Parks at capacity

[kimbamickey]

I have heard that the parks get filled to capacity during the holiday season. Is this true for all the parks, or is one more likely to be full then the rest? And what happens when they are full? Are you just turned away at the gate, or do you wait around until some people leave? I will be there December 30-January 2. What is the likelihood of this happening then? I apologize for my ignorance. Thank you!

 

[safetymom]

MK will be the most likely to close because of high attendance. Are you staying on site? You will have a better chance of getting in if you are using Disney transportation and staying on site.

 

[craziefortigger]

When the parks reach capacity they close the gates, apparently there's a system if I remember correctly (from reading these boards) they close the parking first, then the entrance gates allowing only resort guests then complete closure ...i think that's how it works.

Although being a resort guest gives you the benefit of getting into a park...2 things to remember
1.) you'll get in A park, not necessarily the park of your choice
2.) if it's at capacity make sure you really really want to deal w/crowds/lines etc....

Once they close a park it can and usually does reopen throughout the day so get there early! By 11am the parks are packed.

Now with all that I went last yr Dec. 25-28th and.....
saw/did EVERYTHING except Test Track that I wanted to do!
We were at the parks at opening, break at 1pm back at AS Sports, then back to the parks til closing. Loads and Loads of people BUT I was celebrating Christmas w/the Mouse so nothing mattered!


HAVE A BLAST!

 

[emmabelle]

We were in MK on July 4, 2003 and they were still letting people in but it was so crowded you could barely move, so I can't image how crowded it must get in order for them to close it. You really wouldn't want to be in the park if it was close to capacity. We left and went over to MGM and that was fine and we were able to enjoy the fourth.

 

[Geoff_M]

The closure levels, though I may have the order wrong, are:

1) Close parking lot.
2) Close ticket booths at park gates. (I might have 1 & 2 reversed.)
3) Only on-site guests admitted.
4) Nobody gets in.

It's important to note that if you're an on-site guest, you are guaranteed admission to at least one park.

 

[LibertyBelle]

Geoff you got it... just to elaborate a little more.

1) will turn away "Day Guest" that DO NOT already have a ticket purchased (if you drive up and are intending on buying a ticket at the gate).

2)Only resort guests, passholders, guests "park hopping" or re-entering, and anyone that comes in using WDW transportation are let in.

3)You MUST be on WDW transportation...resort guests and AP holders only.

4) closed for everyone

 

[pilotmono]

The above is close:

#1. Toll Plaza closed to Guests without tickets.

#2 Toll Plaza closed to Guests with tickets and Annual Passes.

#3 Above with cross overs discouraged from other parks.

#4 No cross overs

Resort Guests may still enter for all of the above. It is possible but not likely for there to to be closure to everyone. I recall on 12/31/99 if ANYONE left the parks that day it was difficult getting back in. I remember seeing people sleeping in planters that day.

 

[LibertyBelle]

I don't want to start a disagreement here but my info comes direct from the WDW Cast member portal of information... And I work at MK front entrance, I see your screen name is Pilotmono and you are from Orlando...I assume you work Monorails.

1) Day Guests who have not already purchased tickets and Cast Members using their Maingate & Silver Passes will be turned around at the Auto Plaza. Guests meeting this criteria are told the Park has reached capacity.

2) Admission is limited to Resort Guests, Premium and Annual Passholders, crossovers and other Guests re-entering one of our Parks today. Guests using WDW Resort Transportation and Guests in taxis, will be admitted. Guests not meeting the above criteria are told the Park has reached capacity

3) The theme park is only open to Resort Guests using Disney transportation from their Resort or other theme parks or Annual and Premium Passholders. Shades of Green and Downtown Disney Resort Area Guests using their respective transportation will also be admitted. Guests not meeting the above criteria are told the Park has reached capacity

4) Closed to ALL Guests. Guests are told the Park has reached capacity