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Travelers Abandon Disney World on Least-Popular Holiday Once Again

Guests continue to pour into Walt Disney World, though the resort’s most notorious holiday was still somewhat empty this year.

Main Street in the Disney theme park is bustling with visitors. People walk, push strollers, and some use mobility scooters. Decorated shops line the street, and a majestic castle stands in the background under a partly cloudy sky. Security ensures everyone enjoys their magical day safely.
Credit: kaleb tapp on Unsplash

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The Walt Disney World Resort, known as “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” welcomes millions upon millions of guests each and every year into its four theme parks. From Magic Kingdom and EPCOT to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, there’s a near-endless number of rides, attractions, shows, and other magical experiences waiting for guests lucky enough to take a four-day, one-week, or month-long Disney vacation.

Visiting during a holiday can add to the magic, with Christmas, New Year’s, and Halloween being incredibly popular times of the year to visit Walt Disney World.

However, Labor Day continues to be the least crowded holiday for the Walt Disney World Resort, with this fact ringing true once again in 2024.

Average Holiday Wait Times at Walt Disney World

Crowds at Disney's Hollywood Studios at night.
Credit: Jess Colopy, Inside the Magic

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According to data compiled and sorted by thrill-data, Labor Day was once again the least crowded holiday of the year at Walt Disney World. It certainly makes sense that Labor Day is Disney’s least popular holiday, with the summer coming to a close and kids being sent off to school.

As stated earlier, Halloween and Christmas are incredibly popular times for the Walt Disney World Resort. Guests likely save their extra time and money to visit during these holidays. Disney also holds special events and parties during Halloween and Christmas, something it does not do for Labor Day.

September holds the title of the lowest average posted wait times of any month of the year.

Below is a look at average Disney World wait times by holiday:

  • New Year’s Eve: 54 minutes
  • Thanksgiving Week peak: 51 minutes (Monday of Thanksgiving Week)
  • Christmas Day: 46 minutes
  • Thanksgiving Day: 43 minutes
  • New Year’s Day: 41 minutes
  • Columbus Day: 39 minutes
  • Memorial Day Weekend peak: 38 minutes (Sunday)
  • Easter: 37 minutes
  • Memorial Day: 35 minutes
  • Fourth of July: 34 minutes
An image of a lush, green landscape with a tall water tower labeled "Tiana's Foods" prominently standing amidst the foliage. The sky is clear with a few scattered clouds, adding to the vibrant and scenic environment.
Credit: Disney

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Labor Day 2024 had an average posted wait time of 21 minutes. While low, this year’s holiday is in the middle of the last 10 Labor Days.

While Disney may have failed to move the needle when it comes to Labor Day, several new additions at Walt Disney World have likely enticed guests to visit, including EPCOT’s new Moana-inspired walkthrough attraction, Journey of Water Inspired by Moana, or the park’s new roller coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Crowds will likely look a lot different at Magic Kingdom, especially with the park welcoming two “E-Ticket” rides: TRON Lightcycle / Run and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. While TRON opened earlier in 2023, the coaster was recently removed from Disney’s Virtual Queue system, meaning guests can line up for the intense thrill ride anytime they please.

When is your favorite time to visit Walt Disney World? Do you have a favorite holiday to spend at Disney?

Luke Dammann

When at Disney world, Luke will probably be found eating with his favorite animatronic, Sonny Eclipse at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe. When not at Disney World, Luke will probably be found defending Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe to people who claim "there are better restaurants"

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