Do I need to worry about phased closures?

[MissKip]

Hi guys,

We are going to be arriving on the 26th of December with ADR's and FP's for MK. Do I need to worry about not being able to get into the park due to crowds? We wont be entering the park until around 5pm.

I have the same concerns on the 30th, again planning MK but no ADR, would it be sensible to make one if I can as I know during phased closures guests with in park reservations are generally granted access?

We are staying onsite and I have been at this time of year before but not for a few years, just trying to plan as best as possible as I know how the crowds can be. Any advice greatly appreciated!

 

[Robo]

Hi guys,

We are going to be arriving on the 26th of December with ADR's and FP's for MK.

1. Do I need to worry about not being able to get into the park due to crowds? We wont be entering the park until around 5pm.

I have the same concerns on the 30th, again planning MK but no ADR, would it be sensible to make one if I can as I know during phased closures guests with in park reservations are generally granted access?

2. We are staying onsite and I have been at this time of year before but not for a few years, just trying to plan as best as possible as I know how the crowds can be. Any advice greatly appreciated!

1. Not exactly "worried," but it's well to be conscious of that possibility, yes.

2. You will be in categories that would be the last to not be admitted, but with the ever-increasing crowd-levels in recent years, it's something to consider.

 

[fla4fun]

Typically the closures occur mid morning and ease sometime in the afternoon. So the odds are in your favor. But I wouldn't make any ADR's that I wasn't willing to sacrifice the no show fee (and certainly wouldn't make any that you have to pay in full) because capacity issues are not a valid reason to challenge the no-show policy. The reason being that everyone is aware that the parks get very busy and it's your responsibility to make sure you are in the park you need to be in before they fill to capacity. If they reach the point where they aren't allowing guests in at all, the fact that you have a dining reservation, or that you are an on site guest, won't mean anything. The 26th has often been one of the busiest days of the entire holiday week, and the 30th can be extremely busy as well. If it were me, I would go into it hoping for the best but knowing that there is a small chance that I would be turned away at the gate (and having a plan B in mind).

 

[MissKip]

Thanks for the advice. If it happens it happens, I can't do anything to get into the park earlier so I will just need to hope that it's slightly quieter by the time we get there.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I would also be worried about No Show charge if flying because of weather delay. just something else to think about

 

[lovndisney12]

We will be heading to MK on 26th too and plan on a later arrival - 3:30-4ish with a 5pm BOG ADR. Based on what I have researched - it looks like MK has only reached a phase 4 closure once or twice. Can someone here on the boards confirm - or provide correct info if not accurate?

 

[Robo]

it looks like MK has only reached a phase 4 closure once or twice.

It may be a few more than that.
Each new year can be different due to unique combinations of factors which change the specific guest patterns.

 

[supersnoop]

We are staying onsite

You're already in the last category to get locked out, so there's no need to book an ADR. I'd be more worried about traffic than phased closures. It could take you two or three hours do get into the park.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

It could take you two or three hours do get into the park.

Definitely take this into account and plan accordingly. We did New Year's in 2013 and on New Year's Eve, it took us over 2 hours to get from our resort (POP) through the tapstiles at MK. Our bus could not get onto World Drive as the parking gates were closed due to the lots being at capacity so we had to get turned around via EPCOT and take the back route to MK by POFQ/POR. That took upwards of an hour. Then we had to get from the bus bays at MK to the security gate, which was the usual 'exit' area in the gate that day and then to the tapstiles. Again, upwards of an hour which usually takes 10-15 minutes depending on how fast you walk.

You are staying on site so as long as the parks don't hit a phase 4 closure, which is the park is at maximum capacity and cannot admit anyone, regardless of onsite/offsite etc, you'll be fine. Resort guests get in during a Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 closure. You may just find that the buses are very few and far between during a Phase 2 or Phase 3 closure.

Courtesy of Chip & Co.

Phase 1 Park Closing

Guests with ‘Magic Your Way’ base tickets or a ‘1-Day 1-Park Ticket’, guests without an admission ticket, and Cast Members using Main Gate & Silver Passes will be turned around at the parking lot booths.

Phase 2 Park Closing

Admission is limited to:

• Disney Resort Guests (including the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, and guests arriving by bus from the Hotel Plaza Boulevard hotels)
• Annual and Premium Annual Passholders
• Guests with Hopper tickets coming from another park
• Guests re-entering the park
• Guests with dining reservations
• Magic Kingdom guests with reservations for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League
• Guests using Walt Disney World Resort Transportation

Phase 3 Park Closing

Admission is limited to:

• Disney Resort Guests (including the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, and guests arriving by bus from the Hotel Plaza Boulevard hotels)
• Annual and Premium Annual Passholders
• Guests with dining reservations
• Magic Kingdom guests with reservations for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League

Phase 4 Park Closing

Closed to all guests

 

[DavidNYC]

You should be safe for the 26th and 30th if you're in a Phase 3 group. But there's never a guarantee and with record crowds, I'd say the likelihood of closures gets more each year. That being said - cannot remember a stage 4 closure that went that late in the afternoon - as you noted, only remember a few stage 4's period. (As for the no show fee - I'm curious as to whether there is anyone with a first hand personal account of being charged a no-show fee due to park admissions restrictions and having Disney not reverse it after calling in and explaining. I'd also be curious as to whether Disney has denied refund for a no-show due to a documented flight issue. I know they CAN charge the fee and I know the automated system HAS charged the fee - but I have yet to hear about a denial of a refund when you could document the reason).

