Walt Disney World resort availability is proscribed for sure dates in late 2025 and 2026, prompting reader questions and issues about crowds. This publish seems at what’s up the offered out resorts, the right way to e book dates that seem unavailable, and explanations as to why this occurs.
If this feels like deja vu once more, that’s as a result of we’ve lined this matter twice earlier than. First when “revenge journey” was all the trend and readers had been stunned that resorts had been promoting out with out reductions. It’s additionally come up extra lately at instances once we’ve predicted low to average crowds, and planners have been frightened that offered out accommodations signaled crowds would really be heavy.
It is a considerably legitimate concern! Walt Disney World has roughly 30,000 resort rooms, provide has not been constrained in any significant means for some time, and demand isn’t artificially heighted because of folks making up for misplaced time. Provided that there at the moment are extra obtainable rooms within the stock and theoretically fewer folks competing for stated lodging…what provides? Why are resorts nonetheless promoting out at Walt Disney World?
Let’s begin by discussing Walt Disney World occupancy statistics. In the event you dig by the Walt Disney Firm’s financials, that is one thing you possibly can really discover buried within the paperwork on their Investor Relations web page.
I’ve been desirous to compile this knowledge for my very own reference for some time, so right here it’s (evaluation follows).
Walt Disney World Resort Occupancy By Yr
- 2013: 79%
- 2014: 83%
- 2015: 87%
- 2016: 89%
- 2017: 88%
- 2018: 88%
- 2019: 90%
- 2020: 43%
- 2021: 42%
- 2022: 82%
- 2023: 85%
- 2024: 85%
A few issues are value noting right here. The primary is that 2020-2021 are apparent outliers because of the COVID closure and phased reopening. I might be actually curious to see occupancy for January and February 2020, as a result of my intestine is that Walt Disney World set a report then. The previous couple of months of 2019 into early 2020 had been the busiest we’ve ever seen Walt Disney World.
Second, these numbers are home occupancy as an entire, which incorporates Disneyland Resort. Nonetheless, Disneyland has beneath 3,000 resort rooms whereas Walt Disney World has ten instances that quantity. So for all intents and functions, these numbers replicate Walt Disney World. (I might even be stunned if there’s a serious distinction in occupancy between the 2.)
Third, all of those numbers are increased than the Orlando market as an entire. Final yr’s occupancy was 71.6% in line with VisitOrlando, which was down 1.1% from 2023, however nonetheless traditionally excessive and thought of an business win. Orlando occupancy was 66.1% in 2019.
For reference, Central Florida barely outperforms the nationwide common, which is notable given the aggressive market. That is most likely why, in our expertise, you may get far more bang to your buck in Orlando than random areas of the nation. This may be an unpopular opinion, however given the situation close to main vacationer sights, however Central Florida accommodations as an entire are very fairly priced relative to their counterparts elsewhere.
It helps tremendously that Orlando doesn’t have significant provide constraints and there’s a willingness to construct to satisfy demand, which is not like a number of main metros or different fascinating vacationer locations. (There’s solely a lot oceanfront actual property and main metros have few empty parcels, plus restrictive public coverage.) Because of this, even when Disney-owned accommodations are offered out, there’s at all times availability someplace close by that’s high-quality, and often competitively priced. However we’re straying from the purpose.
Circling again to Disney’s disclosures, occupancy is predicated on obtainable room nights. This implies resort room stock that’s really bookable. It’s value noting that the closure wouldn’t depend in opposition to that since none of these rooms had been bookable. Furthermore, the obtainable stock decreased throughout the phased reopening since some total resorts and buildings had been taken offline.
Which means these 43% and 42% numbers are even worse than you may assume. (Not solely that, however 2020 is propped up by January by mid-March, and 2021 would’ve been buoyed by the sturdy summer time restoration sandwiched between a sluggish begin and end to the yr.)
That is additionally important throughout regular instances, because it means room blocks taken out of fee for refurbishments are zeroed out, and never counted in opposition to occupancy. Likewise, changing resort rooms into Disney Trip Membership stock successfully boosts occupancy stats, as DVC is designed to function at near 100% occupancy.
There are legitimate factors to be made with regard to Disney ‘adjusting’ obtainable room nights to spice up occupancy stats…however there’s additionally a number of conspiratorial nonsense. Some followers contend that that is all a shell sport, and has been for the final decade.
No shell sport lasts that lengthy, and the underside line is that Disney is best off having a decrease occupancy share however promoting extra room nights than pretending accommodations are offered out by taking rooms offline. That may “idiot” buyers for 1 / 4 or two, however not over a decade.
All of this brings us to our essential level, which is the frequent phenomenon of Walt Disney World’s availability trying one thing like this:
A part of the rationale we’re delving into this matter once more is as a result of we’ve acquired a number of questions, particularly about Christmas season dates. Notably, why there’s so little availability throughout our favourite week of the yr at Walt Disney World, which we’ve praised for low crowds.
An equally important half is to supply a heads up for future journey dates or present help in working round this to search out availability. Let’s begin with the previous level, which is that we’d anticipate to see increasingly more offered out dates in 2026, at the same time as Walt Disney World will get extra aggressive with discounting. These two issues may appear at odds, however they aren’t.
Throughout the latest quarter, the corporate reported that home resort occupancy elevated from 83% to 86% yr over yr (only for Q3). This was regardless of roughly flat attendance (per the corporate) and decrease crowds (per the wait instances knowledge). Notably, this additionally got here amongst aggressive reductions. As we’ve identified repeatedly, it was potential to pay the bottom costs for Walt Disney World holidays in over 6 years by stacking obtainable summer time offers. (See Find out how to Get the Most cost-effective Walt Disney World Journey Since 2019.)
This was a uncommon ‘everybody wins’ situation for Walt Disney World. Resort rooms are a perishable good, so pushing up occupancy meant fewer rooms went unfilled, even when they offered at decrease charges. That boosted per visitor spending since accommodations are one of many greatest line-item bills for holidays. As for increased occupancy not transferring the needle on attendance, that’s defined just by off-site stays shifting to on-site. By and huge, trip demand isn’t induced by resort offers–pricing shifts the place folks keep, not whether or not they go to within the first place.
It’s additionally value noting that a few of these 2019 caliber reductions offered out quick. Inside a number of days of launch, availability was restricted to nonexistent at some resorts. Inside a number of weeks, it was nearly utterly gone, save for a number of stray days right here and there.
Trip planners perusing availability (or lack thereof) for summer time may’ve come to the conclusion that these months had been going to be jam-packed since there wasn’t a lot to e book. That was not even remotely correct. June was the slowest month of the yr…till July rolled round…till August rolled round. All indicators are pointing to September quickly dethroning August.
Suffice to say, we all know offered out Walt Disney World accommodations don’t equal excessive crowds as a result of this dynamic has performed out up to now time and time once more, and it didn’t occur. With 130,464 resort rooms in Orlando, there’s a ton of capability that feeds Walt Disney World that’s not on-site. The fill-rate at these accommodations is what’s final result determinative, particularly since Disney’s numbers are pretty sturdy all year long. (Disney Trip Membership, particularly, has little variance throughout the calendar.)
Provided that Walt Disney World simply reported its greatest Q3 income ever, there’s each motive to consider the corporate will pull from that playbook for future quarters. Anticipate aggressive reductions (as vital) to push that occupancy quantity up, leaving as few unsold rooms as potential.
One other function of this publish is providing a ‘heads up’ about this and recommending that you simply not mistake this technique for a scarcity of demand. We’ve heard from a number of readers who’re ready to e book till reductions are launched, holding off for higher offers given the deluge of them these days. That is actually one technique, but it surely’s a dangerous one for those who plan on touring regardless.
The higher strategy is to e book early and apply particular gives once they’re launched, in the event that they’re launched and there’s stock to your date, resort and room combo. If not, you possibly can at all times rebook elsewhere or keep put at your present price. Absent a time machine, you can’t e book one thing as soon as it’s offered out.
