Can I get in with Disney transportation when parks reach capacity?

[Gator Kate]

Hi Guys,
I know one of you will know this. If a park is full I know they turn away people who are driving in. If you're a resort guest do they allow you in using their transpo? Many thanks.
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[Miandrea]

I was at WDW at Christmas 2001 - MK and EPCOT were at capacity. Resort guests were still able to get into the parks. That was a few years ago, things might have changed!

 

[BostonRob]

Everything I've read indicate that Resort guests will always be admitted to the parks regardless of whether or not they've reached capacity. Now, my question would be, why would you want to get into the park if its at maximum capacity?

 

[seashoreCM]

At some point after guests driving are turned around at the prking lot toll entrances -- resort guests will be denied entry. I would hope that guests on buses already en-route will always be admitted.

Resort guests are guaranteed entry to a park, of Disney's choice.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

There are different phases of capacity.

The first is when the MK parking lot is closed, and guests are rerouted to park at Epcot, and then take the monorail in.

Then the park is closed to all day guests, and only Disney resort guests are allowed entry. It does not matter how you get to the park, they will stop you at the turnstiles. Often times during these times, there will be greeters at the monorail stations and bus stops asking for resort ID.

 

[Doctor P]

Even resort guests can be and are denied entry at very busy times. All that Disney guarantees resort guests is that they will be able to get into ONE of the parks, not necessarily the park of their choice. Full closure of this type does happen at Christmas holiday times (especially New Years' Eve and Christmas Day). Also, if you leave a park under these conditions (e.g., to go out for dinner) you may not be allowed back into the park.

 

[Gator Kate]

This is very enlightening. In all the years I've been going to WDW I never knew there were so many levels of closure. Thanks to all for responding!

 

[BostonRob]

This is very enlightening. In all the years I've been going to WDW I never knew there were so many levels of closure. Thanks to all for responding!

Yes, I didn't know that either. Good to know. Thanks.

 

[magicmouse2]

I am worried about this. We do not arrive to check in at WDW until around 7pm on NYE. We are hoping to get into EPCOT around 8pm and will be staying on site using Disney transportation.

 

[msr709]

I am worried about this. We do not arrive to check in at WDW until around 7pm on NYE. We are hoping to get into EPCOT around 8pm and will be staying on site using Disney transportation.

This sounds awfully close to me, checking in at 7:00pm and getting to EPCOT by 8:00pm on NYE? I think you should re-do your itinerary to arrive a lot earlier than that, it could take you 1 hour just to check-in on a holiday like that. I would think more in lines of arriving at 5pm to get to EPCOT at 8pm. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't this schedule seem awfully close for NYE? JMHO. Good luck and have a wonderful trip.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

We are hoping to get into EPCOT around 8pm and will be staying on site using Disney transportation.

I was at Epcot NYE 2000/2001. At around 8:30-9:00 pm I needed to use the men's room, but the park was so crowded, the only one I could get to was at International Gateway.

That men's room is outside the turnstyles. I had to get special permission to exit and re-enter, because by then, they had already closed Epcot to all guests, including on-site hotel guests. I believe that hotel guests were being sent to Animal Kingdom, where they had set up a fireworks display in the parking lot, well away from the animals.

Also, guests were already staking out spots around the lagoon by the time I arrived at lunch time, They were also checking for resort room keys on the pathway just outside International Gateway, so I guess Epcot had already closed to day guests by then.

Epcot & MK are very popular on NYE. Even if you are a resort guest, you should arrive at these parks much, much earlier than 8pm.

...and check the weather forecast. That NYE the temperature dropped to an all-time record low for Orland and was around zero by 10pm. My wife & I got so cold, we left epcot and were back in bed at the Boardwalk, shivering under the bedclothes by 11:30 pm. We heard the fireworks, but it's not the same as watching them

Andrew

 

[magicmouse2]

I cant arrive any earlier than that due to flight times I thought it might not be so crowded at EPCOT as MK. I might just change my resort and view them from the room.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

One tip... at the Magic Kingdom, after the first set of fireworks, a lot of people tend to leave, thus usually opening up the MK again.

 

[magicmouse2]

Thanks Tyler , It would be magical if we could get in MK for the late fireworks on NYE....