During Disneyland Resort’s 70th-anniversary celebration on July 17, 2025, Disney CEO Bob Iger stated that the entire resort now attracts “almost 30 million” visitors annually, a figure that would put the West Coast park above Walt Disney World for the first time ever.
His remarks referred to the combined attendance of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, both located in Anaheim, California. If confirmed, this figure would reflect a noticeable increase from recent years and may mark a new high point in the resort’s history.
Bob Iger | 2019 Disney Legends Awards Ceremony | D23 EXPO 2019. Photo Credit: nagi usano from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
In 2023, the TEA/AECOM Global Attractions Attendance Report estimated that Disneyland Park welcomed 17.25 million visitors. Disney California Adventure brought in about 10 million. Together, the two parks reached approximately 27.25 million combined guests. That total put the Disneyland Resort slightly behind the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, which saw 17.72 million visits during the same period.
The difference between Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom was fewer than 500,000 guests, a notably close margin.
Paint the Night Parade at Disneyland – YouTube, WDW News Today
Bob Iger’s claim of “almost 30 million” suggests a year-over-year increase of around 10%. If accurate, the figure would surpass the resort’s pre-pandemic peak of 28.5 million visits in 2019. It would also mark the first time that the Disneyland Resort overtakes the Magic Kingdom in annual attendance, which could shift internal priorities within The Walt Disney Company.
Several factors may have contributed to this potential increase. In 2024, hurricanes Helene and Milton disrupted travel across Florida, where Walt Disney World is located. Although Disney has not directly linked these events to declining attendance, quarterly reports did indicate lower guest numbers at the Florida parks.
The Train Station at Main Street USA
Meanwhile, the 70th anniversary brought renewed interest and attention to Disneyland. Special events, seasonal offerings, and a nostalgia-driven marketing campaign may have boosted regional and national attendance.
Why This Matters
Iger’s comments also came at a time when the company is actively highlighting the strength of its West Coast operations. By mentioning this attendance milestone during a high-profile anniversary celebration, Iger may have intended to showcase Disneyland’s current momentum. His remarks provide a public signal of confidence as the company awaits the release of official third-party attendance data.
Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: That Park Place
But at the same time, it’s seemingly a confirmation of what we’ve been reporting for months — that Walt Disney World’s attendance has been falling, and for the first time Magic Kingdom might not be the world’s most attended theme park.
This shift could have long-term implications for Disney’s internal resource allocation. Higher attendance often leads to increased investment in new attractions, infrastructure, and marketing. If Disneyland Resort is now the most visited Disney property in the world, future development dollars may follow. It could also influence decisions around expansion projects and entertainment offerings.
A photo of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park via Disney Parks blog
Disney no longer publishes park-by-park attendance figures. As a result, the TEA/AECOM report remains the most reliable independent source.
The 2024 edition of this report is expected in the fall of 2025. If it verifies Iger’s claim, it will mark a historic moment for the original Disney theme park. Observers will be watching to see if Disneyland finally claims the top spot among global theme park destinations.
The Dapper Dans on Main Street USA in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: That Park Place
In context, the Magic Kingdom reached its all-time high in 2019 with 20.96 million guests. Since its 1955 opening, Disneyland Park has seen over 757 million total visits. Its sister park, Disney California Adventure, consistently ranks among the top 15 most visited theme parks worldwide.
Mickey walks down Main Street USA at Disneyland. (Credit: Mortimer Productions)
Until the next TEA/AECOM report is released, Bob Iger’s statement remains the most recent estimate of Disneyland Resort’s annual attendance. Whether the resort truly crossed the 30 million mark will soon be confirmed. Regardless, the statement reflects growing momentum for the Anaheim parks and signals a possible shift in the balance of Disney’s theme park leadership.
Do you think Disneyland has dethroned Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
Given the Disney parks are screwing visitors over with high fees, etc. then, in the long term, visitors will be deterred. It’s too expensive, and everyone is broke.