Christmas Week - Parks at Capacity ???

[Mommy Poppins]

During Christmas week it is obvioulsy very busy at Disney. I belive that I have read (although I cannot find it now) that when the parks reach capacity--sometimes as early as 10am--that Disney will then only admit resort guests. Is this true, or do they not admit anyone else until guests start leaving? Also, is it a one for one admission. Like, a group of 4 leaves and 4 more people can go in?

Thanks! I'm not going then, but my brother's family is considering Christmas week and staying offsite They just won't listen to me!!

 

[pampam]

That week can be terribly busy. I remember going to Epcot, and as the monorail circled Future World we could not see the sidewalks for people. We decided we didn't want to go and face the crowds. I sat on my husbands lap, and I noticed everyone else doubled up too. Meanwhile, the 12 or so people lined up to get on the monorail to leave Epcot (at 10 a.m.) squeezed on .
However, on the same vacation, on Christmas day, it was so cold we went out to the car and got our heavy coats and mitts. We went to Epcot and I don't think there was 500 people in the whole park. The cold had kept them away. We are from northern Ontario, were dressed warm and had the park all to ourselves.

 

[jel0511]

I've been during Christmas and yes the parks do close, especially MK. When we were there in 2001, MK closed 4 times during Christmas Week. They close the parking lot, meaning that off-site guests have no where to park their cars to go to MK. They do not do a one for one deal in allowing guests in, when they feel that enough guests have left, they will then re-open the parking lot allowing people to park. There are I believe 3 or 4 different stages in closing a park, with off-site guests being the first and resort guests being the last. So, if your family is planning on going, just let them know that there is a possibility that they might not be able to go to the park of choice that day, or plan on getting there early and not leaving.

 

[jaguar9748]

Christmas stays should be booked at the World - guaranteed admission for World guests to the parks.

Christmas Day is busy at MK in the morning and early afternoon. Not so busy at night. Never been to the other parks on Christmas Day.

The World fills up the afternoon of 12/26 as folks leave their homes after Christmas. By the morning of 12/27 MK will be busy and will begin reaching capacity every day from then until New Years. When MK reaches capacity the only way in is by Disney resort bus.

Having said this, we LOVE Disney at Christmas! The decorations are great! Everyone is in a great mood! The weather is certainly not hot! This will be our 3rd Disney Christmas!! I highly recommend a Disney Christmas for all families - the more the merrier! We've seen huge family groups that spend Christmas and New Years at Disney - how cool!!

 

[Mouseteacher]

A few years ago, I was in WDW 12/26-1/1. It was extremely busy but I never had a problem getting into a park - we were staying at POFQ. However, we were advised to choose a park for New Year's Eve and stay there b/c you probably couldn't park hop and expect to get into another park due to capacity crowds.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

There are different levels of park capacity.

1st stage - MK Parking lot closes, guests are diverted to Epcot parking lot.
2nd stage - MK is limited to those who already have a ticket.
3rd stage - MK is closed off to all except Disney Resort Guests. (Also called Yellow Flag)
4th stage - MK is closed off to ALL. (Also called Red Flag)

It should be noted that these are general stages, and it's not a one-for-one thing. Also, once you leave the park, you may not be allowed back in.

During busy holiday weeks, it's not uncommon to reach the 3rd stage. During this stage, guests will be asked to show Disney Resort ID's when boarding any Disney transportation. (Monorail, Bus, or Watercraft)

During Christmas and Easter week, its not unheard of to reach the 4th stage. Typically this will happen sometime in the late morning, and will extend to the early afternoon. Usually by mid-afternoon, enough people have left so that they will go down in levels.

Night times are typically less crowded, but still remain VERY crowded overall. For New Years Eve, the advice to find a park, and stick with it is correct. On this particular day, parks will reach capacity and stay there. Typically MK and Epcot will fill to capacity, Studios might still stay open.

 

[Mommy Poppins]

Thanks everyone! I will be sure to pass this info along to my brother and his wife!

 

[Jackie H.]

Chip&Dale,

I KNOW you can help me with this question!

We are arriving on 12/30. We will be at the Dolphin until 1/2 when we move to the Poly. So that is two park days while at the Dolphin (12/31 & 1/1).

It seems to make sense to go to EPCOT and MGM on those days because of where we are staying. But which one on which day? We have never been at this crowded a time, so I am really unsure. My thoughts were that EPCOT can handle big crowds and we should go there on 12/31, but your post here seems to indicate otherwise.

What do you suggest for us?

We are saving MK until we move over to the Poly.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Jackie H.
It seems to make sense to go to EPCOT and MGM on those days because of where we are staying. But which one on which day? We have never been at this crowded a time, so I am really unsure. My thoughts were that EPCOT can handle big crowds and we should go there on 12/31, but your post here seems to indicate otherwise.

Yes, Epcot can handle large crowds, however, because of New Years Eve, Epcot will have VERY large crowds. NYE is Epcot's busiest day of the year. (Lot of locals come for the restaurants and fireworks)

My advice would be to pick whichever park has the fireworks show you want to see. Epcot will have a special presentation of Illuminations, and the Studios will have a special presentation of Sorcery in the Sky.

 

[GoldenOldie]

Okay, Tyler. Spill the beans.

What's with your countdown to something BIG?

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by Mommy Poppins
I'm not going then, but my brother's family is considering Christmas week and staying offsite They just won't listen to me!!

How long is your brother planning to stay? It might be worth it for him to buy ONE Annual Pass (adult or child) to get the great AP rates. Rates at the All Stars and Pop Century are $49 per night for Christmas week! Plus, he will get all the benifits of staying on-site like being able to go to the MK .

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by GoldenOldie
Okay, Tyler. Spill the beans.

What's with your countdown to something BIG?

hehehe... you'll see...