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Record Breaking Crowds Swarm Disney, CEO Bob Iger and Staff Initiate New Fantasmic! Control Plan

A bustling street scene at a theme park, decorated with orange and yellow autumnal decor. Numerous people are walking, some seated on the ground, while others take photos. Historic-style buildings with flags and signage line the street. The sky is overcast.
Credit: Nicholas Fuentes, Unsplash

The holiday season at Walt Disney World has been an absolute whirlwind of crowds, with record-breaking attendance and attractions seeing unprecedented wait times. As the busiest week of the year—between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve—has passed, the influx of visitors continues to flood the theme parks. In fact, Disney World is already bracing for another round of peak crowd levels as the first week of 2025 kicks off.

Crowds on Main Street, U.S.A. in Walt Disney World Resort

Credit: s.yume, Flickr

Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom have all experienced massive crowds, with many Annual Passholders blocked out and Disney Park Pass reservations fully booked. The most popular attractions are feeling the strain of the holiday season, and as expected, wait times are soaring.

Crowd Chaos and Record Wait Times

As guests flocked to the parks for festive adventures, some of Disney World’s most popular rides saw wait times of over an hour—some even stretching into the 100-minute range. Avatar Flight of Passage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom took the crown for the longest waits, averaging 102 minutes, while TRON Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom followed closely behind with an 85-minute wait. Other favorites like Slinky Dog Dash at Hollywood Studios (78-minute wait) and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT (61-minute wait) also saw significant crowds, making it clear that the holiday season is no time for a quick visit.

A vibrant scene at a theme park featuring a large castle with blue turrets under a cloudy sky. In the foreground, a statue of a person holding hands with a cartoon mouse overlooks a bustling crowd of visitors. Lush greenery and flags decorate the surroundings.

Credit: chris czlapka, Flickr

With such high demand, it’s no surprise that Disney’s planning ahead for the ongoing crowds. The challenge of managing guest flow and maintaining the Disney magic has led the resort to make some strategic adjustments.

The Fantasmic! Solution: A Third Showtime

Mickey Mouse's gloves shoot glowing fireworks during Fantasmic! at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Credit: Brittany DiCologero, Inside the Magic

One of the biggest draws at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is Fantasmic!, the spectacular nighttime show that has become a fan favorite over the years. With record crowds expected to continue through early January 2025, Disney has made the rare decision to add a third showing of Fantasmic! on select nights to accommodate the growing demand.

From January 2nd to January 4th, 2025, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will host an additional performance of the show at 6 p.m., on top of the usual 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. showtimes. The new early performance is a strategic move to help alleviate congestion in the park and give more guests the chance to experience the iconic show. This decision comes as Disney anticipates high attendance during the first week of the year, potentially rivaling the chaotic crowds of the holiday season.

The Disney character steamboat at the end of Fantasmic! at hollywood studios

Credit: Disney

For guests hoping to avoid long lines and crowded seating areas, it’s recommended to opt for the last performance of the night, which tends to have more manageable crowds. The Fantasmic! amphitheater, which can seat 6,300 guests, along with additional standing room areas, typically fills up quickly on high-demand nights. With the extra performance, Disney hopes to provide more opportunities for guests to enjoy this fan-favorite experience.

Fantasmic! Returns Bigger and Better

Fans of Fantasmic! will be pleased to know that the show was updated in Fall 2022 following a long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The revamped version features an enhanced lighting package and new characters, including those from Frozen, Moana, and Mulan. The updated version also removed the Pocahontas scenes, ensuring the show feels fresh and current for the new generation of Disney fans.

As the first week of 2025 rolls on, Disney’s decision to add a third performance of Fantasmic! shows their commitment to offering a stellar experience for guests, even amid overwhelming crowds. With Fantasmic! becoming a cornerstone of the evening entertainment at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it’s no surprise that Disney is pulling out all the stops to ensure that everyone has a chance to enjoy the magic.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned Disney fan, navigating the crowds at Disney World can be a challenge. But with extra showtimes, strategic planning, and a little patience, guests can still make the most of their visit to the parks.

About Alessia Dunn

Orlando theme park lover who loves thrills and theming, with a side of entertainment. You can often catch me at Disney or Universal sipping a cocktail, or crying during Happily Ever After or Fantasmic.

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