This recommendation completely applies to Winter 2026 journey dates. We all know that a number of of you might be ready for reductions to drop for January by March 2026 journey dates. Particular gives for most of the people will most likely be launched throughout the subsequent 3 weeks.
We additionally know that very same stretch this yr was Walt Disney World’s highest 10 weeks of resort occupancy of the final yr. We’ve talked about this elsewhere, but it surely’s value underscoring that these dates are actually fashionable. It’s a mix of shifting journey tendencies and decrease price seasons, plus particular occasions.
Possibly Walt Disney World will proceed the current development of traditionally sturdy reductions for Winter 2026, however we wouldn’t financial institution on it. These weeks are organically sturdy, so there’s not as a lot of a must get as aggressive as this summer time. And in the event that they do exactly to pump occupancy increased, the flip aspect of that’s rooms promoting out even sooner. Simply one thing value being conscious of if in case you have agency journey plans however are in ‘wait and see’ mode for particular gives. There’s zero draw back danger to reserving now, however there’s in ready.
On-site accommodations promoting out utterly could cause planners to freak out that the parks are going to be chaotic and crowded. Which will be true…typically. However there are a few issues to remember.
Once more, Walt Disney World has ~30,000 resort rooms, and for those who assume 2.5 to three company to a room and somewhat beneath 1 park day per night time (.75?), on-site company account for fewer than half of all company. That’s the again of serviette math of occupancy vs. attendance, however Walt Disney World has additionally instructed that the majority company come from off-site.
This consists of these staying in third occasion accommodations round Orlando, but it surely additionally consists of the rising inhabitants in Central Florida and past inside driving distance. Locals may merely come out for the day when the climate is good, as a result of there’s a ticket deal, or to benefit from the present taste of EPCOT’s competition.
Furthermore, simply because somebody is occupying a room at Walt Disney World doesn’t imply they’re contributing to crowds. I’ve stayed at Coronado Springs on a number of events when the resort has been slammed, however the buses to the parks have been downright useless. Different instances, the resort hasn’t appeared that busy, however the buses have been packed.
The discrepancy is convention-goers, who overwhelm parts of the resort infrastructure (and by infrastructure, I imply bars and scorching tubs) however don’t attend the parks in the identical quantity as common ole vacationers. The resort could possibly be at ~95% occupancy because of a conference, and it might really feel that means within the frequent areas…however buses could possibly be downright useless. Against this, the resort could possibly be at ~65% occupancy with out a conference, however really feel far worse on the buses. It’s all about demographics and the visitor combine.
Because of this our again of serviette estimate for parks per day is .75 versus 1, and it may be even decrease than that. Similar goes for the common visitor depend of two.5 to three. That may appear low given Disney’s core demographic of households with youngsters, but it surely additionally accounts for the entire solo conventioneers and rising contingent of Childless Disney Adults. I wouldn’t be stunned if the .75 and a couple of.5 numbers are each overestimates.
It’s an identical story with youth teams collaborating in sporting occasions on the ESPN Large World of Sports activities. I’ve stated this earlier than, however my contrarian take is that the cheer and dance occasions at ESPN Large World of Sports activities that a number of planners freak out about don’t have any considerable affect on general crowd ranges.
It’s completely anecdotal; horror tales pushed by individuals who have been caught in line for Haunted Mansion behind tons of of ‘exuberant’ tweens. I get that. I’ve been there and it’s far scarier than any regular experience on Haunted Mansion.
To some extent, it’s even potential that convention-goers and youth teams are occupying rooms and ‘blocking out’ company who would in any other case go to the parks. On a extra macro degree, this has undoubtedly been true with off-site occasions just like the Professional Bowl, which draw folks to Orlando and make the most of a big share of resort capability, however are statistically far much less prone to go to Walt Disney World than the common customer.
Now that we’ve lined all of that, let’s flip to some fast ideas. First, distinction the above availability with the under–very same journey dates, searches inside 2 minutes:
The important thing distinction is that I did this search logged out, so it didn’t default to displaying me the Annual Passholder low cost.
In case you’re not conscious, particular gives pull from completely different swimming pools of room stock which can be extra restricted. As we wish to level out, Walt Disney World doesn’t supply resort reductions out of generosity; they accomplish that to hit occupancy targets. Accordingly, there’s solely so many rooms allotted to particular gives; it’s a subset of the whole. These promoting out doesn’t essentially imply that the resort as an entire is offered out…simply the low cost.
There’s comprehensible confusion about this, and it’s compounded by the odd consumer interface option to not have a reduction toggle on this web page when looking out resort availability as an entire. These toggles do exist on particular person resort reserving pages, however they’re absent on the principle search. Which means there’s no straightforward strategy to see availability as an entire except you both log off or drill all the way down to particular resorts. This quirk is simple to overlook!
One other factor to strive is modifying your search to a subset of your precise journey dates.
If reserving last-minute, I’ll do 1-night searches, make notes of what’s obtainable every day, after which piece that collectively in multi-day searches. I may also typically enhance that to 2-night searches simply to substantiate Walt Disney World isn’t withholding availability for single nights (it occurs).
With this strategy, it’s simpler to establish the precise night time(s) which can be offered out, and keep away from these. I can do a break up keep at two completely different resorts, or reserving a random DVC night time at Saratoga or Outdated Key West or no matter desk scraps can be found. This may appear chaotic and annoying, however we love break up stays–and so they’re simpler than you may assume!
Lastly, persistence pays off. Simply since you see offered out resorts in the present day doesn’t imply you’ll tomorrow. Walt Disney World availability comes and goes, as holds are launched, rooms reenter the system following refurbishment, cancellations happen, and possibly for numerous different causes.
I steadily discover myself touring over Jersey Week and Veterans Day, which I can solely assume is likely one of the highest occupancy instances of the complete yr. Even months prematurely, many/most resorts are sometimes totally booked. Final yr, I spotted on the morning I used to be flying out that I had a spot in my lodging, and rapidly scrambled to e book one thing.
Lo and behold, Pop Century was obtainable–a rarity! I snagged it instantly and, come to search out out, it most likely mustn’t have been obtainable as a result of I found Pop Century was overbooked upon arrival. The tip end result was a free improve to Wilderness Lodge and taxi vouchers to switch. (Not kidding or exaggerating about any of this.)
Finally, that ought to assist clarify what’s happening with unavailable rooms at Walt Disney World…at the least to a point. Greater than anything, that is merely the “new regular.” There’s the next baseline degree of demand, on-site resort room stock has not meaningfully elevated shortly, and Walt Disney World is pulling extra “levers” to maintain occupancy as near 90% as potential.
Even publish pent-up demand, folks have reevaluated their spending and can proceed to prioritize journey for the foreseeable future. Then there’s Epic Universe, which is to this point vindicating the “rising tides carry all ships” idea. Meaning resort occupancy will stay excessive in Central Florida, at the same time as tons of recent accommodations proceed being constructed.
Whether or not that’s sustainable indefinitely (or by a recession) is one other matter for one more day, however one other one in all my unpopular opinions is that, really, Walt Disney World needs to be enterprise aggressive resort growth along with the parks tasks (and Disney Lakeshore Lodge).
In the event you’re in search of key takeaways, the primary can be that–as mentioned above–accommodations being offered out doesn’t essentially imply heavy crowds. It’s actually a sign that could possibly be the case, but it surely’s hardly conclusive. Second, don’t view reductions as an indication of low demand; it’s not, so don’t let that lull you right into a false sense of safety. Lastly, e book earlier and apply particular gives as soon as launched, if eligible, to keep away from dealing with this offered out resort drawback. Study from my errors and provides your self a bit extra lead time.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Accommodations Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the perfect place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces you want to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever encountered plenty of offered out resorts at Walt Disney World throughout a time you didn’t anticipate to be busy? Ideas on resort stock does or doesn’t affect crowd ranges within the parks? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
Walt Disney World resort availability is proscribed for sure dates in late 2025 and 2026, prompting reader questions and issues about crowds. This publish seems at what’s up the offered out resorts, the right way to e book dates that seem unavailable, and explanations as to why this occurs.
