HS lot full at 5:00 tonite???

[HopperFan]

We are headed down to Orlando this weekend in order to see the lights one last time. We are staying off-site for the first time in 9 years (a friend offered to let us stay at her house) and these posts about HS are freaking me out. Since we only have a couple days at the parks, my plan was to spend Saturday morning at the MK, then drive over to HS after the FoF parade. Reading about the parking lot at HS closing, I started thinking maybe we should just park at Epcot, do a couple things at Epcot, then go to HS by boat through the IG exit a little later than planned and take a bus from HS back to our car at Epcot. But then I started wondering if perhaps we shouldn't just leave our car at the TTC and take the monorail to Epcot, then a bus from HS back to the MK after the lights. The MK is open until 1:00am so we could reenter the MK and do a few more things. Which is the better plan? Drive to Epcot or take the monorail and leave our car at the TTC?

I would do the MK plan if for nothing else ... if they redirect cars to Epcot, which on a Saturday am sure they will, then the bus line from DHS back to Epcot is bound to be huge!!!

 

[hiroMYhero]

We are headed down to Orlando this weekend in order to see the lights one last time. We are staying off-site for the first time in 9 years (a friend offered to let us stay at her house) and these posts about HS are freaking me out. Since we only have a couple days at the parks, my plan was to spend Saturday morning at the MK, then drive over to HS after the FoF parade. Reading about the parking lot at HS closing, I started thinking maybe we should just park at Epcot, do a couple things at Epcot, then go to HS by boat through the IG exit a little later than planned and take a bus from HS back to our car at Epcot. But then I started wondering if perhaps we shouldn't just leave our car at the TTC and take the monorail to Epcot, then a bus from HS back to the MK after the lights. The MK is open until 1:00am so we could reenter the MK and do a few more things. Which is the better plan? Drive to Epcot or take the monorail and leave our car at the TTC?

Leave your car at TTC. When you leave MK, walk to Contemporary and take the bus to DHS.

When you leave DHS, take the bus to Contemp if you are returning to MK. If you plan to return to your car, take the bus to any Monorail resort and take the Monorail to the TTC.

 

[tlmadden73]

Imagine how it will be when the new attractions/areas open up.

I am guessing it is a combo of things creating a surge at DHS:
1) Osbourne Lights (probably gets a LOT of Annual Pass people traffic) (which would explain the parking lot being full)
2) Star Tours Force Awakes tour
3) Star Wars Launch Bay (including the new Meet and Greets)
4) New Jedi Training
5) Just renewed interest in Star Wars because of the movie...

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I would do the MK plan if for nothing else ... if they redirect cars to Epcot, which on a Saturday am sure they will, then the bus line from DHS back to Epcot is bound to be huge!!!

Good point about the bus lines. Yes, I'm thinking they will definitely be redirecting cars from HS to Epcot by the time we would arrive there, which is why I'm not even considering trying to park at HS.

 

[Planogirl]

It's hard to decide what to do. We will be spending the first part of the day at Disney Springs and then intended to drive over to DHS mid-afternoon but now I'm wondering if we should park elsewhere. This is our check out day so it wouldn't be convenient to take a resort bus. Or would it?

 

[Maggie'sMom]

It's hard to decide what to do. We will be spending the first part of the day at Disney Springs and then intended to drive over to DHS mid-afternoon but now I'm wondering if we should park elsewhere. This is our check out day so it wouldn't be convenient to take a resort bus. Or would it?

Which resort are you staying at? You might be better off leaving your car there.

 

[Planogirl]

Which resort are you staying at? You might be better off leaving your car there.

We're at Pop for the first time. We are going to an offsite resort after visiting DHS.

We have no interest in seeing Fantasmic so we might be able to catch a bus back to the resort in a reasonable time. We could certainly take the bus to Disney Springs.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[tobikaye]

...Which is the better plan? Drive to Epcot or take the monorail and leave our car at the TTC?

I would stick with MK and parking at TTC. Then you can decided if you want to go to Epcot before DHS or not since you could take the bus to DHS from MK or you could monorail to Epcot and then walk/boat to DHS. After, if you want to go back to MK, you can take the bus to MK or CR, if the MK bus line is extremely long. Also, if you chose to head out after DHS, you can just take a Poly bus from DHS and walk back to your car.

 

[heybravo626]

This may have been mentioned, but I would bet the surge is mostly related to the Fla AP holders coming down to the last week before a blackout & last chance to see the lights. It will be curious to see if the available parking improves on 12/17 when the blackout starts. If it does, it won't be for long with Christmas crowds coming....

 

[epcotty]

This may have been mentioned, but I would bet the surge is mostly related to the Fla AP holders coming down to the last week before a blackout & last chance to see the lights. It will be curious to see if the available parking improves on 12/17 when the blackout starts. If it does, it won't be for long with Christmas crowds coming....

