Why Are Disney’s Theme Parks Turning Into ‘Ghost Towns’: Even the ‘happiest place on earth’ is susceptible to extreme weather conditions. There has been a perceptible decline in attendance at Disney parks. Some visitors have shared photographs of Disneyland and Disney World that depict the parks to be less populated than usual. While there could be a variety of causes, a significant number of people point to the unpredictability of the weather.
Why Are Disney’s Theme Parks Turning Into ‘Ghost Towns’: What is the present situation at Disney parks?
Visitors have photographed a deserted Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Even during the typically crowded Fourth of July holiday weekend, wait times for rides were surprisingly brief.
A Reddit user remarked that the parks felt “barren” in May. Among the hypothesised causes for the decline in tourism, the unpredictability of the weather stands out.
Why is the weather affecting the number of visitors?
A Disney vacation is an expensive endeavour. The costs rapidly add up, from lodging and tickets to food and souvenirs. If you have paid in advance for portions of your trip, obtaining a refund due to park closures can be difficult, not to mention disappointing.
Extreme weather has previously caused park closures. In September 2022, for instance, Hurricane Ian caused Disney World to close; similarly, a typhoon warning closed Disneyland in Hong Kong in July.
Enhanced by human-made carbon emissions, heatwaves also discourage visitors. The combination of limited shade, lengthy lines, congested areas, and expensive refreshments can make summer visits less desirable, particularly for families with children.
Due to adjacent wildfires, Disneyland in California experienced ash clouds and orange skies in 2017. While the park remained open, visitors were inconvenienced by the evacuation of neighbouring areas.
As the planet’s temperature rises, the frequency of extreme weather events may increase. The possibility of a wasted excursion could deter many from visiting, resulting in even greater declines in attendance.
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How is Disney responding to these climatic issues?
Disney cannot control the weather, but they are taking measures to combat soaring temperatures. Disney World intends to install two 75-megawatt solar facilities in 2022. Combined with existing solar resources, these will satisfy approximately 40 percent of the resort’s annual electricity requirements.
The president of Walt Disney World Resort, Jeff Vahle, conveyed the company’s commitment to a sustainable future and emphasised their efforts to ensure a healthier planet for all. By 2030, Disney intends to attain net-zero emissions from its direct operations.
