Disney Hit by Slowdown in Worldwide Journey to the US

Seems to be like even “The Most Magical Place on Earth” is not sufficient to entice overseas vacationers who’re skipping the US.

Disney is dealing with some “worldwide visitation headwinds” at its parks within the US, which embody Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California, the Walt Disney Firm stated in its first-quarter earnings report on Monday.

Regardless of the slowdown in worldwide guests, the corporate reported progress in its experiences section, with visitation at its home parks up 1% in the latest quarter.

Hugh Johnston, Disney CFO, informed analysts on a name that the corporate has much less visibility into worldwide customer developments than home as a result of overseas vacationers have a tendency to remain in non-Disney accommodations, however that there have been different indicators worldwide visitation was down.

“On account of that, we pivoted our advertising and marketing and gross sales efforts, promotional in addition to advertising and marketing efforts to a extra home viewers, and we’re in a position to preserve attendance charges excessive from that perspective,” he stated.

Disney’s simply the most recent American firm to really feel the slowdown in foreigners touring to the US.

Worldwide visitation was down for the eighth straight month in December, in line with knowledge from the Nationwide Journey and Tourism Workplace. As of October, the variety of worldwide guests to the US was down 5.5% in 2025 in comparison with a yr prior.

Amir Eylon, president and CEO of Longwoods Worldwide, a market analysis consultancy that makes a speciality of the journey tourism business, stated visits from Canada particularly declined, however that there have been additionally vital declines in visits from nations like Germany, France, and India.

Canadian visits to the US had been down 22% year-to-date as of October in comparison with a yr prior, in line with NTTO knowledge.

“We now have a picture drawback proper now with our Canadian neighbors to the North and, as evidenced with another nations, we now have a picture drawback in a few of our key worldwide feeder markets as nicely,” Eylon informed Enterprise Insider.

His agency’s analysis has discovered a majority of Canadians say American commerce insurance policies and political rhetoric are deterring them from visiting the US within the subsequent 12 months. Many additionally say they don’t really feel just like the US is a protected place to go to.

Canadians additionally usually make up a good portion of worldwide journey to Florida, so Eylon stated Disney seemingly is not the one vacation spot within the Sunshine State feeling the slowdown.

Vacationers in search of to keep away from the US additionally produce other choices with regards to experiencing Disney. Disneyland Paris is absolutely owned by the Walt Disney Firm, whereas the corporate has minority possession within the Disney resorts in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Disney has no possession in Tokyo Disneyland, which operates beneath a licensing settlement.

Disney additionally benefited from constant demand in home leisure journey, with People persevering with to prioritize journey, Eylon stated.

Anna Abelson, an adjunct professor at New York College’s Jonathan M. Tisch Heart of Hospitality, stated the slowdown in worldwide guests to Disney underscored a broader business shift.

“Even ‘bucket record’ icons are navigating vital macroeconomic volatility, starting from forex fluctuations to shifting geopolitical sentiments,” Abelson informed Enterprise Insider.

Are you a world traveler who had or has plans to go to a Disney park in the USA? In that case, take our quiz under.

Have a narrative to share about journey to the US? Contact this reporter at kvlamis@businessinsider.com.