If there’s one thing we can count on, it’s that Disney adults are passionate, opinionated, and not afraid to switch things up when it comes to vacation plans.
To that point, we thought we’d reach out to you and get your takes on your Disney World trip plans, and let’s just say, there’s a whole mix of reasons people are backing out of their Disney World trips right now.
We reached out to our followers on Facebook and Instagram to ask: “Have you recently canceled a Disney World trip and if so, why?” We had quite a few people leave their opinions in the comments!
Now, let’s go over some of your top responses!
“I think most Europeans are staying this side of the pond for a while.”
First up, we have Natasha who shared, “Yes, and we won’t be coming to the US until at least January 2029, I think most Europeans are staying this side of the pond for a while.”
Her comment hits on something we’ve been hearing more and more — international visitors are just… not feeling it lately. Whether it’s the cost of flights, the current vibe in the U.S., or the fact that a Disney World trip feels a lot more complicated than it used to, folks abroad are saying “maybe not right now.”
“hope to be back in 3 1/2 – 4 years!”
Next, we have Lisa who echoes that sentiment with, “Cancelled a trip for this fall. As a Canadian, hope to be back in 3 1/2 – 4 years!”
Disney’s always been a bucket-list destination, but now more international fans are starting to treat it like a once-in-a-decade splurge — not an every-couple-of-years kind of trip. Combine that with rising costs, unpredictable weather, and all the logistical planning, and suddenly staying local sounds way easier.
“My children were acting up…”
Next, Judy shared, “My children were acting up just as I was hitting the enter button.”
Honestly, we had to laugh at this one. Sometimes the reason is as simple as “my kids lost their park privileges in real-time.” If you’ve ever booked a trip mid-meltdown, only to cancel five minutes later — you’re not alone.
“decided to go to Disneyland instead.”
A few of you, like Kathy, said you’re just switching coasts: “Yep—decided to go to Disneyland instead.”
We’ve seen a slow but steady rise in Disney World fans giving Disneyland a try, especially with all the recent additions in California and a slightly less overwhelming planning process. Fewer parks to juggle, and hey — you can still get a great churro.
“We cancelled our Halloween trip last year because of Hurricane Milton…”
Natural disasters, especially during peak travel times, have definitely played a role too. To that point, Heather shared, “We cancelled our Halloween trip last year because of Hurricane Milton. BUT we’re headed to Disneyland next week.”
Weather’s always been a factor in Florida planning, but the unpredictability lately has some people looking for alternatives that aren’t quite as storm-prone.
“…we are saving so much money.”
Ken brought a whole different energy — and honestly, it’s refreshing. He shared, “Well I canceled future trips because there are so many other things to see out there. We have seen things that are Spectacular and Fascinating, History & engaging not to mention we are saving so much money.”
For a lot of longtime fans, the magic just isn’t hitting the same, and the world is wide. The sentiment we’re hearing more often is: “I’ve done Disney. Now what else is out there?” It’s not that people don’t love the parks — it’s just that the trade-offs aren’t as easy to justify anymore. Especially with the rising prices.
“It had been a long day…”
Next, we’ve got Bill who shared, “It had been a long day and we just didn’t feel like it. (Passholders who live about an hour away.)”
Even diehard Passholders are starting to question whether it’s worth the effort to battle crowds, navigate reservation systems, and deal with ever-changing rules. Sometimes it’s just easier to stay home and binge a Disney+ marathon instead.
“Canceled our December trip due to work commitments…”
Not all cancellations are permanent — and Leigh proves that. She shared, “Canceled our December trip due to work commitments but moved it to this July.”
Life happens, schedules shift, and not everyone is swearing off Disney World forever. But the bigger picture we’re seeing is that more and more fans are pushing trips back by months — or years — instead of keeping their usual cadence.
Well, those were just some of your thoughts about why you canceled a trip to Disney World, and now we want to hear even more from you! In the meantime, stay tuned to AllEars for all the latest Disney news!
Why Disney Adults Are Suddenly Changing Their Minds About the Frontierland Updates
Have you recently canceled a Disney World trip and if so, why? Tell us all about it down in the comments!
The main reason why me and other people aren’t going to Disney world is because of how expensive it is. I live in Utah which is a hot and cold dry desert. I usually go to Disneyland because it’s much cheaper for me and my family members. Also it’s much farther for me to travel to Florida than it is to California. Also Disneyland has almost identical rides like Disney world does like star wars, Pixar, marvel, and my lackluster Tiana’s Bayou Adventure taking place during the 1927 Mississippi river flood event in North American history. I really wish I could visit Disney world and go on tron ride or maybe the cars ride hopefully based on cars 3 film thunder hollow bumper Derby or maybe radiator springs 500 1/2 short with pond of tranquility, taillight caverns and enchanted forest which I’m not happy is completely replacing Rivers of America. If the ATV cars is going to be like riding Tiana’s Bayou Adventure with hardly anything to look at, I’ll be very disappointed. I’ll see if my family members will take me to Disney world or Disneyland Japan.
Good afternoon.
