OFFICIAL December 2009!! Celebrating the Holidays.. ADR list page 41 :)

[MadilynnsMomma]

They can only have so many people in the park at any given time. That is why we are counted going in and again going out. Once they reach Max no one can go in until someone comes out. The only time this seems to happen is at the holiday. Maybe someone who has been to the world on or close to a holiday can give more details.

I haven't been but I remember reading (maybe on this thread, maybe another Dec/Christmas thread) that they have to deny admission - to EVERYONE, on-property guest, DVC, AP, even those with ADR's - because they are at capacity and it becomes a fire code issue.

HTH!

 

[MK2010]

We're going Nov. 29- Dec. 4. It'll be our first trip. I am soooo excited! We're not telling the kids until we leave for the airport!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

We're going Nov. 29- Dec. 4. It'll be our first trip. I am soooo excited! We're not telling the kids until we leave for the airport!!!

How fun!! We have done this before and it is one of my favorite memories!!! You will be soooo glad you kept the big secret!!!! And congrats for getting to go at Christmas time and see it all!!!! I am a Texas girl too....so hey neighhbor!!

 

[disneybarbie]

I haven't been but I remember reading (maybe on this thread, maybe another Dec/Christmas thread) that they have to deny admission - to EVERYONE, on-property guest, DVC, AP, even those with ADR's - because they are at capacity and it becomes a fire code issue.

HTH!

I've read in the UOG and heard on podcasts that there are 'levels' of maximum capacity at the Disney parks..

for example - first of all, they will stop letting in people staying off property.

Next, guests staying Downtown Disney resorts aren't allowed in.... then Disney Resort guests, then DVC members.. then Annual Passholders.. until it's eventually so packed that NO one is allowed in .. even if you have an ADR etc.

Magic Kingdom has the capacity to hold 100,000 guests- but Disney likes to keep it to around 70,000 - more manageable!

When I went Dec 27th- Jan 2nd '04/05, it was only NYE that I really felt how packed the parks were (we were in Epcot)
However.. the morning of New Year's Day was EMPTY until after lunchtime!! Guess everyone else had been up celebrating to the small hours of the morning !

I think the bigger crowds just need more forward-planning before you go, and maybe you won't be able to every attraction you want to

I still can't wait!! 114 days to go.....

Barbie xx

 

[WDWKOOK]

I've read in the UOG and heard on podcasts that there are 'levels' of maximum capacity at the Disney parks..

for example - first of all, they will stop letting in people staying off property.

Next, guests staying Downtown Disney resorts aren't allowed in.... then Disney Resort guests, then DVC members.. then Annual Passholders.. until it's eventually so packed that NO one is allowed in .. even if you have an ADR etc.

That is what I was thinking of - thanks. I found this on Mousebuzz from a CM (12/08):

Re: Park Capacity Rules
You're on the right track. Let me help clarify. We'll use MK for an example:

Level 1 close: I think it's 60-70,000 people in the park. Only resort guests can come in at this point.

Level 2 close: 70-80,000 people. I think it's only MK resort guest may still enter.

Level 3 close: 80,000+ people. Noone else may enter for safety reasons. We CMs are only allowed into the park if we're working that day and must enter through the tunnels underneath MK.

These are the numbers I remember from the past few years. They keep changing the rules for capacity little bit by little bit. But come Christmas morning, when MK has to close it's gates at 10:00am because of the crowds, it'll be that way all the way through New Years.
__________________

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Even if you are staying on-property (CR/BLT)? I thought that you were guaranteed admittance? So, for example, if I go to MK in the AM, and then want to go to Epcot for my dinner ADR, they might not let us in unless I had already gotten into Epcot in the AM prior to it being closed? If true, this is not good.

Even if you are staying on property. It DOES NOT guarantee that you will get in when crowd levels reach a certain limit. I think Epcot can hold alot more than the other parks. Nope, if you go to MK in the morning and leave, you may not get in anywhere else, depends on the crowd levels at the other parks. If you go to Epcot in the morning and leave you may or may not be able to get back in to Epcot and it doesn't matter if you were there earlier in the day. IF you get in and leave, you are taking a huge risk, especially if you have ADR's, you are best to start your day and STAY at the park you have ADR's in.

There are 4 stages of closure, I will see if I can locate those for you.

Here is a post I borrowed from CheshireFigment, he is a CM and Disboard Member:

It is not uncommon for both MK and DHS to have Stage 4 closings at the same time during the week between Christmas and New Years.

