Advice wanted on insanely crowded day

[lovndisney12]

We will be doing RD most of our trip (12/21-12/27). We have been during this time and know how crowded it will be. However, we were thinking of taking one day and sleeping in late. The day that makes the most sense would be one of our MK days (12/26). We have a BOG dinner reservation at 5:15 PM. We were thinking of trying to hit the park about 3 PM with FP+ planned for after dinner. Do we dare try to enter the park around this time or are we better to do our usual RD and then head out of the park after dinner? Nervous about not doing RD. (We will have done RD at MK on 12/24 and most likely will do RD there the morning of 12/27 but that is also our flex morning to go back to whatever park we want to before the trip is over.)

 

[minnie mum]

Unless this year is more insane than usual, you should still get into the park later in the day, since you are staying onsite and have an in park ADR. The park hasn't had a phase 4 closure in a few years, although there's no guarantee that it wont this year.

 

[wisblue]

We often visit during those really busy times, and I would probably go early in the morning to take advantage of the lower crowds, then spend the late morning and early afternoon using my FPs, visiting some of the anytime attractions, and taking things slow until dinner. Maybe you could find a spot to see the parade in the afternoon. Then I would leave after dinner and spend a quiet evening away from the crowded park.

Although it is unlikely that you would be locked out of the park, just the possibility would make me a little anxious.

 

[5Hfan]

We did this both Dec 26 and 27 last year....really early rope drops the 24th /25th, then slept in, swam etc on both 26/27. On the 26th we went to see the Osbourne lights turned on, then hopped to MK for the fireworks dessert party, then our fast passes, then late EMH. Slept in the 27th, and then hit the park late for a fast pass, dinner at BOG, more fast passes and late night touring. It worked very well for us, even in the crowds.

 

[lovndisney12]

We did this both Dec 26 and 27 last year....really early rope drops the 24th /25th, then slept in, swam etc on both 26/27. On the 26th we went to see the Osbourne lights turned on, then hopped to MK for the fireworks dessert party, then our fast passes, then late EMH. Slept in the 27th, and then hit the park late for a fast pass, dinner at BOG, more fast passes and late night touring. It worked very well for us, even in the crowds.[/QUOTE
What time did you arrive in the parks (MK) on the 27th? Were you concerned about park closures and not getting in for your BOG dinner?

 

[5Hfan]

looking back at our pictures, we were at the MK by 630 pm, did the castle lighting and christmas show, then split up for A&E/Big Thunder fp at 8 ish. Had 910 BOG. It took us a while to get through crowds moving around. No idea why I wasn't stressed about getting in for BOG, although we did walk to MK from the Contemp, so if there were any transportation closures we would not have been affected. We did EMH until 3 am the night of the 26th, so we had to sleep in that morning. After dinner we had Space Mt and MSEP fast passes. Honestly our last MNSHHP this year on Sept 27 had far more people in the hub watching the Boo to You parade then the midnight MSEP on Dec 27. (but the early castle lighting/christmas show were beyond packed).


BUT crowds this fall seem to be much bigger than last year, so who knows?

would you be thinking getting to the park around 4? perhaps people leaving after the parade...but I'm not sure I'd chance it for a 5 pm reservation? I guess our thinking was if the park still had closures at 9 pm we didn't want to be in that crowd anyways! I think the closures around those days were mid-morning time frame?

 

[mom2grace]

If you want an option for a different park, we did this for DHS. We arrived at 5 & had FP+ for ToT & RnR, we met an awesome DHS CM the day before who gave us an anytime FP for DHS & we used that for TSM. Then we stayed for Fantasmic. My kids are older so DHS is just a few hours for us.

This would also be a good way to the World Showcase.

 

[lovndisney12]

If you want an option for a different park, we did this for DHS. We arrived at 5 & had FP+ for ToT & RnR, we met an awesome DHS CM the day before who gave us an anytime FP for DHS & we used that for TSM. Then we stayed for Fantasmic. My kids are older so DHS is just a few hours for us.

This would also be a good way to the World Showcase.

The only issue is our BOG dinner reservation that evening and we will already have had two half to 3/4 days at DHS. But, it does sound like a good option especially with Osborne Lights.

 

[kwdw]

We will be doing RD most of our trip (12/21-12/27). We have been during this time and know how crowded it will be. However, we were thinking of taking one day and sleeping in late. The day that makes the most sense would be one of our MK days (12/26). We have a BOG dinner reservation at 5:15 PM. We were thinking of trying to hit the park about 3 PM with FP+ planned for after dinner. Do we dare try to enter the park around this time or are we better to do our usual RD and then head out of the park after dinner? Nervous about not doing RD. (We will have done RD at MK on 12/24 and most likely will do RD there the morning of 12/27 but that is also our flex morning to go back to whatever park we want to before the trip is over.)

Remember the parade is at 3pm - so - depending on your exact timing - that can mess up Main Street and the Hub at entry. So - if you really arrive at 3 - you may want to either hop on the train - or wait for the parade to arrive at the entry end of Main Street. But you won't have front row seats for the parade with that timing. Arriving at 3 - you can probably get in IASW and/or Under the Sea without FP before dinner. Or maybe ride the ferryboat and/or go to Hall of Presidents. You have a dining reservation - so your chances of getting blocked out of the park are slim (are you staying onsite?).

The big thing for me - you KNOW its going to crowded and with a positive attitude about that - I think its fine. You'll have your FP for later - and if you stay until the very last minute of park hours - you'll still find the crowds a bit lighter towards the end. Right now - Wishes is scheduled for 8 pm - a bunch will exit after that. MSEP at 9:30 - another group will leave. If you are really staying until midnight - I bet the last couple hours aren't way too bad. EPCOT is open until 10:30 that day - so its not the only park open. And I bet the temperature will influence crowds, too. You can hope that it's really cold and you are prepared!

 

[lovndisney12]

Remember the parade is at 3pm - so - depending on your exact timing - that can mess up Main Street and the Hub at entry. So - if you really arrive at 3 - you may want to either hop on the train - or wait for the parade to arrive at the entry end of Main Street. But you won't have front row seats for the parade with that timing. Arriving at 3 - you can probably get in IASW and/or Under the Sea without FP before dinner. Or maybe ride the ferryboat and/or go to Hall of Presidents. You have a dining reservation - so your chances of getting blocked out of the park are slim (are you staying onsite?).

The big thing for me - you KNOW its going to crowded and with a positive attitude about that - I think its fine. You'll have your FP for later - and if you stay until the very last minute of park hours - you'll still find the crowds a bit lighter towards the end. Right now - Wishes is scheduled for 8 pm - a bunch will exit after that. MSEP at 9:30 - another group will leave. If you are really staying until midnight - I bet the last couple hours aren't way too bad. EPCOT is open until 10:30 that day - so its not the only park open. And I bet the temperature will influence crowds, too. You can hope that it's really cold and you are prepared!

Thanks! Yes, we really do understand the crowds and have managed them quite well other Christmas trips but never hopped to a park in the afternoon. Plus surviving the last two winters in Illinois, we can hope for a cold night because it will still feel warm to us and will have my mittens with. And yes, we are staying on-site.