4th of July ADRs and park capacity

[JustinS]

Hello all,

I just made a reservation for Tony's Town Square Restaurant on Monday July 4th. Yes I am well aware that MK will be an absolute mad house but that is the day we are flying in and would like to see the fireworks there for the 4th.

Now, if MK closes due to capacity before my arrival (I estimate that I should make it to MK by about 3:00) will I still be allowed to enter due to my ADRs?? I know Tony's has a no show fee and I don't want to be charged that if I'm denied entry. ANY HELP APPRECIATED!

 

[supersnoop]

Disney has four stages of closure. If they reach stage four, you will not be allowed in, and you'll be charged the no-show fee.

I doubt they'll reach stage 4, but traffic will be so bad, I'd add two or three hours to your transit time.

 

[BrianL]

Closures go in phases. If you have dining reservations you are among the last of people to be denied entry (along with onsite-resort guests). I don't think it's too likely it will get to a final Phase 4 closure denying entry to all guests. The Parking lot may be an issue. If you are on-site though use Disney Transportation and you'll be ok.

 

[hakepb]

Park closure is not usually closure for the day. Just closed until enough guests leave. If you can wait a few hours, I would think you would be allowed in.

An ADR should help put you in the last tier allowed into the MK.

But I would not, at all, expect to park in the TTC. I would expect MK parking to close early and probably stay closed all day.

 

[JustinS]

PHEW! THANK YOU ALL!! That is a bit of a relief. Luckily I am staying at a Disney resort and with the ADR I'm hoping to be all set!

 

[kj2mom]

I just wanted to chime in and say we were there for 4th of July 2015 and while I was fully prepared for complete insanity it was actually very enjoyable. I have read some feedback after the fact and some seem to think it was because the weather wasn't perfect (it did rain some but not enough to change any of our plans) but being that it was a Saturday I truly was expecting much worse. We had no choice since the sole objective of the trip was to accompany some twin friends who were turning 13 on the 4th and wanted to experience the fireworks on their bday. We went into it knowing what we were getting ourselves into and were very pleasantly surprised! Reading you planning makes me smile since we were planning this time last year!

 

[supersnoop]

I just wanted to chime in and say we were there for 4th of July 2015 and while I was fully prepared for complete insanity it was actually very enjoyable. I have read some feedback after the fact and some seem to think it was because the weather wasn't perfect (it did rain some but not enough to change any of our plans) but being that it was a Saturday I truly was expecting much worse. We had no choice since the sole objective of the trip was to accompany some twin friends who were turning 13 on the 4th and wanted to experience the fireworks on their bday. We went into it knowing what we were getting ourselves into and were very pleasantly surprised! Reading you planning makes me smile since we were planning this time last year!

We did New Years Even, and I found this to be true, too. They had folks actually directing traffic in the park, "please walk on the the right side," and tape on the ground to keep people moving. While the parks were at a "10," it really seemed more like a "7" crowd level day to me. At least until we tried to leave.

 

[madge]

I just wanted to chime in and say we were there for 4th of July 2015 and while I was fully prepared for complete insanity it was actually very enjoyable. I have read some feedback after the fact and some seem to think it was because the weather wasn't perfect (it did rain some but not enough to change any of our plans) but being that it was a Saturday I truly was expecting much worse. We had no choice since the sole objective of the trip was to accompany some twin friends who were turning 13 on the 4th and wanted to experience the fireworks on their bday. We went into it knowing what we were getting ourselves into and were very pleasantly surprised! Reading you planning makes me smile since we were planning this time last year!

we were also there 7/4/15. we did Epcot & the Studios on the holiday, and like you we were prepared for the worst. other than the heat, which was AWFUL, we had a ball & are already talking about going back this year

 

[hakepb]

We did New Years Even, and I found this to be true, too. They had folks actually directing traffic in the park, "please walk on the the right side," and tape on the ground to keep people moving. While the parks were at a "10," it really seemed more like a "7" crowd level day to me. At least until we tried to leave.

It's amazing to see the huge amount of CM's out and working on the peak days, it does help!

 

[lovndisney12]

We just got back from our trip over Christmas. According to the staff at our hotel, on 12/24 MK did start the staged closure process but not sure how far it went. (While at the park, leaving the park, or returning to the park - we were never aware of it. Other years we have seen signs outside of the park we were leaving stating MK was closed.) We were at MK for rope drop that day (7 AM) and then left around lunch. We were staying on site and had a late evening BOG dinner. We had no issue returning to MK from CSR around 4 PM. We used WDW buses and transportation was no different than any other day in and out of the park - but we still allowed extra time. It also didn't take any longer to get in the park and that was with the extra security measures having just been added. The park was crowded but certainly manageable - and enjoyable.

I too was concerned prior to our trip about not being able to get in the park for our ADR. Based on the research I have done, it appears that MK reached a stage 4 closure only once and that was prior to the no-show fee for ADr's. So, while the wording on the reservations can be taken as you would have to pay - nobody knows if Disney would actually enforce it if you couldn't get in because of a level 4 closure. It hasn't happened yet. I wouldn't worry!

 

[TJA]

I just wanted to chime in and say we were there for 4th of July 2015 and while I was fully prepared for complete insanity it was actually very enjoyable. I have read some feedback after the fact and some seem to think it was because the weather wasn't perfect (it did rain some but not enough to change any of our plans) but being that it was a Saturday I truly was expecting much worse. We had no choice since the sole objective of the trip was to accompany some twin friends who were turning 13 on the 4th and wanted to experience the fireworks on their bday. We went into it knowing what we were getting ourselves into and were very pleasantly surprised! Reading you planning makes me smile since we were planning this time last year!

Same! We have actually gone to WDW for the last 4 or 5 years for the July 4 week. We usually go to MK on July 3 but leave when it gets super crazy because we stay at the Poly and watch the fireworks show from there. I will say we experienced person-to-person crowds trying to get out, but that's expected for such a special showing of fireworks. We normally go to AK on July 4 and it's wonderful! We love that week in Disney!

OP - I agree with the others that I don't think you'll have trouble getting in MK. If you do, though, I'll bet they'd be lenient on you regarding the no-show for your ADR considering the circumstances.

 

[Oswin]

I don't think you'll need to worry about not getting in. We were actually shocked this last year on July 4 when the park felt a lot less crowded than some of our mid-December trips. We also were able to head back to our resort for a nap then come back to MK at around 5:00 pm and got in just fine. I know the weather this last fourth played a big role in clearing some people out, but it still was still incredibly thinner on the crowds than we thought it was going to be. It was even more manageable than some of our early June trips because so many Cast Members were out and making things more fun and efficient. We loved it so much, July 4 week is now the only time we want to go.