Conflicting Info on Park Reservations and reentry

[Mynamewastaken]

So, I've read if we make a park reservation for the day and we leave for whatever reason (park hop or to go swim) and want to reenter (even if it's at capacity), you would be able to do that. I've also read that if you leave and it hits capacity while you're gone, you can't get back into the first park of the day. I went on chat and asked this very question, and the CM said if we leave for any reason and the park gets to capacity while we are gone, we can't get back in, even if it's the first park of the day. What is the answer to this- is the CM right?

 

[1lilspark]

If it’s a reserved park it’s my understanding a reservation is part of the capacity number as actual “capacity” right now is a % for reservation % for hopping and it’s only ever been blocked from guests entering was October 1st for magic kingdom

 

[Dug720]

If it’s a reserved park it’s my understanding a reservation is part of the capacity number as actual “capacity” right now is a % for reservation % for hopping and it’s only ever been blocked from guests entering was October 1st for magic kingdom

That is how I understand it as well.

 

[reddog21]

It would make sense that your initial entry is part of the capacity limits and once you leave you give up that spot assuming the park is at capacity.

 

[DrummerBoy523]

we were at DHS yday and asked a CM if we'd be allowed back in - and the answer was yes with no caveat. We came back at 4PM and got right in. It was very crowded although I doubt at capacity.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

"Capacity" is different in the age of park reservations than it was before. it is pretty much certain that the park you have a reservation for will not get to legal capacity (the capacity set by fire codes) but it might get to whatever artificial capacity WDW set for that date. You can come back in on your park reservation because there is no chance the park will reach legal capacity; WDW is now capping daily capacity (the number of park reservations it issues on any given day) somewhere below that. The CM likely misunderstood what you meant by "at capacity"

 

[Mynamewastaken]

"Capacity" is different in the age of park reservations than it was before. it is pretty much certain that the park you have a reservation for will not get to legal capacity (the capacity set by fire codes) but it might get to whatever artificial capacity WDW set for that date. You can come back in on your park reservation because there is no chance the park will reach legal capacity; WDW is now capping daily capacity (the number of park reservations it issues on any given day) somewhere below that. The CM likely misunderstood what you meant by "at capacity"

You're right. I hopped on chat again and asked and this CM said, "Yes, that is correct. If you leave and want to re-enter it is not subject to the park hopping availability and you can re-enter even if the app says it's full. When you reserve a park the first park of the day counts in the capacity for the day. That is what the Park Pass Reservation is for."

 

[CaptainAmerica]

As a practical matter, it's irrelevant, because the park doesn't reach capacity pretty much ever. MAYBE on Christmas Day or something like that, but the only time it's happened so far was October 1, and only at Magic Kingdom, and only for a few hours.

But even on October 1, the only guests blocked from the Park were hoppers. Guests with reservations were guaranteed re-entry to the same park.

 

[Her Dotness]

Yeah, Christmas Day would be about the only day of the entire year you might not get back in.

And, if MK is that full, you wouldn’t want in unless you’d lost your mind completely, believe me.

We once left MK at about 10:00 a.m. that day. It closed to all but resort guests about an hour later and entirely around noon until about 3:00.

Getting out was a nightmare I don’t want to repeat.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Yeah, Christmas Day would be about the only day of the entire year you might not get back in.

And, if MK is that full, you wouldn’t want in unless you’d lost your mind completely, believe me.

We once left MK at about 10:00 a.m. that day. It closed to all but resort guests about an hour later and entirely around noon until about 3:00.

Getting out was a nightmare I don’t want to repeat.

And that didn’t even happen on Christmas Day, Or NYE post reservations. I’ve been there both days and it’s not bad. Areas of the park are, just avoid them.
Again, do not confuse no more park reservations with at capacity.
They are not any where close to the same
When where you at MK when it was closed to everyone due to full capacity? That’s phase 4 closure under the old system and it hasn’t happened in over a decade. Lower phases yes, most recently to those wanting to buy single day tickets at the gate. It’s happened each of the past NYE before reservations started.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It's maybe the only perk of the reservation system for guests, you're guaranteed to be able to reenter the park you reserved. If they deny admission to anyone during the day it will be to park hoppers. but that has only happened once, and then only for a few hours.

Used to be MK would sometimes reach capacity on major holidays, the other parks rarely. Epcot only reached legal capacity once, on 12/31/1999.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Yeah, Christmas Day would be about the only day of the entire year you might not get back in.

And, if MK is that full, you wouldn’t want in unless you’d lost your mind completely, believe me.

We once left MK at about 10:00 a.m. that day. It closed to all but resort guests about an hour later and entirely around noon until about 3:00.

Getting out was a nightmare I don’t want to repeat.

Please advise: Was your experience before park reservations or after park reservations?

Disney has only closed 1 park for HOPPING and this was only for a few hours on Oct 1, 2021. Not a single guest has ever been denied entry to a park which they have a reservation for.

OP is asking about re-entering a park which they have a reservation for, which they will always be able to do as their park reservation guarantees entry from park open to park close.

If you experience was pre-park reservations it cannot be compared and I would request that you please update your post to indicate this. We are trying to help guests under the new park reservation system, not confuse with experiences before that.

 

[gharter]

My understanding is if you have a park reservation for that park, you can enter and leave as often as you like, no matter what the capacity is.