Closing the WDW gates during the holidays

[ex-wdi]

I'm going to be at WDW this week, the 27-31. I know that they'll probably wind up closing the park gates due to crowd levels, but I have some questions about that -

1 - Which parks are most likely to be closed? Obviously MK, but what about the other 3? Is there a park that hasn't ever shut the gates?
2 - Around what times do they usually shut the gates?
3 - I assume it's not possible to leave and come back?
4 - Do they ever re-open the gates later in the day?
5 - Do they ever shut the gates to all guests, or only to people staying off-site?
6 - Lastly, when they shut the gates to off-site guests only how do they handle cast members with ID coming in?

Thanks!

[nbodyhome]

There are several levels of closing - so it depends on how crowded the parks get. If I was on property, I'd spend more time at Epcot (it tends to absorb guests better than any other park).

Also, the MK could close and then re-open, I think that is the way it usually goes. People arrive, it closes, then it re-opens as guests leave. That is the way I remember when working at DRC, anyway! I don't know about cast with ID.

[KingEric]

There are different levels of closings at the Parks.

The first level they won't let Cast Members in
The second level, they won't let people with Annual Passes in
The third level, they won't let off property Guests in (meaning they won't let anyone else park).
The fourth level, they won't let on property and park hopping guests in.
The fifth level is park closure.

Once the gates the close they are not closed all day. Once a certain number of guests exit, they will allow people to enter once again.

Your best bet is to get to the park you want to spend time with as early as possible.

EPCOT does have the highest capacity of any park, and is least likley to close.

But if they do close you aren't out of luck, just be patient, and you will be able to have fun sooner or later!

Hope this helps!

[ti2gr]

The Magic Kingdom is usually the first to go into a closure, followed by The Studios and then Animal Kingdom. Epcot usually does not get to a closure point because of it's very high capacity. However during these extra busy periods between the holidays it may get to that point especially on New Years Eve.

[aimster]

I agree MK is the first to close as it's the most popular. EPCOT is the biggest park, so it can eat up more guests.

[cmnielson83]

what time does the MK close usually. we should get in about 2-3pm and I really wanted to hit splash mountain before it closes. think I should just plan on hitting another park or could our hotel tell us if it is closed when we check in?

[nbodyhome]

what time does the MK close usually. we should get in about 2-3pm and I really wanted to hit splash mountain before it closes. think I should just plan on hitting another park or could our hotel tell us if it is closed when we check in?

When I worked at DRC, it could be fairly early - but the park didn't stay closed all day. People do leave, hopping between the parks or going back to their resorts. I wouldn't expect to have a problem at 2 or 3pm, but there is no guarantee on when it may shut down and eventually reopen.

If on-property, the resort should be able to tell you if the MK is closed to you. You would be in a better position than someone staying offsite (to get in). I was at the parks during Christmas week last year and didn't have any problem getting in as a local visitor, it just depends.

[cmnielson83]

thanks so much for the info. I must say I am sooo super excited. we are at countdown to T-minus 11 hours till the plane leaving. I think my husband is going to go crazy if I say WDW one more time lol.

[WDWZEUS]

I have not been during Christmas time or New Years, I think it would be fun, but I always travel against the normal trends...

[Lindawdwtravel]

For New Years Eve, Epcot is the first to close to capacity and it is usually by 10 AM...So get there early and stay. It may open again if enough people leave but it usually does not happen. After Epcot, MK will close next.

[WDW Monorail]

/\ That is news to me.

MK was at phase 3 by 11:30.

All transportation was directed toward EPCOT until EPCOT reached phase 1.


*EDIT*

I may have misunderstood someone else's post. EPCOT is probably not in any phase closure at the moment.

[nbodyhome]

/\ That is news to me.

MK was at phase 3 by 11:30.

All transportation was directed toward EPCOT until EPCOT reached phase 1.

I don't recall MK closing ever before Epcot. Nor have I ever had a problem getting into Epcot (when I've gone) on NYE.

[nbodyhome]

I have not been during Christmas time or New Years, I think it would be fun, but I always travel against the normal trends...

I don't know that there is a "normal" trend anymore. Tonight should be fantastic at Epcot, it is really a great NYE type park. I'm slightly claustrophobic, so MK would feel too full for me.

The nice thing about this week, the park hours are extended. Epcot is open until 1, meaning the last person will leave by 2:30 or so. I love Epcot at night.

[nbodyhome]

/\ That is news to me.

MK was at phase 3 by 11:30.

All transportation was directed toward EPCOT until EPCOT reached phase 1.

DH worked monorails for 6 years and doesn't remember Epcot ever really closed, except in 1999. Plus, both WS and Future World are pretty much open all day long (I think WS opens at 9:30am, so just after the park opens). So there is a lot of room for guests to move about all day and night long.

[WDW Monorail]

DH worked monorails for 6 years and doesn't remember Epcot ever really closed, except in 1999. Plus, both WS and Future World are pretty much open all day long (I think WS opens at 9:30am, so just after the park opens). So there is a lot of room for guests to move about all day and night long.

I may have misinterpreted someone's post on another board.

What the person said was that guests were being resort IDed at the monorail. Most likely, this meant that either transportation was open only to resort guests or Guest Relations was trying to prevent people from going to MK.
I know that last year, Guest Relations did something similar.

Anyway, EPCOT's capacity is up around 85,000 I believe. That is an absurd amount of people.