July 4th closings???

[mchhp]

We are going to be in MK on July 4th this year. We understand the crowds will be heavy. We have done New Years eve so we aren't going to be shocked. But, just wondering if in history have they had to start level closures?

We are onsite, DVC, have Be our guest reservations in our corner. Basically want to know if taking a break and returning to the park for our dinner reservations and fireworks is going to be an option.

TIA

 

[Belle61513]

If you have reservations they'll definitely let you back in the park. But it will be wall-to-wall peeps!

 

[Alesia]

If you have reservations they'll definitely let you back in the park. But it will be wall-to-wall peeps!

This is definitely not true. If the park is at a stage 4 closure, no one gets in for any reason.

I doubt that MK will be at stage 4 in the evening, but it could happen. Staged closures are common around the 4th of July.

I would probably risk it.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Stage 4 closure is pretty rare - it might get there around time for fireworks but I don't know about earlier.

 

[calablovedisney]

We went in on July 3rd and did Epcot on the 4th a couple of years ago and we are doing the same this year. I don't know how much it compares, but we went to MK at around 6ish, I think, and had no problem getting in. We did have dinner Reservations, but I don't think we needed it. From what I read on an earlier question I had about this is that for a Stage 3 closure you will get in if you are an onsite resort guest and/or if you have reservations, but out of luck if it was stage 4. I am thinking of changing our current ADR for July 3rd to outside of the MK, actually. Currently we have BOG reservations that night and not sure we really want to eat there. IT was completely packed like sardines for the fireworks, but thinned out after. MK had EMH until 3 a.m. that night and we stayed until closing. Everything was pretty much a walk on after midnight/1 a.m. We had a blast!

 

[Reddog1134]

Via WDWMagic:

2014: As of 3:45pm on July 4 2014, the Magic Kingdom is currently closed to some guests due to reaching phase 2 capacity.
UPDATED: 9pm Magic Kingdom has reopened to all guests.

2013: As of 11:30am, the Magic Kingdom is currently closed to some guests due to reaching phase 2 capacity.
As of 4:00pm, The Magic Kingdom is now at a phase 3 status of closing due to reaching capacity.
The Magic Kingdom reopened to all guests at 8pm this evening after reaching phase 3 closing earlier today.

 

[JanaDee]

If you have reservations they'll definitely let you back in the park. But it will be wall-to-wall peeps!

Not true at all. Stage 4, no one gets in.

 

[mchhp]

Thank you so much for this info. Looks like history is in our corner. I think the break will be needed. Thanks again.

 

[maxiesmom]

Thank you so much for this info. Looks like history is in our corner. I think the break will be needed. Thanks again.

AS long as you are aware if you don't make it back into the park for your ADR you will be charged the no show fee. It is up to the guest to be at their ADR, and if you know there is a possibility of the park closing, you need to factor that in.

There are many ways to do a break in the park--ride the train around a few times. Do a lot of the theater rides, like Carousel of Progress, The Hall of Presidents, The Country Bear Jamboree. Schedule and ADR and sit and enjoy your meal. If you leave you are risking not getting back in.

 

[kj2mom]

An option unless stage 4 closure is reached. We are going on the 4th and not taking the risk. We will be going at opening and staying as late as possible (maybe even closing).

 

[gmboy95]

stage 4 closures are like NYE level stuff....I don't think July 4th is a potential for that??

 

[lauradis]

If your going on a possible sold out day.... and want to stay from being to end....

Don't leave the park.

If you do leave the park expect for a stage 4 close out.

On a personal note I would love to do this one time just to watch the madness.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

If your going on a possible sold out day.... and want to stay from being to end....

Don't leave the park.

If you do leave the park expect for a stage 4 close out.

On a personal note I would love to do this one time just to watch the madness.

Not us. That's why we go in September. I'll take BBQ on my porch over WDW on a stage 4 any day.

 

[UncleMike101]

If your going on a possible sold out day.... and want to stay from being to end....

Don't leave the park.

If you do leave the park expect for a stage 4 close out.

On a personal note I would love to do this one time just to watch the madness.

We used to go over the 4th Holiday just because that was when we could get the time to go.
The crowds were absolutely insane!!
That was in the 80's when MK & EP were the only parks.
After our job situations changed we swore we'd never do that again, and we haven't....

 

[MrKnight]

Via WDWMagic:

2014: As of 3:45pm on July 4 2014, the Magic Kingdom is currently closed to some guests due to reaching phase 2 capacity.
UPDATED: 9pm Magic Kingdom has reopened to all guests.

2013: As of 11:30am, the Magic Kingdom is currently closed to some guests due to reaching phase 2 capacity.
As of 4:00pm, The Magic Kingdom is now at a phase 3 status of closing due to reaching capacity.
The Magic Kingdom reopened to all guests at 8pm this evening after reaching phase 3 closing earlier today.

Despite all my times at WDW and being a former WDW Cast Member, it has always amazed me how early in the day MK reaches capacity on major holidays, especially considering that the major festivities and special holiday fireworks occur in the late evening, not during the day. If anything, you would expect the park to reach capacity in the late afternoon and remain so up until the big firework show, not at 11:30am when there is nothing holiday-related going on...

 

[dmband]

Been July 4th many times and the worst is def when it's a sat like this yr.
That said I have never seen it get to stage 4, 2 easy and 3 with good odds.
Fwiw the only stage 4 closing in the last five yrs has been mk 4/7/09