Park Closure levels?

[humboldthny]

Can someone please refresh my memory as to the levels for park closings? I have a friend going over Easter week and I want to make sure she's not in for any unpleasant surprises!
Thanks!

 

[TDC Nala]

Do you mean numbers or the stages of closure? I believe those are

Stage 1 - Parking lots closed. Only guests using Disney transportation are admitted.

Stage 2 - Ticket kiosks and machines closed. Only guests already possessing tickets are admitted.

Stage 3 - Only annual passholders and Disney resort guests are admitted.

Stage 4 - No guests are admitted.

 

[humboldthny]

Yes! Thank you!

 

[tobin04]

How often does this happen over Easter?

 

[rie'smom]

3 or 4 years ago the week before Easter, it happened on 3 different days at the MK and DHS.
OP, it looks like April 24( Easter)-April 30 may not be too bad. Some of us have been able to make dining reservations as late as yesterday for the restaurants we wanted at the times we wanted. Personally, I made Le Cellier, Chef Mickey, Boma, and T Rex on Friday.
I was also able to book 1 bd Jambo DVC with Savannah view last Monday. At the same time, I was able to change a Beach Club reservation for that week too.

 

[humboldthny]

I want to say I remember it hitting Stage 4 once or twice last year during Easter week...someone else might remember better than I do!

 

[humboldthny]

OP, it looks like April 24( Easter)-April 30 may not be too bad. Some of us have been able to make dining reservations as late as yesterday for the restaurants we wanted at the times we wanted.

I believe they already have their dining reservations made and will be there from about the 19th-26th...I'm just hoping that since Easter is so late this year a portion of people will have already had their Spring Breaks and it won't be massively crowded. Luckily for them they have been to WDW before, so it won't be totally new and they at least know where things are located, fast passes, etc.

 

[TDC Nala]

If they have dining reservations inside a park (MK is the park most likely to close for capacity), they should realize that having a dining reservation will not get them inside a park that has already closed for capacity. This is especially important to remember if they have a Cinderella's Royal Table reservation, as that reservation is either prepaid or has a no-show fee.

 

[Phillygrl23]

We are going next week. I am not concerned about closures. You just have to be there before they close it (11am/12pm). We already have all of our dining reservations, but there is still lots available that week. Of course the "big" restaurants have VERY limited times, but thats how it is most of the time we go anyway (summer, memorial day). I know it will be crowded, but I would really be shocked if it closes.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

There are five stages to Park Closings, based on number of people in a Park. The turnstile master computer at each park keeps track of both entries and exits. When a park capacity closes (which is done in stages) there has to be a certain number of people exiting, with the total "in park" below a certain number, before they start allowing people in again.

I am low enough on the totem pole that I have no idea what these numbers are.

Stage Zero - Due to limited available parking, Guests may be directed to alternate parking areas where they will use Resort transportation to travel to the park of their choice.

Stage 1 - At this stage each Guest in a vehicle must have a valid multi-day ticket. Also Guests with a Park Hopper or re-entering the Park, by showing a currently dated Parking Receipt, will be allowed in. Also, any Guests using Disney transportation are allowed.

Stage 2 - At this stage, Theme Park admission is limited to Disney Resort Guests*, Annual and Premium Annual Passholders, Guests with Park Hopper tickets crossing over from another Park, Guests re-entering this Park today. Guests with written confirmation of reservations for Dining or Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League within one hour are also admitted. Guests using Walt Disney World Resort Transportation will be admitted. Guests not meeting the above criteria are told the Theme Park has reached capacity.

Stage 3 - At this stage, Theme Park admission is limited to Disney Resort Guests*, Annual and Premium Annual Passholders. Guests with written confirmation of reservations for Dining or Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League within one hour are also admitted.

Stage 4 - Nobody is allowed in.

Also, if you are staying at a Disney owned and operated Resort and have a ticket, you are guaranteed entry into A park. Not necessarily the one you want (unless you want to go into AK). And if you have entered and left a park and do not have a hopper you may not get into anything.

*Guests of WDW Swan and Dolphin Hotels and Shades of Green at the Walt Disney World Resort are considered part of this group for Stages 2 and 3. In addition, Guests from Hotel Plaza Boulevard hotels arriving by bus are included.