What Happens to an ADR if the Park Reaches Capacity?

[lacrosse_lady72]

I initially posted this in the wrong spot on accident so I'll ask it again in the appropriate spot:

If a park reaches it's capacity like MK did today or Epcot might, if you have an ADR late... like you just arrived in WDW or something... do you lose your ADR?

Or are you still able to get in if you have a confirmation number?

 

[Leanne1977]

You wouldn't be able to get in if the park is closed to capacity, even with an ADR.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

OMG, that sucks! WOW, good thing my spring break days are over with for a while.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Just remember that if you're staying in a Disney resort, you can still get in.

 

[diskids2]

Just remember that if you're staying in a Disney resort, you can still get in.

Just to understand....if I am staying at the CBR, then I can get into a park at capacity....not that I'd want to be in all that mess but if I had an ADR that I didn't want to miss I could get in.

 

[crisi]

Not necessarily. Staying in a Disney resort guarentees you admission to A park, but not necessarily the park you want to be in that day. They close the parks in stages - first they close the parking lots and offsite buses from reaching the park. Then they stop the transportation and reroute the busses to a park that hasn't reached capacity. Finally, they stop letting people through the ticket turnstyles.

 

[budbeerlady]

Just remember that if you're staying in a Disney resort, you can still get in.

Nope, you cannot get into MK if it is at a stage 4 shut down. Doesn't matter where you are staying, not getting in....

You will be able to enter another park that isnt full to capacity.


Having an ADR wont help you unless you are in the park already when it is closed.

(IE I have an ADR at Tonys at the MK on Christmas at 2pm. IF I am at HS and MK is closed to level 4, I am missing my 2pm at Tonys.)

 

[neile45]

so, since I have a 4 pm ADR at CRT, and if I get to the park, and it's full capacity, and I can't get in, do I lose my money that I put as a deposit? Just confirming, because the day I made the CRT on, is a day that I should stay away from MK.

 

[Bob P]

so, since I have a 4 pm ADR at CRT, and if I get to the park, and it's full capacity, and I can't get in, do I lose my money that I put as a deposit? Just confirming, because the day I made the CRT on, is a day that I should stay away from MK.

When are you going? There are only a handful of days through the year where the MK may close. And when it does, it is often reopened by 4.

 

[neile45]

we will be there next week, the day in question is Thursday, April 16th. I was planning on getting there by 2, to make sure we got to the castle in plenty of time - maybe stroll Main St a little bit.

 

[Bob P]

Crowds usually start to thin out by the second half of Easter week. I think you should keep an eye on the situation earlier in the week. If the MK doesn't close early next week it most likely won't close toward the end of the week.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

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.

There are four stages to park closing:

Stage 1 - The parking lot entrance is closed. You can only access the park if you are using Disney Transportation.

Stage 2 - The ticket windows are all closed (and the automated Ticket Vending Machines are turned off). Unless you already have a ticket you cannot get in.

Stage 3 - Only people with Annual Passes or current Resort IDs will be allowed in.

Stage 4 - Nobody is allowed in.

Note - having restaurant reservations in a park, even with written proof, will not override a stage closing for you.

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.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Nope, you cannot get into MK if it is at a stage 4 shut down. Doesn't matter where you are staying, not getting in....

You will be able to enter another park that isnt full to capacity.


Having an ADR wont help you unless you are in the park already when it is closed.

(IE I have an ADR at Tonys at the MK on Christmas at 2pm. IF I am at HS and MK is closed to level 4, I am missing my 2pm at Tonys.)

Oops, sorry ... I should have been clearer... my understanding was that you are guaranteed entry into some park, and it's good to have that verified by an "insider." I'd say the best strategy is to get to whatever park you have ADRs in as early as possible.

A bit OT, Cheshire Figment, but how often in your experience have their been stage 4 closings? I've never experienced one in a bunch of visits, but I've not been to WDW on Christmas Day but twice, and we still could get in any of the parks. It was pretty snug, tho!