Closed out at the parks

[Rella]

I read in a few posts that due to large crowds they can close the parks. Has anyone had this happen to them? We are not staying on Disney property, and I want to do an evening at MK. Now Im afraid to be locked out! plan on going Mon. after Easter.Do they reopen if some guests leave?Im starting to sound panicky.Help!

 

[XStAnt]

I doubt if it will be closed on the Monday after Easter, although the parks will be very crowded. Usually MK closes on Xmas Day, New Years Eve, and July 4. Not saying it can't happen, I just don't think it will. If it does close to new guests, it usually opens up again in the late afternoon.

 

[mickeymule]

Happened to us in May in 96 on our honeymoon. But it seems that it was a "Gay Day" and MK was full to capacity.

 

[kilee]

In 2002 we went to WDW for 10 days right after Easter. MK closed by Noon 3 days that week. This was also when travel was at an extreme low in the aftermath of 9/11 (I got such good deals that trip due to travel being so low-- 3* hotel rooms for $19.99 a nt-- w/o priceline!!)

Anyhow, it is possible and I'd have a gameplan just in case.

 

[slp87]

Your best bet is to plan to arrive at park opening.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

We were the week after Easter in 2002 and 2003. They closed the parks in 2002 but not 2003.

I guess it all depends on attendence at that moment. I'd have a back up plan or plan on going early.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[zurgswife]

This past season for Christmas...MK closed every day from Christmas to NYE by 11am....and on 3 of those days a second park closed by 1pm...

We saw very long lines at the parking lot booths at 11am when they were turing away offsite guests. The made a special U-turn area...traffic was awful..

When they do reopen I know for quite a few hours it is only to resort guest and those who have the return stamp on there hands...I'm not sure when they start letting offsite guests back in..

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by Rella
I read in a few posts that due to large crowds they can close the parks. Has anyone had this happen to them? We are not staying on Disney property, and I want to do an evening at MK. Now Im afraid to be locked out! plan on going Mon. after Easter.Do they reopen if some guests leave?Im starting to sound panicky.Help!

If you're just planning on an evening in MK, you shouldn't have any problems -- unless the evening in question is July 4 or some other holiday.

When MK closes at capacity, it is always in the morning, and it generally begins to clear out again after the parade in the afternoon. If the park HAS closed in the morning, it will still be very crowded in the evening, but getting in at that point shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Poohbear123]

When they open at 9:00am, my DF from Daytona Beach gets there at 7:00am! There is already a line there at the gate at that time.

 

[zaksmom]

In sept ( i think) one year, we had arrived late afternoon. Checked in off sight and thought we would just go over to see the parade and fireworks since there were only on a couple of nights. The sign was up not letting anyone in the parking lot and directing all to EPCOT. We parked at EPCOT and took the monorail over and got there just in time! So there are ways. We were told that there was an event at the Daytona Speedway and that typically when it is over everyone goes to Magic Kingdom. Don't know what it was. But we were there during slow season.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

I think the time of year you are going you will be fine.

I have seen the parks close at really busy times in the past in the summer.

 

[pintrader]

Just because it hasn't happen to some of the posters be sure and take heed from the ones to which it has. Easter is a HUGE holiday for Magic Kingdom and MK has been known to close on Easter Sunday many years.

 

[TracyK]

I believe that Easter is second only to Christmas for crowds. This has certainly been the case when I've compared my Easter trips to August. I was there Easter 2002 and they closed the parks on a couple of days. It was so busy that I vowed never to go back at Easter. However one of the other posters states that there were no closures Easter 2003 so fingers crossed for you. Also if you are planning to go in the evening they might have reopened. They usually close when they reach capacity round midday then reopen later. Good luck.
Tracy