Parks closing for capacity

[Muskegon78]

When the parks close for capacity, do they reopen in the evening or whenever capacity goes down. Also, if you are in the parks in the morning and leave, can you get back in if you return and the parks are at capacity. (we will be the 12/26-1/1)

 

[swilshire]

Yes to the first question, no to the second.

We were there last year and I was surprised to realize the Magic Kingdom was closing and opening throughout the day.

Once the park is closed, they won't even let you into the parking lot if you're driving. There may be allowances for on-site guests, but someone else will have to address that.

Sheila

 

[seashoreCM]

Day guests are turned away before resort guests. Eventually resort guests too are turned away.

The turning away of day guests may take the form of or coincide with the closing of the parking lot although that is not the formal definition of the stage where day guests are turned away.

Stage 4, I think is denying entrance or re-entrance to everyone including persons who stepped out for a moment. If park closure conditions are in effect the stage changes periodically during the day but not every few minutes as a few people exit.

Resort guests are guaranteed access to a theme park, Disney's choice. I don't think there has yet been a time when there was only one choice for resort guests but it was reported that there was at least one time when just MGM and Animal Kingdom were available.

The closing of its lot (at TTC) is not necessarily Stage 1 for MK. Often MK guests are directed to Epcot's lot for overflow parking.

If the park is restricting entrance due to capacity, things could be worse. You could be inside. In line. (Almost quoting Corey Sandler, author of an unofficial Disney guidebook.)

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Muskegon78]

How long is the typical wait to get into the park when it is at capacity. Also, does the park specifically the MK reach capacity usually in the evening or at night during midnight or 3am closing days?

 

[Jon99]

While at the parks, is there a number you can call to get updates of whats going on???

 

[Hownow9]

Is it mainly MK that closes during the day or do all
the parks tend to close (especially next week) for capacity???

 

[swilshire]

From experience, I would expect all except Animal Kingdom to close on New Year's Eve. We had been advised by a CM a few years ago that only the MK and Epcot would be likely to close, but by 11AM, we couldn't get into MGM either. We wound up at Sea World instead.

Sheila

 

[randomprince]

I'm going for those exact dates too. I was there for a few days after Christmas last year and we didn't have any problems, although I believe they closed the MK for a bit while we were inside. I've never been there for New Year's though and from what I've heard, it's almost certain that the parks will be closed for capacity. Just make sure you know where you want to be at midnight and stay there all day!

 

[peter11435]

How long is the typical wait to get into the park when it is at capacity. Also, does the park specifically the MK reach capacity usually in the evening or at night during midnight or 3am closing days?

The parks don't close due to capacity often. It is really only on major holidays. All four parks have closed to capacity in the past but never all four at the same time. Usually it happens earlier than you would think.

 

[Muskegon78]

How long is the wait to get back in though? Some mention that they were forced to go to other parks, why? was it a long wait?

 

[peter11435]

How long is the wait to get back in though? Some mention that they were forced to go to other parks, why? was it a long wait?

There is no wait to get back in. They will just start letting guests in again once the number of guests in the park drops low enough. They have no way of knowing how long that will be. That is why they direct you to other parks.

 

[Horizons16]

I remember being at MK and they closed it around 10:30. There was wall to wall people. It was crazy but still a lot of fun watching the people freak out trying to do everything.

 

[Sammie]

The earliest time I can remember them closing on a holiday was 10am.