Having completed a 2 week stay in beloved Fort Wilderness and all the Parks to commemorate after 55 times ay Disney and the 50th Anniversary of my late husband’s and my honeymoon trip of 1975, I took stock of how I felt about what I saw; experienced and what was to come.
Well, the surprisingly cold temps didn’t help (with the frigid temps on the busses not helping either); the change in dates of the Flower and Garden at EPCOT that I thought I had planned way in advance to be there at right time; flight departed monrning of it’s official start (bummer) and so, I felt let down and continue to see the vision of the man who created Disney and Mickey set aside for some kind of agenda to do away with what is not known nor understood. While I understand updating, the destruction of the Antebellum themed area/Frontierland for Cars which belongs in place of Grand Prix Raceway is blatant. The thing that bothers me most is destroying trees and shrubs that keep each “Themed area” contained so as immersive. So much construction. In closing, will I never go back to Disney World? I won’t say that, but it isn’t going to be anytime soon. You have hurt my and Walt’s feelings and most of all, you have hurt my dear late husband’s greatest joy besides flying his Huey of saying, “Have a Disney Day🙂”!!
Expensive
I have been going to DW since it opened at least once a year. I have even had annual passes for many years. I live 2 hours away and to be honest the cost of tickets, food, parking if you don’t have a pass are out of control
We were pass holders for years.Father was even a sheet metal worker on Epcot’s globe.We have stopped going because of the cost and the fact that you have to plan the whole day out. I want to be able able to just show up see a few things and enjoy the atmosphere. With rising cost and the spontaneous gone it is no fun.
Universal is much better, is a good reason.
Our family visited WDW many times in the past in those years it was expensive but not outrageous going there these days you have to take out a second mortgage we miss it but we found better ways to enjoy our lives together
Don’t forget how woke they’ve gotten.
The “Walt” in Walt Disney world simply doesn’t exist anymore and what is there today largely insults his memory.
It’s getting too expensive especially when I have to convert my Canadian $$ into U.S. $$$. At $1.40 it is just too much. Plus Disney+ app is difficult if you’re not very computer savvy. Can’t go anymore unless my computer savvy kids are with me. Been a Disney fan since I was 18 and managed a trip every 3-4 years but those days are gone…. it’s just getting too expensive and ticket prices just seem to keep going up every year.
We have been long time fans of WDW since our children were in grade school kindergarten and first grade. That is a little over 45 years. Recent changes by WDW on our AP and loss of the DAS pass now changed if we will ever return.
Being a disabled veteran with PTSD and arms and back issues we may not return. Including the change in the DAS PASS definition to “genetic” disability defenition requirement, which means from birth. Those who served in the military or as a civilian injured or acquired a disability do not count. $440 a day for each FastPass is out of reach. Goodbye, farewell, we cannot afford to go to Disney Parks. We will miss you after manu years!
I canceled my future trip. I was at Disneyland in February 2025, historically a slow time, and it was so crowded the trip was miserable. We even paid extra to stay at the Grand Californian to get the extra morning time in the park (which is now reduced to 30 minutes) and bought all the upgrades to give us fast passes. We had to wait in lines everywhere for food and rides…then, rides kept going down. It was a huge waste of money. And I’m a die hard Disneyland fan. I used to go almost every year. This was my first time back post Covid.
We are Americans living in Canada. I grew up in California, going to Disneyland. We generally go to Orlando every year, but we were finding Disney to expensive to see the same old things, so we started going to Universal instead.
Now, with the politics in Florida, we are staying away indefinitely. We may go to Disneyland, but the politics of the US will probably keep us away for the next 3 1/2 years.
Cost and value for the dollar, plus add in the whole reservation system and how they want you to be tied to your phones. We vacation to “unplug”, Disney is making this harder.
Europeans and Canadians saying they’ll wait 3-4 years…go right ahead. Stay in your European and Canadian political lanes. I blame Disney’s Democratic, liberal nauseating decisions that have affected their bottom line. So they continually raise prices while lowering expectations. Making easy things complicated. Our family was going a couple of times a year and we stopped going because of the above mentioned. We bought Premier Passes at Universal they included Premier parking, valet, Early entry, Express pass after 4 (We did not have to be on our phones the entire day!) Halloween Horror Nights and some many other perks. Epic Universe is incredible!
I do miss Disney but it’s what Walt had originally created. You really screwed up with Snow White.
Good.
We are now in WDW. I notice its quieter than previous trips and very pricey now. My son loves it but will maybe look at other options in the future.
After 9 years since our last visit to Disney World, we are going to Disneyland. I hate it that we are giving hard earned money to a woke company but my girls were desperate to go. I finally caved in. It is so expensive, they nickle and dime you for everything and it’s such a huge headache to plan. It really has lost its charm and appeal. I am holding my nose and going.
Good stay home, everyone complains about long wait times, this can ONLY HELP THAT. Euro Disney is “on that side of the ocean” GO THERE! This will be great for the next 4 and hopefully 8 years of clutter free parks, since grownups want to act out and as usual now a days make EVERYTHING Political…..
