Over the past few years, it seems that theme parks like Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort are more crowded than ever. Disneyland Resort still requires guests and Magic Key Holders (AKA Annual Passholders) to make reservations, but many guests would tell you that it looks like there are no capacity limits in place.And over at Disney World, reservations are no longer required for most guests, and there will be days when it’s hard to move without bumping into someone. The pandemic mindset is clearly behind us, and folks want to get their Disney magic on.Credit: DisneyRelated: Crowd Mass Overtakes EPCOT, Guests Flee Disney World Park in DrovesFor years, guests would be able to plan their Walt Disney World Resort vacation around “slow seasons.” That was when the theme parks weren’t super crowded and the weather was relatively nice. Years ago, times like late September/early October and late January/early February were part of the “slow season”.However, many guests who visit Disney parks on a semi-regular basis will probably tell you that there is no longer a slow season. Disney World now has events that pretty much take place year-round. There is hardly a time at EPCOT when there is not a festival going on, and Disney constantly has different parties and after-hours events to entice more guests to visit.Credit: DisneyRelated: A Guide to Every EPCOT FestivalWhile summer in Central Florida is very hot, very humid, and very rainy (and can be very miserable), it has typically been a busy season at The Most Magical Place on Earth. School is out of session, and it’s typically easier for adults to get some time off and take a trip to Central Florida. On certain days, like the Fourth of July, the resort can get so crowded that some of the parks have to close due to capacity restrictions.Many guests who travel to Disney during the summer season know to prepare for the heat, the rain, and the crowds. However, it seems that they might not have as many other visitors to worry about as they would have in the past.Credit: s.yume, FlickrRelated: ALERT: Effective This Summer, Disney World Will Look Very DifferentAccording to a recent report from Touring Plans, Walt Disney World Resort is experiencing its lowest summer crowds in years. Of course, it must be noted that the summers of 2020 and 2021 have an asterisk next to them, since the parks were still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and the health and safety regulations that were in place.Per Touring Plans:On average, wait times in the first half of June are roughly half of what they were during the same time in 2017, when WDW summer travel peaked. I know people like to complain about Disney crowds and costs. But costs are back down to 2017-ish levels, and crowds are MUCH lower than they were back then. If you can stand the heat, now is the time to be in Orlando.Credit: Touring PlansRelated: Disney Kicks Off Summer Celebration With TONS Of New Offerings!There are several issues that could be contributing to this drop in visitors during what is typically a very busy time of year.Many Canadians and Europeans have made it clear that they will not be visiting the United States anytime soon due to the policies set by President Donald Trump and his administration. International travelers have noted issues like tariffs raising prices, the administration’s harsh stance on international visitors, and reports of ICE raids near places like Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm.Disney has already noticed a steep decline in international visitors in recent months, and even offering steep discounts to foreign travelers is not enticing them to visit the Florida theme park.Credit: DisneyOf course, we can’t forget to mention that the cost of a Disney vacation is also a big factor in keeping guests away. Disney is frequently criticized for its ever-increasing prices for everything from hotels to theme park tickets, food, and merchandise. Guests also feel like they can’t do everything they want unless they pay for Disney’s Lightning Lane, which can cost nearly $40 per guest, per day.Disney vacations are more expensive than ever, and guests are becoming more aware of how they spend their money and the value they get for their hard-earned dollar.As noted above, Disney World theme parks are still expected to be busy on days like the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend, but it remains to be seen if this summer will be seen as a financial blow to the House of Mouse.Are you planning on visiting Disney this summer, or is it too hot to head to Central Florida? What is your favorite time of year to visit the parks? Does it surprise you that crowds The post Disney World Experiences Its SLOWEST Summer in Years appeared first on Inside the Magic.