MK phased closures on July 3rd?

[2Tiggies]

We are going to MK on July 3rd but I haven't looked into the possibility of capacity based closures as we intend to arrive in the morning and stick it out to the end. We have some acquaintances who mentioned they intend doing the same, except they plan on taking a break. I believe they are staying offsite. Before I jump in and tell them it's not a good idea, could anyone give an educated guess as to whether their plans would see them locked out at some point in the day? Is there a better or worse time for them to attempt to return? It sounds like they want to see the parade and fireworks in the evening and I am guessing from what little I know about them that they are not going to be there for park opening.

I don't want to cause them undue panic, but equally, would hate to know that I knowingly left them set up for possible disappointment. My understanding is that they only have a one day non hopper ticket.

 

[Marionnette]

We are going to MK on July 3rd but I haven't looked into the possibility of capacity based closures as we intend to arrive in the morning and stick it out to the end. We have some acquaintances who mentioned they intend doing the same, except they plan on taking a break. I believe they are staying offsite. Before I jump in and tell them it's not a good idea, could anyone give an educated guess as to whether their plans would see them locked out at some point in the day? Is there a better or worse time for them to attempt to return? It sounds like they want to see the parade and fireworks in the evening and I am guessing from what little I know about them that they are not going to be there for park opening.

I don't want to cause them undue panic, but equally, would hate to know that I knowingly left them set up for possible disappointment. My understanding is that they only have a one day non hopper ticket.

According to WDWMagic, the MK didn't have any Phase Closures on July 3, 2013. That's not to say that it won't happen this year.

Since adding the FL Expansion, the MK's crowd capacity has increased dramatically. I would be more concerned about parking lot closures at the TTC, as that appears to happen lately long before the MK reaches a Phase Closure. If your friend is driving, they are not likely to be able to park at the TTC if they leave for a break and try to come back. That would probably mean having to park at EPCOT and taking Disney transportation from there. It could make for a very long commute just to be able to catch a couple of hours' break.

 

[2Tiggies]

Thank you for that information Marionette.

It used to be fairly reliable to go back to previous years and try get an idea of what to expect but for the very reason you pointed out, I'm not sure I can safely do that right now.

I will just let them know there is a risk attached to leaving the park. We've never discussed Disney with them as I don't know them very well so I have no idea what their touring habits are, save for what they have told me. I guess their thinking is probably that 8 am to 1 am is a very long day. Not sure who all is going with them.

 

[StrwLady]

2011 we went to the MK at 6:30pm and had no problem getting in. This year we have dining reservations at 1:55pm. That is when we plan on arriving at the park. I'm not worried about getting in that day either. Hopefully I won't be unpleasantly surprised!

 

[ferd]

I'm sure the 4th is different from the 3rd, but since they now do the fireworks not just on the 4th, the other days are becoming just as popular. I will share that last year on the 4th, we arrived at 8am for rope drop. We left around 1pm (have a small child and didn't intend to stay all day) and when we were leaving the entire parking lot was full--like cars parked ALLOVER the grass) and the cars were backed up almost a mile from the area where you pay to park and everyone was being turned around since the parking lot was closed to capacity.

If I was leaving and intending to come back, I would probably automatically park at Epcot just to avoid that whole mess at the MK parking area. It would probably be a lot easier to just hop on the monorail and ride over versus being put in that traffic jam.

(Or better yet, if I despretely needed a break away from the park, I would take a monorail to a resort and eat and relax for a while.)