For years, Labor Day has been the rare holiday when Walt Disney World Resort felt less crowded compared to other peak times like Christmas or spring break. From 2021 through 2024, attendance during the long weekend remained consistently light. This year, however, early reports suggest that the trend could be changing.
According to Orlando International Airport (MCO), the upcoming six-day holiday period will see close to 891,000 travelers passing through. That’s about a 3 percent increase compared with last year’s totals, with Friday, August 29, projected as the busiest day at more than 161,000 passengers. While not every arrival is bound for Walt Disney World, the rise points to an overall bump in tourism across Central Florida.
Inside the parks, however, the picture is more complex. Construction and refurbishments stretch across all four theme parks, including the reimagining of Frontierland at Magic Kingdom, the ongoing retheme of DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and updates within Grand Avenue at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The recent removal of the Rivers of America boat track at Magic Kingdom highlights the scale of change, leaving some fans to weigh whether to postpone their trips until the updates are complete.
At the same time, rising vacation costs continue to play a role in guest planning. Ticket prices, food, and merchandise have seen steady increases, while the Lightning Lane system—both the Multi Pass and Single Pass—has added another layer of expense for those hoping to streamline their visits.
For those who are visiting this Labor Day weekend, EPCOT provides one of the season’s biggest draws: the International Food & Wine Festival, which began on August 28 and runs until November 22. The annual celebration is a highlight of the fall, offering a wide array of global flavors. Guests should note, though, that EPCOT’s signature attraction, Spaceship Earth, is currently closed for refurbishment.
With more travelers headed to Florida this holiday weekend, 2025 could mark the first sign of a Labor Day crowd increase after several quieter years at Walt Disney World.
