Park Pass Question for July 4

[konaboy]

We have an annual Pass, and staying on property with our DVC points. We are driving in from Vero beach the morning of July 4. And will be staying at BCV. Would most likely want to go into EPCOT sometime during day. However, we have a reservation at Cinderella Castle that night. (I know we won't see much of the fireworks, but figure we will at least 'be there'). Question is: should I make the park reservation for Magic Kingdom, to ensure we can get in to the Magic Kingdom that early evening?
thanks!!!

 

[Skippyboo]

I would make it for MK then you know you can get into MK. You could go to MK then park hop to Epcot and then go back to MK at evening.

 

[sethschroeder]

I can't see them shutting down the park but I can be wrong. I wouldn't touch MK on July 4th inside the park personally though.

July 4th is the AK day normally hahaha

 

[konaboy]

I wouldn't touch MK on July 4th inside the park personally though. July 4th is the AK day normally hahaha

Thanks - That gave me memories of being stuck in MK after fireworks once - where it was like FOREVER before we were able to start walking toward the front. with just a sea of people. Now looking for alternative dining somewhere else!! hehe

 

[Disturbia]

July 4th has had park capacity closures in the past. However ADRs get priority but if it hits phase 4, no one is allowed in. I’m not sure if park pass is a requirement if you have a hopper (for priority re entry during phase 3). It’s probably safer to have a park pass for MK and hop over to Epcot at 2 pm.

Honestly, the fireworks are above and you have little to no view except some flashes but you can hear the fireworks inside CRT. Also they don’t allow you to exit for quite some time (around 30 mins) after fireworks are over as they need to pickup any debris and clear the area. I would book elsewhere.

https://wdwprepschool.com/disney-world-closure-phases-when-they-occur-and-what-they-mean/

https://allears.net/walt-disney-world/wdw-planning/disney-world-park-closing-stages/

 

[sponica]

July 4th has had park capacity closures in the past. However ADRs get priority but if it hits phase 4, no one is allowed in. I’m not sure if park pass is a requirement if you have a hopper (for priority re entry during phase 3). It’s probably safer to have a park pass for MK and hop over to Epcot at 2 pm.

Honestly, the fireworks are above and you have little to no view except some flashes but you can hear the fireworks inside CRT. Also they don’t allow you to exit for quite some time (around 30 mins) after fireworks are over as they need to pickup any debris and clear the area.

https://wdwprepschool.com/disney-world-closure-phases-when-they-occur-and-what-they-mean/

https://allears.net/walt-disney-world/wdw-planning/disney-world-park-closing-stages/

Are these still valid closure phases now? The only closure to hopping since the re-opening has been for a few hours on the 50th.

OP If you really want to get into MK in the evening, make the park reservation for MK. If you're willing to roll the dice, go to Epcot and and attempt to hop.

 

[Disturbia]

Are these still valid closure phases now? The only closure to hopping since the re-opening has been for a few hours on the 50th.

OP If you really want to get into MK in the evening, make the park reservation for MK. If you're willing to roll the dice, go to Epcot and and attempt to hop.

There were closures on NYE when we went 2022 (or maybe it was just certain areas were closed, was too busy running around post DJ parties)

Recently Easter week:

https://www.kennythepirate.com/2023...-away-as-one-disney-world-park-hits-capacity/

I would like to add most of the time it just lasts a few hours and guests are allowed back in as some leave.

 

[Disturbia]

Also, Main Street fireworks viewing areas close and you get a push notification (here Tim got a notification 15 mins before; NYE it was around 10 pm for the midnight fireworks). We did walk through on NYE (going from Big Thunder to Space) and CMs keep the walking area moving and clear (a few people did block the walkway near Casey’s but we were able to find our way around them)

 

[lanejudy]

Recently Easter week:

https://www.kennythepirate.com/2023...-away-as-one-disney-world-park-hits-capacity/

That article is somewhat misleading as the park that hit capacity and turned people away was Typhoon Lagoon.

Yes, there have been dates that one or more of the 4 major theme parks "sold out" of theme park reservations. To my knowledge, park-hoppers have not been turned away except for the one date in Oct. 2021, which was only for a few hours.

I don't think the pre-covid closure phases apply anymore, especially as long as theme park reservations are still required of most guests. There could be hopping closures, at which point I don't believe even an ADR is given priority.

OP - it sounds like you are planning to change the ADR. If you do, I'd just go with Epcot as a park reservation and stick to 1 park that day.

 

[Genie+]

park-hoppers have not been turned away except for the one date in Oct. 2021,

I think that was opening night of Enchantment. No surprise there Lol.

 

[musicguy856]

That article is somewhat misleading as the park that hit capacity and turned people away was Typhoon Lagoon.

Yes, there have been dates that one or more of the 4 major theme parks "sold out" of theme park reservations. To my knowledge, park-hoppers have not been turned away except for the one date in Oct. 2021, which was only for a few hours.

I don't think the pre-covid closure phases apply anymore, especially as long as theme park reservations are still required of most guests. There could be hopping closures, at which point I don't believe even an ADR is given priority.

OP - it sounds like you are planning to change the ADR. If you do, I'd just go with Epcot as a park reservation and stick to 1 park that day.

I can’t stand those clickbait article titles.

 

[photo_chick]

Thanks - That gave me memories of being stuck in MK after fireworks once - where it was like FOREVER before we were able to start walking toward the front. with just a sea of people. Now looking for alternative dining somewhere else!! hehe

We've always done MK on July 3 since they do the fireworks then as well usually, and then Epcot on July 4th.

 

[Disturbia]

My bad on the clickbait. I remember one of the bloggers posting an article about a phased closure and they had a number to call to check if park was finally open for hopping and I couldn’t recall what date that was. They recommended waiting as it’s usually a temporary thing and people were eventually allowed back.

Now that APs don’t need park passes after 2pm, the risk seems a bit higher vs last July that the park reaches capacity, so I would either have park passes for MK or just try to do CRT on a less stressful day.

CMs with ipads were asking if we were park hopping (at HS or Epcot) when we were catching a bus. Not sure whether they stop running the buses to Mk temporarily or it’s just information before boarding.

 

[konaboy]

Are these still valid closure phases now? The only closure to hopping since the re-opening has been for a few hours on the 50th.

OP If you really want to get into MK in the evening, make the park reservation for MK. If you're willing to roll the dice, go to Epcot and and attempt to hop.

Sponica, I think we are going to go to EPCOT for the 4th, do an early dinner at Il Mulino - and back for fireworks at EPCOT... hopefully they will add in the 4th of July special ones.

 

[konaboy]

We've always done MK on July 3 since they do the fireworks then as well usually, and then Epcot on July 4th.

We won't be there on the 3rd, checking out of Vero on the morning of 4th.. But that does sound like a good idea for next time!!

 

[konaboy]

OP - it sounds like you are planning to change the ADR. If you do, I'd just go with Epcot as a park reservation and stick to 1 park that day.

Thanks lanejudy - that's what we decided to do!!