MK reaching capacity Xmas week?

[AMonir]

Hi DIS'ers,

My parents and I are taking a trip to WDW this Xmas from Dec. 24th-30th. It's their first-ever trip to WDW, and my first-ever trip at Christmastime, so I want it to be amazing!

After poring over a Best Parks/Worst Parks guide on an expert website, Dec. 29th really looks like the only ideal day for us to spend at MK during our trip. However, we head home the following evening, so I'm nervous that if MK hits capacity before we arrive on the 29th, we'll miss our chance to see Spectro and the other nighttime festivities. (My parents don't want to get up super-early on their vacation, and none of us are into the thrill rides that have crazy long lines, we are mainly there for the shows, entertainment and milder rides.) We are also staying offsite at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando. I really don't want to force them to get up at 7 or 8 AM on their vacation, but I am also scared of the park having already hit capacity if we get there at 10 or 11 AM. Should I go against the expert's advice and go to MK earlier in the trip so that if we don't get in one day, we still have another shot? Or does it seem unlikely that the park will hit capacity on Monday the 29th?

Thanks so much!!

 

[*pixie*dust*]

You are going during the busiest week of the year. Most of the parks will be operating at very high capacity. I would not wait until 11-12 to get there.

 

[jfap]

Staying off-site will put you at a disadvantage as far as getting into the parks when they are at capacity. You definitely need to get there early.

I don't want to be a party pooper....but for first-time visitors is not really a very good time to go. Would be much better for your parents if you could go the week before that. Then you could enjoy all the Christmas festivities without the mob.

 

[AMonir]

Yikes, I know... I just think this is the only time my dad can get off work. Ugh!

 

[wilde_oscar]

if you look carefully at the expert website, they also mention getting to the parks early... that week, you will want to be there very early, as in... in route to the park no later than 7:30

 

[jade1]

Took my parents that week a few years back-they also had never been there. Its so good. I mean the weather alone compared to Minn was worth it. Anyway, Illuminations has a great ending each night, we would do a 6:30 Fantasmic and then hop the boat to EPCOT for 9 ILLUMIN (after checking out the Osb lights of course. We never had trouble getting in to MK-except XMAS day (and I assume NYE) it did close for a while in the afternoon. Just walking around the parks was great-usually tried to get a FP here and there.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Staying off site may be a major problem. You could easily get caught in Stage 1 closings.

The turnstile master computer at each park keeps track of both entries and exits. When a park capacity closes (which is done in stages) there has to be a certain number of people exiting, with the total "in park" below a certain number, before they start allowing people in again.

I am low enough on the totem pole that I have no idea what these numbers are.

There are four stages to park closing:

Stage 1 - The parking lot entrance is closed. You can only access the park if you are using Disney Transportation.

Stage 2 - The ticket windows are all closed (and the automated Ticket Vending Machines are turned off). Unless you already have a ticket you cannot get in.

Stage 3 - Only people with Annual Passes or current Resort IDs will be allowed in.

Stage 4 - Nobody is allowed in.

Note - having restaurant reservations in a park, even with written proof, will not override a stage closing for you.

 

[jayandstacey]

I would also offer that the guide book is giving you a slight edge, not a significant difference in the days. They will all be packed.

As others have said, getting there early will make the biggest difference. But the difference (that week) between a recommended day and a not recommended day will be minimal, if at all.

So, I would get up early and go on an earlier day, then "make up for it" with a rest day the next day - no parks at all. The net of the vacation will be better than if you go late on that specified day - you'll end your vacation cranky and disappointed.

Lose a little sleep in the beginning. Get it back before the vacation ends.

BTW, I'll be there too those same days. The major part of my game plan is to go very late or very early, never at the middle of the day.

 

[happymommy]

My family has been many many times. Once we went Dec 26 - Jan 2nd.

While it was so fun and beautiful, we wouldn't ever do that week again. We were onsite at AKL in a club room (with bunk beds, fun!), so we went to a park very early, only stayed for a couple to 3 hours, then went back and relaxed at the resort. Maybe went back later, if we had special plans.

I have to agree, sorry, I don't mean to be negative, but that is the worst week for a first time. To say the parks were crowded is such and understatement. Every day, the parks were filled to capacity. You are staying fairly far from Disney, also, but I've heard that Ritz is beautiful.

I think if you really want to do Disney, maybe stay a couple days onsite, then move to the Ritz and just enjoy that resort. Otherwise, are you using cabs or driving? I personally wouldn't want to be driving through the traffic that is going to be very heavy, which is why I'd stay onsite.

On New Years Eve, we had dinner at the Boardwalk, then the concierge had booked us an illuminations cruise (on Breathless). It was so enjoyable - sipping champagne (we bought at the Yacht Club's gift shop chilled), but the folks over the bridge in Epcot were literally elbow to elbow. I felt sorry for them - when it was over we took a cab back to the AKL.

If you are set on your plans (which it sounds like), yes, I'd get up super early to get to the parks. You will need a good plan. I can't stress this enough - you can't plan on winging it this time of the year. It is very very busy.

Having a good happy attitude will also go far! I'd rather be hanging out at Disney on a busy day than doing laundry and cooking and driving to soccer practice any day!

Seriously, I'd check out the option of at least one night on property. This is the one time of the year that I would definitely say that is almost necessary.

Just my two cents.