Question about parks closing

[spitfire]

I have a question about the parks closing due to full capacity. We'll be there for Christmas week, and yes, I know it's going to be crowded. But, we're a family of 5 (2 adults, 3 teens) which is more manageable than when the kids were little. Anyway, as this is our first experience with CROWDS, do the parks close to everyone once they've reached their capacity or is it only to those staying off site? We're staying at AS Sports and don't want to be turned away from anything. Thanks for you help.

 

[DVC-Don]

They close them in stages I've read. First they'll close the parking lot, then if the crowds get too large after that they check ID's at the turnstiles and let only resort guests in, then if that does not hold it down they'll close it to all. We were there Christmas of 2004 and saw them closing the MK parking lot Christmas Day when we were leaving the MK and taking the monorail to Epcot.

 

[kilee]

They are in fact closed in stages. The first level of closing is to all non-resort guests. In all honesty this is usually the only level of closing it reaches.

You can be turned away from a particular park, even if you stay onsite. Staying onsite only guarantee's you entry into a park, maybe not the one of your choice. This would be pretty rare though. If Christmas Day is nice weather wise (this past year it wasn't and it did keep the crowds away), then that would be a day to watch for a multi level closing. Also, NYE is another if you are there still.

 

[spitfire]

Wow, thanks for the info regarding park closings. We plan on going to Mk on Christmas Eve and Epcot Christmas Day. Hopefully, that plan will work for us as most posts or info in the UG say to stay away from MK on the Day. Thankfully, we have been to WDW before, so there's always Downtown. Plus, it seems like there's so much "holiday" themed activities at each resort, you could make a day of that. I'll just keep my fingers crossed and go for it..........that and the fact that we're early risers should help.