Parking lot and park closing questions :)

[ougrad86]

Less than three weeks - yeah

I just had a couple of questions pop up while doing my last minute planning.

We are going during Spring Break, the week before Easter, and will be hitting MK on Tuesday. Right now, they are calling for a level 9 crowd. The last time we went we were staying offsite and used a taxi to get there (came in on the Poly monorail, and ended up with the EMH crowd instead of waiting for RD! - DH just walked right on through the turnstiles because he did not know to wait!).

This time we are staying at Coronado, but will use our car anyway, what time do the parking lots open? We would like to get there early, so we can make the EMH opening at 7 am.

Since this is an early morning and late night, we want to take a midday break, leaving at around 1, maybe returning at about 4:30. We left by 11 am last time, so did not experience the full SB crowds. Is there a chance that the park would close due to capacity at SB? I have heard of it happening at Christmas and New Years and July 4th. Was hoping it would not happen during SB, even though it is very crowded. We have an ADR at Liberty Tree we were planning for.

Sorry this is kind of rambling, my mind is going many directions at once as I try to wrap up loose ends! This is our last trip with our DS before he goes off to college, so want to make it as special as possible ! TIA!

 

[711heather]

I am going the same time and had the same worries. I plan to do rope drop each day if possible to all of the parks. It seems you can get a lot done in the extra morning hours. Because I am afraid of the park closing and parking to be crazy so far we are planning on just staying at the parks the entire time. My girls are 13 and 10. I think we may try Tom Sawyer island in the middle of the day as a rest time but not sure. I hope with the 3 fp's and extra hours we see as much as possible.

 

[vicki_c]

I recommend taking the bus from your resort to MK for the EMH. We had an issue getting to the park from the TTC a few Easters ago for the EMH, when we drove ourselves. Now we take the bus for that even though we drive everywhere else.

 

[ougrad86]

We would prefer to take our car since we are taking a mid-day break, can get in the car, run to the store and the to our resort in one fell swoop, instead of getting back to the resort, then in the car store and back to the resort. So just wondering what is the earliest we can get into the parking lot? I know the resort monorail was running around 7 am when we were trying to get there last time to wait for RD.

 

[ougrad86]

I just noticed that I did not find out the answer to my question !

Would anybody know how early the parking lots open, and if there have been problems recently with room for parking? My friend says she has heard of people having to park in the grass and whatnot because the lots are so crowded ? We plan to leave, make a quick stop at the store then to the resort to relax, then return around 4:30 for our LTT ADR and the rest of the evening. The Tuesday before Easter, is there a chance that MK will close due to capacity ?

 

[SteveMouse]

Part of your challenge is that you will still need to get from the TTC to the MK. That will add 10-30 minutes on the inbound and similar amount on the outbound. I'd consider loving my car to the front of CSR and bussing from there. On return for your break, you then don't have additional time @CSR.

As on onsite guest, you have priority for park entry of it reaches closing stages, but in the end, if the MK reaches max level, you would not be admitted, even with an ADR and you'd be charged as a "no-show."

 

[princess sunshine]

Hello,

I'm not sure about the likelihood of the park closing due to capacity on that day, but I think I remember hearing something about the park closing in phases if it does reach capacity. The fact that you are staying on property (and have a dining reservation as an added bonus) I believe gives you greater access if parks were closed in phases. I don't know what they various capacity closing phases are but I'm sure another poster will have more information on this. I think it seems like you have a good chance of still getting in

Have a wonderful vacation!!

 

[Robo]

Forget "convenience" at a busy time like that.
It is unwise to attempt to drive to MK.

The transportation at a super-busy time is designed to favor onsite guests taking the Disney buses.