To ensure we are equipping our readers with all the information they need, we will continue to report on all travel, safety, and COVID-related news that could impact a Disney Parks visit.

As May comes to an end and we look forward to everything June and the months following have to bring, one thing we know is coming to the Disney World parks is more people.

Summer vacation is quickly approaching, and we’ve already seen record high gas prices (that are continuing to climb), as Orlando International Airport continues to see busy travel days, as well.

Now, a poll conducted by the Washington Post in tandem with George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government shows that gas prices and the overall cost to travel is a bigger factor when individuals are making decisions regarding their summer travel plans than COVID-19 is. In fact, concerns over COVID-19 ranks sixth on the list of major factors behind gas prices, hotel costs, flight prices, time off work, and family logistics.

This is a shift from the last couple of years where COVID-19 has been a bigger concern. Now, fewer than 3 in 10 Americans consider it a major factor, despite a potential summer surge.

Cost is the biggest concern now, especially as we’re seeing inflation soar to the highest it’s been in 40 years. Despite rising prices, many Americans are still choosing to go away on vacation this year, with 72% of Americans saying they will “definitely” or “probably” take a vacation, and more than three-quarters of those individuals say they will be getting there by car, as gas prices have risen to a national average of $4.59 per gallon.

According to the poll, 22% of Americans plan to head to theme parks this summer, and Disney is gearing up for busier days as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind prepares to open in EPCOT, and park passes have already sold out for Magic Kingdom for the Fourth of July. Summer is historically one of the more crowded times for Disney World, and we’re already seeing summer months starting to fill up.

We’ll be keeping an eye on crowd levels in the Disney World parks as summer begins to ramp up, so make sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest updates! Are you worried about gas prices or flight prices? We keep a close eye on both of these and how they could impact your Disney vacation. You can read more about the fluctuating gas prices in Florida here.
We also monitor flight prices and do our best to give you monthly information on how that could impact your trip to Disney World. See information about June flights here! 

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Are you planning a vacation this summer? Let us know in the comments!

The post COVID-19 Ranks 6th on List of Factors Impacting Summer Travel first appeared on the disney food blog.