Christmas, NYE & Magicbands

[Doofenshmirtz]

I am not sure if anyone has thought about this yet but here it goes.... I have heard that in the past MK and EPCOT (maybe HS and AK too) have filled up and been at capacity on Christmas & NYE so they do not let anyone else in.

What happens if you have FP+ reservations or dinner reservations for that park?? Are they not going to let you in??

We are going to be there for Christmas this year and here Brunch reservations at Chef Mickeys at 11:30. We are a little worried that we might not be able to get into a park after brunch......

Thanks for any input.

 

[erionm]

What happens if you have FP+ reservations or dinner reservations for that park?? Are they not going to let you in??

If it's a phase 4 closing, no one gets in.

Disney World closing phases:

Phase 1 Park Closing

• Guests with 'Magic Your Way' base tickets, or a '1-Day 1-Park Ticket', Guests without an admission ticket, and Cast Members using Main Gate & Silver Passes will be turned around at the parking lot booths.

Phase 2 Park Closing
Admission is limited to:

• Disney Resort Guests (including the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, and guests arriving by bus from the Hotel Plaza Boulevard hotels)
• Annual and Premium Annual Passholders
• Guests with Hopper tickets coming from another park
• Guests re-entering the park
• Guests with dining reservations
• Magic Kingdom Guests with reservations for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League
• Guests using Walt Disney World Resort Transportation will be admitted.

Phase 3 Park Closing
Admission is limited to:

• Disney Resort Guests (including the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, and guests arriving by bus from the Hotel Plaza Boulevard hotels)
• Annual and Premium Annual Passholders
• Guests with dining reservations
• Magic Kingdom Guests with reservations for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League

Phase 4 Park Closing

• Closed to all guests.

 

[Doofenshmirtz]

Wow.

That would really stink to have FPs for the afternoon and not be able to get into that park. I would not be happy at all.

Any ideas of what time of day the parks reach capacity?? DO all parks reach capacity on Xmas?? We were going to go to MK in the morning and then use FP+ for another park in the afternoon.

Thanks!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Wow.

That would really stink to have FPs for the afternoon and not be able to get into that park. I would not be happy at all.

Any ideas of what time of day the parks reach capacity?? DO all parks reach capacity on Xmas?? We were going to go to MK in the morning and then use FP+ for another park in the afternoon.

Thanks!

The parks will close probably every day from Christmas Eve through New Years Eve (New Years Day might not). But they will reopen and close again each day. So they might be closed two or three times throughout the day.

The time we were there for Christmas Day, we avoided the parks all together. We watched TV, went to the movies, played minature golf.

 

[chip611]

NYE's is usually the worst day. Christmas shouldn't be too bad. I've never heard of any of the parks going past Phase 1 & assuming you're staying at a resort you should be safe. You can anyways ask Concierge at the Contemp before you leave, they'll have the most accurate information.

 

[Tink Fans]

Great info ~ thanks. I've been getting up to speed on the bands and FP+ over the last few weeks for our after-Christmas visit and had asked this same question while on phone with Disney. Although they didn't go into detail about the phases -- they did tell me there shouldn't be an issue with me doing AK on 12/30 and later heading over to MK for Crystal Palace res. in afternoon. We will be staying at BWV. Never have gone to parks during this busy time because of crowds but this time we will go for 2 days and picked 12/30 and 1/2...although I know it will still be NUTS...and plan to start early both days.

Based on this info, I feel more confident...and think all should go well if we plan for the crowds...and go with the flow. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

[binkblum]

Wow. That would really stink to have FPs for the afternoon and not be able to get into that park. I would not be happy at all. Any ideas of what time of day the parks reach capacity?? DO all parks reach capacity on Xmas?? We were going to go to MK in the morning and then use FP+ for another park in the afternoon. Thanks!

I have read on other threads that the parks hit capacity around 11 am and reopen around 5 pm. . We have two kids 2 and under that won't nap in a stroller. Eh...

 

[LOLZdisney]

I worked Epcot main entrance last year and it was a problem during the week leading up to Christmas as well.
The best thing is to get to the parks early because I remember MK being at least partially phased by 10 AM. I walked into my morning shift and was informed of the closure. And if the park is phased out it does not matter if you have reservations or FP+.

 

[binkblum]

And if the park is phased out it does not matter if you have reservations or FP+.