If this feels like deja vu once more, that’s as a result of we’ve lined this matter twice earlier than. First when “revenge journey” was all the trend and readers had been stunned that resorts had been promoting out with out reductions. It’s additionally come up extra lately at instances once we’ve predicted low to average crowds, and planners have been frightened that offered out accommodations signaled crowds would really be heavy.
It is a considerably legitimate concern! Walt Disney World has roughly 30,000 resort rooms, provide has not been constrained in any significant means for some time, and demand isn’t artificially heighted because of folks making up for misplaced time. Provided that there at the moment are extra obtainable rooms within the stock and theoretically fewer folks competing for stated lodging…what provides? Why are resorts nonetheless promoting out at Walt Disney World?
Let’s begin by discussing Walt Disney World occupancy statistics. In the event you dig by the Walt Disney Firm’s financials, that is one thing you possibly can really discover buried within the paperwork on their Investor Relations web page.
I’ve been desirous to compile this knowledge for my very own reference for some time, so right here it’s (evaluation follows).
Walt Disney World Resort Occupancy By Yr
- 2013: 79%
- 2014: 83%
- 2015: 87%
- 2016: 89%
- 2017: 88%
- 2018: 88%
- 2019: 90%
- 2020: 43%
- 2021: 42%
- 2022: 82%
- 2023: 85%
- 2024: 85%
A few issues are value noting right here. The primary is that 2020-2021 are apparent outliers because of the COVID closure and phased reopening. I might be actually curious to see occupancy for January and February 2020, as a result of my intestine is that Walt Disney World set a report then. The previous couple of months of 2019 into early 2020 had been the busiest we’ve ever seen Walt Disney World.
Second, these numbers are home occupancy as an entire, which incorporates Disneyland Resort. Nonetheless, Disneyland has beneath 3,000 resort rooms whereas Walt Disney World has ten instances that quantity. So for all intents and functions, these numbers replicate Walt Disney World. (I might even be stunned if there’s a serious distinction in occupancy between the 2.)
Third, all of those numbers are increased than the Orlando market as an entire. Final yr’s occupancy was 71.6% in line with VisitOrlando, which was down 1.1% from 2023, however nonetheless traditionally excessive and thought of an business win. Orlando occupancy was 66.1% in 2019.
For reference, Central Florida barely outperforms the nationwide common, which is notable given the aggressive market. That is most likely why, in our expertise, you may get far more bang to your buck in Orlando than random areas of the nation. This may be an unpopular opinion, however given the situation close to main vacationer sights, however Central Florida accommodations as an entire are very fairly priced relative to their counterparts elsewhere.
It helps tremendously that Orlando doesn’t have significant provide constraints and there’s a willingness to construct to satisfy demand, which is not like a number of main metros or different fascinating vacationer locations. (There’s solely a lot oceanfront actual property and main metros have few empty parcels, plus restrictive public coverage.) Because of this, even when Disney-owned accommodations are offered out, there’s at all times availability someplace close by that’s high-quality, and often competitively priced. However we’re straying from the purpose.
Circling again to Disney’s disclosures, occupancy is predicated on obtainable room nights. This implies resort room stock that’s really bookable. It’s value noting that the closure wouldn’t depend in opposition to that since none of these rooms had been bookable. Furthermore, the obtainable stock decreased throughout the phased reopening since some total resorts and buildings had been taken offline.
Which means these 43% and 42% numbers are even worse than you may assume. (Not solely that, however 2020 is propped up by January by mid-March, and 2021 would’ve been buoyed by the sturdy summer time restoration sandwiched between a sluggish begin and end to the yr.)
That is additionally important throughout regular instances, because it means room blocks taken out of fee for refurbishments are zeroed out, and never counted in opposition to occupancy. Likewise, changing resort rooms into Disney Trip Membership stock successfully boosts occupancy stats, as DVC is designed to function at near 100% occupancy.
There are legitimate factors to be made with regard to Disney ‘adjusting’ obtainable room nights to spice up occupancy stats…however there’s additionally a number of conspiratorial nonsense. Some followers contend that that is all a shell sport, and has been for the final decade.
No shell sport lasts that lengthy, and the underside line is that Disney is best off having a decrease occupancy share however promoting extra room nights than pretending accommodations are offered out by taking rooms offline. That may “idiot” buyers for 1 / 4 or two, however not over a decade.
All of this brings us to our essential level, which is the frequent phenomenon of Walt Disney World’s availability trying one thing like this:
A part of the rationale we’re delving into this matter once more is as a result of we’ve acquired a number of questions, particularly about Christmas season dates. Notably, why there’s so little availability throughout our favourite week of the yr at Walt Disney World, which we’ve praised for low crowds.
An equally important half is to supply a heads up for future journey dates or present help in working round this to search out availability. Let’s begin with the previous level, which is that we’d anticipate to see increasingly more offered out dates in 2026, at the same time as Walt Disney World will get extra aggressive with discounting. These two issues may appear at odds, however they aren’t.
Throughout the latest quarter, the corporate reported that home resort occupancy elevated from 83% to 86% yr over yr (only for Q3). This was regardless of roughly flat attendance (per the corporate) and decrease crowds (per the wait instances knowledge). Notably, this additionally got here amongst aggressive reductions. As we’ve identified repeatedly, it was potential to pay the bottom costs for Walt Disney World holidays in over 6 years by stacking obtainable summer time offers. (See Find out how to Get the Most cost-effective Walt Disney World Journey Since 2019.)
This was a uncommon ‘everybody wins’ situation for Walt Disney World. Resort rooms are a perishable good, so pushing up occupancy meant fewer rooms went unfilled, even when they offered at decrease charges. That boosted per visitor spending since accommodations are one of many greatest line-item bills for holidays. As for increased occupancy not transferring the needle on attendance, that’s defined just by off-site stays shifting to on-site. By and huge, trip demand isn’t induced by resort offers–pricing shifts the place folks keep, not whether or not they go to within the first place.
It’s additionally value noting that a few of these 2019 caliber reductions offered out quick. Inside a number of days of launch, availability was restricted to nonexistent at some resorts. Inside a number of weeks, it was nearly utterly gone, save for a number of stray days right here and there.
Trip planners perusing availability (or lack thereof) for summer time may’ve come to the conclusion that these months had been going to be jam-packed since there wasn’t a lot to e book. That was not even remotely correct. June was the slowest month of the yr…till July rolled round…till August rolled round. All indicators are pointing to September quickly dethroning August.
Suffice to say, we all know offered out Walt Disney World accommodations don’t equal excessive crowds as a result of this dynamic has performed out up to now time and time once more, and it didn’t occur. With 130,464 resort rooms in Orlando, there’s a ton of capability that feeds Walt Disney World that’s not on-site. The fill-rate at these accommodations is what’s final result determinative, particularly since Disney’s numbers are pretty sturdy all year long. (Disney Trip Membership, particularly, has little variance throughout the calendar.)
Provided that Walt Disney World simply reported its greatest Q3 income ever, there’s each motive to consider the corporate will pull from that playbook for future quarters. Anticipate aggressive reductions (as vital) to push that occupancy quantity up, leaving as few unsold rooms as potential.
One other function of this publish is providing a ‘heads up’ about this and recommending that you simply not mistake this technique for a scarcity of demand. We’ve heard from a number of readers who’re ready to e book till reductions are launched, holding off for higher offers given the deluge of them these days. That is actually one technique, but it surely’s a dangerous one for those who plan on touring regardless.
The higher strategy is to e book early and apply particular gives once they’re launched, in the event that they’re launched and there’s stock to your date, resort and room combo. If not, you possibly can at all times rebook elsewhere or keep put at your present price. Absent a time machine, you can’t e book one thing as soon as it’s offered out.
