Why Disney World Could Be EMPTY in 2027

Will Disney World be suspiciously empty in 2027? Here are the reasons why people might be holding off on a trip next year!

Cinderella Castle

When it comes to a Disney World vacation, sometimes it feels like crowds are inevitable, from long wait times for attractions to bottlenecks and heavy traffic in the parks. But even though it seems more and more like there isn’t much of a “slow season” for Disney World, is it possible that 2027 could actually be a slow year?

Let’s dive into some reasons why Disney World might be in for a slower 2027…

Ongoing Construction

There’s a lot in development around Disney World right now, with MAJOR expansions and land retheming currently happening in almost every park. Starting in Magic Kingdom, both Villains Land and the Cars-themed Piston Peak are under construction, branching out near Frontierland.

Villains Land ©Disney

Pison Peak is coming to the area of Frontierland that previously housed the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, and it will feature two new Cars attractions. Disney has said that the land design will be inspired by the National Parks and even include a geyser inspired by Old Faithful called Old Tankful. So this is a big deal retheme and definitely not a “new coat of paint” situation!

Piston Peak

Not to be outdone, Villains Land will feature two major attractions, plus new dining and shopping experiences on a grand scale, based on what Disney has shared so far. Disney hasn’t yet revealed an opening timeline for either Magic Kingdom project, but considering the scale of the work, it’s unlikely that they’ll be finished by 2027.

Villains Land announced at D23 (2024)

Over in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the former Muppets Courtyard area is currently being transformed into Monstropolis, a brand new Monsters, Inc.-themed land. In addition to a new show, the land will also be home to Disney’s first-ever suspended coaster, adding even more hype for the project. Disney hasn’t announced an opening timeline for Monstropolis yet either, so it’s uncertain whether it will debut before the end of 2027.

©Disney

And finally, over in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the former DinoLand, U.S.A. is being transformed into Pueblo Esperanza, a land that will highlight the Tropical Americas through the stories of Encanto and Indiana Jones. It will be home to an Encanto ride featuring the Madrigal family,  a new Indiana Jones adventure ride, plus a carousel. Disney has announced that Pueblo Esperanza is slated to open in 2027, but a specific date hasn’t yet been given, so it’s unclear at what point during the year it could start welcoming guests.

Pueblo Esperanza Model

On the plus side, there are several ride rethemes that were either recently completed or will be finished soon, like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. But with so many MAJOR expansions and land rethemes currently in progress, some people may be holding off on visiting Disney World until some (or all) of them have officially opened, especially if it’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Price Increases

Disney typically increases prices each year, so everything from tickets to food gets increasingly more expensive. Price updates can happen at any time, but Disney usually does large-scale annual price increases sometime in October.

EPCOT

This makes it harder and harder for guests to visit as regularly as they might otherwise plan to. With annual trips getting harder to find in the budget, some people may need to wait longer between trips or decide to hold off until it’s “worth it” for another visit, like when new rides and lands open.

Pueblo Esperanza construction

There are strategies for planning a more budget-friendly vacation, like checking for Disney World hotel discounts, using a grocery delivery service so you don’t have to dine out for every meal, or eating at restaurants off Disney property.

Grocery Delivery

Money-saving strategies can help make regular trips more doable, but again, with so many big additions in the works, some people might prefer just to wait it out for a few more years… Or be forced to do so, based on their budget.

New Vacation Options

There are more and more new vacation options on the market for people who enjoy Disney, or theme parks in general. With that in mind, some people might bypass Disney World next year in favor of other new(er) experiences.

Epic Universe

Just a few miles down the road from Disney World, Universal’s new park, Epic Universe, is still relatively new, having opened in May 2025. Visitors who only get to come to Orlando every few years might choose to spend their next vacation in Universal, so they can experience Epic Universe for the first time.

Fyre Drill in Epic Universe

And for Disney Cruise Line fans, there are TONS of new ships to check out. Three new ships have already set sail in the past few years — the Disney Treasure (2024), Disney Destiny (2025), and Disney Adventure (2026).

Haunted Mansion Parlor on the Disney Destiny

Plus, a FOURTH new ship, the Disney Believe, is also scheduled to set sail in late 2027!

©DisneyCruiseLine

There are plenty of exciting features across the new ships that could be destination-worthy in themselves for some guests, like The Haunted Mansion Parlor on the Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny, and Marvel Landing on the Disney Adventure. Getting to experience all the new spots on one of the latest Disney ships might be enough of a draw to convince some people to get their Disney fix at sea in 2027!

Pym Quantum Racers on Marvel Landing

Whether it’s another theme park or just another Disney destination, the increasing number of vacation choices — with several new heavy hitters recently entering the arena — could peel some Disney World regulars away from their go-to spot in 2027.

There’s a LOT happening around Disney World, and things can change fast, so we’re constantly on the lookout for any major updates that could impact your vacation plans! Stick with us at DFB to make sure you’re in the loop about all things Disney World!

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Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

Are you planning to visit Disney World in 2027 or will you be sitting it out that year? Let us know in the comments!

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