Will the Government Shutdown Affect Your Disney World Trip? What We Know

If you didn’t know, we are headed towards a government shutdown.

Magic Kingdom

As of September 30th, 2025, a partial government shutdown seems imminent, according to ABC News and other outlets. While this isn’t the first shutdown to occur (the most recent was in December 2018 until January 2019), this could impact several sectors of the country and maybe even your trip to Disney World. We’re breaking down what you can expect right here!

A partial government shutdown is expected to begin on October 1st, 2025. The shutdown is due to a gridlock over federal funding, and it seems like lawmakers aren’t going to come to an agreement before the current budget expires on September 30th. While it might not be clear how it will impact you directly, we know it will impact the country’s travel.

Southwest Airplanes

According to USA Today, the U.S. Travel Association estimates a $1 billion dollar loss every week. During the shutdown, federal agencies and services that aren’t considered to be “essential” by the government will need to pause working. That includes workers like national park employees. TSA officers are considered essential and will continue working.

TSA lines at MCO

Regarding past shutdowns, Eric Hansen, senior vice president of government relations at the U.S. Travel Association, said, “Airports slow down and our economy slows down with it.” While it might not shut down the airport, it will inconvenience your travel plans in other ways. Employees who screen at airport checkpoints, give flight clearance, and verify border control are deemed essential, so they will still be required to work, but a shutdown will impact federal funding for agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration, and Customs and Border Protection. This loss of funding will pause hiring and training, and it will prevent workers from being paid until this shutdown is over.

Orlando International Airport

This is where the shutdown will impact you directly, thanks to longer lines and wait times at the airport. A TSA Spokesperson confirmed their personnel are trained to handle high volumes of travelers, but to be prepared for those long wait times. In 2019, F

However, you may encounter longer lines and wait times, so plan accordingly. “While our personnel have prepared to handle high volumes of travelers and ensure the security of our transportation systems, an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports,” a TSA spokesperson told USA TODAY in December when a previous shutdown loomed. During the last shutdown in 2019, FAA controllers and TSA agents stopped showing up for work due to their lack of payment, causing flight delays and long lines. Hansen stated, “History also shows that when workers, whether it’s air traffic controllers or Transportation Security officers, have to continually show up for work without pay, it adds additional stress.”

Airplane

The best way to handle these changes is to stay informed about your flight and the airport you’re going to. MCO, for example, shows its airport security times on its website. On September 29th, a group that represents major U.S. airlines shared that the shutdown might strain and slow down air travel. Airlines for America, which represents United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and other airlines, warned that if the shutdown occurs and funding pauses, “the system may need to slow down, reducing efficiency.” Be sure to keep following DFB for more news and updates.

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