When you look at the cost, the “magic” just evaporates. Sad.
We canceled because it’s just too expensive for us to renew our passes for 1500 a person and just stay for a week at Thanksgiving was gonna be too much money and we decided to go somewhere else so we’re not gonna go to Walt Disney World for a while and if we go back, we might not buy Annual passes anymore. We will buy individual passes or a couple at a time because we live in Florida and we’re just over how much it cost to get in there
We haven’t been to WDW since 2018. And the cost is one of the biggest reasons. I realize that costs very seldom will drop or even stay steady. But it seems like these are to the almost to the point of exorbitant.
To me I’m not seeing as much value, or “perks” if you will, as we had before. We went on a cruise earlier this year that cost less than a trip to Disney.
In fairness, we are going in November, but it only because of my great niece performing with her high school orchestra.
In 2016, my family and I had to cancel our Disney trip because of Hurricane Matthew. So instead, we went to visit my uncle in Virginia. Which happened to be the last time we got to see him as he was diagnosed with Lymphoma and had passed a few months later.
Just way too expensive and don’t like the message disney sends to children …if you have money you can buy your way to the front of the line. Like your better than others just because you have more money. Everyone should have to wait in the same line.
We are taking a hiatus from Disney till at least Cars is done if not Villains. Unless they offer some more perks that they used to for pass holders or people staying on property. Otherwise Universal has a better deal and it’s time to give them a try anyway.
My wife and I were long time passholders.We are both in our late sixties with medical issues.with the loss of DAS we can no longer do a day in the park without suffering. We know some folks abused this privilege ,but it looks like Disney overreacted and this lost our business.
Europeans and Canadians don’t want to come for 3 1/2 to 4 years 😂. Awesome! That means less crowds.
We just went to Disney on a 14 day trip. Had a great time but we can travel to Italy (and other destinations)for much less. Surprised how old and dated Disney rides are. Reasonably priced food was not good and not worth the money. Waits were very long! Unless you could afford to spend another $1000 or more to get in a shorter lightening lane line and know how to effectively use the system. You need to plan every minute well in advance or miss out. Just way to much work, to much money spent, to much time waiting and outdated rides. Service fantastic as far as cast interaction.
We cancelled my birthday trip this year because we didn’t want to give Florida any extra support right now. So we added points to the new Disneyland hotel and spent a few days there and then stayed at Aulaini in Hawaii and plan to keep trips to the west coast for the next few years. We currently have a few days booked for thanksgiving before our Disney cruise and I plan to cancel them too.
They got too political (woke). Just concentrate on the magic walt disney intended. We will come back. Until then, we’re trying universal studios. Oh and bring back the 3- free fast passes. The genie plus stinks.
Unfortunately a 5 day trip to Disney is the cost of a longer trip to Europe. All of the Disney attractions can be seen on YouTube or other platforms at this point. The cost they’re forcing can’t be justified any longer. Cancelled future trip in November.
We decided to visit Universal Studios Orland for the first time. Costing less money so we cancelled WDW January 2026.
Hoping to go in a couple of years when we have more Disney Visa points saved up.
Realized the rides have been relatively the same for years!!
Just repeating!!!
Wait lines were long all day this last visit
No reason to hurry back
Oh Disney, my Disney. You have changed in such horrible ways. Crowds are massive, food is subpar, parks are not as clean as in prior years, food and snacks are so expensive, people videoing on rides that are in the dark and ruining it for everyone else, guests that are so incredibly rude and obnoxious and even the cast members are not as kind and friendly as they were in former days. Let’s not forget your gouge for the almighty dollar so you tossed in selling liquor. I would have loved to had been at the board meeting that approved slapping a bar in the Grand Floridian lobby. What a way to ruin the ambiance, the sound of a margarita blender. People brawling, throwing up, being ran over by electric scooters,ah yes,just the memory I want my children and Grandchildren to take home with them after an $8,000 vacation of a lifetime to the happiest place on Earth. I dont want to hear that the investors and stakeholders come first as in the past WDW was able to evolve without being woke, pandering to DVC members and people that can’t go 10 hours without a drink. It was about diehard Disney adults and families.
Current vibe in the US is awesome! Great that parks should be less crowded!
Disney is where we spent our summer vacations with family and friends but with all the changes Disney is taking are childhood memories and changing them to accommodate this don’t care generation. It’s that reason I’m never going to return to the happiest place on earth 😞😭
I know many Canadians, they have not canceled their Christmas trip.
With changes to DAS, it doesn’t make sense to spend the money, if I can’t do much. So, I no longer do parks, so I gave up annual pass. I am a DVC member, so I just look for activities I can do at resorts. I used to go to WDW several times a year, now I just go 1 or 2 times a year. It just isn’t as ‘magical’ as it once was.
The driving on I-4 is unbearable. Usually takes me an hour, but for the past year it’s 2 hours. I just don’t want to face the traffic
Just fly to Tokyo..
Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea is the best Disney Amusement parks in the world.. $58 bucks admission, $40 after 4PM..
And the food is much much better and you’re in Tokyo!!