Do we REALLY have to arrive before 10am to avoid park closure??

[PennyLS]

We are traveling January 2-9 2016 to do WDW and universal. I'll be using the crowd calendars to choose which parks to visit during that time.

Big question is: do we REALLY need to arrive early (at rope drop or soon after) to avoid the park closures that could happen because of over capacity during the week we are in town? My DH and teenage sons LOVE to sleep in and won't be too thrilled about being told they have to wake up early on vacation. Thoughts??

 

[mesaboy2]

We are traveling January 2-9 2016 to do WDW and universal. I'll be using the crowd calendars to choose which parks to visit during that time.

Big question is: do we REALLY need to arrive early (at rope drop or soon after) to avoid the park closures that could happen because of over capacity during the week we are in town? My DH and teenage sons LOVE to sleep in and won't be too thrilled about being told they have to wake up early on vacation. Thoughts??

Perhaps the first couple of days of your trip, but not after that. Things should quiet down come Monday, January 4.

 

[buyerbrad]

At least they will be well rested to stand in long lines all day after arriving after 10am.

 

[supersnoop]

We are traveling January 2-9 2016 to do WDW and universal. I'll be using the crowd calendars to choose which parks to visit during that time.

Big question is: do we REALLY need to arrive early (at rope drop or soon after) to avoid the park closures that could happen because of over capacity during the week we are in town? My DH and teenage sons LOVE to sleep in and won't be too thrilled about being told they have to wake up early on vacation. Thoughts??

Are you staying onsite? The Magic Kingdom will only hit a phase 4 closing on New Years eve, and even that is rare. They may close the parking lot, but onsite guests will still be admitted.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I think you are only in jeopardy of being shut out on NYE, at the MK. Maybe at the Studios, maybe. But by Jan 2, you should be ok, except for lines the first couple of days, of course.

I did NYE once at DL and once at WDW. At WDW, we headed to AK on NYE to avoid the crowds, with DS in a WC it's tough to navigate in crowds.

 

[PennyLS]

Staying offsite

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I am not seeing an issue.

The Florida Resident Seasonal Pass blackout lifts on January 2. If Disney was even remotely concerned that it would be so crowded that weekend that they would have to close the park, no way would they have lifted the blackout that early.

Now, that doesn't mean it won't be busy. I just don't think there is a risk of closure

(This is based on my memory--just tried to re-confirm the dates and I cannot get the calendar to load on my phone.)

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

I've gone the 1-9 before and there were practically no crowds. I think you'll probably be fine.

 

[fla4fun]

The worst days for crowds are the days between Christmas Day and New Year's Day. So long as you are arriving after New Year's Day, you should not have an issue with capacity closures.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

You really never know. This last holiday the parks were packed into the first week of January. Since you are not staying on site, I wouldn't risk it, especially MK on NYE and instead find ways to relax while in the park...Tom Sawyer's Island, Hall of Presidents, Country Bears etc.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Am I missing something, or was there an edit? Several posters advise about New Year's Eve - but isn't the OP not arriving until two days later?