This recommendation completely applies to Winter 2026 journey dates. We all know that a number of of you might be ready for reductions to drop for January by March 2026 journey dates. Particular gives for most of the people will most likely be launched throughout the subsequent 3 weeks.
We additionally know that very same stretch this yr was Walt Disney World’s highest 10 weeks of resort occupancy of the final yr. We’ve talked about this elsewhere, but it surely’s value underscoring that these dates are actually fashionable. It’s a mix of shifting journey tendencies and decrease price seasons, plus particular occasions.
Possibly Walt Disney World will proceed the current development of traditionally sturdy reductions for Winter 2026, however we wouldn’t financial institution on it. These weeks are organically sturdy, so there’s not as a lot of a must get as aggressive as this summer time. And in the event that they do exactly to pump occupancy increased, the flip aspect of that’s rooms promoting out even sooner. Simply one thing value being conscious of if in case you have agency journey plans however are in ‘wait and see’ mode for particular gives. There’s zero draw back danger to reserving now, however there’s in ready.
On-site accommodations promoting out utterly could cause planners to freak out that the parks are going to be chaotic and crowded. Which will be true…typically. However there are a few issues to remember.
Once more, Walt Disney World has ~30,000 resort rooms, and for those who assume 2.5 to three company to a room and somewhat beneath 1 park day per night time (.75?), on-site company account for fewer than half of all company. That’s the again of serviette math of occupancy vs. attendance, however Walt Disney World has additionally instructed that the majority company come from off-site.
This consists of these staying in third occasion accommodations round Orlando, but it surely additionally consists of the rising inhabitants in Central Florida and past inside driving distance. Locals may merely come out for the day when the climate is good, as a result of there’s a ticket deal, or to benefit from the present taste of EPCOT’s competition.
Furthermore, simply because somebody is occupying a room at Walt Disney World doesn’t imply they’re contributing to crowds. I’ve stayed at Coronado Springs on a number of events when the resort has been slammed, however the buses to the parks have been downright useless. Different instances, the resort hasn’t appeared that busy, however the buses have been packed.
The discrepancy is convention-goers, who overwhelm parts of the resort infrastructure (and by infrastructure, I imply bars and scorching tubs) however don’t attend the parks in the identical quantity as common ole vacationers. The resort could possibly be at ~95% occupancy because of a conference, and it might really feel that means within the frequent areas…however buses could possibly be downright useless. Against this, the resort could possibly be at ~65% occupancy with out a conference, however really feel far worse on the buses. It’s all about demographics and the visitor combine.
Because of this our again of serviette estimate for parks per day is .75 versus 1, and it may be even decrease than that. Similar goes for the common visitor depend of two.5 to three. That may appear low given Disney’s core demographic of households with youngsters, but it surely additionally accounts for the entire solo conventioneers and rising contingent of Childless Disney Adults. I wouldn’t be stunned if the .75 and a couple of.5 numbers are each overestimates.
It’s an identical story with youth teams collaborating in sporting occasions on the ESPN Large World of Sports activities. I’ve stated this earlier than, however my contrarian take is that the cheer and dance occasions at ESPN Large World of Sports activities that a number of planners freak out about don’t have any considerable affect on general crowd ranges.
It’s completely anecdotal; horror tales pushed by individuals who have been caught in line for Haunted Mansion behind tons of of ‘exuberant’ tweens. I get that. I’ve been there and it’s far scarier than any regular experience on Haunted Mansion.
To some extent, it’s even potential that convention-goers and youth teams are occupying rooms and ‘blocking out’ company who would in any other case go to the parks. On a extra macro degree, this has undoubtedly been true with off-site occasions just like the Professional Bowl, which draw folks to Orlando and make the most of a big share of resort capability, however are statistically far much less prone to go to Walt Disney World than the common customer.
Now that we’ve lined all of that, let’s flip to some fast ideas. First, distinction the above availability with the under–very same journey dates, searches inside 2 minutes:
The important thing distinction is that I did this search logged out, so it didn’t default to displaying me the Annual Passholder low cost.
In case you’re not conscious, particular gives pull from completely different swimming pools of room stock which can be extra restricted. As we wish to level out, Walt Disney World doesn’t supply resort reductions out of generosity; they accomplish that to hit occupancy targets. Accordingly, there’s solely so many rooms allotted to particular gives; it’s a subset of the whole. These promoting out doesn’t essentially imply that the resort as an entire is offered out…simply the low cost.
There’s comprehensible confusion about this, and it’s compounded by the odd consumer interface option to not have a reduction toggle on this web page when looking out resort availability as an entire. These toggles do exist on particular person resort reserving pages, however they’re absent on the principle search. Which means there’s no straightforward strategy to see availability as an entire except you both log off or drill all the way down to particular resorts. This quirk is simple to overlook!
One other factor to strive is modifying your search to a subset of your precise journey dates.
If reserving last-minute, I’ll do 1-night searches, make notes of what’s obtainable every day, after which piece that collectively in multi-day searches. I may also typically enhance that to 2-night searches simply to substantiate Walt Disney World isn’t withholding availability for single nights (it occurs).
With this strategy, it’s simpler to establish the precise night time(s) which can be offered out, and keep away from these. I can do a break up keep at two completely different resorts, or reserving a random DVC night time at Saratoga or Outdated Key West or no matter desk scraps can be found. This may appear chaotic and annoying, however we love break up stays–and so they’re simpler than you may assume!
Lastly, persistence pays off. Simply since you see offered out resorts in the present day doesn’t imply you’ll tomorrow. Walt Disney World availability comes and goes, as holds are launched, rooms reenter the system following refurbishment, cancellations happen, and possibly for numerous different causes.
I steadily discover myself touring over Jersey Week and Veterans Day, which I can solely assume is likely one of the highest occupancy instances of the complete yr. Even months prematurely, many/most resorts are sometimes totally booked. Final yr, I spotted on the morning I used to be flying out that I had a spot in my lodging, and rapidly scrambled to e book one thing.
Lo and behold, Pop Century was obtainable–a rarity! I snagged it instantly and, come to search out out, it most likely mustn’t have been obtainable as a result of I found Pop Century was overbooked upon arrival. The tip end result was a free improve to Wilderness Lodge and taxi vouchers to switch. (Not kidding or exaggerating about any of this.)
Finally, that ought to assist clarify what’s happening with unavailable rooms at Walt Disney World…at the least to a point. Greater than anything, that is merely the “new regular.” There’s the next baseline degree of demand, on-site resort room stock has not meaningfully elevated shortly, and Walt Disney World is pulling extra “levers” to maintain occupancy as near 90% as potential.
Even publish pent-up demand, folks have reevaluated their spending and can proceed to prioritize journey for the foreseeable future. Then there’s Epic Universe, which is to this point vindicating the “rising tides carry all ships” idea. Meaning resort occupancy will stay excessive in Central Florida, at the same time as tons of recent accommodations proceed being constructed.
Whether or not that’s sustainable indefinitely (or by a recession) is one other matter for one more day, however one other one in all my unpopular opinions is that, really, Walt Disney World needs to be enterprise aggressive resort growth along with the parks tasks (and Disney Lakeshore Lodge).
In the event you’re in search of key takeaways, the primary can be that–as mentioned above–accommodations being offered out doesn’t essentially imply heavy crowds. It’s actually a sign that could possibly be the case, but it surely’s hardly conclusive. Second, don’t view reductions as an indication of low demand; it’s not, so don’t let that lull you right into a false sense of safety. Lastly, e book earlier and apply particular gives as soon as launched, if eligible, to keep away from dealing with this offered out resort drawback. Study from my errors and provides your self a bit extra lead time.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Accommodations Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the perfect place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces you want to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever encountered plenty of offered out resorts at Walt Disney World throughout a time you didn’t anticipate to be busy? Ideas on resort stock does or doesn’t affect crowd ranges within the parks? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
Walt Disney World resort availability is proscribed for sure dates in late 2025 and 2026, prompting reader questions and issues about crowds. This publish seems at what’s up the offered out resorts, the right way to e book dates that seem unavailable, and explanations as to why this occurs.
