Park Capacity and ADRs?

[fozziepitysthefool]

What happens if you have a dining reservation say at Crystal Palace for 7pm and the park is at capacity by 10am... If you show up at for your reservation, will you be able to get in?

 

[hakepb]

As guests leave they can allow others in.

It also depends on the closing "level"

From an earlier post
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31230442&postcount=12

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.

 

[hakepb]

And this one
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2851704

A couple of comments regarding Phase Closings and Dining Reservations.

1. If the Closing is Phase 1, 2, or 3 and you are arriving by Disney Transportation and are either a Resort Guest or have a printed confirmation of an ADR within an hour you will be let in.

2. If it is a Phase 4 closing nobody is allowed in.

3. In-Park Dining requires having valid admission to that Park. When you make a reservation, either by phone or online you are given this warning. During Phase 4 nobody has valid admission.

4. The closings yesterday were all cancelled by 2:30pm.

5. If you have a dining reservation in a Park, and you anticipate that it may have a Phase Closing, you should be at the Park at least two hours prior to your reservation. That way if there is a Phase Closing there would still be a good chance of your being able to get into the Park and get to the restaurant on time.

 

[vicki_c]

Just to clarify, the first citation states that you can't get in even with an ADR. That policy changed a few years ago for stages 1-3 as stated in the 2nd citation.

 

[kugelette]

how often do park closings happen?

 

[AmyB2006]

They don't happen too often. Usually Christmas time, July 4th week, Spring Break... occasionally some other times. I don't even think Thanksgiving it closes too much. Maybe someone with experience Thanksgiving week can comment on that though. It has to be a Phase 4 closing to not let a guest with an ADR into the park.

Here is the actual breakdown from WDWMagic:

Phase 1 Park Closing

Guests with 'Magic Your Way' base tickets, or a '1-Day 1-Park Ticket', Guests without an admission ticket, and Cast Members using Main Gate & Silver Passes will be turned around at the parking lot booths.

Phase 2 Park Closing

Admission is limited to:
Disney Resort Guests (including the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, and guests arriving by bus from the Hotel Plaza Boulevard hotels)
Annual, Premier and Premium Annual Passholders
Guests with Hopper tickets coming from another park
Guests re-entering the park
Guests with dining reservations
Magic Kingdom Guests with reservations for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League
Guests using Walt Disney World Resort Transportation will be admitted.
Guests with pre-purchased 1 day Magic Kingdom tickets

Phase 3 Park Closing

Admission is limited to:
Disney Resort Guests (including the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, and guests arriving by bus from the Hotel Plaza Boulevard hotels)
Annual, Premier and Premium Annual Passholders
Guests with dining reservations
Magic Kingdom Guests with reservations for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League

Phase 4 Park Closing

Closed to all guests.

 

[fozziepitysthefool]

how often do park closings happen?

I understand that the parks often reach capacity on Dec 24-26 and Dec 31 and Jan 1...

 

[fozziepitysthefool]

Thanks everyone!