Guess it is a good thing that the $10 fee for no shows has been delayed.

 

[bumbershoot]

Guess it is a good thing that the $10 fee for no shows has been delayed.

Cheshire posted that it is going to start 11/19.

 

[Tink Fans]

I worked Epcot main entrance last year and it was a problem during the week leading up to Christmas as well.
The best thing is to get to the parks early because I remember MK being at least partially phased by 10 AM. I walked into my morning shift and was informed of the closure. And if the park is phased out it does not matter if you have reservations or FP+.

We are all set for our trip. Have dining reservations, FP+, picked out Magical Bands, WeGoShop order in place, M.E. Tags arrived today BUT NOW not so sure about parks.

Ok, so are you saying basically park hopping is out. Go to one park and stay there?? I guess on the phone they told me what I wanted to hear. Madness ~ starting to rethink even going to the parks. We did not go in 2008 and didn't feel like we missed anything (weather was great for pool). My sister came back everyday talking about crowds but never about this Phased OUT deal. This trip we figured just two days and didn't pick NYE.

And if we dare to be crazy and go with our plan (we're earlybirds and like park hopping!) and cannot get into MK around noon, they will not charge the fee for Crystal Palace cancellation? Haven't see anything about that one.

Thanks

 

[dbs1228]

We were there last NYE and even though we were told MK was closed they were still allowing hotel guest. My daughter and friend went in for the 1st time mid afternoon and did not have a problem - yes it was crowded! We went NYE morning for a few hours but left before lines got to long. We arrived Dec 26 - Jan 3 and NYE was the only day we heard any of the parks closed. We are planning on going again next year we had a ball but then again we were done with parks by mid afternoon everyday.

 

[rillsung]

We go every year during that time. We haven't had any problem getting in. We do avoid MK on NYE but we do go to EPCOT. We also go in the afternoon (1 or 2ish usually, sometimes later). I do know they've closed them to non-resort guests though.

 

[mikek]

stayed a few times for Christmas week. Always staying at a Disney Resort.

The only time we ever had an issue (so i guess a "Stage 4") is on NYE- they tell you at the resort stuff like you can only got to A, B, Or C because D is closed, Or you can only go to Animal Kingdom or whatever. And just as posted above- the status changes a bunch of times throughout the day.

 

[lisaviolet]

I've done two Christmas/NYE holidays. Obviously, it happens - the closings - but it has never happened to me. Or my family who did a different park on one of those holidays.

And both trips were long.

People talk about Christmas/Christmas Eve - to me non-issue on those days. In fact, one year Epcot wasn't even that full. And I've done MK on both days. The only issue for me was the feeling of getting out. It can have the feeling of hmmm in the crowd levels.

NYE, went to Epcot and DS and not early in the day either, no issues. I believe we were told about the MK closure on that day.

Have a wonderful time. I love trips that time of year and love the energy of the crowds.

 

[Tink Fans]

Appreciate the feedback.

I've been planning to call Disney back all week b/c find as you speak to different people you get various answers (in life in general!) so all the posts were helpful.

Since we're up early (and plan to go to AK for EMH that day), we always take a break in the afternoon whether due to crowds or the heat -- sometimes at a nice lunch. My only disappointment would be if MK Closed and we couldn't get to our reservation at one of our favorites...Crystal Palace. Other than that, we go with the flow pretty easy and plan to for this trip. I may try to see if they have a later reservation but I'm sure that's a shot in the dark, and also will be very aware of the park closings!

The resorts were decorated so beautifully our last holiday visit, we're excited to see the parks too. 2 Days at the Parks, 8 Days Whatever!!!

Happy Thanksgiving To All!

 

[twinsouvenirs]

It looks like 3 of the 4 types of closings still allow Disney Resort Guests & Dining Reservation guests in, so I'm guessing you have VERY little to worry about.

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

I worked Epcot main entrance last year and it was a problem during the week leading up to Christmas as well.
The best thing is to get to the parks early because I remember MK being at least partially phased by 10 AM. I walked into my morning shift and was informed of the closure. And if the park is phased out it does not matter if you have reservations or FP+.

Oh geese! Now I'm nervous! We are coming in the weekend leading up to Christmas. We arrive Friday the 20th and head home Christmas Eve. How bad are you anticipating that weekend being? Do you think parks will reach capacity that weekend and close? Appreciate any feedback/advice you have to make the most of my trip!