Park Commentaries

June 2024: The park entered the summer season with a mix of optimism and strategic shifts, notably the introduction of discounted three-day tickets which aimed to boost attendance after several lackluster summers. On June 5th, the atmosphere was described as blissful with short queues and fully operational attractions, though there was visible frustration regarding the lack of a show at the Hyperion Theater. By June 19th, despite the ticket discounts and beautiful weather, crowds remained surprisingly light—a sharp contrast to the 'bonkers' levels seen earlier in the year. A recurring theme emerged regarding the park's reliance on intellectual property, with observations that areas like Avengers Campus felt under-delivered in terms of live entertainment, while the recently re-themed San Fransokyo Square was praised for its execution.

July 2024: July brought intense heat, highlighting the park's 'oven-like' conditions due to a lack of shade and vegetation, particularly in Avengers Campus. On July 3rd, visitors noted that Pixar Fest did not seem to be meeting internal expectations, likely due to a reliance on recycled content. By mid-July, the park experienced a 'monumental waste of space' in Hollywood Land, and the cancellation of shows like Dr. Strange fueled concerns about budget cuts and labor union issues. Despite these gaps, attractions like Grizzly River Run and the Incredicoaster were lauded for their efficiency and immersive qualities. By July 31st, Deadpool’s arrival at Avengers Campus significantly revitalized the land's energy, drawing dense crowds and proving the enduring power of popular characters.

August 2024: The park experienced unusual crowd distribution in August, with busy attraction queues but oddly empty walkways, possibly due to guests seeking refuge from the heat. On August 15th, the park felt 'chill' following a hectic D23 weekend, though the frequent breakdown of the Carthay Circle fountain became a point of contention. Discussions regarding the future of the park intensified, with strong opinions voiced against replacing the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail with Avatar-themed lands. By August 30th, the success of the Deadpool integration continued to drive a 'robust economy' within Avengers Campus, though the Hollywood Backlot remained a source of dissatisfaction, described by some as a 'waste of space' compared to the potential for new development.

September 2024: Oppressive heat dominated the early part of September, making the lack of indoor queues and air conditioning on Pixar Pier particularly noticeable. On September 9th, the park was estimated to be running at about 70% capacity, with the red car trolley’s impending 2025 closure casting a shadow over Buena Vista Street. By September 25th, the 'Oogie Boogie effect' took hold, creating hectic 'pinch points' in the late afternoon as party-goers mixed with day guests. Despite the logistical challenges of the Halloween season, the vibe remained standard, with some days offering a 'sweet spot' of manageable crowds that allowed for high-quality attraction experiences.

October 2024: The month began with an analysis of the discounted ticket season, which was deemed successful enough for Disney to announce a second round for January. On October 9th, it was observed that Mondays had become the 'new Saturdays' as guests flocked to the park on lower-priced tier days. By October 24th, the park was fully operational, and the Carthay Circle fountain was finally working consistently. A transition toward the holidays began early with the first Christmas decorations appearing before Halloween had concluded, while the efficiency of rides like Monsters, Inc. was questioned due to 'diabolical' standby wait times.

November 2024: November saw a growing divide in the perceived value of the park, with critics noting that DCA costs the same as Disneyland despite having a third of the attractions. On November 7th, the cancellation of live entertainment remained a sore spot, leading to the belief that the Hyperion Theater might never host a show again. By November 20th, the Festival of Holidays launched with mixed reviews; while the atmosphere was festive, the high price of food kiosks and the reduction of performances for 'Viva Navidad'—now limited to weekends—were seen as significant drawbacks.

December 2024: The holiday season began with a 'light' atmosphere on December 4th, but some criticized the aggressive merchandising that interrupted the park's serenity. By mid-December, the park felt unexpectedly 'dead' for the season, with high ticket prices cited as a deterrent for many families. However, this trend reversed sharply by December 30th, which was described as the busiest day in the park's history. The lack of Magic Key holders on this day indicated a massive influx of high-paying holiday travelers, overwhelming the park's limited attraction capacity and highlighting the desperate need for expansion.

January 2025: As the new year began, the park entered a period of 'elastic' crowd levels. On January 13th, the mornings were quiet, and the cancellation of the Deadpool and Wolverine show left a void in Avengers Campus. By January 27th, the return of tier-zero pricing ($104) brought back dense crowds. This led to renewed criticism of the reservation system and the Lightning Lane's impact on standby wait times. Guests expressed a desire for new leadership to restore live entertainment and better support the cast members who maintain the park's 'ecosystem.'

February 2025: February was marked by a lack of decisive leadership regarding the park's future, particularly in Hollywood Land. On February 12th, the permanent removal of the red car trolley was lamented as the 'death' of the 1920s Hollywood theme to make way for the confirmed Avatar expansion. By February 27th, the diminishing entertainment in Avengers Campus—including cuts to the Spider-Man and Avengers Assemble shows—left the land feeling hollow to some, despite the high demand for Radiator Springs Racers, which remained the most popular attraction at the resort.

