The signs showed up before most guests realized what was happening.
Resort parking lots filled faster. Bus stops grew crowded earlier in the morning. Dining reservations became harder to tweak. Lightning Lane availability tightened with unusual speed.
This week, Walt Disney World is operating under new pressure — and guests are feeling it across transportation, dining, and park operations alike.
An estimated 30,000 additional visitors will be entering the Disney bubble within a compressed window as part of runDisney’s Disney Princess Half Marathon, creating ripple effects that stretch far beyond attraction wait times. The running event takes place beginning Thursday, February 26, and runs through Sunday, March 1.
Transportation Tightens First
Transportation systems are often the first to reveal a surge.
Morning buses are arriving full. Guests are waiting for second and third rounds before boarding. Monorails feel denser during park open and close. Skyliner lines extend during mid-morning park transitions.
The advice this week is simple: give yourself more time than usual. If you normally leave 45 minutes before a reservation, leave an hour. Build in buffer space. High-volume weeks magnify small delays.
Dining Feels the Crunch
Quick-service locations are experiencing longer pickup windows, particularly between noon and mid-afternoon.
Mobile ordering remains the smartest play. Place your order earlier than you think necessary and adjust as needed. Waiting until hunger strikes can mean significant delays. Table-service dining also feels tighter. Walk-up availability shrinks. Last-minute modifications are harder to secure.
Snack carts and booths aren’t immune either. Lines stretch steadily throughout peak hours. Planning meals strategically this week reduces stress dramatically.
Park Operations Under Steady Demand
Attractions across all four parks are seeing consistent wait times rather than dramatic peaks and valleys.
Magic Kingdom pathways feel dense by late morning. EPCOT’s World Showcase holds afternoon foot traffic at elevated levels. Hollywood Studios’ headline attractions see Lightning Lane windows fill quickly.
This isn’t chaos.
It’s sustained pressure.
The difference matters. Guests who adjust expectations and plan proactively can still enjoy a productive day. Those who rely on spontaneity may feel the strain.
What Guests Should Do Now
Arrive early. Book Lightning Lane if you haven’t already. Take mid-afternoon breaks if possible. Avoid stacking high-demand experiences back-to-back without transition time.
Most importantly, manage expectations.
Walt Disney World hasn’t changed overnight — but its operational tempo has.
When 30,000 extra guests enter the system in a single week, every piece of infrastructure works harder.
And this week, you can feel it.