If this feels like deja vu once more, that’s as a result of we’ve lined this matter twice earlier than. First when “revenge journey” was all the trend and readers had been stunned that resorts had been promoting out with out reductions. It’s additionally come up extra lately at instances once we’ve predicted low to average crowds, and planners have been frightened that offered out accommodations signaled crowds would really be heavy.
It is a considerably legitimate concern! Walt Disney World has roughly 30,000 resort rooms, provide has not been constrained in any significant means for some time, and demand isn’t artificially heighted because of folks making up for misplaced time. Provided that there at the moment are extra obtainable rooms within the stock and theoretically fewer folks competing for stated lodging…what provides? Why are resorts nonetheless promoting out at Walt Disney World?
Let’s begin by discussing Walt Disney World occupancy statistics. In the event you dig by the Walt Disney Firm’s financials, that is one thing you possibly can really discover buried within the paperwork on their Investor Relations web page.
I’ve been desirous to compile this knowledge for my very own reference for some time, so right here it’s (evaluation follows).
Walt Disney World Resort Occupancy By Yr
- 2013: 79%
- 2014: 83%
- 2015: 87%
- 2016: 89%
- 2017: 88%
- 2018: 88%
- 2019: 90%
- 2020: 43%
- 2021: 42%
- 2022: 82%
- 2023: 85%
- 2024: 85%
A few issues are value noting right here. The primary is that 2020-2021 are apparent outliers because of the COVID closure and phased reopening. I might be actually curious to see occupancy for January and February 2020, as a result of my intestine is that Walt Disney World set a report then. The previous couple of months of 2019 into early 2020 had been the busiest we’ve ever seen Walt Disney World.
Second, these numbers are home occupancy as an entire, which incorporates Disneyland Resort. Nonetheless, Disneyland has beneath 3,000 resort rooms whereas Walt Disney World has ten instances that quantity. So for all intents and functions, these numbers replicate Walt Disney World. (I might even be stunned if there’s a serious distinction in occupancy between the 2.)
Third, all of those numbers are increased than the Orlando market as an entire. Final yr’s occupancy was 71.6% in line with VisitOrlando, which was down 1.1% from 2023, however nonetheless traditionally excessive and thought of an business win. Orlando occupancy was 66.1% in 2019.
For reference, Central Florida barely outperforms the nationwide common, which is notable given the aggressive market. That is most likely why, in our expertise, you may get far more bang to your buck in Orlando than random areas of the nation. This may be an unpopular opinion, however given the situation close to main vacationer sights, however Central Florida accommodations as an entire are very fairly priced relative to their counterparts elsewhere.
It helps tremendously that Orlando doesn’t have significant provide constraints and there’s a willingness to construct to satisfy demand, which is not like a number of main metros or different fascinating vacationer locations. (There’s solely a lot oceanfront actual property and main metros have few empty parcels, plus restrictive public coverage.) Because of this, even when Disney-owned accommodations are offered out, there’s at all times availability someplace close by that’s high-quality, and often competitively priced. However we’re straying from the purpose.
Circling again to Disney’s disclosures, occupancy is predicated on obtainable room nights. This implies resort room stock that’s really bookable. It’s value noting that the closure wouldn’t depend in opposition to that since none of these rooms had been bookable. Furthermore, the obtainable stock decreased throughout the phased reopening since some total resorts and buildings had been taken offline.
Which means these 43% and 42% numbers are even worse than you may assume. (Not solely that, however 2020 is propped up by January by mid-March, and 2021 would’ve been buoyed by the sturdy summer time restoration sandwiched between a sluggish begin and end to the yr.)
That is additionally important throughout regular instances, because it means room blocks taken out of fee for refurbishments are zeroed out, and never counted in opposition to occupancy. Likewise, changing resort rooms into Disney Trip Membership stock successfully boosts occupancy stats, as DVC is designed to function at near 100% occupancy.
There are legitimate factors to be made with regard to Disney ‘adjusting’ obtainable room nights to spice up occupancy stats…however there’s additionally a number of conspiratorial nonsense. Some followers contend that that is all a shell sport, and has been for the final decade.
No shell sport lasts that lengthy, and the underside line is that Disney is best off having a decrease occupancy share however promoting extra room nights than pretending accommodations are offered out by taking rooms offline. That may “idiot” buyers for 1 / 4 or two, however not over a decade.
All of this brings us to our essential level, which is the frequent phenomenon of Walt Disney World’s availability trying one thing like this:
A part of the rationale we’re delving into this matter once more is as a result of we’ve acquired a number of questions, particularly about Christmas season dates. Notably, why there’s so little availability throughout our favourite week of the yr at Walt Disney World, which we’ve praised for low crowds.
An equally important half is to supply a heads up for future journey dates or present help in working round this to search out availability. Let’s begin with the previous level, which is that we’d anticipate to see increasingly more offered out dates in 2026, at the same time as Walt Disney World will get extra aggressive with discounting. These two issues may appear at odds, however they aren’t.
Throughout the latest quarter, the corporate reported that home resort occupancy elevated from 83% to 86% yr over yr (only for Q3). This was regardless of roughly flat attendance (per the corporate) and decrease crowds (per the wait instances knowledge). Notably, this additionally got here amongst aggressive reductions. As we’ve identified repeatedly, it was potential to pay the bottom costs for Walt Disney World holidays in over 6 years by stacking obtainable summer time offers. (See Find out how to Get the Most cost-effective Walt Disney World Journey Since 2019.)
This was a uncommon ‘everybody wins’ situation for Walt Disney World. Resort rooms are a perishable good, so pushing up occupancy meant fewer rooms went unfilled, even when they offered at decrease charges. That boosted per visitor spending since accommodations are one of many greatest line-item bills for holidays. As for increased occupancy not transferring the needle on attendance, that’s defined just by off-site stays shifting to on-site. By and huge, trip demand isn’t induced by resort offers–pricing shifts the place folks keep, not whether or not they go to within the first place.
It’s additionally value noting that a few of these 2019 caliber reductions offered out quick. Inside a number of days of launch, availability was restricted to nonexistent at some resorts. Inside a number of weeks, it was nearly utterly gone, save for a number of stray days right here and there.
Trip planners perusing availability (or lack thereof) for summer time may’ve come to the conclusion that these months had been going to be jam-packed since there wasn’t a lot to e book. That was not even remotely correct. June was the slowest month of the yr…till July rolled round…till August rolled round. All indicators are pointing to September quickly dethroning August.
Suffice to say, we all know offered out Walt Disney World accommodations don’t equal excessive crowds as a result of this dynamic has performed out up to now time and time once more, and it didn’t occur. With 130,464 resort rooms in Orlando, there’s a ton of capability that feeds Walt Disney World that’s not on-site. The fill-rate at these accommodations is what’s final result determinative, particularly since Disney’s numbers are pretty sturdy all year long. (Disney Trip Membership, particularly, has little variance throughout the calendar.)
Provided that Walt Disney World simply reported its greatest Q3 income ever, there’s each motive to consider the corporate will pull from that playbook for future quarters. Anticipate aggressive reductions (as vital) to push that occupancy quantity up, leaving as few unsold rooms as potential.
One other function of this publish is providing a ‘heads up’ about this and recommending that you simply not mistake this technique for a scarcity of demand. We’ve heard from a number of readers who’re ready to e book till reductions are launched, holding off for higher offers given the deluge of them these days. That is actually one technique, but it surely’s a dangerous one for those who plan on touring regardless.
The higher strategy is to e book early and apply particular gives once they’re launched, in the event that they’re launched and there’s stock to your date, resort and room combo. If not, you possibly can at all times rebook elsewhere or keep put at your present price. Absent a time machine, you can’t e book one thing as soon as it’s offered out.
