I can 100% predict if they open it up that the realm will face serious queues once again, and then players clamoring “just add more realm space/layering that will fix everything” with lag/rubberbanding as result or even worse than all of that: Server crashing and rollbacks.
They drew out their philosophy here: Realms Expectations for Season of Discovery and the realm remains the most popular #1.
The other realms are very good viable choices, I understand that everyone wants to play with their friends but I don’t think they should just open it up or no one gets to play with their friends if the realm goes boom every 5 minutes.
Bolded one part for your convenience.