Why Disney World Could Be Empty in 2026

Key Moments
Editorial Summary
The creator examines the possibility of lower attendance at Walt Disney World in 2026, citing several contributing factors. A primary concern is the extensive construction occurring across multiple parks, including Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, as Disney undergoes massive retheming and land expansions. This construction may lead guests to delay trips until new areas like PBLO Esporanza open in 2027. Additionally, the creator notes shifting travel trends, such as a desire for nature-focused or cooler climate vacations, and a continued dip in international tourism. The video also highlights how Disney's own cruise line expansions and the opening of Universal Orlando's Epic Universe could divert potential visitors. However, the creator balances these concerns by noting that Disney is offering significant discounts and that several attractions, such as a revamped Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and new Muppets-themed experiences, will debut in 2026. Ultimately, while certain periods may see lighter crowds due to construction walls, peak holiday seasons are expected to remain busy, and the year may offer a unique, less stressful window for planning vacations.
Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.
How This Review Compares
This review is in line with the all-time creator consensus.
Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.
Creator's Key Takeaways
Disney World is not going to be in its prime in 2026.
There is a chance that the parks might see fewer crowds in 2026, just cuz people are holding off on their big Disney trips.
2026 might be as close as we're going to get [to predictable planning].
Creator's Tips & Advice
🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:
Questions This Creator Answers
Topics Covered
Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.
About our Bacon Score methodologyVideo content sourced from the creator's original upload. Watch on YouTube