Theme Parks at Max. Capacity and ADRs

[ukwildcat]

I posted this question in another thread, but I didn't receive an answer. So, here goes again:

If a theme park (specifically Epcot) is closed due to being at maximum capacity do they still allow you in if you have an ADR?

I am looking for hard evidence, as in someone that this has actually happend to. Thanks for the advice. I am asking because we will be at WDW for 2 days (July 2 and 3) and have ADRs at Alfredos on July 2 and Le Cellier on July 3. I should add that we will be staying on property.

Also, does anyone know if Epcot typically fills to capacity during the days before Fourth of July. Thanks again.

 

[BamaFan121s]

Funny, I saw this on another thread and replied...

Yes, they will still let you in if you have ADRs. We have actually done this on T'giving day before.

 

[Chuck65]

I read in the UG, that if a park reaches capacity, Disney will admit you to the park if you are a guest staying on property.

 

[BamaFan121s]

They won't neccessarily. Every time we've gone for T'giving, MK always reached capacity and we would make ADRs for T'giving day so we could get in--sis was always in the parade for about 4 yrs strait. We stayed on property and were told we couldn't enter once and that's all it took. We waited by the turnstyles for about 45 min and finally got in after some people left.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I read in the UG, that if a park reaches capacity, Disney will admit you to the park if you are a guest staying on property.

1) Totally incorrect.
2) if the park is at capacity, WDW will get you into "A" park.
3) It might not be the park of YOUR choice, but you will get in SOMEWHERE.
4) If you have a ADR at a popular park on a VERY busy day, get there early.
5) EXAMPLE:
. . . you have an ADR at Crystal Palace late on Thanksgiving
. . . you want to get to MK early in the morn
. . . even if you leave and want to come back, you may not get back into MK

 

[ukwildcat]

So, I have had 2 conflicting reports.

One says you will get in with an ADR, and they said they have actually done this on Thanksgiving.

Another says you may not get back in but doens't give any actual experience.

Anyone else want to weigh in?

 

[bicker]

You have two reports; One correct, one not!

Check the archives. Every so often one of the CMs outline the multiple levels of park closure. It happens in stages, based on capacity. The parking lot closes first, before the gate closes. Folks returning to the park after having left have some priority, as do resort guests, but in the end, when the park is full, even they are turned away. Folks with ADRs have no priority according to policy. It is your responsibility to be in the park early enough.

 

[aristocat]

As long as you get to the park early in the day, you won't have anything to worry about.

 

[magsmom]

I was at Disney last July 4th weekend. MK was mobbed on the 3rd with over 75,000 people at 11:00. Epcot on the 4th was very crowded, but it did not look like it was near capacity. Be sure to stay for Illuminations - they have a special 4th of July tribute at the end.

Looking at your ADRS the 2nd and 3rd should not be as much of a problem at Epcot?

A word of caution - I had never, ever, seen crowds like I did on that trip (6/25-7/5). The waits for rides were extremely long. FASTPASS was not particularly effective. We needed ADRS everywhere - no winging. We usually visit Disney over February vacation and had expected crowds, but not like this.

 

[DisneyDar]

If it's any consolation, we were at Epcot for New Years Eve 2005. The park had the biggest crowds in its HISTORY. They didn't close the gates.

Dar
Themeparks.com Staff