“It’s definitely down, 2023 versus 2022,” Testa said. Touring Plans, a vacation-planning site, monitors wait times for park attractions, which owner Len Testa said is a strong indicator of overall attendance. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)Īfter Chapek complained about the law, the governor and Legislature established the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District to replace the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which Disney had controlled for decades.Ĭontrol of the district is now the subject of lawsuits filed by the state and Disney.ĭuring his presidential campaign, DeSantis has labeled Walt Disney Co. Despite temperatures in the 90s and high humidity, guests spend the day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, approaching The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction. SeaWorld: New Ultimate Shark Experience debuts FridayĭeSantis has criticized the company, Iger and previous CEO Bob Chapek in the wake of the so-called “don’t say gay” bill signed into law by the governor that limits instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools. “There are some near-term issues in Florida that I don’t think had anything to do with politics,” Iger said. He also pointed to a statewide decrease in hotel-tax revenue, and that competitors were offering discounts. “Florida was the only thing, the only game in town. “Florida opened up early during COVID and created huge demand and didn’t have competition because there were a number of other places, states that were not open yet,” Iger said.

CEO Robert Iger acknowledged a dip during a recent interview with CNBC’s David Faber.

“So, you’re almost seeing that revenge travel on cruising now that you saw in the parks in 2021.”Īnd Walt Disney Co. “People are starting to cruise again when it cratered in 2020,” Wolfe said. McCarthy, who recently resigned, did note improvements with Disney’s international parks and cruise line. At a shareholders meeting in May, then-CFO Christine McCarthy said the second half of the fiscal year would have an “unfavorable comparison against the prior year’s incredibly successful 50th anniversary celebration at Walt Disney World.” The soft summer hasn’t surprised company leadership at Disney. SeaWorld Orlando has had short-term buy-one, get-one-free admission deals. Universal Orlando has an annual pass offer that tacks an extra three months onto a year’s worth of visits. Disney is planning the return of the Disney Dining Plan. The companies have rolled out enticements that could draw more visitors.

Disney magic kingdom update