 

[Liz Z]

My daughter and i park hopped on Dec 30th. AK first then dinner ressies at CP at 9pm had no problem getting in at 7pm. maybe 5pm is different but we were fine. MK pre NYE fireworks are outstanding

Enjoy

 

[gaexsz]

Typically the closures occur mid morning and ease sometime in the afternoon. So the odds are in your favor. But I wouldn't make any ADR's that I wasn't willing to sacrifice the no show fee (and certainly wouldn't make any that you have to pay in full) because capacity issues are not a valid reason to challenge the no-show policy. The reason being that everyone is aware that the parks get very busy and it's your responsibility to make sure you are in the park you need to be in before they fill to capacity. If they reach the point where they aren't allowing guests in at all, the fact that you have a dining reservation, or that you are an on site guest, won't mean anything. The 26th has often been one of the busiest days of the entire holiday week, and the 30th can be extremely busy as well. If it were me, I would go into it hoping for the best but knowing that there is a small chance that I would be turned away at the gate (and having a plan B in mind).

Hey! Was wondering where you base your assertion that capacity issues are not a valid reason to challenge the no-show policy. Was looking at the policies on the website right before you submit the reservation, and besides a suggestion of allowing 1-1.5 hours to travel, nothing about capacity closures. I think I read somewhere that MK has reached Phase 1 before almost immediately after opening and then stayed at at least Phase 1 all day; surely that isn't fair to ADR-holders that would be unable to enter a Phase 1 closure.

Thanks! Would be helpful if you could elaborate. Do you think a call to Disney to ask might be in order?

 

[subtchr]

...ADR-holders that would be unable to enter a Phase 1 closure.

This is a contradictory statement -- having an ADR alone bumps you up to only being affected by a Phase 4 closure.

 

[gaexsz]

This is a contradictory statement -- having an ADR alone bumps you up to only being affected by a Phase 4 closure.

True, so scratch that part of my question (though I should note the Phase-closure system has never been confirmed by Disney itself, so technically it's not contradictory as it's possible ADR-holder access is not a hard and fast rule. Phased-closure info is out there out of conjecture mostly).

Is it still reasonable for Disney to enforce the no-show policy if you can't get in the park? Just always thought Disney to be reasonable in most everything they do, this struck me as odd.

 

[RAD]

So couple questions about this subject:

- If phase 4 is hit will they notify people at the hotel bus stops of the closure so you're not standing around waiting for a bus?
- If you're on the bus and they close will they still let you in to just turn the bus around?
- If you don't have a park hopper, and you've already entered a particular park in the AM will they let you into another park during the closure?

Thanks

 

[5Hfan]

We hopped into the MK last year about 730 pm on Dec 26...prob should have been worried about it, it was crazy crowded, but no closure issues. We were staying on site and had dessert party reservations. It was also an emh night, we stayed past 2 am. Went to HS first to see the Osborne lights. If there's no way to avoid it, there's no way to avoid it right?

 

[maxiesmom]

So couple questions about this subject:

- If phase 4 is hit will they notify people at the hotel bus stops of the closure so you're not standing around waiting for a bus?
- If you're on the bus and they close will they still let you in to just turn the bus around?
- If you don't have a park hopper, and you've already entered a particular park in the AM will they let you into another park during the closure?

Thanks

I can answer you last question--No. You would have to buy a park hopper. If you don't have a hopper your pass is only valid for the first park you visited. If it is closed because of capacity, you are out of luck.

 

[maxiesmom]

Hey! Was wondering where you base your assertion that capacity issues are not a valid reason to challenge the no-show policy. Was looking at the policies on the website right before you submit the reservation, and besides a suggestion of allowing 1-1.5 hours to travel, nothing about capacity closures. I think I read somewhere that MK has reached Phase 1 before almost immediately after opening and then stayed at at least Phase 1 all day; surely that isn't fair to ADR-holders that would be unable to enter a Phase 1 closure.

Thanks! Would be helpful if you could elaborate. Do you think a call to Disney to ask might be in order?

If you have an ADR you are only kept out at a phase 4 closure, when no one is allowed into the park. And if it reaches that level and you have an ADR, yes, you will be charged the no show fee. You could try to call and have it waived, but it is up to the guest to make it to their ADR. And that means being in the park is the guest's responsibility. If I had an ADR and was worried, I would get to the park and not leave. And that is in fact what I have done in the past.

 

[gaexsz]

If you have an ADR you are only kept out at a phase 4 closure, when no one is allowed into the park. And if it reaches that level and you have an ADR, yes, you will be charged the no show fee. You could try to call and have it waived, but it is up to the guest to make it to their ADR. And that means being in the park is the guest's responsibility. If I had an ADR and was worried, I would get to the park and not leave. And that is in fact what I have done in the past.

Thanks for your input. Just wondering if you read that somewhere or someone (officially) told you. Trying to determine if that's an actual rule, just odd to me that that wouldn't be included in the cancel policy on the ADR booking screen.

Seems strange that what you're saying is that if a guest has, say, a 10pm ADR, that guest is expected to be in the park at rope drop (since no one can know when the closures can happen).

 

[Polydweller]

Thanks for your input. Just wondering if you read that somewhere or someone (officially) told you. Trying to determine if that's an actual rule, just odd to me that that wouldn't be included in the cancel policy on the ADR booking screen.

Seems strange that what you're saying is that if a guest has, say, a 10pm ADR, that guest is expected to be in the park at rope drop (since no one can know when the closures can happen).

It is official. It is your responsibility to make your ADR not Disney's. You have to take into account the possibility of the phased closure and be in the park before that occurs. They take the position that if you don't want to take the necessary steps to make your ADR you shouldn't make it because someone else will take those steps. Your missing the ADR takes it from someone else and thus revenue from the restaurant.