What happens when park reaches capacity?

[Corpsebride]

I don't think there's an "official" number, but I heard 75,000 - 85,000 people at DL, less at California Adventure!

WOW! That is a lot of people!! Thank you for the answer

 

[funatdisney]

I don't think there's an "official" number, but I heard 75,000 - 85,000 people at DL, less at California Adventure!

I have also heard that the 75,000 to 85,000 would include the cast members, too. I have never been at capacity myself, but have been there when the signs are out that warn of the possibility. On those days, we don't go to ride any of the rides. We goto "just be there".

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I'm sure the fire marshal has something to say about the maximum number of people, but DL has always been very quiet about attendance numbers.

 

[jernysgirl]

I was there in '96 (wow! that was a long time ago) on the 4th and it was horrible! You were shoulder to shoulder with people. And yes, you did get your feet stepped on and rolled over by strollers.

I seem to remember the line for Splash being somewhere around 3 hours long!

 

[pixiewings71]

Last year we started on a Saturday in July (the 15th was our arrival date).
The day of our arrival we went to DTD, we weren't going into the parks because we didn't have AP's yet, as we walked towards security there was a large sign that said "DL is at capacity no further entry allowed" so it does happen. As far as I could tell people could still hop but no one new was allowed in.

 

[Gisele]

WOW! I can only imagine what that must have been like, to have been in the park.

 

[indiesgirl4ever]

i was also there on dec. 27,07 and it said it reached its capacity and was all sold out

 

[kelmac284]

I was there in November of 07 during Veteran's day weekend when they were filming the Christmas parade. They had big signs on Harbor and at the entrance saying Disneyland is Full. We are AP's and they still let us in but I guess they were not selling any more tickets so if you didn't already have a ticket you could not get in. So it was like what Disneyfainaiz was saying. I do know that they have a level that the firemarshall will not alow ANY people in passholder or not. But apparently it wasn't THAT full when we were there because we were able to leave and come back in with our AP's. But it was PRETTY full.

I don't know about the 4th if it will be any worse than that but I would say that the person's advice about going early and staying is a good advice if you are not a passholder or resort guest just to be on the safe side.

That is if you want to make SURE you are able to be there to see the fireworks that evening. But you can always guage it by the crowds too. Obviously if you are there and the parks aren't that full then you don't have a problem.

 

[Disney Dreams]

We will be there this Thursday thru Sunday. I've been reading comments from everyone and I read somewhere that the park may fill to capacity on the 4th. If that does happen....I'm wondering what will happen if we leave the park to go back to the hotel in the afternoon and evening. We are staying at GC...will they let us back in the park?

First, a couple of basic facts:
1. July 4th is THE top day for attendance numbers at Disneyland. (NYE is 2nd.)

2. There are 2 attendance cut-offs:
- The first is Disneyland's own limit. The result is that they stop selling tickets and no new guests are allowed in. GENERALLY, on-site hotel guests and re-entry are still allowed.
- The second is the fire marshal's limit. The result is NO ONE enters.

3. Once limits are hit, people can be allowed to enter again if a large number of people leave, but on the 4th of July, I would not count on this.

As for making the best of the day once you are there: Just accept the fact that it is going to be VERY crowded with long lines everywhere and crowds at every show, parade, restaurant, restroom, etc.... It is a day to just go with whatever happens, not a day to have a plan with a checklist and itinerary.

Oh, and if you stay until after the fireworks and are parked in the parking garage or lot, know that traditionally the exit crowds are such that the trams do NOT run for while. Rather, there is well light and staffed walk back to your car. There are just too many people leaving for the trams to handle. If you don't care to be part of the "cattle" heading back to the cars, hang in the park a while long and then go.

Best summary of advice for the 4th:
- If you enter, don't exit until you are willing to accept that it could be the end of your day.
- Know that it's going to be VERY crowded, and just enjoy the day.
- Have fun. It IS Disneyland, after all.

 

[Corpsebride]

First, a couple of basic facts:
1. July 4th is THE top day for attendance numbers at Disneyland. (NYE is 2nd.)

2. There are 2 attendance cut-offs:
- The first is Disneyland's own limit. The result is that they stop selling tickets and no new guests are allowed in. GENERALLY, on-site hotel guests and re-entry are still allowed.
- The second is the fire marshal's limit. The result is NO ONE enters.

3. Once limits are hit, people can be allowed to enter again if a large number of people leave, but on the 4th of July, I would not count on this.

As for making the best of the day once you are there: Just accept the fact that it is going to be VERY crowded with long lines everywhere and crowds at every show, parade, restaurant, restroom, etc.... It is a day to just go with whatever happens, not a day to have a plan with a checklist and itinerary.

Oh, and if you stay until after the fireworks and are parked in the parking garage or lot, know that traditionally the exit crowds are such that the trams do NOT run for while. Rather, there is well light and staffed walk back to your car. There are just too many people leaving for the trams to handle. If you don't care to be part of the "cattle" heading back to the cars, hang in the park a while long and then go.

Best summary of advice for the 4th:
- If you enter, don't exit until you are willing to accept that it could be the end of your day.
- Know that it's going to be VERY crowded, and just enjoy the day.
- Have fun. It IS Disneyland, after all.

Yep I totally agree.
Here is short list of stuff we do when it is just too busy. This list may not apply to those with kids.
1. The train around the park
2. Mark Twains River Boat
3. A cold drink an sitting in the circle in NOS
4. The Art Gallery next to the Opera House
5. The 50 year anniversary movie with Steve Martin in the Opera house
6. The Flag Ceremony at the beginning of Mainstreet. It is at 430 pm.
7. Of course EAT
8. The Jungle Cruise, if the lines arent too bad.
9. Shopping, this is good to do and have them hold your packages for the rest of the day. That way at night you can pick up your stuff and then leave.
That is all I can think of right now, but that is a list of stuff we do that usually dont have long lines and is still fun.
Happy Fourth of July Everyone!