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.

Also, if you are staying at a Disney owned and operated Resort and have a ticket, you are guaranteed entry into A park. Not necessarily the one you want (unless you want to go into AK). And if you have entered and left a park and do not have a hopper you may not get into anything.

Suzanne

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

We are set to go for Dec 19-26! I am really excited but NERVOUS about the crowd levels.

We have always gone in the summer and our biggest complaint was the weather. The crowds never really bothered us.

How much worse are the crowds the week before Christmas compared to July-August???

DH is really going out on a limb for me because I want to see WDW at Christmastime, but I am really worried it is going to be too nutty.

I think it is probably going to get bad around Dec 19th or 20th. We were there Dec 13 thru 21, 2008 ad it was bad on Dec 20th, the worst I have ever seen it. Maybe it wouldn't have bothered me so much, except I use an ECV and I had my cousins 10 year old daughter, so I was scared something would happen to her.

The week up to Dec 19 won't be so bad. We are supposed to be there Dec 17 thru 22 and I am scared, but since it will be just DH and me, I think it will be alright. If we get seperated, we have cell phones and we will have a designated meeting place should that happen.

I think the economy might have a small impact on crowds, but with all the offers, I don't think it will impact it much.

Suzanne

 

[Neko]

Just to support earlier posters about the crowds. FYI, We went mid-Dec last year and were chatting with a CM about crowds. She said that the gates usually close by noon on Christmas. She said there's other days that week that close due to crowds as well.

 

[Grandma4ever]

Fri, 27 Nov '09 7 HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD BEGINS / THE OSBORNE FAMILY SPECTACLE OF DANCING LIGHTS BEGINS
Sat, 28 Nov '09 7
Sun, 29 Nov '09 4 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Mon, 30 Nov '09 6
Tue, 01 Dec '09 4 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Wed, 02 Dec '09 6
Thu, 03 Dec '09 5 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Fri, 04 Dec '09 5 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Sat, 05 Dec '09 8
Sun, 06 Dec '09 5 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY / POP WARNER FOOTBALL
Mon, 07 Dec '09 6 POP WARNER FOOTBALL
Tue, 08 Dec '09 4 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY / POP WARNER FOOTBALL
Wed, 09 Dec '09 6 POP WARNER FOOTBALL
Thu, 10 Dec '09 4 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY / POP WARNER FOOTBALL
Fri, 11 Dec '09 4 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY / POP WARNER FOOTBALL
Sat, 12 Dec '09 7 POP WARNER FOOTBALL
Sun, 13 Dec '09 4 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Mon, 14 Dec '09 5
Tue, 15 Dec '09 4 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Wed, 16 Dec '09 5
Thu, 17 Dec '09 5 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Fri, 18 Dec '09 5 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Sat, 19 Dec '09 7
Sun, 20 Dec '09 10
Mon, 21 Dec '09 10
Tue, 22 Dec '09 10
Wed, 23 Dec '09 10
Thu, 24 Dec '09 10 CHRISTMAS EVE
Fri, 25 Dec '09 10 CHRISTMAS
Sat, 26 Dec '09 10
Sun, 27 Dec '09 10
Mon, 28 Dec '09 10
Tue, 29 Dec '09 10
Wed, 30 Dec '09 10 HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD ENDS
Thu, 31 Dec '09 10 NEW YEAR'S EVE
Fri, 01 Jan '10 9 NEW YEAR'S DAY
Sat, 02 Jan '10 9
Sun, 03 Jan '10 5 THE OSBORNE FAMILY SPECTACLE OF DANCING LIGHTS ENDS

Scale Magic Kingdom
1 Peak wait times of 14 minutes or less
2 Peak waits of 15 - 24 minutes
3 Peak waits of 25 - 34 minutes
4 Peak waits of 35 - 44 minutes
5 Peak waits of 45 - 54 minutes
6 Peak waits of 55 - 64 minutes
7 Peak waits of 65 - 74 minutes
8 Peak waits of 75 - 84 minutes
9 Peak waits of 85 - 94 minutes
10 Peak waits of 95 minutes or more

Above are the expected wait times for Magic Kingdom. I hope this information will help some of you plan your trips. Lois

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Just to support earlier posters about the crowds. FYI, We went mid-Dec last year and were chatting with a CM about crowds. She said that the gates usually close by noon on Christmas. She said there's other days that week that close due to crowds as well.