This recommendation completely applies to Winter 2026 journey dates. We all know that a number of of you might be ready for reductions to drop for January by March 2026 journey dates. Particular gives for most of the people will most likely be launched throughout the subsequent 3 weeks.
We additionally know that very same stretch this yr was Walt Disney World’s highest 10 weeks of resort occupancy of the final yr. We’ve talked about this elsewhere, but it surely’s value underscoring that these dates are actually fashionable. It’s a mix of shifting journey tendencies and decrease price seasons, plus particular occasions.
Possibly Walt Disney World will proceed the current development of traditionally sturdy reductions for Winter 2026, however we wouldn’t financial institution on it. These weeks are organically sturdy, so there’s not as a lot of a must get as aggressive as this summer time. And in the event that they do exactly to pump occupancy increased, the flip aspect of that’s rooms promoting out even sooner. Simply one thing value being conscious of if in case you have agency journey plans however are in ‘wait and see’ mode for particular gives. There’s zero draw back danger to reserving now, however there’s in ready.
On-site accommodations promoting out utterly could cause planners to freak out that the parks are going to be chaotic and crowded. Which will be true…typically. However there are a few issues to remember.
Once more, Walt Disney World has ~30,000 resort rooms, and for those who assume 2.5 to three company to a room and somewhat beneath 1 park day per night time (.75?), on-site company account for fewer than half of all company. That’s the again of serviette math of occupancy vs. attendance, however Walt Disney World has additionally instructed that the majority company come from off-site.
This consists of these staying in third occasion accommodations round Orlando, but it surely additionally consists of the rising inhabitants in Central Florida and past inside driving distance. Locals may merely come out for the day when the climate is good, as a result of there’s a ticket deal, or to benefit from the present taste of EPCOT’s competition.
Furthermore, simply because somebody is occupying a room at Walt Disney World doesn’t imply they’re contributing to crowds. I’ve stayed at Coronado Springs on a number of events when the resort has been slammed, however the buses to the parks have been downright useless. Different instances, the resort hasn’t appeared that busy, however the buses have been packed.
The discrepancy is convention-goers, who overwhelm parts of the resort infrastructure (and by infrastructure, I imply bars and scorching tubs) however don’t attend the parks in the identical quantity as common ole vacationers. The resort could possibly be at ~95% occupancy because of a conference, and it might really feel that means within the frequent areas…however buses could possibly be downright useless. Against this, the resort could possibly be at ~65% occupancy with out a conference, however really feel far worse on the buses. It’s all about demographics and the visitor combine.
Because of this our again of serviette estimate for parks per day is .75 versus 1, and it may be even decrease than that. Similar goes for the common visitor depend of two.5 to three. That may appear low given Disney’s core demographic of households with youngsters, but it surely additionally accounts for the entire solo conventioneers and rising contingent of Childless Disney Adults. I wouldn’t be stunned if the .75 and a couple of.5 numbers are each overestimates.
It’s an identical story with youth teams collaborating in sporting occasions on the ESPN Large World of Sports activities. I’ve stated this earlier than, however my contrarian take is that the cheer and dance occasions at ESPN Large World of Sports activities that a number of planners freak out about don’t have any considerable affect on general crowd ranges.
It’s completely anecdotal; horror tales pushed by individuals who have been caught in line for Haunted Mansion behind tons of of ‘exuberant’ tweens. I get that. I’ve been there and it’s far scarier than any regular experience on Haunted Mansion.
To some extent, it’s even potential that convention-goers and youth teams are occupying rooms and ‘blocking out’ company who would in any other case go to the parks. On a extra macro degree, this has undoubtedly been true with off-site occasions just like the Professional Bowl, which draw folks to Orlando and make the most of a big share of resort capability, however are statistically far much less prone to go to Walt Disney World than the common customer.
Now that we’ve lined all of that, let’s flip to some fast ideas. First, distinction the above availability with the under–very same journey dates, searches inside 2 minutes:
The important thing distinction is that I did this search logged out, so it didn’t default to displaying me the Annual Passholder low cost.
In case you’re not conscious, particular gives pull from completely different swimming pools of room stock which can be extra restricted. As we wish to level out, Walt Disney World doesn’t supply resort reductions out of generosity; they accomplish that to hit occupancy targets. Accordingly, there’s solely so many rooms allotted to particular gives; it’s a subset of the whole. These promoting out doesn’t essentially imply that the resort as an entire is offered out…simply the low cost.
There’s comprehensible confusion about this, and it’s compounded by the odd consumer interface option to not have a reduction toggle on this web page when looking out resort availability as an entire. These toggles do exist on particular person resort reserving pages, however they’re absent on the principle search. Which means there’s no straightforward strategy to see availability as an entire except you both log off or drill all the way down to particular resorts. This quirk is simple to overlook!
One other factor to strive is modifying your search to a subset of your precise journey dates.
If reserving last-minute, I’ll do 1-night searches, make notes of what’s obtainable every day, after which piece that collectively in multi-day searches. I may also typically enhance that to 2-night searches simply to substantiate Walt Disney World isn’t withholding availability for single nights (it occurs).
With this strategy, it’s simpler to establish the precise night time(s) which can be offered out, and keep away from these. I can do a break up keep at two completely different resorts, or reserving a random DVC night time at Saratoga or Outdated Key West or no matter desk scraps can be found. This may appear chaotic and annoying, however we love break up stays–and so they’re simpler than you may assume!
Lastly, persistence pays off. Simply since you see offered out resorts in the present day doesn’t imply you’ll tomorrow. Walt Disney World availability comes and goes, as holds are launched, rooms reenter the system following refurbishment, cancellations happen, and possibly for numerous different causes.
I steadily discover myself touring over Jersey Week and Veterans Day, which I can solely assume is likely one of the highest occupancy instances of the complete yr. Even months prematurely, many/most resorts are sometimes totally booked. Final yr, I spotted on the morning I used to be flying out that I had a spot in my lodging, and rapidly scrambled to e book one thing.
Lo and behold, Pop Century was obtainable–a rarity! I snagged it instantly and, come to search out out, it most likely mustn’t have been obtainable as a result of I found Pop Century was overbooked upon arrival. The tip end result was a free improve to Wilderness Lodge and taxi vouchers to switch. (Not kidding or exaggerating about any of this.)
Finally, that ought to assist clarify what’s happening with unavailable rooms at Walt Disney World…at the least to a point. Greater than anything, that is merely the “new regular.” There’s the next baseline degree of demand, on-site resort room stock has not meaningfully elevated shortly, and Walt Disney World is pulling extra “levers” to maintain occupancy as near 90% as potential.
Even publish pent-up demand, folks have reevaluated their spending and can proceed to prioritize journey for the foreseeable future. Then there’s Epic Universe, which is to this point vindicating the “rising tides carry all ships” idea. Meaning resort occupancy will stay excessive in Central Florida, at the same time as tons of recent accommodations proceed being constructed.
Whether or not that’s sustainable indefinitely (or by a recession) is one other matter for one more day, however one other one in all my unpopular opinions is that, really, Walt Disney World needs to be enterprise aggressive resort growth along with the parks tasks (and Disney Lakeshore Lodge).
In the event you’re in search of key takeaways, the primary can be that–as mentioned above–accommodations being offered out doesn’t essentially imply heavy crowds. It’s actually a sign that could possibly be the case, but it surely’s hardly conclusive. Second, don’t view reductions as an indication of low demand; it’s not, so don’t let that lull you right into a false sense of safety. Lastly, e book earlier and apply particular gives as soon as launched, if eligible, to keep away from dealing with this offered out resort drawback. Study from my errors and provides your self a bit extra lead time.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Accommodations Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the perfect place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces you want to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever encountered plenty of offered out resorts at Walt Disney World throughout a time you didn’t anticipate to be busy? Ideas on resort stock does or doesn’t affect crowd ranges within the parks? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
Walt Disney World resort availability is proscribed for sure dates in late 2025 and 2026, prompting reader questions and issues about crowds. This publish seems at what’s up the offered out resorts, the right way to e book dates that seem unavailable, and explanations as to why this occurs.
