Why Disney's parks are booming even as economic growth slows

• Disney parks are as busy as ever, despite economic concerns.
• US parks revenue soared last quarter, and travel agents say Disney World visits are surging.
• One avid fan said it "would take a catastrophic event" for them not to plan another Disney trip.

Disney fans say they don't plan on skipping their trips to the company's parks — even if a recession hits.

US GDP shrank in the first quarter, and concerns about trade uncertainty have some economists convinced a recession is coming.

However, in conversations Business Insider had with 12 "Disney adults" who go to the parks, only one said they would consider visiting less frequently in the event of an economic downturn.

Two travel agents who specialize in Disney trips also told BI that bookings are significantly up this year.

That strength was reflected in Disney's earnings for the first three months of 2025. The company said Wednesday that domestic park revenue surged 9% despite the economic noise.

"Even with consumer confidence somewhat down and some issues in terms of the economy, people still believe that a Disney theme park experience is really special," Disney CEO Bob Iger said on CNBC. He said the parks are "incredibly resilient."

Disney's experiences head Josh D'Amaro added that bookings "continue to look strong." The company said Disney World bookings were up 4% so far this quarter.

Although Disney analysts say there's a risk that parks take a hit this year, as they have during recessions, they aren't bracing for it. Joe Bonner of Argus Research is pricing in low-single-digit revenue growth at Disney's parks this year.

"Attendance levels are still pretty crazy at Disney World, as far as I've seen," said Jeremy Singh, an Orlando-based Disney TikTok creator.

Disney didn't respond to a request for comment.

Parks are popping off

Business is booming for Rob Stuart, who runs the Disney-focused trip planning service Creating Magic Vacations.

Bookings are up 25% year-over-year through April, Stuart said. It's rare for Disney World not to be packed, he said, especially with older and multi-generational groups.

Instead of sitting on retirement savings that they'll later pass along, Stuart said many people in their 60s or 70s are opting for family trips.

"They're saying, 'You know what? I'm just going to take my kids on the trip of a lifetime — they can earn their own money,'" Stuart said.

Jenn Novotny, a lifelong Disney fan who runs the Upon a Star travel service, is also busy. Her bookings are up 14% so far this year, she said. She said families are making trips to Disney World a top priority.

"Disney is now considered a rite of passage for a lot of kiddos," Novotny said.

However, Stuart and Novotny almost exclusively serve US clients, so they might not be seeing the apparent slowdown in overall travel from places like Canada amid a trade war.

UBS media analyst John Hodulik said foreign travel has historically made up about 20% of Disney World's attendance.

'We know it's going to be expensive'

Max Traughber-Crismon — a Disney fan living near Portland, Oregon — doesn't sweat the cost of taking his family of six to Disneyland.

"We know it's going to be expensive," Traughber-Crismon said. "We can either complain about it and not go, or we sit there and say, 'Hey, it is what it is — we're not going to let this ruin our experience.'"

When asked if he'd consider skipping a Disney trip if money got tight, his response was telling.

"There isn't anything — honestly, it would take a catastrophic event," Traughber-Crismon said.

Lucas Lozano spent his honeymoon at the Disney parks. He and his wife are planning a Disney cruise later this year, even if there's a recession.

"I want to make experiences with my family," Lozano said. "So if I have a job and if I feel that I am comfortable, I'm still willing to go on the cruise."

Balling on a budget

Since they don't want to skip trips, some Disney fans have learned to get creative with money.

Traughber-Crismon said he brings snacks like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches into the parks and then gives his kids $50 each for treats.

"We don't feel like we're missing out," Traughber-Crismon said.

John Telyea and his wife get plenty of value from their annual passes, which they see as an escape from their stressful jobs.

Navigating Disneyland's prices may also seem stressful, but Telyea said he's gamified the process.

"Part of the reason why I love Disney is I like to figure out, 'All right, here's our day: How do we make it through frugally?' That's kind of a challenge," Telyea said.

But despite the resilience in demand from fans, Disney might not be completely immune to a downturn.

David Lewis said that while he's pining for a Disney trip, he and his wife are already talking about what they'll do if the economy slows.

"If we need to go do something different because it's more affordable, we're going to have to make that decision," Lewis said. "It's just sad."