aback by worrying detail'

One Disney fan took a trip to the Orlando theme park after reports that people were abandoning it in droves what he found took him by complete surprise

[Photo of giant Mickey and Minnie Mouse mascots hugging each other at the opening day of Disneyland Paris in 1992]

One person went to see if Mickey and Minnie Mouse could save Walt Disney World from decline (file image)(Image: David Niviere/Kipa/Sygma via Getty Images)

Walt Disney World in Florida is known for being the "most magical place in the world" but is it losing its sparkle? The beloved theme park has had a torrid few years since the pandemic, from its parent company's now-resolved stand-off with Florida governor Ron DeSantis to its decision in July to close the Tom Sawyer Island, one of its most popular sites.

But now holidaymakers are noticing another massive change at the Orlando resort, with one travel vlogger claiming the destination has apparently become "dead". Reports are surfacing that the famous theme park has turned unusually quiet this summer, with punters sharing various theories about what could be causing it.

The matter was recently brought to light by theme park reviewer Steve Noble, who recorded his recent Disney World visit on TikTok to share his findings about what was unfolding in the Sunshine State.

During his weekend break, he claimed Disney World was almost resembling a ghost town. He said: "I'm at Magic Kingdom right now, and this place is a tomb. There is literally nobody here. There is no wait time for anything.

"Space Mountain walk on. Haunted Mansion walk on. Pirates of the Caribbean walk on. The longest I have even seen a wait time for Seven Dwarfs today [is] 30 minutes.

"Peter Pan's Flight up to 30 minutes, but everything is walk on, all day long. I don't know what's going on. It's Labor Day weekend should be crowded, should be packed normally. This place is empty."

Steve continued: "I am absolutely loving it, but what do you think? What's going on? Why is there nobody here? I have never seen it like this. It's been years since I've seen it this empty, especially on a holiday weekend. I don't know, I'm going to enjoy it while I can."

[ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 3: People walk past the front of Cinderella's Castle at the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World on April 3, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. ]

The price of a day ticket to the Orlando theme park starts from $119(Image: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

The footage on The Noble Ways TikTok account topped 175,000 views since going live, with watchers flocking to offer their explanations for the empty park.

One viewer remarked: "People don't want to go to Florida", while another added: "Too expensive, politics, Trump."

A third person suggested: "Florida is imploding financially and nobody wants to go there. Miami and the other beaches are struggling as well."

Meanwhile, a fourth also noted: "Nobody can afford Disney anymore. Think the tariffs." Someone else also contributed: "That's because it's Florida. Disney in California is packed. Let's face it, Florida is in major decline."

Steep ticket prices have been blamed for many people turning their backs on the theme park, with a day ticket price starting from an eye-watering $119 (87.60). In contrast, a day ticket to Alton Towers costs 34 when booked online or 68 when bought in person on the day.

Disney also admitted it witnessed a downturn in visitor numbers. The reduction in trips to Orlando, particularly connected to the Walt Disney World attractions, is said to partly result from Disney Experiences' extensive refurbishment works happening throughout the resort.

In addition, last year a bitter dispute between Walt Disney World and DeSantis which began in 2022 over the park's opposition to the Florida governor's controversial 'Don't Say Gay' bill came to an end following an out-of-court settlement.

Despite this, US network CBS reported last month that tourism was slowly back on the up in Florida, despite fewer Canadian holidaymakers making the trip.

Tourist board Visit Florida previously calculated that more than 34.435 million people went to Florida from April 1 to June 30, up 0.45 per cent on the same period last year.

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