If this feels like deja vu once more, that’s as a result of we’ve lined this matter twice earlier than. First when “revenge journey” was all the trend and readers had been stunned that resorts had been promoting out with out reductions. It’s additionally come up extra lately at instances once we’ve predicted low to average crowds, and planners have been frightened that offered out accommodations signaled crowds would really be heavy.
It is a considerably legitimate concern! Walt Disney World has roughly 30,000 resort rooms, provide has not been constrained in any significant means for some time, and demand isn’t artificially heighted because of folks making up for misplaced time. Provided that there at the moment are extra obtainable rooms within the stock and theoretically fewer folks competing for stated lodging…what provides? Why are resorts nonetheless promoting out at Walt Disney World?
Let’s begin by discussing Walt Disney World occupancy statistics. In the event you dig by the Walt Disney Firm’s financials, that is one thing you possibly can really discover buried within the paperwork on their Investor Relations web page.
I’ve been desirous to compile this knowledge for my very own reference for some time, so right here it’s (evaluation follows).
Walt Disney World Resort Occupancy By Yr
- 2013: 79%
- 2014: 83%
- 2015: 87%
- 2016: 89%
- 2017: 88%
- 2018: 88%
- 2019: 90%
- 2020: 43%
- 2021: 42%
- 2022: 82%
- 2023: 85%
- 2024: 85%
A few issues are value noting right here. The primary is that 2020-2021 are apparent outliers because of the COVID closure and phased reopening. I might be actually curious to see occupancy for January and February 2020, as a result of my intestine is that Walt Disney World set a report then. The previous couple of months of 2019 into early 2020 had been the busiest we’ve ever seen Walt Disney World.
Second, these numbers are home occupancy as an entire, which incorporates Disneyland Resort. Nonetheless, Disneyland has beneath 3,000 resort rooms whereas Walt Disney World has ten instances that quantity. So for all intents and functions, these numbers replicate Walt Disney World. (I might even be stunned if there’s a serious distinction in occupancy between the 2.)
Third, all of those numbers are increased than the Orlando market as an entire. Final yr’s occupancy was 71.6% in line with VisitOrlando, which was down 1.1% from 2023, however nonetheless traditionally excessive and thought of an business win. Orlando occupancy was 66.1% in 2019.
For reference, Central Florida barely outperforms the nationwide common, which is notable given the aggressive market. That is most likely why, in our expertise, you may get far more bang to your buck in Orlando than random areas of the nation. This may be an unpopular opinion, however given the situation close to main vacationer sights, however Central Florida accommodations as an entire are very fairly priced relative to their counterparts elsewhere.
It helps tremendously that Orlando doesn’t have significant provide constraints and there’s a willingness to construct to satisfy demand, which is not like a number of main metros or different fascinating vacationer locations. (There’s solely a lot oceanfront actual property and main metros have few empty parcels, plus restrictive public coverage.) Because of this, even when Disney-owned accommodations are offered out, there’s at all times availability someplace close by that’s high-quality, and often competitively priced. However we’re straying from the purpose.
Circling again to Disney’s disclosures, occupancy is predicated on obtainable room nights. This implies resort room stock that’s really bookable. It’s value noting that the closure wouldn’t depend in opposition to that since none of these rooms had been bookable. Furthermore, the obtainable stock decreased throughout the phased reopening since some total resorts and buildings had been taken offline.
Which means these 43% and 42% numbers are even worse than you may assume. (Not solely that, however 2020 is propped up by January by mid-March, and 2021 would’ve been buoyed by the sturdy summer time restoration sandwiched between a sluggish begin and end to the yr.)
That is additionally important throughout regular instances, because it means room blocks taken out of fee for refurbishments are zeroed out, and never counted in opposition to occupancy. Likewise, changing resort rooms into Disney Trip Membership stock successfully boosts occupancy stats, as DVC is designed to function at near 100% occupancy.
There are legitimate factors to be made with regard to Disney ‘adjusting’ obtainable room nights to spice up occupancy stats…however there’s additionally a number of conspiratorial nonsense. Some followers contend that that is all a shell sport, and has been for the final decade.
No shell sport lasts that lengthy, and the underside line is that Disney is best off having a decrease occupancy share however promoting extra room nights than pretending accommodations are offered out by taking rooms offline. That may “idiot” buyers for 1 / 4 or two, however not over a decade.
All of this brings us to our essential level, which is the frequent phenomenon of Walt Disney World’s availability trying one thing like this:
A part of the rationale we’re delving into this matter once more is as a result of we’ve acquired a number of questions, particularly about Christmas season dates. Notably, why there’s so little availability throughout our favourite week of the yr at Walt Disney World, which we’ve praised for low crowds.
An equally important half is to supply a heads up for future journey dates or present help in working round this to search out availability. Let’s begin with the previous level, which is that we’d anticipate to see increasingly more offered out dates in 2026, at the same time as Walt Disney World will get extra aggressive with discounting. These two issues may appear at odds, however they aren’t.
Throughout the latest quarter, the corporate reported that home resort occupancy elevated from 83% to 86% yr over yr (only for Q3). This was regardless of roughly flat attendance (per the corporate) and decrease crowds (per the wait instances knowledge). Notably, this additionally got here amongst aggressive reductions. As we’ve identified repeatedly, it was potential to pay the bottom costs for Walt Disney World holidays in over 6 years by stacking obtainable summer time offers. (See Find out how to Get the Most cost-effective Walt Disney World Journey Since 2019.)
This was a uncommon ‘everybody wins’ situation for Walt Disney World. Resort rooms are a perishable good, so pushing up occupancy meant fewer rooms went unfilled, even when they offered at decrease charges. That boosted per visitor spending since accommodations are one of many greatest line-item bills for holidays. As for increased occupancy not transferring the needle on attendance, that’s defined just by off-site stays shifting to on-site. By and huge, trip demand isn’t induced by resort offers–pricing shifts the place folks keep, not whether or not they go to within the first place.
It’s additionally value noting that a few of these 2019 caliber reductions offered out quick. Inside a number of days of launch, availability was restricted to nonexistent at some resorts. Inside a number of weeks, it was nearly utterly gone, save for a number of stray days right here and there.
Trip planners perusing availability (or lack thereof) for summer time may’ve come to the conclusion that these months had been going to be jam-packed since there wasn’t a lot to e book. That was not even remotely correct. June was the slowest month of the yr…till July rolled round…till August rolled round. All indicators are pointing to September quickly dethroning August.
Suffice to say, we all know offered out Walt Disney World accommodations don’t equal excessive crowds as a result of this dynamic has performed out up to now time and time once more, and it didn’t occur. With 130,464 resort rooms in Orlando, there’s a ton of capability that feeds Walt Disney World that’s not on-site. The fill-rate at these accommodations is what’s final result determinative, particularly since Disney’s numbers are pretty sturdy all year long. (Disney Trip Membership, particularly, has little variance throughout the calendar.)
Provided that Walt Disney World simply reported its greatest Q3 income ever, there’s each motive to consider the corporate will pull from that playbook for future quarters. Anticipate aggressive reductions (as vital) to push that occupancy quantity up, leaving as few unsold rooms as potential.
One other function of this publish is providing a ‘heads up’ about this and recommending that you simply not mistake this technique for a scarcity of demand. We’ve heard from a number of readers who’re ready to e book till reductions are launched, holding off for higher offers given the deluge of them these days. That is actually one technique, but it surely’s a dangerous one for those who plan on touring regardless.
The higher strategy is to e book early and apply particular gives once they’re launched, in the event that they’re launched and there’s stock to your date, resort and room combo. If not, you possibly can at all times rebook elsewhere or keep put at your present price. Absent a time machine, you can’t e book one thing as soon as it’s offered out.
