MK - Christmas Day Capacity

[luke6t6]

I have a question regarding MK and capacity levels for Christmas day. We are Premium Annual Passholder's, but won't be staying on property this trip. As PAP's, at what level of capacity would we still be able to gain entry to the MK, vs. being "shut out".

Thanks in advance.

Luke

 

[Robo]

I have a question regarding MK and capacity levels for Christmas day. We are Premium Annual Passholder's, but won't be staying on property this trip. As PAP's, at what level of capacity would we still be able to gain entry to the MK, vs. being "shut out".

Thanks in advance.

Luke

All but the highest level (the one where NOBODY is admitted.)

 

[marciemi]

Any thoughts on when this would be likely? Also have PAP's and was thinking to arrive by noon. Okay then or risky?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Any thoughts on when this would be likely? Also have PAP's and was thinking to arrive by noon. Okay then or risky?

1) NO ONE knows when total capacity is met.
2) But, it usually does happen on Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and July 4th.
3) I, personally, would not wait until Noon, and would arrive by 10:00-11:00.
4) Don't forget, at Phase-4, no one is admitted.
5) Plus, if you have ADR's and are shut-out, you are charged the no-show penalty.


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WDW PARK CLOSING PHASES: (from Disney)

Phase 1:
At this phase, Day Guests with Magic Your Way Base Tickets or a 1-Day 1-Park Ticket, 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 Theme Park has reached capacity.

Phase 2:
At this phase, Theme Park admission is limited to Disney Resort Guests*, Annual and Premium Annual Passholders, Guests with Park Hopper tickets crossing over from another Park, Guests re-entering this Park today, Guests with Dining reservations, and, if applicable, Magic Kingdom Guests with reservations for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, The Pirates League or Harmony Barber Shop or Disney's Animal Kingdom Guests with reservations for Wild Africa Trek. Guests using Walt Disney World Resort Transportation will be admitted. Guests not meeting the above criteria are told the Theme Park has reached capacity.

Phase 3:
At this phase, Theme Park admission is limited to Disney Resort Guests*, Annual and Premium Annual Passholders, Guests with Dining reservations, and, if applicable, Magic Kingdom Guests with reservations for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, The Pirates League or Harmony Barber Shop or Disney's Animal Kingdom Guests with reservations for Wild Africa Trek. Guests not meeting the above criteria are told the Theme Park has reached capacity.

Phase 4:
Closed to all Guests and Guests are told the Park has reached capacity. (Regardless of ADR, Paid ADR, previous admission that day, resort guest, annual passholder.)

*Guests of WDW Swan and Dolphin Hotels and Shades of Green at the Walt Disney World Resort are considered part of this group in this instance. In addition, Guests from Hotel Plaza Boulevard hotels arriving by bus are included (Best Western Lake Buena Vista, Buena Vista Palace, Doubletree Guest Suites, Hotel Royal Plaza, Wyndham LBV, The Hilton Lake Buena Vista). Also included are Golden Oak residents as well as registered Guests of Golden Oak residents.

 

[marciemi]

Thanks! What is the difference between phase 1 and 2? I'm a bit confused since Phase 1 says who can't come in and Phase 2 says who CAN.

When do they close the parking lot? If we would be driving (even with a PAP), would we get turned back at Phase 1 (since it mentions the Auto Plaza) or as long as we showed the PAP, would we be okay until Phase 4? Thanks again!

 

[staceyeileen]

Is a seasonal AP treated the same as a regular AP with respect to park closings?

 

[marciemi]

I'm pretty sure the regular AP is but wouldn't the Seasonal one be blocked out on Christmas Day?

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Phase 1 Closure
A Phase 1 closure is the lowest-grade closure at a Disney theme park. Visitors with one-day tickets, single-park tickets and those intending on using cast member passes will not be allowed to park. Visitors holding these tickets will normally be turned away at the automobile toll plazas.
Guests that may still enter the park:
- Guests with multi-day or multi-park tickets
- Guests staying at a Walt Disney World resort
- Annual Passholders
- Guests re-entering the park that day
- Guests “hopping” from another park
- Guests with in-park reservations or appointments
- Guests arriving via Disney transportation

Phase 2 Closure
The following guests are allowed to enter the theme park and into the parking lots:
- Guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort
- Annual Passholders
- Guests re-entering the park that day
- Guests “hopping” from another park
- Guests with in-park reservations or appointments
- Guests arriving via Disney transportation

Phase 3 Closure
The following guests are allowed into the parks and into the parking lots:
- Those staying at a Walt Disney World Resort
- Annual Passholders
- Guests with in-park reservations or appointments

Phase 4 Closure
During a Phase 4 closure, the park and parking lots are closed to any and all arriving guests.

