Osborne lights-- entry into studios

[fultons96]

We'll be at WDW for Christmas time and plan several evenings for Osborne. We will be staying onsite and park hopping for the evenings to see Osborne. With the impending crowds to see Osborne lights, is it possible the park can reach capacity and not allow us in for the evening? Does staying onsite guarantee you entry into parks?

 

[Robo]

We'll be at WDW for Christmas time and plan several evenings for Osborne. We will be staying onsite and park hopping for the evenings to see Osborne.

With the impending crowds to see Osborne lights,
1. is it possible the park can reach capacity and not allow us in for the evening?
2. Does staying onsite guarantee you entry into parks?

1. Not for that reason, and not all day/evening (if ever.)
MK will be the park about which to be concerned with over-crowding, with DHS following far behind in likelihood.
2. It will certainly help in the case of any of the parks being "closed."

 

[Plaid Princess]

With the impending crowds to see Osborne lights, is it possible the park can reach capacity and not allow us in for the evening?

Yes, but I've only seen this happen a handful of times. The two weeks around Christmas, this is a distinct possibility at both MK and DHS (Doesn't usually affect DAK and Epcot due to their larger capacity).

Does staying onsite guarantee you entry into parks?

The short answer: no. Once the parks have reached capacity, that's it. That being said, Disney has a multi step process in place to try to avoid having to completely close the parks. They'll start by halting ticket sales, only allow returning guests who have visited the park that day etc.

 

[DebbieB]

I wouldn't be surprised if there is a crowd issue on the last night.

 

[Robo]

Yes, staying on-site can make a significant difference.
I don't think that DHS has ever reached a level of closer that would stop WDW Resort guests from entering that park.

Even MK, which does reach some stages of closure every year, rarely reaches a level that prohibits WDW Resort guests.

DHS closes far less frequently than MK.

 

[Plaid Princess]

Yes, staying on-site can make a significant difference.
I don't think that DHS has ever reached a level of closer that would stop WDW Resort guests from entering that park.

Several times in special event nights it has, if only because it has the lowest capacity.

Even MK, which does reach some stages of closure every year, rarely reaches a level that prohibits WDW Resort guests.

Sure it does.

DHS closes far less frequently than MK.

Yep, but Christmas is one of the most common times.