I think last year some of the days closed much earlier than noon. Christmas week until after New Years, the parks open, I believe at 7am and stay open until 1 or 2 am, or at the very least MK does.

Fri, 27 Nov '09 7 HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD BEGINS / THE OSBORNE FAMILY SPECTACLE OF DANCING LIGHTS BEGINS
Sat, 28 Nov '09 7
Sun, 29 Nov '09 4 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Mon, 30 Nov '09 6
Tue, 01 Dec '09 4 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Wed, 02 Dec '09 6
Thu, 03 Dec '09 5 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Fri, 04 Dec '09 5 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Sat, 05 Dec '09 8
Sun, 06 Dec '09 5 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY / POP WARNER FOOTBALL
Mon, 07 Dec '09 6 POP WARNER FOOTBALL
Tue, 08 Dec '09 4 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY / POP WARNER FOOTBALL
Wed, 09 Dec '09 6 POP WARNER FOOTBALL
Thu, 10 Dec '09 4 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY / POP WARNER FOOTBALL
Fri, 11 Dec '09 4 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY / POP WARNER FOOTBALL
Sat, 12 Dec '09 7 POP WARNER FOOTBALL
Sun, 13 Dec '09 4 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Mon, 14 Dec '09 5
Tue, 15 Dec '09 4 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Wed, 16 Dec '09 5
Thu, 17 Dec '09 5 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Fri, 18 Dec '09 5 MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Sat, 19 Dec '09 7
Sun, 20 Dec '09 10
Mon, 21 Dec '09 10
Tue, 22 Dec '09 10
Wed, 23 Dec '09 10
Thu, 24 Dec '09 10 CHRISTMAS EVE
Fri, 25 Dec '09 10 CHRISTMAS
Sat, 26 Dec '09 10
Sun, 27 Dec '09 10
Mon, 28 Dec '09 10
Tue, 29 Dec '09 10
Wed, 30 Dec '09 10 HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD ENDS
Thu, 31 Dec '09 10 NEW YEAR'S EVE
Fri, 01 Jan '10 9 NEW YEAR'S DAY
Sat, 02 Jan '10 9
Sun, 03 Jan '10 5 THE OSBORNE FAMILY SPECTACLE OF DANCING LIGHTS ENDS

Scale Magic Kingdom
1 Peak wait times of 14 minutes or less
2 Peak waits of 15 - 24 minutes
3 Peak waits of 25 - 34 minutes
4 Peak waits of 35 - 44 minutes
5 Peak waits of 45 - 54 minutes
6 Peak waits of 55 - 64 minutes
7 Peak waits of 65 - 74 minutes
8 Peak waits of 75 - 84 minutes
9 Peak waits of 85 - 94 minutes
10 Peak waits of 95 minutes or more

Above are the expected wait times for Magic Kingdom. I hope this information will help some of you plan your trips. Lois

I have never had much luck depending on these numbers. To me crowd levels were less than they have predicted. Most of the time when we go, the crowd levels are 5 or 6 on those charts and we have NEVER seen wait times like they list, except one day in June at Soarin and it was 70 minutes, and I think that was almost everyone in the park in that line, because the parks certainly wasn't that crowded and TT was 20 minutes posted, we got on in 10 stand by.

Suzanne

 

[Grandma4ever]

I have never had much luck depending on these numbers. To me crowd levels were less than they have predicted. Most of the time when we go, the crowd levels are 5 or 6 on those charts and we have NEVER seen wait times like they list, except one day in June at Soarin and it was 70 minutes, and I think that was almost everyone in the park in that line, because the parks certainly wasn't that crowded and TT was 20 minutes posted, we got on in 10 stand by.

Suzanne

You are right that often you can find wait time at less then listed. The wait times are peak wait times that can be found during the busiest part of the day. It is a number to help with planning. I have found that the higher the number the more folks I can expect. I will never again go in the summer. I did well with wait times but the crowds were a mess. The crowd expectation was an 8 for most days we were they. I just hope this info may help some folks know what they might expect.

 

[Momof3mouseketeers]

We're counting the days until our first New Year's in WDW!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Above are the expected wait times for Magic Kingdom. I hope this information will help some of you plan your trips. Lois

Thank you for posting these (scary) est. wait times.

 

[chell]

I'm wondering how the free dining is going to change the anticipated crowd levels.

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

I'm wondering how the free dining is going to change the anticipated crowd levels.

