Parks closing for capacity - what are the stages?

[basketlacey]

We are going down on 7/4 and I know it will be crazy crowded. We won't get there until late afternoon due to our drive.

Can someone please explain to me the different stages of park closing? We are AP holders and are staying at the Dolphin (I'm not sure whether or not that is considered "on-ste" for park closing purposes).

TIA!

 

[Robo]

We are going down on 7/4 and I know it will be crazy crowded. We won't get there until late afternoon due to our drive.

Can someone please explain to me the different stages of park closing? We are AP holders and are staying at the Dolphin (I'm not sure whether or not that is considered "on-ste" for park closing purposes).

TIA!

From Cheshire Figment, WDW CM.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43584709#post43584709

There are five stages to Park Closings, based on number of people in a Park. The turnstile master computer at each park keeps track of both entries and exits. When a park capacity closes (which is done in stages) there has to be a certain number of people exiting, with the total "in park" below a certain number, before they start allowing people in again.

I am low enough on the totem pole that I have no idea what these numbers are.*

Stage Zero - Due to limited available parking, Guests may be directed to alternate parking areas where they will use Resort transportation to travel to the park of their choice.

Stage 1 - At this stage each Guest in a vehicle must have a valid multi-day ticket. Also Guests with a Park Hopper or re-entering the Park, by showing a currently dated Parking Receipt, will be allowed in. Also, any Guests using Disney transportation are allowed.

Stage 2 - At this stage, Theme Park admission is limited to Disney Resort Guests*, Annual and Premium Annual Passholders, Guests with Park Hopper tickets crossing over from another Park, Guests re-entering this Park today. Guests with written confirmation of reservations for Dining or Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League within one hour are also admitted. Guests using Walt Disney World Resort Transportation will be admitted. Guests not meeting the above criteria are told the Theme Park has reached capacity.

Stage 3 - At this stage, Theme Park admission is limited to Disney Resort Guests*, Annual and Premium Annual Passholders. Guests with written confirmation of reservations for Dining or Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League within one hour are also admitted.*

Stage 4 - Nobody is allowed in.

Also, if you are staying at a Disney owned and operated Resort and have a ticket, you are guaranteed entry into A park. Not necessarily the one you want (unless you want to go into AK). And if you have entered and left a park and do not have a hopper you may not get into anything.

*Guests of WDW Swan and Dolphin Hotels and Shades of Green at the Walt Disney World Resort are considered part of this group for Stages 2 and 3. In addition, Guests from Hotel Plaza Boulevard hotels arriving by bus are included.

 

[basketlacey]

Thank you Robo! I knew I had seen this before but I didn't remember that it was in the ticket sticky!

BTW, I miss CF!

Anyway, looks like we are safe to hit MK unless it hits stage 4. I'm trying to convince the kids that it would be better to head to EPCOT and stake out a spot early for the special edition of Illuminations. But I am not winning the argument so far!

 

[Gibbs]

Thank you Robo! I knew I had seen this before but I didn't remember that it was in the ticket sticky!

BTW, I miss CF!

Anyway, looks like we are safe to hit MK unless it hits stage 4. I'm trying to convince the kids that it would be better to head to EPCOT and stake out a spot early for the special edition of Illuminations. But I am not winning the argument so far!

Have a great time! And illuminations is something you do NOT want to miss.

 

[Robo]

Have a great time! And illuminations is something you do NOT want to miss.

Agreed!

And, to posting on the DISboards, Gibbs!