food IS a theme park
Planning a Universal Orlando trip takes serious coordination, and the last thing you want is to show up and find out a major attraction is down for refurbishment.
Universal Orlando
Universal has a handful of closures coming up in 2026 that are absolutely worth knowing about before you lock in your travel dates. Whether you’re visiting Islands of Adventure or Volcano Bay, these are the dates we’d seriously consider working around. Let’s get into it.
Disney World is in the midst of a massive transformation, with massive construction projects in the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom all set to open in the next few years. However, all of the new attractions and IP coming to the parks could lead to the return of a controversial Disney system: Virtual Queues.
Tron virtual queue sign
First introduced in the late 2010s, the virtual queue system was introduced as a way to manage crowds on high-demand new attractions. Instead of standing in line for hours, guests would snag a boarding pass through the My Disney Experience app at specific times (usually 7:00 AM and 1:00 PM) and be called back to ride at a designated time later in the day.
When tourists are planning trips to the Orlando area, the first question many face is whether to visit Walt Disney World or the Universal Orlando Resort. While there are a litany of reasons to visit both world-class resorts, sometimes the decision can come down simply to dates.
Universal Studios
Whether it’s due to what Universal is offering, or simply what some guests may wish to avoid at Disney World, these are the dates that many will be looking at Universal Orlando for their theme park fun.
Picking and choosing what to try at the 2026 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is a tough task, but we’ve got a list of booths that are at the top of our lineup on opening day!
Full Spread at Brunchcot
Our team is always there on opening festival day to tackle every food booth to make our Best of the Fest list! This can help you decide what booths are worth your time (and money!) when you visit this year. The 2026 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival will run from March 4th through June 1st, 2026. As we get excited about everything there is to see and do this year, let’s take a look at a few booths that consistently impress us.
While Walt Disney World’s theme parks — including EPCOT — are never truly empty, that doesn’t mean that some days aren’t busier than others.
EPCOT
For example, when it comes to Disney World’s second gate, the best days to avoid (if scheduling allows) are spread throughout the year, timed with holidays, school vacations, and even the park’s own annual events.
While construction is rampant across Walt Disney World in 2026 — with major projects at both the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios — arguably no Disney World park is being affected more than Animal Kingdom.
You can now see the Casita in the background!
With DINOSAUR –– and all of DinoLand U.S.A. — shuttered for good, and Tropical Americas (including its Indiana Jones and Encanto attractions) still some time away, Disney World’s youngest theme park is in a state of transition right now, and guests are changing their visiting habits accordingly.
March in Disney World is shaping up to look a little different than usual.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
If you’ve got a spring trip on the books, there are a few big ride closures you’ll want on your radar. Two major attractions at Magic Kingdom are still in the middle of lengthy refurbishment projects, and one iconic Hollywood Studios coaster is officially taking its final bow. Before you finalize those park plans, here’s what you need to know.
Given its status as the most attended theme park on the planet, it’s hard to find many, if an,y “empty” days at the Magic Kingdom, even during traditional “off-seasons.”
Magic Kingdom
Now, one BIG clarification to make here: The Magic Kingdom is always busy. Yes, these weeks are comparatively less crowded than the rest of the year, but if you’re expecting the park to be a ghost town with mostly walk-on attractions, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of the most exciting parks at Disney World, which can also make it one of the more crowded parks.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
With headliner attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, and Tower of Terror, this park consistently change have long wait times and crowds year-round. On top of that, Hollywood Studios is in the middle of a major transformation, with construction underway for Monstropolis and Animation Courtyard officially becoming Walt Disney Studios this summer. If you’re hoping for shorter waits and a smoother park day, here are the dates you may want to skip for 2026.
Alright, who’s ready? It’s time to EAT.
Columbia Harbour House
We eat in Disney World nearly every single day of the year, and we’ve been reviewing restaurants across the property for more than 15 years, so if you’re looking for suggestions for where to eat on your vacation, you’ve come to the right place! We’re sharing our annual list of the best quick service spots in Disney World, so get out your fork and spoon and let’s DIG IN.
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
