Closing Parks due to Capacity and staying On-site

[quest4dl]

Visiting 3/24-3/27 and staying at Boardwalk Inn. I have purchased a 4 day Park Hopper and plan to park hop every day. If parks close due to capacity, do on-site guests still get in?

My main concern is for MK on 3/26 - my son will be marching with his high school band in the afternoon parade and I do not want to miss this. I had planned for Epcot in the morning and then a hop to MK early afternoon (arrive before 2 pm). Is there any chance I will not be let in?

 

[disneydreamer1980]

If they completely shut down no one is allowed in, but that very rarely happens. They close in phases, and resort guests are allowed in during all phases up until they close completely

 

[DebbieB]

You should be OK for those dates.

 

[quest4dl]

I also have a dessert party reservation for that evening. Would that guarantee me entrance?

 

[FCDub]

There is about a 0% chance MK will reach closure levels that day.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

An ADR or a res for a dessert party as well as staying on site will get you in up until they close completely, then no ones allowed in. But that most likely won’t happen when you’re there

 

[Gentry2004]

Correct me if I am wrong, I don't think have done a phase 4 (no admittance) closure since before new fantasyland opened.

We’ll be there the same week and while we expect major crowds, I am not expecting any closures.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Correct me if I am wrong, I don't think have done a phase 4 (no admittance) closure since before new fantasyland opened.

We’ll be there the same week and while we expect major crowds, I am not expecting any closures.

Yes, it’s been about 10 years since a phase 4 closure, but they typically close to offsite guests on Christmas and New Years and sometimes Easter week, but if you’re on site you’re fine

 

[AngiTN]

Correct me if I am wrong, I don't think have done a phase 4 (no admittance) closure since before new fantasyland opened.

We’ll be there the same week and while we expect major crowds, I am not expecting any closures.

You are correct. While Disney won't release the figures it's thought that now that they have the added acreage of New Fantasy Land (and Pete's) they will never reach Phase 4 again.

 

[quest4dl]

Thanks for the responses! All these posts about the parks being busier than ever even in 'low' season have got me worried. Paying extra to stay on-site, for my park hopper, and for the dessert party - would pretty much be finished with Disney if I can't get in!

 

[rdaky]

Thanks for the responses! All these posts about the parks being busier than ever even in 'low' season have got me worried. Paying extra to stay on-site, for my park hopper, and for the dessert party - would pretty much be finished with Disney if I can't get in!

I am sure you will be fine. People posting about parks being busier are used to visiting in the very off-season when there is barely anyone in the parks and they can walk on almost everything. We've been during that time and it's wonderful. But times are changing and the parks are busier, but they're still nowhere near maximum capacity. People are just in shock because they're used to zero crowds. And now there are crowds just like the rest of the year.

 

[BigB0882]

Parks typically only close due to capacity on Christmas Day and even then it is only Magic Kingdom (Hollywood and AK have closed only twice and it was also during Christmas). They have only had to close to EVERYONE once which was April 7, 2009 and that was in Magic Kingdom. I am guessing that was Easter/Spring break so it is likely that Magic Kingdom will close to capacity at some point (but only Phase 1 so as an on-site guest you will be fine) but I think you will be there early enough to avoid the biggest crowds which will be the week after Easter. I plan on doing Magic Kingdom on Easter Sunday as the crowd calendar predicts lower crowds that day then it goes up all week after that. I am starting to think the week I am going (March 30-April 7) may rival Christmas for crowds. I survived last Christmas so I think I can do it again.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

Parks typically only close due to capacity on Christmas Day and even then it is only Magic Kingdom (Hollywood and AK have closed only twice and it was also during Christmas). They have only had to close to EVERYONE once which was April 7, 2009 and that was in Magic Kingdom. I am guessing that was Easter/Spring break so it is likely that Magic Kingdom will close to capacity at some point (but only Phase 1 so as an on-site guest you will be fine) but I think you will be there early enough to avoid the biggest crowds which will be the week after Easter. I plan on doing Magic Kingdom on Easter Sunday as the crowd calendar predicts lower crowds that day then it goes up all week after that. I am starting to think the week I am going (March 30-April 7) may rival Christmas for crowds. I survived last Christmas so I think I can do it again.

No don’t tell me that should I not even bother trying to get fp during spring break

 

[disneydreamer1980]

No don’t tell me that should I not even bother trying to get fp during spring break

Get your FPS, you should be fine

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Parks won't be closing due to capacity.
Only time of year that happens is between Christmas and New Years and its done in phases and onsite guests do get priority.

 

[CAS239]

Thanks for the responses! All these posts about the parks being busier than ever even in 'low' season have got me worried. Paying extra to stay on-site, for my park hopper, and for the dessert party - would pretty much be finished with Disney if I can't get in!

It won't hit any phased closure during this time.

And you have zero to worry about. If you're on site and/or an AP holder then you'll get in up until the final stage of closures... Which has only happened a handful of times since wdw has been opened

 

[quest4dl]

It won't hit any phased closure during this time.

And you have zero to worry about. If you're on site and/or an AP holder then you'll get in up until the final stage of closures... Which has only happened a handful of times since wdw has been opened

I'm not an AP holder but I know I'm overthinking it. Just making sure. I do have all my fastpasses booked and don't think I would be able to re-book some at this point. I've visited during spring break multiple times so I can deal with crowds. This time I'm solo, so if anything, it should be easier to get around (don't have to keep checking that everyone is together!).

 

[BigB0882]

No don’t tell me that should I not even bother trying to get fp during spring break

I am sorry, I was not trying to worry you. You will be there before the huge rush of crowds. Also, you can book your fastpasses 60 days out. Have you not booked them yet? You should have and if not, do it NOW! We are almost to the 30 day point which is when off-site guests can book so you need to get on that immediately.

 

[jpeterson]

I'm not an AP holder but I know I'm overthinking it. Just making sure. I do have all my fastpasses booked and don't think I would be able to re-book some at this point. I've visited during spring break multiple times so I can deal with crowds. This time I'm solo, so if anything, it should be easier to get around (don't have to keep checking that everyone is together!).

Solo is so much easier to move around. For me, it meant no stroller so I could get through areas much quicker. And I can walk at my pace which is much faster than my wife's.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I am sorry, I was not trying to worry you. You will be there before the huge rush of crowds. Also, you can book your fastpasses 60 days out. Have you not booked them yet? You should have and if not, do it NOW! We are almost to the 30 day point which is when off-site guests can book so you need to get on that immediately.

No I can’t I am not staying on property this time I will be there April 5