I haven't heard this before but I like it and hope it's true. We plan to go on the 18th (of course if there's a big Star Wars crowd then that would make this moot)

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I'm thinking the dessert party is looking better and better. Yes I realize we can't see ALL the display from the seating but at least we can see something and not be in the massive crowds. Add in how much more crowded it will be come the 21st and I am so very glad I booked it. Chalking that choice up with the choice of moving us from AoA to BWV. At least we can get to HS by people power (walking) vs. Disney transportation.

Why the 21st? Just curious because that's the day we are going. I'm getting worried!!!

 

[5Hfan]

Why the 21st? Just curious because that's the day we are going. I'm getting worried!!!

Likely the 21st will see the Christmas week crowds showing up in full force.

 

[jon18uk]

We are supposed to go to the merry and bright dessert party on the 15th but we have dinner reservations at le cellier around 4 at Epcot. Does anyone know if there is a way to find out if the Hollywood studios lot is full before we leave Epcot? It would be such a waste of time to go from Epcot to Hollywood back to Epcot, especially when we are going to be somewhat pressed for time to make it to the dessert party at 6ish

Leave via International Gateway and take the boat (or walk) to Hollywood Studios, it will quite easily be the quickest, calmest route.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Likely the 21st will see the Christmas week crowds showing up in full force.

Totally understand that. I just thought there was something extra special just that day.

Does anyone think that DHS will close to capacity at any time? I may not be arriving until very late in the evening. When I planned this trip, I never thought about this park closing Christmas week, but now I'm wondering. Would it make a difference if I arrive at 6:30 as opposed to 8:30?

 

[AngiTN]

Totally understand that. I just thought there was something extra special just that day.

Does anyone think that DHS will close to capacity at any time? I may not be arriving until very late in the evening. When I planned this trip, I never thought about this park closing Christmas week, but now I'm wondering. Would it make a difference if I arrive at 6:30 as opposed to 8:30?

No, that is just that is the day we are going too. I was saying I was glad I had the Dessert Party booked (on the 21st) because I think it will be more crowded. Everyday leading up to New Years will just get more crowded.

As for it closing to capacity, that is a tough one. Normally not a chance in heck. But this year, yeah, I think it's likely. But, if you are on site the odds of it reaching a closure that would eliminate your entry are very minute. Off site folks without an ADR would be the ones to worry most.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

No, that is just that is the day we are going too. I was saying I was glad I had the Dessert Party booked (on the 21st) because I think it will be more crowded. Everyday leading up to New Years will just get more crowded.

As for it closing to capacity, that is a tough one. Normally not a chance in heck. But this year, yeah, I think it's likely. But, if you are on site the odds of it reaching a closure that would eliminate your entry are very minute. Off site folks without an ADR would be the ones to worry most.

I don't really understand how closures work. So, if you have an ADR, your chances are better of being let in. I'm trying to decide whether we should eat at Shula's on the trip from Epcot to DHS, arriving around 8:30 for the lights, or making an ADR for Hollywood Brown Derby at 8:30, arriving at DHS around 6:30. Hmmm. Wonder if the second option would increase my chances of getting in if they close. I will be devastated if they close and I can't get in to see the lights. That's one of the reasons I'm going, and this night will be on our last park day.

 

[AngiTN]

I don't really understand how closures work. So, if you have an ADR, your chances are better of being let in. I'm trying to decide whether we should eat at Shula's on the trip from Epcot to DHS, arriving around 8:30 for the lights, or making an ADR for Hollywood Brown Derby at 8:30, arriving at DHS around 6:30. Hmmm. Wonder if the second option would increase my chances of getting in if they close. I will be devastated if they close and I can't get in to see the lights. That's one of the reasons I'm going, and this night will be on our last park day.

They close on phases.
See below, they'd have to reach Stage 4 for an onsite guest to be shut out. There is no way to guess what level it will reach but 4's are VERY rare and quite unlikely. And an ADR wouldn't help. I suspect the only thing it may see is Phase 1 and that is between Christmas and New Years.

Phase 1 Closure
Casual visitors are turned away at the automobile toll plazas. This means that people without tickets, those with one-day, single-park tickets, and those intending to use cast member passes will not be allowed to park.

