Christmas Day: Stratagy for Magic Kingdom?

[diznee25]

Hi Everyone!

I'd like to get advice on doing MK on Christmas Day. Our plan at first was to stay there all day, (8am-midnight), but that may be too much! (I know the park closes early, and that's why we thought of this plan first.)

Now we're thinking of going to MK at opening, then leaving around 1pm for a break, and re entering in the evening around 7pm. Do you think MK will re open in the evening? Are our chances slim of re entering at all that evening??

I'd like to hear from Disers who have experienced this at Christmas time, but everyone's advice or opinions are welcome!!

Thanks,
Diznee25

 

[Grumpy92]

Well you are correct in going early and I have a feeling that with the crowd you will be ready to leave by 1pm. The park usually does stay open very late on xmas day. As for returning well it all depends on what time you are returning. The park will pick up some around dinner time. Are your staying at a disney resort? If so your chances increase.
Ultimately, reentering is a gamble and it varies from year to year. Last year we were able to get into the park in the evening, but we were staying at a disney resort.

 

[diznee25]

Grumpy92,

We are staying at the WL, so MK is just a boat ride away for us. Our new plan is to leave MK and head back to WL around 1pm, relax and have dinner around 5pm, possibly at Artist Point in WL, and head back to MK around 6:30 or 7pm.

You said the park will pick up around dinner time. Last year, what time in the evening did you re enter MK?

Knowing that re entering MK on Christmas day is a gamble, I guess we should come up with a back up plan incase we can't re enter.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Grumpy92.
Diznee25

 

[swilphil]

If you've spent several hours at MK in the a.m., then a back up plan of Epcot or MGM in the evening really won't be that bad. We spent Christmas evening at Epcot a few years ago and it was very nice.

 

[diznee25]

We're spending Christmas Eve in Epcot, so if we do need to choose a different park for Christmas evening, it'll probably be MGM Studios. Although, without the Osborne Lights, I'm not sure how Christmasy MGM will feel.

Guess we could always find something to do outside the parks, but within Disney property as we have no rental car.

Diznee25

 

[Grumpy92]

Between 6-8pm is when things pickup again. We came in between 4pm-5pm.

 

[Local_Girl]

Diznee25, I hope you don't mind if I piggy-back another question onto yours...
Where can you find out if the parks have closed when they've reached capacity? Only if turned away at the parking entrance? Will any guest relations (including at the resorts/DTD/other parks) be able to give the current status? Can you call somewhere and find out?

We'll be staying offsite...thanks for any info!