You are not alone on this one! I too (and many others, I am sure) am very curious... time will tell I suppose... Oh how I hate TIME

 

[Grandma4ever]

You are not alone on this one! I too (and many others, I am sure) am very curious... time will tell I suppose... Oh how I hate TIME

I'm wondering how the free dining is going to change the anticipated crowd levels.

I believe the biggest issue we will run into is getting reservations. You can make your ADR at 90 days out. I suspect that the ADR will fill up very fast exspcially if you want the Fantasmic Dining package. I can make my ADR on 9/10/09 So when is your day. I also believe the on line ADR system is still up and running. This will be my first time using this system.

Happy planning!!! Lois

 

[DaParkers]

We're going Nov. 29- Dec. 4. It'll be our first trip. I am soooo excited! We're not telling the kids until we leave for the airport!!!

I surprised my son for his 1st trip in 06. He was 7 at the time. We were living in NC and drove down. We're from New Orleans, so we told him that we were going there and we took a different route through Fl. He was watching a movie, so he wasn't paying attention. We told him when we were driving under the Walt Disney World sign. It was great. Even got the moment on video.

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

I believe the biggest issue we will run into is getting reservations. You can make your ADR at 90 days out. I suspect that the ADR will fill up very fast exspcially if you want the Fantasmic Dining package. I can make my ADR on 9/10/09 So when is your day. I also believe the on line ADR system is still up and running. This will be my first time using this system.

Happy planning!!! Lois

My ADR day is 9/7/09 - Labor Day... just what I want to do on a day off - wake up at the crack of dawn!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I am sure I posted this on here already!! But, I don't remember getting an answer, so I will do it again!! Of course, I could have just totally missed it!! I am having a dilemma over the darn Christmas Party!!! If I do go, the dates for my trip to do it are Sunday, the 6th, Tues the 8th, or Thurs the 10th. i was leaning toward the Th night, but got to wondering about the Sunday party! Here is my plan-
arrive sat and go to DTD, Sun, was AK/epcot...Mond do DHS early for getting into TSMM. Tues morning do MK.
Now I am thinking... should Sun afternoon be MVMCP? Kids would get to hit MK earlier, but if it's a big party crowd, they aren't gonna get to do it all like they would if we waited for Tues morning.Hmmm....I was also gonna do rope drop at MK on the Tuesday morning
Okay boys and girls!! Give me your opinions!!! I am also on TGM this time...never used it before...but my hands are tied still until those darn park hours are released!! Which is killing me for ADRs as you are all aware!!!!! I have checked on the UG and this week seems to be pretty good.I just want to maximize our time since it is Christmas season.And geez....could they not start predicting the weather for us now? What's up with that? How hard could it be? I need to know what the temps and rain chances are....got these days to plan!!!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

I am sure I posted this on here already!! But, I don't remember getting an answer, so I will do it again!! Of course, I could have just totally missed it!! I am having a dilemma over the darn Christmas Party!!! If I do go, the dates for my trip to do it are Sunday, the 6th, Tues the 8th, or Thurs the 10th. i was leaning toward the Th night, but got to wondering about the Sunday party! Here is my plan-
arrive sat and go to DTD, Sun, was AK/epcot...Mond do DHS early for getting into TSMM. Tues morning do MK.
Now I am thinking... should Sun afternoon be MVMCP? Kids would get to hit MK earlier, but if it's a big party crowd, they aren't gonna get to do it all like they would if we waited for Tues morning.Hmmm....I was also gonna do rope drop at MK on the Tuesday morning
Okay boys and girls!! Give me your opinions!!! I am also on TGM this time...never used it before...but my hands are tied still until those darn park hours are released!! Which is killing me for ADRs as you are all aware!!!!! I have checked on the UG and this week seems to be pretty good.I just want to maximize our time since it is Christmas season.And geez....could they not start predicting the weather for us now? What's up with that? How hard could it be? I need to know what the temps and rain chances are....got these days to plan!!!

- You're too funny!

I think our travel dates are quite similar. We arrive Sunday at 10:30A and are planning to hit the party that night (the 6th). We will have 4 full days to hit the parks and two half/semi-days to do DTD or hit a park twice, so I am not worried about seeing it all during the party as we will be back to MK on another day. If I am reading correctly you are worried that the kids won't be able to see all/do all - I think Sunday is just as good as the Tues or Thurs cause Sun is also a "school night" - or at least I'm hoping. I too can't commit to my MVMCP tickets until those darn hours are released!

Here's to waiting