March 2025: The Food & Wine Festival drove significant traffic in March, though the event itself was praised for a 'less is more' approach with higher food quality across fewer booths. On March 10th, it was noted that while the park was busy, it did not reach the chaotic levels of the previous year. By March 24th, the energy in the park was visibly higher, and the success of the festival was clear. However, the testing of automation to replace cast members in some shows was met with resistance from those who value the 'personal touch' of Disney entertainment.

April 2025: April saw a surprising trend of light crowds on Buena Vista Street, though wait times for major attractions remained high. On April 7th, the donation of a red car trolley to a foundation confirmed its permanent exit, signaling the end of an era. Frustration grew on April 23rd regarding the 'static' state of the Hyperion Theater and the feeling that Disney was 'under-delivering' on its promises compared to competitors. The addition of Lightning Lane to The Little Mermaid was particularly unpopular, as it removed one of the few remaining 'gap-filler' attractions for standby guests.

May 2025: In May, the park prepared for the 70th-anniversary festivities, with a focus on 'beautifying' the environment. On May 5th, despite claims that 'Marvel is dead,' Avengers Campus remained the most happening place in the park. By May 19th, the park experienced a 'dead' weekend followed by a busy Monday, a recurring pattern linked to Magic Key blockouts and pricing tiers. Major E-ticket attractions like Soarin' and Toy Story Midway Mania faced simultaneous closures, which forced crowds into other areas and made the park feel more congested than usual.

June 2025: The summer season of 2025 kicked off with 'robust' crowds and an abundance of teenagers during Grad Nite events. On June 2nd, the lack of shade became a major issue again after several trees were removed. By June 18th, the park felt difficult to navigate without Lightning Lane, and the Hollywood Backlot was once again dismissed as an area in desperate need of an upgrade. By June 30th, higher tier pricing ($180) resulted in shorter waits and 'easy vibes,' leading to the observation that the park's flexibility in pricing was successfully managing summer demand.

July 2025: July was characterized by a 'party vibe' as guests hopped over from Disneyland in the afternoons. On July 14th, the disparity in value between the two parks remained a primary topic of discussion, with guests questioning the $180 price tag for DCA's limited offerings. By July 28th, the park felt busy, yet the 'Better Together' parade failed to move the needle for most guests. The announcement that Monsters, Inc. would close for the Avatar expansion led to pleas for Disney to 'throw a bone' to guests by keeping the Hyperion Theater active during the construction period.

August 2025: August saw a shift in hotel guest perks, with early entry being replaced by a single Lightning Lane pass—a move widely viewed as a 'subversive' tactic to encourage more sales. On August 11th, the 'Mondays are the new Saturdays' trend continued, with locals seeking any possible discount. By August 25th, the park felt underutilized on a tier-zero day, and the lack of water in Redwood Creek (dubbed 'Redwood Ditch') was described as a shame. The month ended with a feeling that without Radiator Springs Racers, the park was a 'half-day park at best.'

September 2025: September brought excitement with news that a top-tier Imagineer from Tokyo DisneySea would be leading the Avatar project. On September 8th, the park was 'ultra dead' in the pre-Halloween lull, though anticipation for the four new attractions announced for the park was high. By September 22nd, Hollywood Boulevard saw its busiest day in months, and the energy was bolstered by the return of parkour and stunts to the Spider-Man show. Despite the crowds, mobile order remained underutilized by the general public, much to the surprise of frequent visitors.

October 2025: The return of busy Saturdays in October signaled that crowds were finally returning to the resort in earnest. On October 5th, the park was 'popping,' and the energy was high, though the 'shrinkflation' of park hours (closing at 10 PM during peak season) was noted as a negative sign of Disney's economic caution. By October 20th, a 'tier three' day provided a gorgeous, chill environment, but the pricing for Lightning Lane on Radiator Springs Racers dropped to a shocking $10, which caused a massive imbalance in standby wait times and left many guests 'boned' without the paid skip.

November 2025: November brought a mix of holiday cheer and operational frustration. On November 3rd, the park was 'jamming' with a Food & Wine-level feel, yet shows in Avengers Campus were further reduced. By November 17th, the Festival of Holidays was in full swing; while the food quality was excellent, the reduction to only six booths was seen as a lack of effort. Crowds were dense in the streets but lighter in some queues, suggesting the festival was successfully drawing people away from rides, though the 125-minute wait for Radiator Springs Racers remained a daunting 'choice' for those without Lightning Lane.

December 2025: The year concluded with a focus on 'queue flow,' with observers noting that a moving queue—like the one at Monsters, Inc. on its rare 10-minute days—is the key to guest satisfaction. On December 1st, the park was unexpectedly 'mellow' and 'peaceful' despite the holiday season, with many Magic Key dates sold out but the physical park remaining navigable. This 'normalness' was a welcome break from the previous months of intensity, though the looming closures of 2026 and the continued waste of space in the Hollywood Backlot remained the primary concerns for the park's long-term health.