Park Hopping dangerous on a crowded day?

[jkattk]

We are planning to be in the parks Jan 1-5 which I expect to be a very crowded time! Is there a possibility of not getting back into either park if you leave to try to hop to the other park and they're at capacity? Is there a way to find this out at the exit to make sure you don't leave in this situation?

Also, what is everyone's experience as far as park crowds related to EMH? Is the park that opens early considerably more crowded than the other park for the rest of the day? This may affect whether it's worth trying to hop for us since we'll be staying on property and doing EE each day so the question then is whether to stay in that park all day or to hop over to the other park after it opens if that park would be less crowded.

 

[scrapshappen]

It's been a long time since we were there for New Years. But what we found then was that NYE had capacity-crowd levels but New Years day and the days after were fairly quiet. I think the Rose Parade plays a factor in that. And I know a lot of schools are starting back up January 2 so I bet you will be fine. Probably won't be slow because I don't think it ever will be. But I'd guess better than the week between Christmas and New Years.

 

[coaches24]

We are going the same time you are. I expect it to be busy but not capacity busy. I think they only reach capacity on special occasions and some holidays. Otherwise even busy days don't reach capacity very often as far as I know. Atleast the only time I hear about the parks reaching capacity are Christmas maybe, New Years maybe, last years leap day etc. If it does happen more often then I just never hear about it.

 

[jkattk]

OK, good to know that capacity is not very often! I think it will be very busy this year though as I think that most schools actually aren't going back on the 2nd with the way the dates fall in the week - ours doesn't go back until the following Monday (7th) and I think a lot of others don't either.

 

[pixiewings71]

If the parks are reaching capacity there will be sings up letting guests know that they are putting restrictions in place. Just watch for and review the signs, they will put them up at the exits.

 

[NWT]

We have been there twice during that time period. We hated NYE! : We will never do that again. Could not see anything or do anything. We ended up leaving before the countdown.

Jan 1 is very busy, but no where as bad as NYE. It is a good idea to make lunch/dinner reservations each day though. That seemed to be the most inconvenient thing was waiting in line for food. Park hopping is fine. Really take advantage of the FPs. One year we did not get into Anaheim until 1 pm on Jan 1, and still got into the park no problem.

As the days go on, it is still busy, but lightens a bit.

This year, we decided to take DD out of school, and go at the end Jan/Feb for a couple weeks.

 

[sonnyjane]

bump

Not much more to bump. Those days will really really really most likely not reach capacity, as has been said.

As far as how EMH crowds will be, hard to say regarding those dates specifically because this is the first time DCA has had EMH.

 

[sheetz]

I guess there's always a chance, but I've never heard of the days after New Years reaching capacity at the parks.

 

[disneychrista]

In most cases when parks reach capacity it is only for a few hours before they will let people back in. The exception is NYE when it only gets more and more crowded in the evening until after the countdown/midnight.