Orlando Tourism Is Facing a Concerning Trend

Central Florida wasn’t a prime vacation location before Walt Disney World came along. Since the Park’s opening in 1971, Orlando has become a crucial tourist destination for the sunshine state. Tourism has been a significant revenue source ever since, particularly in Orange County. However, a concerning trend has sprouted near the Magic Kingdom. Guests have noticed that Disney World attendance seems to be on the decline. Seeing is believing, but recent reveals in Orlando tourism tax dollars have shockingly backed up the discovery.

Walt Disney World in Decline

Visitors have been spreading the word that Walt Disney World in Florida is “absolutely dead.” While the summer months have brought ridiculously intense heat, this doesn’t seem to be the cause of the decline. Guests are willing to brave the hellish weather in Orlando, but other factors have lent truth to these claims.

Orange County (which makes up a significant portion of Orlando) has seen drastic declines in tourist development tax dollars for the past two months. According to Click Orlando, revenue from tourist tax dropped from $38 million in March to $33 million in April. This trend has continued downward, with only $26 million earned in May. This number is a 6.7% decrease from last year and a $7 million decline in just a month. The outlook here is concerning, as all signs indicate it continuing to fall.

disney world is empty…I haven't seen it like this in years, especially during a holiday

— jbrew (@ijennifer0214) July 4, 2023

What Is Happening to Orlando Tourism Tax Dollars?

Phil Diamond, the Orange County comptroller, spoke with Daytona Beach’s WESH 2 news station about the causes for the decreasing tourist development tax numbers. He explained that Orange County tourism was setting records in 2022 because people were eager to start traveling again after the Covid-19 pandemic. Orange County was a prime destination because of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Seaworld Orlando. However, this vacation fever had to die down eventually due to the reality of life.

“You can’t travel all the time, it costs money. And you have to get time off from work. So I think things are going to normalize,” Diamond told WESH 2.

Inflated costs and work responsibilities make it hard to justify certain vacations. A trip to Walt Disney World is ridiculously expensive for a middle-class family. This has caused vacationers to look elsewhere for trips more in their budget and time schedule.

Governor Ron DeSantis Might Be Starving Florida

Florida has become a battleground for anti-woke ideologies thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis. Some experts are blaming him for the decline in Orange County tourism. The NAACP has issued a travel warning for Florida, claiming it is unsafe for minorities and marginalized groups.

Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color.

Governor DeSantis largely focused this war on the Walt Disney Company after it criticized his Parental Rights in Education Bill (also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill). The entertainment giant has issued a lawsuit against the politician, but the battle has had lasting consequences for the state.

Between hostilities toward Disney and laws against minorities, many people are avoiding Florida. According to WESH 2, the National Society of Black Engineers recently canceled its gathering at the Orange County Convention Center. Diamond told the station that it would have seen 15,000 people coming to Orlando, which could have brought in up to $30 million in tourism tax dollars.

Orlando Looks on the Bright Side

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings doesn’t seem too worried about the declining tourist development tax. He stressed that the county will likely end the year at $360 million, which is still a record for Orlando. The Central Florida tourist destination can’t control what happens outside of its community, but it can work to make sure visitors are treated with respect and dignity.

Related: Is Disney Helplessly Out of Touch With Its Post-Pandemic Audience?

However, the city will likely have to monitor the decline closely and be more careful with how it spends the revenue for the time being. The Walt Disney Company is feeling the same heat. The company has seen its stock decline drastically, and many of its box office endeavors have ended in disaster. Disney has been cutting costs via high-profile layoffs, recently firing many prominent ESPN newscasters.

Walt Disney World is in a period of uncertainty right now. Rising ticket costs and its location in Florida have done no favors for its visitor numbers. As Orange County’s tourist development tax dollars continue to fall, it will be interesting to see how it navigates this year of decline.