Labor Day weekend has long stood apart from other peak seasons at Walt Disney World Resort. While Easter, spring break, Christmas, and New Year bring heavy crowds, the holiday marking summer’s end has consistently been quieter. That trend may be shifting in 2025.
Guests who are choosing to visit Walt Disney World Resort this weekend will find plenty of reasons to celebrate. At EPCOT, the International Food & Wine Festival has just returned, running from August 28 through November 22. The fan-favorite event offers new flavors and returning classics for guests to enjoy. However, visitors should plan ahead, as Spaceship Earth is temporarily closed for refurbishment.
Beyond festival season, change continues across the resort’s four theme parks. Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland is in the midst of an extensive transformation, which recently included the removal of the Rivers of America boat track. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, DinoLand U.S.A. is preparing for its new reimagining, while Disney’s Hollywood Studios has updates underway on Grand Avenue.
These ongoing projects may leave some guests debating whether to visit now or wait until the work is complete. Another factor shaping guest decisions remains the overall cost of a Disney vacation. Ticket pricing, dining, and merchandise continue to rise, and the Lightning Lane system—both the Multi Pass and Single Pass—has become an increasingly expensive option for guests seeking shorter wait times.
Still, the potential increase in holiday travelers through Central Florida suggests Labor Day 2025 may mark a turning point after years of lighter attendance.