From what I remember, Magic Kingdom experienced Phased closures on Christmas, December 26th, December 30th and NYE.

Most Phased closures seemed to take place around 1pm. MK hit a Phase 3 by 11am on NYE. Again, there is no telling, but in my experience - we have never been turned away. We stay on-site every year and even when entering a park on NYE at 9pm, we have never been turned away.

You always run the risk of the parks hitting a Phase 4. It hasn't happened, but it can. But, if I had to put my money on it - I'd say not to worry. Like on-site guests, APs have a great chance of getting into the parks.

For more info on Christmas and park closings, check out my free guide at survivedisxmas.com

 

[Robo]

Is a seasonal AP treated the same as a regular AP with respect to park closings?

Aren't Seasonal APs blacked out on most dates when a phased closure might occur?

 

[chartle]

Thanks! What is the difference between phase 1 and 2? I'm a bit confused since Phase 1 says who can't come in and Phase 2 says who CAN.

When do they close the parking lot? If we would be driving (even with a PAP), would we get turned back at Phase 1 (since it mentions the Auto Plaza) or as long as we showed the PAP, would we be okay until Phase 4? Thanks again!

To me it looks like phase 1 means the parking lots are closed to all but those that those kinds of tickets. So if you have a one day or no tickets you are turned away.

They close the parking lot when its full. I have read reports that when it is full you will be directed to the Epcot lot and then are expected to take the monorail back to the MK. So its possible that when you hit the parking gate its not yet at phase 4 but could be by the time you get back to the MK. At some point they stop you at say the TTC and say the MK has reached phase 4.

Moral is get there early or hope for rain and cold. I hear it keeps the crowds away.

 

[chartle]

You always run the risk of the parks hitting a Phase 4. It hasn't happened, but it can. But, if I had to put my money on it - I'd say not to worry. Like on-site guests, APs have a great chance of getting into the parks.

I have read many reports of parks, usually the MK, hitting Phase 4.

 

[staceyeileen]

Aren't Seasonal APs blacked out on most dates when a phased closure might occur?

Most of the dates would be blacked out, but I'm sure a phased closure is possible on other days, no?. How about Thanksgiving/Black Friday? Memorial Day? Just wondering how seasonal are treated should a closure occur.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

I have read many reports of parks, usually the MK, hitting Phase 4.

Ah, sorry - I meant it hasn't happened DURING one of our Christmas trips.

 

[Robo]

Most of the dates would be blacked out, but I'm sure a phased closure is possible on other days, no?.

How about Thanksgiving/Black Friday? Memorial Day?

While possible, it is not likely.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If the parking lot fills up early it's going to be closed no matter what kind of park pass you have. Which means if you are driving you may have to park at Epcot or somewhere.

But you'd get in the park unless it's a stage 4. Which is possible on Christmas Day.

Thanksgiving/Black Friday? Memorial Day?

As far as I know there has never been a stage 4 closure on any of those days. Definitely not Memorial Day.

Usually Christmas Eve/Day and maybe some days in between, New Years Eve/Day. Maybe a few days around Easter. I don't even recall stage 4 closures for the 4th of July but when I've gone for that, I go to Epcot, which rarely reaches capacity closures at all.

 

[Robo]

If the parking lot fills up early it's going to be closed. Which means if you are driving you may have to park at Epcot or somewhere.

Yup.

 

[staceyeileen]

I
As far as I know there has never been a stage 4 closure on any of those days. Definitely not Memorial Day.

Usually Christmas Eve/Day and maybe some days in between, New Years Eve/Day. Maybe a few days around Easter. I don't even recall stage 4 closures for the 4th of July but when I've gone for that, I go to Epcot, which rarely reaches capacity closures at all.

My question was mostly referring to stage 2 and 3 which references "Annual Passholders." Are Seasonals included in that?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

there won't even be a Stage 1 for Memorial Day, unless they do one of those 24 hour events and even then it won't be a 4 most likely. Not so sure about Thanksgiving. But if you have an annual, (they don't differentiate between annual types for this) you aren't blacked out and you can park you're in unless it's a stage 4.

 

[txnana]

My question was mostly referring to stage 2 and 3 which references "Annual Passholders." Are Seasonals included in that?

The dates of December 18 - Jan 3 are blackout dates for WDW, so those passes will not be honored on those dates and regular tickets must be purchased.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/m...Benefits/2014-wdw-seasonal-blockout-dates.pdf