Pass outs?

[DizneyDaze]

I have read on these boards about how busy the parks can get during the Xmas period - even to the point of being full by 10:00am, my question is if you get to the park early enough to get in can you get your hand stamped or some other pass that will enable you to leave for a while during the afternoon and return later in the day?

Thanks

 

[WDWfan uk]

My advice is once you get in the park don't leave! If a park hits capacity you will not get back in with a handstamp. You should only really encounter such a problem on Christmas Day and New Years Eve.

 

[michelle 1]

Which parks offer what on Christmas Day and also on NYE?
I'd like to see some parades, fireworks and possibly get onto some rides without having to queue for hours, is this possible in any one park?
thanx in advance

 

[cheryl.UK]

basically its the same as other days around Xmas, candlelight processional in epcot, tree lighting in MK, usual parades and fireworks. Nothing special on NYE and xmas day just bigger crouds. The TV special that Americans get on TV on Xmas day is actually shot about a week before hand.

 

[DizneyDaze]

If you do happen to turn up and the parks are full what happens if you have a PS - I know this doesn't act as a reservation but would they allow you entry or would they cancel the PS?

 

[Janice]

Hi Disneydaze

As far as I know, if you turn up to a park and it is full, no matter what reservations or tickets etc you have - you will not be allowed entry to the park if Safety is an issue.

We heard on the Radio on New Years Eve 1999/2000 that Epcot and Magic Kingdom were full to capacity by 8am that morning and guests were turning round and going to AK and MGM. This was obviously an Extra Ordinary occassion (Millennium Celebrations) but I felt for the thousands of people who were caught up in major traffic jams all over trying to get to the parks to get in!

We were headed to Universal and had no problems at all....

On New Years Eve I believe they have extra Fireworks shows in Epcot, and of course there is the fun of walking round World Showcase and seeing the New Year in in each country during their 'own' timezone.

 

[cheryl.UK]

Janice,
We hit MK at around 8 and got in OK but we heard from others that they had been turned away from EPCOT at 7!! Aparently they had opened the gates at 5 because the queues to get in the parking lot were laready causing jams all over WDW. They had opened the parking lot at 4!!

MK closed 3rd because its a dry park but MGM closed at around 8am.

No matter what ticket you had, you weren't getting in. The only thing they did guarentee was that all Disney hotel guest would get into A park so long as they got there before 11 but they wouldn't guarentee which one. AK had some kind of party in the parking lot when the actual park closed. They didn't want people disrurbing the animals.

 

[DizneyDaze]

I am a little apprehesive now, but at least we know to be really early, luckily we have two teenagers 16 & 17 so Santa's pressie's can wait.....to be honest we will be happy just being there so no stress

Thanks for the help and advice though

 

[Janice]

Hi Disneydaze

What days and parks in particular are you thinking about? If it is Christmas Day or New Years Eve, then I would really make an extra effort to get to the park early and plan to stay all day - you could plan some 'down' time within the park to rest up and recharge the batteries.

On other days I think you will find it may not be so bad. What date are you actually going?

 

[DizneyDaze]

Hi Janice

We are flying out on 12th Dec for 3 wks and will be there over Xmas and New Year. We are hoping to be in MK on Xmas Day and Epcot on New Years Eve. We realise how busy it will be but have no idea what sort of time we need to be at each park I thought around 8am but now I am beginning to think we need to be there earlier. We are staying in a villa so are not Disney Resort Guests. I am going to try for CRT for Xmas morning, I know it is a near impossible task but I'm still going to try
Also pondering with the idea of PS in Liberty Tavern sometime during the day but we haven't decided yet.

Any help of suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

[Janice]

Hi again

I dont know if it's your first experience of Disney at Christmas, but if it is, you are in for a major treat! It is wonderful.

I have been to WDW 3 times now at around about the Christmas/New Year time and it is quite amazing.

I would say your plans for MK on Christmas Day and Epcot on NYE are good - but would suggest you get there as early as you possibly can. I am sure that you will get the 'feel' of how early you need to get to the parks during the weeks prior to the big days. I hope you are successful in your quest for PS's for CRT, that would be fab! Liberty Tavern would be super for your Lunch/Dinner. If you made reservations for late afternoon, but before the Dinner menu kicks in, that would be a great opportunity for a bit of 'wind down' time before the excitement of seeing all the fireworks on Christmas Night. Cheaper prices too I believe. We loved the LTT - I hope you enjoy it too.

I would suggest that you try and get a PS for the Rose and Crown in Epcot to coincide with the time the New Year is rung in here at home (7pm) - then you would be able to join in those celebrations too - and again, it would be good to have the rest time.

I believe in Epcot they have the usual Fireworks at about 9 and then again at just before midnight - although I havent experienced this so may be wrong.

If it was me, I would try to schedule in a visit to both these parks on other days during the holiday too - so that the inevitable long quest on the big days wont become too much of an issue. The weeks leading upto Christmas Eve will be quieter and should give you plenty of opportunity to take in all the big rides and leave you Christmas Day and New Years Eve to literally just soak up the amazing atmosphere of being there!

I dont know if you have read them, but my Trip Reports are in the Index on the Trip Reports Forum - they cover our Millennium trip and will perhaps give you some idea of the crowds we encountered during this period.

If I can help in any other way - just shout

 

[DizneyDaze]

Janice

Thanks so much - I really can't wait.



I had never thought of the Rose & Crown great idea that is now on my PS list. We had planned to do all the rides before Xmas too, just really wanting to as you say 'soak up the atmosphere' during the special days.

We have also planned for MVMCP but I am not sure of the dates yet I don't think they have been released and again we just plan to do any shows etc that are not the norm during this night.

Thanks again you have been really helpful - I'm now off to read your trip reports!