Parks closed due to capacity-when?

[Simba's Mom]

Does someone remember on which dates, the specific parks were closed due to capacity? And if one park closes for capacity, that doesn't mean you can't go to another park, does it? And once whichever park has been closed due to capacity crowds, did it reopen that day or not?

 

[zurgswife]

These usually happen on holiday periods...Christmas, New Years, July 4th, easter, Thanksgiving....my experience has been that MK closes for periods and 1 other time in addition to MK MGM closed...

 

[Jakesmom1]

We just got back, and MK closed and reopened on three different times on Monday July 4th. All other parks were ok.

Hope this helps.

 

[Anc96]

Last year on July 4th we had a character lunch at Crystal Palace. We got there just in time for our PS and enjoyed lunch and the atmosphere there for a while. When we came out we had to fight our way over to SplashM and get FPs. It was so crowded! I said let's make this a pool day.. dd agreed and we gave our FPs to some people we passed. When we were exiting the park people were being turned away. I didn't even know the park closed when it reached a certain capacity... I wouldn't want to be in one when it reached that much. It was so crowded I was holding my dd's hand very tightly. I think they should have closed it sooner. I can't imagine anyone really enjoying themselves with so many people there.

We were at MK on Thanksgiving day also.. pretty crowded but as far as I know it was still opened. We went over to Epcot and the crowd was better... but still a bit much so again we went back to have a relaxing pool day.

So those are my 2 days that I wouldn't be going in the Parks again...

 

[TDC Nala]

suggestions for major holidays if you are interested in a park day but can't stand crowds:

Go to a park other than the MK. If you like Animal Kingdom, go there on July 4th. They do not have fireworks and have fewer crowds, but it's HOT there in summertime. If you want to see fireworks on July 4th and absolutely do not like the major crowds, do not go to MK. Go to Epcot or MGM but get there at least a couple of hours before fireworks time and take your time leaving. If you're a night owl, see the fireworks at PI.

If you must go to MK, get there early in the day and don't leave. Plan on very long lines for attractions and food. (Make sure you have an ADR if you want sit-down dining). Plan on street-clogging crowds. Consider leaving at the tail end of the crowds after the fireworks. This goes for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, too (unless it's raining, then there won't be capacity crowds).

Consider staying at a walking distance resort (an Epcot resort for Epcot or MGM; Contemporary for MK) near the park you are most interested in for the holiday.