MK on christmas day?

[louisaho]

i was told by CM that if i have a handstamp, they will allow me to go back to MK , is this true?

 

[WDSearcher]

Not necessarily. If the park is at capacity, it's at capacity. There is a point where no one -- NO ONE -- else gets in, no matter who you are, what kind of ticket you have, and what your story is. It's a safety thing.

You didn't mention if you were staying on property or not. Folks staying on site are the last to be denied entrance -- there are four "phases" of park closing. Having a resort ID and a handstamp from earlier in the day will help a great deal, but it does not guarantee you entrance if the park is at Phase Four closing (which, basically, means "no more people, period").

 

[airforcewife]

So what are the 4 phases? And if it closes is it likely to stay closed for the whole day? We are staying at the CR and were planning to avoid Mk during the day and go back for dinner (we have ps at chrystal palace at 5) and stay for the fireworks. Should I alter this plan? I 've never been to Disney World before so I'd like any advice you or anyone else has, we will be there 12-19--12-26. Is it likely to be crowded the whole week? Or just the few days before Christmas? Thanks.. Robyn

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I have never been just before or after Christmas, but my understanding from these boards is that the crowds are just overwhelming bewteen Christmas and New Year's Day. We're talking crowds of epic proportions.

 

[LvsTnk]

Originally posted by airforcewife
So what are the 4 phases? And if it closes is it likely to stay closed for the whole day? We are staying at the CR and were planning to avoid Mk during the day and go back for dinner (we have ps at chrystal palace at 5) and stay for the fireworks. Should I alter this plan? I 've never been to Disney World before so I'd like any advice you or anyone else has, we will be there 12-19--12-26. Is it likely to be crowded the whole week? Or just the few days before Christmas? Thanks.. Robyn

Most likely it will be closed at that time to all visitors.

This will be our 4th year spending Christmas there, this year I am anticipating that whole week to be pretty crowded.

 

[Got Quattro?]

4 phases

1 - sign up saying park closed (but still let people in)
2 - + only resort guest allowed in
3 - + limited entry (few turnstyls working to control crowd)
4 - + for every person who leaves = 1 may enter

 

[WDSearcher]

Phases For Park Closing

In order to ensure safety and a magical time for all, once a certain number of guests have entered the park, certain attendance measures go into effect. They are as follows:

Phase One: Day Guests who have not already purchased tickets and Cast Members using their Maingate & Silver Passes will be turned around at the Auto Plaza and told that the Park has reached capacity.

Phase Two: Currently, admission is limited to Resort Guests, Premium and Annual Passholders, crossovers and other Guests re-entering one of our Parks today. Guests using WDW Resort Transportation and Guests in taxis, will be admitted.

Phase Three: The theme park is only open to Resort Guests using Disney transportation from their Resort or other theme parks or Annual and Premium Passholders. Shades of Green and Downtown Disney Resort Area Guests using their respective transportation will also be admitted.

Phase Four: Closed to all Guests.

Once a park reaches any given phase, it is constantly re-evaluated to see if and when it can re-open. At MK, there will usually be a "rush" after the parade, and the park will open again in the late afternoon. Occasionally, though, the park may well stay at Phase Four for the remainder of the day.

 

[swilphil]

Originally posted by airforcewife
So what are the 4 phases? And if it closes is it likely to stay closed for the whole day? We are staying at the CR and were planning to avoid Mk during the day and go back for dinner (we have ps at chrystal palace at 5) and stay for the fireworks. Should I alter this plan? I 've never been to Disney World before so I'd like any advice you or anyone else has, we will be there 12-19--12-26. Is it likely to be crowded the whole week? Or just the few days before Christmas? Thanks.. Robyn

The crowds will get worse the closer you get to Christmas Day. It will be much more crowded the following week. If you really want to do Crystal Palace for dinner, I would go to MK in the morning and plan on staying the whole day. Since MK will be wall to wall people that day, I would change my PS to another restaurant. You could do Chef Mickey's or someplace in Epcot.

 

[doodle]

We were at MK last year on Christmas Day. We loved it! However, we only stayed a couple of hours and we did not try to ride anything. We were just there to soak up the atmosphere. We shopped a little and had a snack and then we left. I am glad we did it but the best way I can describe the crowds is....... it was like when Wishes is over and Main St. is jammed with people. It's very hard to move or keep your party together. That is what Christmas was like. They did close the MK that day but I'm not sure what time. As others have said, I would either change my PS or stay at MK. Getting into MK later in the day might be dicey.

 

[dvc guy]

AIRFORCEWIFE
We have been to WDW over christmas the past 6 years. You should plan on doing all your heavy park touring early on. The crowds should be lite to moderate from the 19th thru the 22 or 23rd. As schools let out the crowds will build and hit peak the 25th. Agood plan would be to try hitting MK late on the 25th. Most of the little ones will have run out of steam and you can get an a chance to hit some of the better rides without much of a wait. MK will be open till 11 or 12 from the 25th on

 

[airforcewife]

Ok, I'm calling right now to change it!

As for crowds, which parks should we do in the order of least crowded? It will be our first trip. Kids are 11, 9, 7.
Changed it to a holiday dinner at Concourse at Contemporary.

Thanks! Robyn

 

[Cheap-n-Dale]

Originally posted by WDSearcher
Phases For Park Closing

In order to ensure safety and a magical time for all, once a certain number of guests have entered the park, certain attendance measures go into effect. They are as follows:

Phase One: Day Guests who have not already purchased tickets and Cast Members using their Maingate & Silver Passes will be turned around at the Auto Plaza and told that the Park has reached capacity.

Phase Two: Currently, admission is limited to Resort Guests, Premium and Annual Passholders, crossovers and other Guests re-entering one of our Parks today. Guests using WDW Resort Transportation and Guests in taxis, will be admitted.

Phase Three: The theme park is only open to Resort Guests using Disney transportation from their Resort or other theme parks or Annual and Premium Passholders. Shades of Green and Downtown Disney Resort Area Guests using their respective transportation will also be admitted.

Phase Four: Closed to all Guests.

Once a park reaches any given phase, it is constantly re-evaluated to see if and when it can re-open. At MK, there will usually be a "rush" after the parade, and the park will open again in the late afternoon. Occasionally, though, the park may well stay at Phase Four for the remainder of the day.

So the way I read this is that an AP holder staying off-site can get in until it reaches phase 4. However a pre-purchased PHP staying offisite holder is turned away at phase 2. Is that right?

 

[louisaho]

so you think that it is not good idea to go early morning , and then have a late breakfast in epcot around 11am?
my only worries, is that i can't go back in...