Holiday Parks Closing Question

[Shannon131]

Greetings,

I have been reading these boards for years and only have a question from time to time because you all generally give such great answers to everyone else's question that it takes care of mine. But, we're planning a trip around
New Year's and I have a fairly specific question:

First, do the parks usually reach capacity (and stop letting people in) on New Year's Eve? What about New Year's Day?

Second (and this is the specific part) if we were to sign up for the holiday tour on New Year's Eve (which would be our arrival day) and the park would already be at capacity would we miss out on the tour because we couldn't get into the park? We're planning to try do the tour on our first day there (and we won't arrive until early afternoon) and I'm trying to decide whether we should arrive on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day?

Thanks so much for any info you can share!

 

[skiingfast]

First, do the parks usually reach capacity (and stop letting people in) on New Year's Eve? What about New Year's Day?

Yes, and No. One NYE everyone has off and the parks hover around that max. On NY day some people have to go home because work and school resumer. It's not a lot nicer but when the weekend ends some people go home.

This will be a lot different this year. While usually DL hits capacity during this period a lot of crowds are getting attracted to Cars Land. This is keeping the parks more balanced. Still either park or both could reach capacity.

Second (and this is the specific part) if we were to sign up for the holiday tour on New Year's Eve (which would be our arrival day) and the park would already be at capacity would we miss out on the tour because we couldn't get into the park?

Capacity happens in stages. They stop selling tickets. They don't let APs or people coming back with multi day tickets in. They stop letting resort guests in. They don't let anybody in. With a tour paid for they will let you in, until nobody can come in. When the max is reached, it is a max.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

If I was arriving mid day on NYE, I wouldn't pay for a non-refundable tour. Most days when the park reaches capacity, it'll open up again after the parade and enough people leave (for the day or for an afternoon nap). NYE isn't like this. Once it closes, it'll typically close for good because people will be there intending to stay until midnight. I'm not saying don't go on NYE....it'd be fun when I'm older, braver, and not toting 4 kids along.