If parks close due to meeting capacity??

[GoN2WDW]

We will be going to WDW over July 4th weekend. As we usually pick "off" times to visit, we've never run into a problem with the parks closing admittance due to meeting capacity. I understand this is common on the 4th of July. How does this work if you are staying at one of the Disney resorts? Do they post information at the bus stops? We have early breakfast reservations and dinner reservations at MK that day, but I'm wondering about the weekend prior since I'm sure it will be crowded as well.

Can't wait to get to the house of the mouse!

 

[NCombs]

I haven't been there for that myself but have seen it posted several times that Disney guarantees admittance to a park for a resort guest but it doesn't mean it will be at the park you want to get into. So, in essence, if MK is closed you have 3 other parks to choose from. I don't know how the notify people of a park being at capacity though. Interesting question. I hope someone gives the answer.

 

[Tracy9914]

On July 4, 1999 the MK park was closed due to meeting capacity. We stayed at the CBR, swam at the pool all morning, got on the bus at the resort around 2pm, the bus driver told us that the MK was closed, but not for resort guests riding disney transportation. We saw where cars were turning around and leaving. The bus dropped us off at the MK and we went right in.

The park was very crowded on the 4th, which I believe was a Monday in 1999. The parks were also very crowded July 2nd and 3rd. The week before from Sunday June 26 to Friday July 1st, the crowds were low until noon. We very very surprised at how few people were in the parks in the morning. We had no waits on rides from 9am to noon. Then at noon, the crowds arrived. We used fast pass after noon and had no problems.

Going back to Disney June 25-July 3, 2005 and staying at The Polynesian. We will definitely be at a park at opening each day.

 

[MrsKreamer]

This is how it works:
Once the parking lot is full, or they have reached a certain people # in the park they turn away people in cars. They continue to let resort guests on disney transportation in until they hit another certain people #. Then they will close to all guests. I am not sure how they notify people at the resorts though. I do know that on those days CMs aren't allowed in the parks unless they are working.

 

[SueM in MN]

This is how it works:
Once the parking lot is full, or they have reached a certain people # in the park they turn away people in cars. They continue to let resort guests on disney transportation in until they hit another certain people #. Then they will close to all guests. I am not sure how they notify people at the resorts though. I do know that on those days CMs aren't allowed in the parks unless they are working.

I know when we havew been at WDW for New Years Eve, there was a sheet of paper under our door in the morning of that day that said to choose a park early if we wanted our choice.
One year, when my older DD and I went, we went to MK early in the day and stayed there until after midnight. We talked to some people the next day whose bus got re-routed from MK to Epcot during the bus ride because MK closed before they got to it.

 

[safetymom]

CM's are still allowed in unless there is a blackout period on their main gate pass.

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

They close in stages.

First phase: Day Guests with Magic Your Way Base tickets or one-day one-park tickets, Guests without theme park admission and Cast Members using Main Gate & Silver Passes will be turned around at the Auto Plaza. Guests meeting these criteria are told the Park has reached capacity.

Second Phase: At this time, admission is limited to Resort Guests, Annual and Premium Passholders, Guests with Park Hopper tickets, and Guests re-entering this Park today. Guests using WDW Resort Transportation and Guests in taxis will be admitted. Guests not meeting the above criteria are told the Park has reached capacity.

Third Phase: The theme park is only open to Resort Guests and Annual and Premium Passholders. Shades of Green and Downtown Disney Resort Area Guests using their respective transportation will also be admitted. Guests not meeting the above criteria are told the Park has reached capacity.

Fourth phase: Closed to all Guests and Guests are told the Park has reached capacity

On July 4th you can expect them to reach capacity at MK and probably MGM through out the day. Generally Epcot (it can hold the most people) and AK do not. What usually happens is that they will bounce back and fourth from 3-4 numerous times throughout the day. Your best bet if trying to go to MK is to get there early and stay there. As NCombs said, as a resort guest you are gurantees entrance into "A" theme park, but it may not be the one you want. Generally if you have a reservation they will let you in, but you they can turn you away. Just be prepared.