Memorial Day weekend is here — low WDW wait times end soon; Hollywood Studios opens early Monday; Epic Universe year-one deep dive.
★ Saturday May 23 · 5 min read
Florida theme parks, every single morning.
Saturday · May 23 · 2026 · ☀ 93°
★ Today's Edition · Disney · Universal · SeaWorld · Busch Gardens ★
The Calm Before the Queue — Memorial Day Weekend Is Here and the Parks Are About to Get Busy
Hollywood Studios opens early Monday, Epic Universe's year-one story gets the deep dive it deserves, and the Millennium Falcon has a new crew.
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★ Disney · Walt Disney World
Hollywood Studios Opens Early Monday — Then the Crowds Arrive
Disney's Hollywood Studios will open one hour early on Monday — likely in anticipation of the public grand opening of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets later in the week, reports WDWNT . The early opening comes at the start of what will be Walt Disney World's most crowded stretch of the year: Memorial Day weekend kicks off today, and Tuesday brings a triple opening — Soarin' Across America at EPCOT, the Muppets coaster grand opening at Hollywood Studios, and Bluey's Wild World at Animal Kingdom. AllEars noted that Friday may have been the last "normal" day in the parks for quite some time. If you're visiting this weekend, ride your bucket-list attractions early in the morning.
★ Sources: WDWNT → · AllEars →
★ Universal · Epic Universe
Year One at Epic Universe: What the Park Got Right , and What Comes Next
Theme Park Insider's Robert Niles offers a birthday retrospective on Epic Universe's first year — examining what America's newest theme park got right, what remains to be earned, and what the industry learned from watching it open. In a separate interview, Orlando Informer sat down with park EVP Jeff Polk , who reflected on hidden details guests are still discovering, which characters became surprise favorites, and what the next phase of the park's development looks like. Polk's consistent message: the park is still being shaped by how guests actually move through it — and the team is paying close attention. Anniversary merchandise is also now available on Shop Universal.
★ Sources: Theme Park Insider → · Orlando Informer →
⬤ Disney · Galaxy's Edge
First Look at Smugglers Run with the Mandalorian and Grogu
TouringPlans got their first ride on the updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu — and filed a full first look . A Disney+ Insider episode also goes behind the new mission now streaming on Disney+.
⬤ Disney · Disney Springs
Police Officers Denied Entry to Disney Springs Over Logo Clothing
A group of police officers attending a law enforcement conference were turned away from Disney Springs because they were wearing clothing bearing law enforcement logos — a detail picked up by WDWNT . Disney Springs maintains a dress code policy that restricts certain clothing styles.
★ Disney · Disneyland
Tomorrowland Theater Reopens After Six Years — Pixar Shorts Are Back
Disneyland's Tomorrowland Theater has officially reopened for the first time since 2020, welcoming guests into the Pixar Short Film Spotlight as part of the resort's Kids Rule Summer initiative. Laughing Place reports the experience is similar to the popular Pixar Fest short film programs from 2018. WDWNT notes this reopens an area of the park that has been inaccessible for over six years — a meaningful recovery for one of Disneyland's classic theater spaces.
★ Sources: Laughing Place → · WDWNT →
★ This Week in the Parks
New photo sessions, Tokyo flights, a Luna tree, and one very different Jellyrolls.
Disney · Walt Disney World
Disney Testing 2 New Private Photo Sessions at Select Resort Hotels
Disney · Disney Springs
Luna the Hibiscus Tree Now Meeting Guests at Disney Springs for Cool Kids' Summer
Jellyrolls Construction Update — The Abandoned Spot Looks Totally Different
ZIPAIR Resumes Nonstop Flights Between Orlando and Tokyo This Summer
First Look Inside the Limited-Time Disney Store Concept in Pittsburgh
Yesterday may have been the last "normal" day we see in the parks for quite some time.
— AllEars.net — May 22, 2026
★ Memorial Day Weekend Outlook
Today is the best day of the weekend weather-wise — Sunday brings a real storm threat (60%), while Memorial Day itself clears up nicely.
Coming up in the parks
Memorial Day — Peak Holiday Crowds
One of the busiest days of the year at all Florida theme parks. Book Lightning Lane and dining reservations in advance.
Triple Opening Day — Soarin', Muppets Coaster & Bluey's Wild World
Soarin' Across America at EPCOT, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, and Bluey's Wild World at Animal Kingdom all open to the public. Hollywood Studios opens one hour early.
Verbolten: Forbidden Turn Opens — Busch Gardens Williamsburg
The reimagined dark launch coaster opens at Busch Gardens' Virginia park.
SeaWorld Pass Member & Military Picnic Weekend
SeaWorld Orlando hosts its Pass Member and Military/Veteran Picnic May 30–31.
SeaWorld IGNITE Fireworks & All-New Drone Show Begins
The IGNITE Fireworks Spectacular and an all-new drone show launch at SeaWorld Orlando, running through September 7.
Your Burning Question About Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets — Answered
Epic Universe Anniversary Merch Now Available on Shop Universal
Create Your Own Star Wars Galactic ID at AMC Theatres Disney Springs
Why Big Thunder Mountain Earns Its Spot Atop the Coaster Class
Edelweiss Lodge Opens in Disneyland's Fantasyland — New Covered Seating Area
Universal · Mega Movie Parade
Universal Mega Movie Parade Returns to Universal Studios Florida
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★ SOURCES · Laughing Place · TouringPlans · WDW News Today · Attractions Magazine · Theme Park Insider · Orlando Informer · AllEars.net · Chip and Co ★