Disney World is always changing… and some of your favorite trip planning strategies might not survive into 2026.
Let’s go to Disney World!
If you’ve been holding on to certain tried-and-true Disney planning tactics, it’s time for a reality check. A couple of popular planning “rules” are either gone or just don’t apply anymore. We’re breaking down two of the biggest planning traditions that you can leave behind next time you’re mapping out your magical vacation — and trust us, these will surprise some people.
Planning Around Virtual Queues (VQs)
Let’s be honest: Virtual Queues were never fun. Stressful, yes. Necessary, maybe. But for a while, they were just part of the game—especially for new headliners like Rise of the Resistance or Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. We got used to setting alarms, smashing that refresh button, and crossing our fingers. It became a weird rite of passage for Disney parkgoers. But now, that era may be winding down.
Let’s ride!
In recent months, Disney has started moving away from using Virtual Queues as the default for new rides. Sure, they might still roll them out temporarily for a brand-new attraction (especially if it’s something massive), but it’s definitely not something you should build your 2026 park plan around.
Standby line entrance at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
It’s becoming more likely that new rides will open with traditional standby lines and/or paid access through whatever the future version of Lightning Lane looks like. So those trip-planning strategies that involved mastering the 7AM VQ drop? Yeah… probably not going to help you next time around. If you’re building your whole day around a boarding group, there’s a good chance you’re going to end up scrambling when you realize one never opened up at all.
Rise of the Resistance
Our advice? Keep an eye on Disney’s announcements for each new ride as it opens. But don’t assume a Virtual Queue will be in place. That time is over.
Planning to Hit Every EPCOT Lounge With the Whole Fam? Not Anymore.
Here’s a planning twist many didn’t see coming: adults-only spaces inside Disney World parks. Yep, it’s happening. GEO-82, the new spaceship-inspired lounge opening inside EPCOT, will be 21+ only. Let that sink in for a second. One of the most hyped new additions to the park = No kids allowed. So if your plan included a lounge crawl with the whole crew, this might be where the plan hits a wall.
©Disney
GEO-82 opens June 4th, 2025, and it’s already turning heads—not just for the stunning design and killer views of the “Luminous: The Symphony of Us” fireworks, but for the experience itself. We’re talking Champagne poured tableside, tasting towers with savory and sweet bites, and cocktails that feel more like mixology experiments than theme park drinks (we see you, Brown Butter Old Fashioned and Caramelized Leek Martini).
©Disney
But again—adults only. No exceptions. And the exclusive fireworks package clocks in at $179 per person, which definitely pushes it into premium territory.
©Disney
So if you’re the designated planner for a big family trip in 2026, this is something to keep in mind. Not every new experience will be available to everyone in your group. You’ll want to adjust your expectations accordingly—and maybe book a sitter if you want to sneak away for a fancier night at EPCOT.
Bottom Line is that Disney Trip Planning in 2026 Is Getting a Shakeup
If you’ve been using the same strategies since the FastPass days, it’s time to update your toolkit. Virtual Queues aren’t the must-know system they once were, and not every new experience is going to be a fit for every age group. Disney’s evolving, and your plans should too.
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Meh the lounge is a sleeper, it’s not like there’s not already a lounge nearby space 220, puts a million places to grab a drink that are aren’t a mission to walk to.
Now the lounge in MK is big news, tho I feel they missed on a big feature there- a biergarten like corraled in area with the lounge for walk up window service, so people could grab a beer and cool off a few minutes and jump back into the action.
We’re very excited for GEO-82. I’d love to consider the fireworks package, but we may just opt for reservations at a different time. It’s good to know the price point in advance so we can plan – that is notably higher than other fireworks packages at EPCOT have been from what I can recall. And we won’t miss the 7 am rush into the app for VQs or LLs AT ALL. Our next trip might look a little different because it might be our first trip back during warmer months in YEARS – maybe almost a decade. So we might be starting earlier in the mornings so that we can spend the afternoons out of the heat. But at least it will be a choice and we won’t have to choose between the 7 am blitz or missing a must-do.
Disney has changed for the worse. Time to sell my dvc contact
We have a vacation planned for May of 2026. When should we purchase DFB guide bundle?
Hi Elyse! Please send an email to [email protected] and someone from our support team can answer all your questions. 🙂