Planning a Disney vacation—especially one that involves international travel—is rarely spontaneous. Guests often spend months mapping out every detail, from park reservations and Lightning Lane strategies to airline tickets and hotel transportation.
For many travelers, the experience doesn’t start when they step onto Main Street, U.S.A. or pass beneath the towering gates of their favorite park. It begins much earlier—when they start organizing flights, luggage, and ways to move efficiently through busy airports.
In recent years, convenience has become one of the biggest priorities for modern travelers visiting parks operated by The Walt Disney Company. Families want their vacations to feel seamless from the moment they leave home until they return.
But a new complication far beyond the parks themselves may suddenly make that return trip far less predictable.
Frequent International Disney Travelers Have Long Relied on a Major Time-Saving Program
For seasoned travelers visiting destinations like Tokyo Disney Resort or Disneyland Paris, there has long been one travel tool that dramatically simplified the journey home: Global Entry.
Run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the program allows pre-approved travelers to bypass traditional immigration lines when returning to the United States after international flights.
Instead of waiting in long queues, Global Entry users typically scan their passport at automated kiosks and complete a brief verification process. Within minutes, they’re often on their way to baggage claim or connecting flights.
For Disney fans flying long distances—sometimes with children, strollers, and luggage in tow—that efficiency can make a significant difference.
The program also includes TSA PreCheck, which speeds up domestic airport security screening.
For families returning from an international theme park adventure, it’s often viewed as one of the most valuable travel upgrades available.
But that convenience has suddenly disappeared.
A Government Shutdown Is Now Affecting Travel Programs Across the Country
Since February 14, 2026, the United States has been operating under a partial government shutdown, which has forced several federal agencies to reduce or temporarily pause certain services.
Programs tied to airport security and customs processing have been among those affected.
Initially, many travelers feared that TSA PreCheck might also be suspended during the shutdown. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) later reversed that possibility, confirming the program would remain operational.
Still, staffing shortages tied to the shutdown are expected to cause longer wait times at airports across the country.
And another program—one widely used by international Disney travelers—did not receive the same reprieve.
The Global Entry System Has Now Been Suspended Nationwide
As of March 10, 2026, Global Entry kiosks across the United States are currently not functioning.
Because of the ongoing government shutdown, the program has effectively been suspended nationwide. Travelers returning to the country must now go through standard immigration lines instead of using the automated system many relied on.
For passengers arriving from international Disney vacations—or any overseas destination—that could mean significantly longer wait times when re-entering the United States.
Airports that normally process thousands of international travelers per hour are now redirecting Global Entry members into the same queues as everyone else.
The result could be noticeable bottlenecks at major U.S. airports.
The suspension is expected to remain in place until federal funding is restored and the shutdown ends.
Social Media Is Already Filling With Warnings From Travelers
As news spreads, travelers have begun sharing their experiences online, particularly on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit.
One traveler warned others arriving at Miami International Airport about the sudden change:
“Massive delays in US immigration lines due to CBP staffing shortages from the ongoing government shutdown. Even Global Entry is suspended… expect 3+ hour waits.”
Other travelers said they were caught off guard when they arrived at airports expecting to use the kiosks.
Some frequent flyers are now recommending an alternative tool: the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app.
The app allows travelers to digitally submit passport and customs information before reaching immigration checkpoints. While it doesn’t fully replace Global Entry, many travelers report it can help reduce wait times during busy travel periods.
“Download MPC before you land,” one Reddit user advised in a thread discussing airport delays. “It’s not Global Entry, but it definitely helps.”
What This Travel Disruption Could Mean for Future Disney Trips
For travelers planning international Disney vacations—or returning from them—the biggest change may simply be patience.
Even though TSA PreCheck remains active, staffing shortages connected to the government shutdown could still slow airport security lines.
Officials recommend arriving three to four hours before international flights to account for potential delays.
Without Global Entry kiosks, travelers returning to the United States should also prepare for traditional customs processing, which can take considerably longer than the expedited system many travelers have grown used to.
Because the situation is tied to federal funding negotiations, there is currently no clear timeline for when Global Entry will be restored.
Travelers are encouraged to monitor airline updates and check the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website before traveling internationally.
For Disney fans, it’s a reminder that while the parks themselves remain magical, the journey surrounding them can sometimes bring unexpected surprises.
Have you recently returned from an international Disney trip? Did the Global Entry suspension impact your travel experience? Let us know in the comments.
