Disney World Alert: Hollywood Studios Hits Staggering 2-Hour Waits as Crowds Explode for New Rides

Disney’s Hollywood Studios turned into one of the busiest places at Walt Disney World today as fans rushed to experience several new offerings happening across the park at the same time. What started as a highly anticipated day filled with previews and soft openings quickly turned into a battle against growing crowds and soaring wait times at attractions.

By late morning, the pressure inside the park was already obvious. Major rides posted heavy delays, walkways grew increasingly crowded, and guests scrambled to decide which experience to prioritize first.

A Fresh Look at the Former Animation Courtyard

One of the biggest changes guests noticed today was the reopening of the newly reimagined Walt Disney Studios Courtyard.

Disney officially opened the refreshed area to guests, finally allowing visitors to walk through the updated space after months behind construction walls. While some experiences are still unavailable, guests have spent much of the day exploring the redesigned section of Hollywood Studios.

Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! has not yet opened, and the Drawn to Wonderland playground remains unavailable. Even so, the courtyard itself has become a major draw for curious guests eager to see Disney’s transformation of the former Animation Courtyard.

That added interest has quietly shifted crowd flow throughout the park, especially during the busy morning hours.

The Muppets Coaster Previews Create Huge Demand

A major source of today’s crowds came from the first preview day for Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.

Disney fans have waited months to see how the attraction would change after removing Aerosmith from the storyline. Demand exploded quickly once reservations opened, and many guests were unable to secure access shortly afterward.

The updated attraction keeps the same fast launch and intense coaster layout, but now places The Muppets and The Electric Mayhem at the center of the experience. Disney leaned into chaotic comedy throughout the attraction, turning the ride into a much more playful adventure while preserving the thrills fans expect.

Previews continue through May 23 before the attraction officially opens to all guests on May 26, 2026.

Star Wars Fans Flood Galaxy’s Edge

At the same time, Disney also launched preview opportunities for the updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run experience.

The attraction officially debuts its new Mandalorian and Grogu missions tomorrow alongside the theatrical release of The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026), but preview guests already began boarding the Falcon today.

Disney expanded the attraction with three mission variations inspired by Din Djarin and Grogu. The company also enhanced the engineer role to make it feel more interactive during the ride experience.

The updates immediately pushed massive crowds into Galaxy’s Edge. Smugglers Run quickly climbed to a posted 125-minute wait before the park even reached the middle of the operating day.

Rising Crowds Spill Across Hollywood Studios

The biggest issue for guests may be how quickly crowd levels spread throughout the park.

Slinky Dog Dash has remained above an hour for much of the day, while multiple attractions across Hollywood Studios have hovered between 40 and 50 minutes. Guests trying to avoid the longest lines are simply redistributing themselves elsewhere, which is increasing waits nearly everywhere.

Some attractions remain more manageable. Star Tours and several character meet-and-greet experiences have stayed near the 20-minute range so far, though that could easily change later this afternoon.

Long Waits May Continue Into Tonight

Guests hoping for lighter evening crowds may end up disappointed.

Hollywood Studios often becomes even busier later in the day, especially once guests begin park hopping or returning for nighttime entertainment. Disney also plans another Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster preview distribution at 3 p.m., which could trigger another surge near Sunset Boulevard.

Because of that, major attractions like Rise of the Resistance, Smugglers Run, and Slinky Dog Dash will likely continue posting waits well above an hour for the rest of the evening.

For Disney, today shows just how much excitement exists around these new additions. It also shows how quickly Hollywood Studios can become overwhelmed when several major offerings launch simultaneously.