Disney World Wait Times Plummet: 25% Drop

If you are currently in Orlando, or about to fly out, you have walked into a rare time in the parks. Average wait times this week are currently the lowest they have been for some time, following the Christmas and early January highs.

According to the latest figures, average queues at key Disney World parks have dropped by nearly 20-25% compared to the same time in January 2025.

The time cost of waiting has dropped, and savvy UK visitors will be able to use this unusual lull to experience more of the parks. So let’s take a look at the average wait times, why this might be happening now, and the impact this will have on your Disney trip.

Whether you’re escaping the UK weather now, or thinking of booking for next year, we’re sharing the stats to help you get the most from your Disney experience in January.

Average Wait Times Comparison

Average wait times have dropped during the third week in January, (12th to the 19th), across three out of four Disney World parks in comparison to this time last year. Here’s the stats:

January Wait Times Drop

The most startling drop in wait times has occurred where you might least expect it, in Magic Kingdom.

In January 2025, the average wait time at Disney's flagship park was a steady 29 minutes across all attractions. Whereas this year, that average is hovering around just 23 minutes. While six minutes may sound negligible on paper, in the park, the difference is stark.

Headline attractions like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, which is usually a 90-minute wait, are currently dipping into the 40-50 minute range.

Over at Animal Kingdom, average wait times have fallen by 12 minutes across the park. Avatar Flight of Passage has seen similar declines, dropping from an average of 90 minutes during this week in 2025 to around 70 minutes this week.

EPCOT has also seen a 5 minute decline across average wait times in the park this week in comparison to the same week in 2025.

There is however, one Disney World park where average wait times have increased: Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Hollywood Studios Busier This January

While the other parks have seen a decline in average wait times, Hollywood Studios has actually seen crowds increase, rising from a 40-minute average in 2025 to 46 minutes this week.

Attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Slinky Dog Dash appear immune to the downturn. Demand here remains at peak levels, and going in without a strategy could result in long waits.

Average Ride Wait Times by Park

Taking a look at the average ride wait times for each park’s big headliners shows just how much of a change there has been during this week in January in comparison to 2025.

Magic Kingdom

Animal Kingdom

EPCOT

Hollywood Studios

Two Key Takeaways

Right now, you can expect a tale of two park experiences:

1. In Magic Kingdom & Animal Kingdom you are saving 1-2 hours of standing in line per day compared to last year. You’re going to get more Disney magic during your day.

2. In Hollywood Studios, you are waiting an extra hour in total compared to last year.

Why Is This Happening?

There are a few reasons why the average wait times may have dropped more than expected this January.

Weather

While queues are low, this week has also seen cooler Florida temperatures. It is possible that the low crowds are partly driven by locals staying home due to the colder temperatures.

This is great news for UK visitors who get to experience even lower wait times and more Disney magic. The only downside is the chillier temperatures giving UK vibes.

EPIC Universe

Industry whispers suggest we are seeing the "Epic Universe Effect." Many travellers may be delaying their Florida trips until later in the year-or holding off for 2027-to experience Universal's massive new theme park. The result is a temporary softening of Disney attendance that smart UK travellers can exploit right now before the summer rush returns.

A Lull In Crowds

January is a quieter month at this stage. The New Year crowds have gone across all parks. Magic Kingdom is having a quieter week following the first Marathon weekend for Run Disney. EPCOT is just beginning the International Festival of the Arts, so it could be expected that crowds would have been higher.

What Does This Mean For UK Trip Planning

If you’re in the parks now, you are going to get more done in a shorter time in Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom that you may be expecting. However, to get the most out of your park days, you’ll probably need some extra layers as Florida is as cold as the UK right now.

You’ll not really need the Lightning Lanes in the three parks if you are using them solely to avoid long waits. As the stat we use shows average wait times, there will be times during the day where you can expect even lower queue times.

Average wait time data is useful when your planning trips as it gives you an idea of how long you can expect to wait. If wait times are higher than the averages, our advice is to skip the ride, as it is likely to drop.

Magic In A Minute

January wait times are up to 25% lower in three of the four Walt Disney World parks offering guests the chance to experience even more Disney magic in a day.