Leaving MK on Xmas day and chances of getting back in?

[Cmanigrassi]

Due to anemic ADR available at MK on Xmas day I was planning on leaving to go to Wilderness lodge for 5:30 dinner. How likely is it that we will not be able to return to MK due to max capacity? Thanks

 

[scrappinginontario]

There is a high chance that the MK may reach capacity and you may not get back in.

It’s not possible to know for sure as we haven’t had entrance into the MK without park reservations since 2019 but based on history for 2019 and earlier, it could happen.

 

[peachiepie]

I'd stay in MK if I had the choice. I'd be too worried about possibly not getting back in.

 

[Disneylover99]

We’ve been to MK on Christmas Day multiple times. We always leave mid day and return later for fireworks. Is it possible you’ll be shut out? Yes. Anything is possible, but I think it’s highly unlikely.

Personally, I don’t recommend staying there from open to closing for fear of being shut out. It will be very crowded and it makes for a very long day in those crowds. You’ll probably be wiped before dark.

Dinner at Wilderness Lodge sounds lovely. I’d keep that. If you get a notification that the MK is absolutely closed to everyone by the time you are finished dinner, consider yourself lucky that you are not still there, because you’d probably feel miserable if it truly is that crowded.

If you have a hopper, go to the fireworks at Epcot.

 

[nherbert]

If you have a hopper, go to the fireworks at Epcot.

Or hang out at geyser point, watch the fireworks and electric parade from there.

 

[Disneylover99]

Or hang out at geyser point, watch the fireworks and electric parade from there.

Also a great plan!

 

[lovethattink]

We use to go to MK every year for Christmas dinner at the Crystal Palace. Often it was closed for capacity when we arrived. They would hold us in an area until a certain number of people left the park, then they’d let a certain number of people enter. You never knew how long you’d be waiting. It’s definitely a gamble. Not sure if they’ve changed how capacity works. It was too much of a hassle, so we stopped going on Christmas Day.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Due to anemic ADR available at MK on Xmas day I was planning on leaving to go to Wilderness lodge for 5:30 dinner. How likely is it that we will not be able to return to MK due to max capacity? Thanks

Crowd patterns have changed post-covid. The past several years Christmas Day has been absolutely fine crowd-wise (I would know, I’ve been there), with the highest peak crowds not arriving until after Christmas and close to New Years. Touringplans backs this up as MK only hit a crowd level 7 Christmas Day last year, and a crowd level 6 in 2022. Even in 2019 it only hit a crowd level 9. While this year is the first year they’ve removed park reservations, given the way the calendar falls this year with Christmas & NYE on a Wednesday, I really wouldn’t lose sleep over this. I don’t think they’ll hit any kind of real phased closure.

 

[scrappinginontario]

It all comes down to are you okay if you cannot re-enter the MK? How important is that ADR on Christmas Day to your family?

For me it would be those two questions that would answer the question about leaving. If being in the MK is most important I wouldn’t leave as I would spend a lot of money on food I likely would not enjoy as I’d be concerned about getting back in. If I was okay not getting back in then I’d keep the ADR and go with the flow.

For historical reference, MK had phased closings and re-openings in 2018 and 2019. (Park reservations were required for 2020-2023).

Truly it’s only a question you can answer for yourself knowing there is a possibility of not being allowed to re-enter MK.

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

We were at MK on Christmas Day in 2019 and there was a brief phased closure around lunchtime that day. Lasted maybe about an hour or two around 12:30 if I recall correctly.

You will be alerted through the app if the park has started a phased closure. Since you will already have been in MK that day, you will not be blocked out of the park until the higher level of the phased closure so you will have some warning that it is going to happen. A simplified version goes like this- first they close the TTC parking lot, then they stop selling 1 day tickets and don't allow first time entries, then they stop allowing re-entries. If you see that the phased closure has started before you leave for dinner, you can always decide how much it is worth to miss your reservation- either 1) stay in MK skip the ADR and pay the $10pp penalty or 2) go to the ADR and risk not getting back in.

I would say the probability of having a phased closure in the evening is low on Christmas Day for a few reasons. People who got up early to open presents then go to MK are probably tired by the evening and want to leave the park. Christmas Day is exhausting for young kids since there is so much anticipation and excitement so not too many families will be able to hang that late at the parks. By the time you get back to MK from your 5:30 ADR it will be around 7:30. Not a likely time for a closure.


We will also be in MK on Christmas Day. We plan on leaving around 1 or so for a mid-day break and returning around 6pm. I'm not sweating a park closure as it is so unlikely to be blocked to re-entries for the entire night.

 

[traveler9]

There was one day earlier this year where they shut off park hopping to MK so that's likely the first thing they will do.

 

[lanejudy]

A simplified version goes like this-

Just to note that WAS the phased closures before Covid. Nobody really knows exactly what the phases are now (if any). 1-day tickets are date-based and automatically include a specific theme park reservation, so obviously that phase will change. APs and certain other tickets also have theme park reservations which should guarantee entry. I don’t know that we can reliably expect the same phases this year.

 

[traveler9]

Just to note that WAS the phased closures before Covid. Nobody really knows exactly what the phases are now (if any). 1-day tickets are date-based and automatically include a specific theme park reservation, so obviously that phase will change. APs and certain other tickets also have theme park reservations which should guarantee entry. I don’t know that we can reliably expect the same phases this year.

I’m thinking the first phase will be closing park hopper access. They did that back in the spring, at least one day.

 

[mlayman7]

It is highly unlikely you won't get back in as long as you give yourself some extra time just in case you are held for a short amount of time. Especially with park reservations for a.p. still happening and block out dates.