Part 5/11:
Campbell points out that many value perks have been stripped away, and prices have skyrocketed. The focus shifted from consistently delivering the classic Disney experience to squeezing more money from visitors—resulting in some guests opting for alternative vacations or simply avoiding Disney altogether.
The Disappearance of Crowds and Changing Park Dynamics
The effect of these strategies is evident in the decline of park attendance and capacity. Reports indicate that crowd levels at Disney parks stand at their lowest points in recent memory—sometimes approaching nearly empty theme parks. For instance, parks like Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom are experiencing some of the lightest visitor numbers since the start of 2025.