This recommendation completely applies to Winter 2026 journey dates. We all know that a number of of you might be ready for reductions to drop for January by March 2026 journey dates. Particular gives for most of the people will most likely be launched throughout the subsequent 3 weeks.
We additionally know that very same stretch this yr was Walt Disney World’s highest 10 weeks of resort occupancy of the final yr. We’ve talked about this elsewhere, but it surely’s value underscoring that these dates are actually fashionable. It’s a mix of shifting journey tendencies and decrease price seasons, plus particular occasions.
Possibly Walt Disney World will proceed the current development of traditionally sturdy reductions for Winter 2026, however we wouldn’t financial institution on it. These weeks are organically sturdy, so there’s not as a lot of a must get as aggressive as this summer time. And in the event that they do exactly to pump occupancy increased, the flip aspect of that’s rooms promoting out even sooner. Simply one thing value being conscious of if in case you have agency journey plans however are in ‘wait and see’ mode for particular gives. There’s zero draw back danger to reserving now, however there’s in ready.
On-site accommodations promoting out utterly could cause planners to freak out that the parks are going to be chaotic and crowded. Which will be true…typically. However there are a few issues to remember.
Once more, Walt Disney World has ~30,000 resort rooms, and for those who assume 2.5 to three company to a room and somewhat beneath 1 park day per night time (.75?), on-site company account for fewer than half of all company. That’s the again of serviette math of occupancy vs. attendance, however Walt Disney World has additionally instructed that the majority company come from off-site.
This consists of these staying in third occasion accommodations round Orlando, but it surely additionally consists of the rising inhabitants in Central Florida and past inside driving distance. Locals may merely come out for the day when the climate is good, as a result of there’s a ticket deal, or to benefit from the present taste of EPCOT’s competition.
Furthermore, simply because somebody is occupying a room at Walt Disney World doesn’t imply they’re contributing to crowds. I’ve stayed at Coronado Springs on a number of events when the resort has been slammed, however the buses to the parks have been downright useless. Different instances, the resort hasn’t appeared that busy, however the buses have been packed.
The discrepancy is convention-goers, who overwhelm parts of the resort infrastructure (and by infrastructure, I imply bars and scorching tubs) however don’t attend the parks in the identical quantity as common ole vacationers. The resort could possibly be at ~95% occupancy because of a conference, and it might really feel that means within the frequent areas…however buses could possibly be downright useless. Against this, the resort could possibly be at ~65% occupancy with out a conference, however really feel far worse on the buses. It’s all about demographics and the visitor combine.
Because of this our again of serviette estimate for parks per day is .75 versus 1, and it may be even decrease than that. Similar goes for the common visitor depend of two.5 to three. That may appear low given Disney’s core demographic of households with youngsters, but it surely additionally accounts for the entire solo conventioneers and rising contingent of Childless Disney Adults. I wouldn’t be stunned if the .75 and a couple of.5 numbers are each overestimates.
It’s an identical story with youth teams collaborating in sporting occasions on the ESPN Large World of Sports activities. I’ve stated this earlier than, however my contrarian take is that the cheer and dance occasions at ESPN Large World of Sports activities that a number of planners freak out about don’t have any considerable affect on general crowd ranges.
It’s completely anecdotal; horror tales pushed by individuals who have been caught in line for Haunted Mansion behind tons of of ‘exuberant’ tweens. I get that. I’ve been there and it’s far scarier than any regular experience on Haunted Mansion.
To some extent, it’s even potential that convention-goers and youth teams are occupying rooms and ‘blocking out’ company who would in any other case go to the parks. On a extra macro degree, this has undoubtedly been true with off-site occasions just like the Professional Bowl, which draw folks to Orlando and make the most of a big share of resort capability, however are statistically far much less prone to go to Walt Disney World than the common customer.
Now that we’ve lined all of that, let’s flip to some fast ideas. First, distinction the above availability with the under–very same journey dates, searches inside 2 minutes:
The important thing distinction is that I did this search logged out, so it didn’t default to displaying me the Annual Passholder low cost.
In case you’re not conscious, particular gives pull from completely different swimming pools of room stock which can be extra restricted. As we wish to level out, Walt Disney World doesn’t supply resort reductions out of generosity; they accomplish that to hit occupancy targets. Accordingly, there’s solely so many rooms allotted to particular gives; it’s a subset of the whole. These promoting out doesn’t essentially imply that the resort as an entire is offered out…simply the low cost.
There’s comprehensible confusion about this, and it’s compounded by the odd consumer interface option to not have a reduction toggle on this web page when looking out resort availability as an entire. These toggles do exist on particular person resort reserving pages, however they’re absent on the principle search. Which means there’s no straightforward strategy to see availability as an entire except you both log off or drill all the way down to particular resorts. This quirk is simple to overlook!
One other factor to strive is modifying your search to a subset of your precise journey dates.
If reserving last-minute, I’ll do 1-night searches, make notes of what’s obtainable every day, after which piece that collectively in multi-day searches. I may also typically enhance that to 2-night searches simply to substantiate Walt Disney World isn’t withholding availability for single nights (it occurs).
With this strategy, it’s simpler to establish the precise night time(s) which can be offered out, and keep away from these. I can do a break up keep at two completely different resorts, or reserving a random DVC night time at Saratoga or Outdated Key West or no matter desk scraps can be found. This may appear chaotic and annoying, however we love break up stays–and so they’re simpler than you may assume!
Lastly, persistence pays off. Simply since you see offered out resorts in the present day doesn’t imply you’ll tomorrow. Walt Disney World availability comes and goes, as holds are launched, rooms reenter the system following refurbishment, cancellations happen, and possibly for numerous different causes.
I steadily discover myself touring over Jersey Week and Veterans Day, which I can solely assume is likely one of the highest occupancy instances of the complete yr. Even months prematurely, many/most resorts are sometimes totally booked. Final yr, I spotted on the morning I used to be flying out that I had a spot in my lodging, and rapidly scrambled to e book one thing.
Lo and behold, Pop Century was obtainable–a rarity! I snagged it instantly and, come to search out out, it most likely mustn’t have been obtainable as a result of I found Pop Century was overbooked upon arrival. The tip end result was a free improve to Wilderness Lodge and taxi vouchers to switch. (Not kidding or exaggerating about any of this.)
Finally, that ought to assist clarify what’s happening with unavailable rooms at Walt Disney World…at the least to a point. Greater than anything, that is merely the “new regular.” There’s the next baseline degree of demand, on-site resort room stock has not meaningfully elevated shortly, and Walt Disney World is pulling extra “levers” to maintain occupancy as near 90% as potential.
Even publish pent-up demand, folks have reevaluated their spending and can proceed to prioritize journey for the foreseeable future. Then there’s Epic Universe, which is to this point vindicating the “rising tides carry all ships” idea. Meaning resort occupancy will stay excessive in Central Florida, at the same time as tons of recent accommodations proceed being constructed.
Whether or not that’s sustainable indefinitely (or by a recession) is one other matter for one more day, however one other one in all my unpopular opinions is that, really, Walt Disney World needs to be enterprise aggressive resort growth along with the parks tasks (and Disney Lakeshore Lodge).
In the event you’re in search of key takeaways, the primary can be that–as mentioned above–accommodations being offered out doesn’t essentially imply heavy crowds. It’s actually a sign that could possibly be the case, but it surely’s hardly conclusive. Second, don’t view reductions as an indication of low demand; it’s not, so don’t let that lull you right into a false sense of safety. Lastly, e book earlier and apply particular gives as soon as launched, if eligible, to keep away from dealing with this offered out resort drawback. Study from my errors and provides your self a bit extra lead time.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Accommodations Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the perfect place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces you want to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever encountered plenty of offered out resorts at Walt Disney World throughout a time you didn’t anticipate to be busy? Ideas on resort stock does or doesn’t affect crowd ranges within the parks? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
