Walt Disney World Resort Broke An Important Record Yesterday

This post is being written on December 30, 2023. For context, when referring to “yesterday,” we mean December 29, 2023.

New Year’s Eve Weekend

Anybody at the Walt Disney World Resort this week, especially yesterday, may have noticed large lines at each park (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom).

In fact, certain wait times for Avatar Flight of Passage were clocking in at 295 minutes, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance had a 205-minute wait time.

Why I avoid the parks during the holidays. pic.twitter.com/OSWB8qiP1y

— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) December 29, 2023

An increase in crowds is not uncommon around the Christmas season. Walt Disney World Resorts many theme parks have special events, after hour parties, and limited time merchandise, decorations, and shows.

Related: Disney World Sees Lowest Crowds in 10 Years

Record Breaking Disney World Attendance

But numbers this large have not been seen in years. In fact, according to ThrillData, yesterday (Friday, December 29) was the most crowded day at Walt Disney World Resort since it reopened after the COVID-19 shut-downs.

Based on attraction wait time data via @ThrillData, Friday, Dec. 29 was the most crowded day at Walt Disney World since the parks reopened in July 2020. pic.twitter.com/Hmespt4Luq

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) December 30, 2023

This bump in theme park traffic crowd levels stands in stark contrast to the summer of 2023, when other data showed the parks having significant declines in attendance.

Related: Is Disney World Attendance on the Rise After Low Summer Crowds?

Walt Disney World Resort (and Disneyland Resort) have been known for attracting large crowds of guests for decades. It’s common during a Disney World vacation (regardless of the time of year) to see long lines, a high crowd level, traffic jams and shows/rides packed to capacity.

Extreme Wait Times

But a nearly five-hour wait to go on Avatar: Flight of Passage? That’s not typical. Although the ride remains one of the most popular attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, it’s six years old, far from a new and exciting attraction.

Similar statements can be made about many of the rides which were garnering extremely long wait times. Frozen Ever After at EPCOT and Slinky Dog Dash are not new attractions either, but that isn’t stopping people from willing to wait two hours to enjoy them.

Related: Iconic EPCOT Attraction to Undergo Reimagining Soon

Other people had managed to capture Seven Dwarfs Mine Train with a 200-minute standby wait time and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at 185 minutes.

It’s also worth noting that the heavy crowds were also present at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. However, the wait times for those parks’ most popular and newest attractions seemed less congested.

Related: Disney Star Sparks Controversy With Joke Defending Hitler

Perhaps things are starting to turn around for the House of Mouse. At least in its theme parks and experiences department.