Warning Issued for May 26: Disney World Implementing ‘Restricted Entry’ Policies at Multiple Parks

Walt Disney World is about to kick off one of the busiest summer launches the resort has seen in a long time. On May 26, 2026, Disney plans to debut new attractions, entertainment offerings, character experiences, and seasonal perks across all four theme parks at once.

For fans, that sounds exciting. For guests actually visiting that week, though, it could also become a nightmare.

Disney already appears to be preparing for extremely heavy crowds, and some new restrictions are already in place before opening day even arrives. Between virtual queues, rising Lightning Lane prices, and packed parks, guests may need a serious game plan before stepping onto Disney property this summer.

Animal Kingdom’s Bluey Experience Could Create Major Problems

The biggest crowd concern may already be sitting at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Bluey’s Wild World officially opens May 26 as part of Disney’s Cool KIDS’ SUMMER event, and Disney has confirmed guests will need to join a virtual queue through the My Disney Experience app to access it.

There will not be a standby line during the initial launch period.

That is a pretty clear sign Disney expects overwhelming demand from families trying to experience Bluey right away. The franchise has exploded in popularity, and many guests will likely head straight to Animal Kingdom specifically for this offering.

The issue is that not everyone will get a boarding group.

If the virtual queue fills quickly, guests may suddenly shift toward attractions like Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, and Pandora. That could send wait times across the entire park climbing.

Animal Kingdom already struggles with congestion because of its tighter pathways and smaller attraction lineup. Adding one of the year’s biggest character experiences only increases the pressure.

Hollywood Studios May Become Ground Zero for Crowds

As crowded as Animal Kingdom could become, Disney’s Hollywood Studios might end up even worse.

The park is launching multiple new experiences at nearly the same time. The Muppets-themed coaster officially opens May 26 alongside Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! and the new Walt Disney Studios area.

Just days earlier, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will have its new Mandalorian and Grogu mission.

That creates a huge problem for a park that already deals with long lines on a normal day.

Hollywood Studios has fewer attractions than the other Disney parks, which means guests often pile into the same rides and lands. Rise of the Resistance, Tower of Terror, and Slinky Dog Dash already generate massive waits during busy travel periods.

Now Disney is adding several more reasons for guests to flood the park that week.

Magic Kingdom and EPCOT Are Also Adding New Experiences

The crowd surge will spread well beyond Hollywood Studios.

At Magic Kingdom, Disney is debuting Jessie’s Roundup at The Diamond Horseshoe in Frontierland. The offering brings Jessie and other Toy Story characters into the restaurant while construction and transformation continue around Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

EPCOT is also opening Soarin’ Across America for a limited-time run tied to the country’s 250th anniversary celebration.

Fans have wanted the original Soarin’ film to return for years, so Disney is likely expecting heavy demand there as well.

At the same time, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s recent reopening continues drawing huge crowds at Magic Kingdom, especially among guests who want to experience the refreshed attraction.

Summer Perks Could Bring Even More Guests

Disney is not stopping with attractions and entertainment.

The resort is also launching additional Cool KIDS’ SUMMER activities across hotels and parks, including character appearances and interactive offerings like GoofyCore inside CommuniCore Hall at EPCOT.

Both Disney water parks will also operate this summer, a major change from recent years.

Starting May 26, Disney Resort hotel guests once again receive free water park admission on check-in day through September. While that may spread some crowds out, it could also encourage even more families to visit Walt Disney World during opening week.

Disney May Add Even More Crowd Restrictions

Right now, Bluey’s Wild World is the only confirmed virtual queue for May 26.

Still, it would not be surprising if Disney expands that system to other attractions if crowds become too intense. The new Muppets coaster and Soarin’ Across America both feel like possible candidates.

Disney could also implement virtual queues or controlled entry systems for attractions like Rise of the Resistance, TRON Lightcycle / Run, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind if wait times spiral out of control.

Lightning Lane pricing already hints at how busy Disney expects the parks to become. Prices for May 26 sit near the top end of Disney’s current pricing scale across all four parks.

Mobile ordering will likely become essential, too, though guests should still prepare for long waits and crowded dining areas during peak meal times.