Closing at Capacity - Please explain

[dthogue]

We will be at WDW from 3/19 to 3/26. I realize that it will be very busy. Our plans are to arrive at a non-EMH park 30 minutes prior to opening. We have non-hopper passes. We'd like to leave just after lunch and return after dinner.

Please explain to me how the closing the parks once they reach capacity works? I think I read somewhere that there were different levels. Does this typically happen only at MK? Should we be ok with the other parks? We have 2 days planned for MK? Is there anyway to know before we leave the attendance status? If they close the park, is it usually for several hours or all day? We want to see the pm parade and fireworks, but there is no way we can do 8am to 10pm. Any tips? Please help!!

 

[seashoreCM]

Yes there are levels of closure but if the level goes high enough, you won't get back in after leaving, even if you are a resort guest.

I haven't been in a park so crowded to be hitting capacity closure levels but I think they will tell you if you ask how close to capacity things are.

It is not a question of one person leaves then one person outside waiting can come in. Rather there are periodic spot checks and the "level" is increased or decreased, level 1 has non-resort guests without annual passes being kept out, not sure exactly what level 2 is, level 3 has only resort guests admitted, level 4 has nobody admitted.

Magic Kingdom has closed due to capacity more than any of the others, but closures do occur at the others as well.

Resort guests are always admitted to a park, Disney's choice. Not sure whether a resort guest with a non-hopping pass will be admitted to a different park if the first park attended has reached level 4 closure.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

Sometimes guests arriving in private cars are turned away first because the parking lot is full.

 

[zurgswife]

First someone reported last night that MK had EMH everyday during Easter time...I've never been at Easter but I do know that at Christmas/New years this also happens ...MOST parks have EMH (at least the 2 years we went )

There are levels to who gets shut out...someone correct my mistakes please. It usually is for a number of hours...and MK is the first park to be closed. During this Easter season I would expect 2 parks to close for some period of time each day..

Phase One
Day Guests who have not already purchased tickets and Cast Members using their Maingate & Silver Passes will be turned around at the Auto Plaza.

Phase Two
Currently, admission is limited to Resort Guests, Premium and Annual Passholders, crossovers and other Guests re-entering one of the Parks that day. Guests using WDW Resort Transportation and Guests in taxis will be admitted.

Phase Three
The theme park is only open to Resort Guests using Disney transportation from their Resort or other theme parks or Annual and Premium Passholders. Shades of Green and Downtown Disney Resort Area Guests using their respective transportation will also be admitted.

Phase Four
Closed to all Guests not already IN the park.

 

[jlaspoq]

Ok, so if you've left the park mid-day, and want to return to the park of your choice later, how do you find out if it's open or not without wasting all that transportation time? I've heard that at least one park is open to resort guests (Disney's choice) - how can we find out this info? It seems that MK is the first to close - what's the last one to stay open? Thanks!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

I just saw your post about closing the parks. I've never been there at a time when this happened but I believe if you have a hand stamp and werre there in the morning you will be let back in. I would call and double check that though.

I also saw that your timeline is one day off from mine for a cruise. Are you on the 12/1 Wonder? We are too so I figured I'd ask.

Good luck on your 3/19 trip!!!!

 

[zurgswife]

I believe the front desk of the resort would be able to give you this information. We always were leaving MK when it was closing...and were headed to another park....

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I think if MK was closed I would head to Epcot. It's large and i think that it would be one of the last to close when crowds are large.

No I don't think you can get back in even if you have a hand stamp if the park is closed .

 

[SueM in MN]

When DD and I were at WDDW a few years ago over New Years, we talked to some people who were on a bus to MK when it was closed at level 4. Their bus was diverted to another park (can't remember which one).

My family has been to WDW over Spring Break (often actually there on Easter Day) for the past 8 years. The day after Easter, there is often a little story in the newspaper indicting that MK was closed to everyone for a period on East Sunday.

 

[dthogue]

Thanks everyone for the replies - still not too sure what to do though? Guess we'll do MK early in the week and hope for the best for the rest of the week. My DD's want to stay at MK until midnight, mayber we can nap on the park benches

RichNKatHolly - we are actually on the 11/26 Magic - enjoy your cruise.

 

[mkpat]

Just how crowded are the parks when they are at these levels? Is it literally elbow to elbow, or can you at least manuever fairly easy? How about wait times for rides and shows?

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Ahh - sorry we are on different cruises. Enjoy your time at DW - no matter what the crowds, the weather should be excellent and that will be nice!

Katrina

 

[n2mm]

I believe the front desk of the resort would be able to give you this information. We always were leaving MK when it was closing...and were headed to another park....

You are absolutely correct on both postings. If I didn't know better, I swear you got your information right from the employee website/portal.

This should be interesting because the OP and many like them will not have the hopping option. This generally did not happen in the past. Since there is no hopping option and the park they started in might be closed, I guess that guest will be out of luck.....wow, what a waste of a ticket if you can't get back into the park of the day for you. This would mean if you THINK that the park will reach capacity and you didn't buy the hopper option, you would be forced to stay at the park ALL DAY....ugh.

You couldn't pay me to be in a park once it reaches capacity. I hate waiting 15 minutes for an attraction. I would imagine fast passes will go very quickly during the day.