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Disney Theme Park Infrastructure Falls Apart, Guests Being Redirected

Something unusual is happening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and guests aren’t exactly thrilled about it. A major section of the park has become a chaotic construction zone, and it’s so bad that Cast Members have literally been stationed in the area holding “Stay Right” signs to control the flow of traffic. Instead of the smooth Disney experience people expect, it’s become more like navigating rush hour on a narrow highway.

Crowds walking in front of the Chinese Theatre at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Credit: Disney Dining

A Wall That Changed Everything

Right in the center of the park, towering construction walls have taken over what used to be a busy but manageable walkway. This area has always been a pinch point, but now it’s turned into a full-on bottleneck. Disney has tried to make it look a little better by decorating the walls with concept art of what’s to come, but honestly, no amount of paint can hide how disruptive it is.

The narrow pathway is forcing guests into single-file lines at times, creating slow-moving traffic that backs up for long stretches of the day. Strollers, wheelchairs, and large groups are colliding in the middle of what feels more like an obstacle course than a theme park.

A Temporary Fix That Isn’t Working

In an attempt to keep things moving, Disney added a temporary ramp and stationed Cast Members to direct people in a single direction. But that hasn’t solved the problem. When you throw thousands of guests into a tight space with limited mobility, even the best traffic plan struggles.

A young girl smiles in front of Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Credit: Disney

Guests trying to stop and take pictures or check the map make matters worse, instantly creating blockages that ripple down the walkway. For many, it’s the most stressful part of their day in the park.

What’s Actually Coming Here

This whole mess stems from ongoing work on the future Walt Disney Studios area, which is expected to open in 2026. The expansion will feature The Magic of Disney Animation and a brand-new play area called Drawn to Wonderland. It’s an exciting addition—but unfortunately, that excitement doesn’t ease the current frustration.

Aerial view of a theme park plaza at dusk, featuring a central open area with trees, pathways, people walking, and large buildings surrounding the plaza, including one with a blue sorcerer hat and the Star Wars Launch Bay nearby.
Credit: Disney

A Long Wait Ahead

This isn’t a quick project. The construction walls are expected to stay up well into next year, meaning these daily bottlenecks are the new normal for the foreseeable future. If you’re visiting soon, brace yourself for some traffic jams and follow the “Stay Right” signs closely.

For a company known for its seamless guest flow, this is a rough look. And until the new area opens, this infrastructure headache isn’t going anywhere.

Author

  • Andrew Boardwine

    A frequent visitor of Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, Andrew will likely be found freefalling on Twilight Zone Tower of Terror or enjoying Pirates of the Caribbean. Over at Universal, he'll be taking in the thrills of the Jurassic World Velocicoaster and Revenge of the Mummy

Andrew Boardwine

A frequent visitor of Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, Andrew will likely be found freefalling on Twilight Zone Tower of Terror or enjoying Pirates of the Caribbean. Over at Universal, he'll be taking in the thrills of the Jurassic World Velocicoaster and Revenge of the Mummy

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