Base Ticket Christmas Question

[Mouse-n-Mini]

My family and I will be at WDW from the 20th-26th of December. We have our base tickets for the parks already, but are not staying on property. My question is - even though we are not staying on property, are we guaranteed to get into the parks with our passes (even on Christmas morning?) I was not certain of whether there is a cut off number and even if you have your park passes they won't let you in...sort of like an airline overbooking a flight and making some people just out of luck. Would we be guaranteed admittance even if we're not really early to the parks? Thank you for the help

 

[GEM]

I'm pretty sure that if a park closes due to capacity (like on Christmas Day) then you won't be able to get in.

As I understand it, Disney resort guests are guaranteed admission to a park - but even they are not guaranteed admission to any park they choose. So, for instance, if you are a Disney resort guest and you have your heart set on being at the Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day, you still need to go early. Disney will guarantee that they will get you into one park that day - but it may be Epcot or MGM or Animal Kingdom.

As for non-resort guests, I think you're pretty much just stuck. I'd get there early if it's important to you! Personally, I wouldn't WANT to be in any park that closed due to reaching capacity!

 

[PiRSquared]

Any or all could close due to capacity. You aren't guaranteed anything staying off-site. We always stay off site. If you get there near opening, you should get in. For NYE we got to EPCOT at 9:00 am and stayed till 1 am, celebrating the new year, but it was a day we'll never forget.

 

[tjmw2727]

Unfortunately no, you are guaranteed admission to the park but not on any specific day. Unlike an airline ticket that is for a specific flight the WDW ticket gives you admission but dosen't have a date/time when you can or must use it.

IIRC they have several stages of closing, one of the first is closing to offsite guests. Even onsite guests who are guaranteed admission to a park are not guaranteed any specific park.

MK and Epcot fill up the fastest so if you have your heart set on one of those then your best bet is to get there early. Perhaps by making an ADR for lunch and dinner you can get a break from the crowds and time to relax. We were at WDW during Christmas last year and to the best of my knowledge the parks didn't close at all.

TJ

 

[seashoreCM]

Making ADR reservations during peak periods is risky for off site guests. If the ADR is made for an in-park restaurant you might not be able to get into the park. If the ADR is made for an out of park restaurant you might not be able to return to the park.

Once you begin using a (standard post-2004 aka Magic Your Way) pass without non-expiration, any admissions not used within a 14 day time span are lost. Non-expiration can be added any time before the pass expires which may or may not be advantageous cost-wise.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/dispass.htm

 

[tjmw2727]

I don't see why having an ADR is any more risky for offsite guests than onsite guests. Both have a chance of not getting into a park unless they arrive at opening. My idea was simly to give the OP a place to rest/eat and recharge duirng a LONG day. I was not suggesting they make ADRs in any hopes of gaining entrance because of the ADR. If a guest can't make an ADR because a park is closed they can simply call dining, explain the situation and cancel the ADR and possible re-book for a park that is accepting guests.

TJ

 

[seashoreCM]

I don't see why having an ADR is any more risky for offsite guests than onsite guests. J

Parks close to off site guests due to capacity before they close to on site guests, using a set of rules. I think Stage 1 is when off site guests without annual passes are denied entrance, it may or may not be enforced at the parking lot toll plaza.

 

[tjmw2727]

I realize that, but even on the busiest of days offsite guests can access the parks esp if they arrive early.

My point was if the OP is arriving at opening to get into the park of his/her choice then staying for the NYE fireworks then its going to be a VERY long day waiting for them. I just thought having an ADR in that park for a break was a good idea. Again, I wasn't saying it will get an offsite guest into the park that is closed but still don't understand the risk. I am the better safe than sorry type ~

TJ