Other guests may enter such as:

• Those with multi-day or multi-park tickets
• Those staying at a Disney Resort
• Annual Passholders
• Those re-entering the park that day.
• Those "hopping" from another park.
• Those with in-park reservations or appointments.
• Those arriving via Disney transportation

The following are dates within the past 5 years when Walt Disney World parks have reached, yet not gone past, a Phase 1 capacity closure:

• Magic Kingdom: December 25, 26, and 29, 2014

Phase 2 Closure
The only guests allowed through the turnstiles and into the parking lots are:

• Those staying at a Disney Resort
• Annual Passholders
• Those re-entering the park that day.
• Those "hopping" from another park.
• Those with in-park reservations or appointments.
• Those arriving via Disney transportation

The following are dates within the past 5 years when Walt Disney World parks have reached, yet not gone past, a Phase 2 capacity closure:

• Magic Kingdom: April 8 and 9, 2009; December 28 and 30, 2009; December 29, 2010; December 25 and 28, 2011; December 24, 25, and 30, 2012; December 25 and 30, 2013; July 4, 2014; December 31, 2014.
• Hollywood Studios: December 29, 2009 and December 28, 2011
• Animal Kingdom: December 28, 2009 and December 28, 2011

Phase 3 Closure
The only guests allowed through the turnstiles and into the parking lots are:

• Those staying at a Disney Resort
• Annual Passholders
• Those with in-park reservations or appointments.

The following are dates within the past 5 years when Walt Disney World parks have reached, yet not gone past, a Phase 3 capacity closure:

• Magic Kingdom: April 7, 2009; December 29 and 31, 2009; March 30, 2010; December 25 and 31, 2010; December 31, 2011; December 27, 28, and 31, 2012; January 2, 2013; March 25-28, 2013; July 4, 2013; December 31, 2013.

Phase 4 Closure
The park and parking lot are closed to all arriving guests. The only Phase 4 Closure in the past 5 years has been Magic Kingdom on April 7, 2009.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

They close on phases.
See below, they'd have to reach Stage 4 for an onsite guest to be shut out. There is no way to guess what level it will reach but 4's are VERY rare and quite unlikely. And an ADR wouldn't help. I suspect the only thing it may see is Phase 1 and that is between Christmas and New Years.

Phase 1 Closure
Casual visitors are turned away at the automobile toll plazas. This means that people without tickets, those with one-day, single-park tickets, and those intending to use cast member passes will not be allowed to park.

Other guests may enter such as:

• Those with multi-day or multi-park tickets
• Those staying at a Disney Resort
• Annual Passholders
• Those re-entering the park that day.
• Those "hopping" from another park.
• Those with in-park reservations or appointments.
• Those arriving via Disney transportation

The following are dates within the past 5 years when Walt Disney World parks have reached, yet not gone past, a Phase 1 capacity closure:

• Magic Kingdom: December 25, 26, and 29, 2014

Phase 2 Closure
The only guests allowed through the turnstiles and into the parking lots are:

• Those staying at a Disney Resort
• Annual Passholders
• Those re-entering the park that day.
• Those "hopping" from another park.
• Those with in-park reservations or appointments.
• Those arriving via Disney transportation

The following are dates within the past 5 years when Walt Disney World parks have reached, yet not gone past, a Phase 2 capacity closure:

• Magic Kingdom: April 8 and 9, 2009; December 28 and 30, 2009; December 29, 2010; December 25 and 28, 2011; December 24, 25, and 30, 2012; December 25 and 30, 2013; July 4, 2014; December 31, 2014.
• Hollywood Studios: December 29, 2009 and December 28, 2011
• Animal Kingdom: December 28, 2009 and December 28, 2011

Phase 3 Closure
The only guests allowed through the turnstiles and into the parking lots are:

• Those staying at a Disney Resort
• Annual Passholders
• Those with in-park reservations or appointments.

The following are dates within the past 5 years when Walt Disney World parks have reached, yet not gone past, a Phase 3 capacity closure:

• Magic Kingdom: April 7, 2009; December 29 and 31, 2009; March 30, 2010; December 25 and 31, 2010; December 31, 2011; December 27, 28, and 31, 2012; January 2, 2013; March 25-28, 2013; July 4, 2013; December 31, 2013.

Phase 4 Closure
The park and parking lot are closed to all arriving guests. The only Phase 4 Closure in the past 5 years has been Magic Kingdom on April 7, 2009.

Thank you for the information. It is very reassuring. It would have to get to a Phase 4 for me to be shut out as I am staying at AKV. That hasn't even happened at MK around Christmas, so I would think it wouldn't happen at DHS 4 days before Christmas. Besides, I'd rather eat at Shula's than HBD, so I think I'll go that route and try to arrive around 8:30. I'll try not to worry while I'm eating.

 

[JMB123]

To those of you planning on taking the boat from Epcot to DHS...keep in mind that the boats carry very few people and only come every 10-15 minutes. The line gets really long in the evening and I would guess will be even longer with many people thinking the same thing for the Osbourne Lights. Just be prepared to walk if you have to! It's actually sometimes frustrating when staying at one of those hotels and trying to get to DHS in the evening because of all the Epcot people filling the boats.

 

[DVC1991]

it can't be that long of a walk...maybe 10-15 minutes?