Magic Kingdom reaching capacity - how often does it happen?

[SunnySkies66]

We are annual passholders and are planning on going to the Magic Kingdom on July 3. We have dinner reservations at the Crystal Palace before the fireworks.

My husband commented that the park might reach capacity. I called Disney customer service and was told if the park closes and we can't get in for our dining reservation, we are still responsible for the no-show fee.

I know there are levels of "capacity" and as passholders, we could still get in even if it reaches Levels 1, 2 and 3 capacity.

But I was wondering, what are the odds Magic Kingdom will reach Level 4 closure on July 3rd ... does anyone have any insight on this? Thanks!

 

[EricsBiscuit]

Almost never on July 3rd, much more likely on the 4th.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Few days per year and usually reopens at some point.

 

[WDWBusDriver]

It is highly unlikely that there will be any type of capacity closing on July 3rd. However, if it were to happen it would be sometime before noon or shortly after, and would reopen a few hours later. Allowing enough time for you to make your reservation.

July 4th will be different. Approximately 11am (this time is gathered from previous July 4th's) will be the first phase of capacity closings. Typically reopening around 4pm or 5pm so they can cram as many people as they can for the fireworks.

 

[brifraz]

We've been in MK 3 out of the last 4 July 3rds and not been closed due to capacity. July 4, December 31, possibly a few other days between December 25 and New Years (but usually only for a few hours at most), and Easter (but certainly not every year) are the usual capacity days that we are familiar with.

 

[jloucks]

We are annual passholders and are planning on going to the Magic Kingdom on July 3. We have dinner reservations at the Crystal Palace before the fireworks.

My husband commented that the park might reach capacity. I called Disney customer service and was told if the park closes and we can't get in for our dining reservation, we are still responsible for the no-show fee.

Wait, wut?

That is some rookie poor customer service right there. That cannot be right. You cannot prevent a customer from getting to a restaurant then blame them for not getting to the restaurant.

That would be like making a rental car due on sunday, randomly closing on sunday, then charging overdue fees for the late rental car return.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

Wait, wut?

That is some rookie poor customer service right there. That cannot be right. You cannot prevent a customer from getting to a restaurant then blame them for not getting to the restaurant.

That would be like making a rental car due on sunday, randomly closing on sunday, then charging overdue fees for the late rental car return.

Or like using the warmer thingies from Chic FIl A on Saturday night and they get mad because you can't turn them in the next day.

 

[marni1971]

No new admittance at phase four.

 

[GabeP]

Wait, wut?

That is some rookie poor customer service right there. That cannot be right. You cannot prevent a customer from getting to a restaurant then blame them for not getting to the restaurant.

That would be like making a rental car due on sunday, randomly closing on sunday, then charging overdue fees for the late rental car return.

I respectfully disagree. in the rental car example, the agency is doing something that you have no control over-closing on the day the car is due. In the case of the park, the argument could be made that you had ample opportunity to enter the park ahead of a closure that could affect you. By failing to do so, you are liable for the no show fee.

 

[FullSailDan]

I called Disney customer service and was told if the park closes and we can't get in for our dining reservation, we are still responsible for the no-show fee.
Thanks!

Honestly, Disney is pretty lenient with last minute cancellation fee waivers. I'm actually not entirely sure I've seen charges outside of a few select locations even when calls weren't made. I'm sure the agent is required to say that you are still responsible. I'm also sure that given the circumstances, the call center will be alerted of any phase closings (it goes out in an email blast and is posted on the hub) and will be ready to handle the resultant fallout. I personally have dealt with issues like this before when I worked as a concierge. Resort transportation issues, park closings, stuck on rides, it all happens. It's not something to get that worked up about.

 

[jloucks]

I respectfully disagree. in the rental car example, the agency is doing something that you have no control over-closing on the day the car is due. In the case of the park, the argument could be made that you had ample opportunity to enter the park ahead of a closure that could affect you. By failing to do so, you are liable for the no show fee.

I see your point, but it all boils down to "reasonable" opportunity -vs- not reasonable.

But, yea, if you show up to a temp-closed park 30 minutes before your appointment, thats on you.

Sorta like if you don't budget time for a massive line at gate security.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

I spoke with someone today who said they expected 72k people here today.

 

[WondersOfLife]

Fastpasses were discontinued today at MK between 9 and 12, for what it's worth.

 

[SunnySkies66]

Fastpasses were discontinued today at MK between 9 and 12, for what it's worth.

Interesting. Does that mean they weren't issuing any new ones or that existing fast passes were not honored?

And as a recap, we had a great time yesterday at the Magic Kingdom. We felt crowds were almost light based on our experience. We pulled into the parking lot about 5:00, no traffic jams. Lines were not crazy so we managed to squeeze in five activities before our reservations at 7:45 (Jungle Cruise, Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Tiki Birds, Hall of Presidents and swung by Cinderella's Castle to look at the mural).

There was light cloud cover and a breeze so temps felt more like high 80s which is amazing for July.

On the down side, we weren't too impressed with the Crystal Palace buffet. The sirloin and miso glazed salmon were outstanding but they didn't have nearly the range of selection of side dishes that we saw at Hollywood & Vine recently. We did have a great view of the Castle and "Celebrate America" fireworks from the porch, though.

Overall we had a great experience and I think going forward, we're going to plan on visiting the parks on July 3rd instead of 4th because you can still see the 4th fireworks a day early, and it was so much less crazy in terms of crowds.

 

[brifraz]

And as a recap, we had a great time yesterday at the Magic Kingdom.

Overall we had a great experience and I think going forward, we're going to plan on visiting the parks on July 3rd instead of 4th because you can still see the 4th fireworks a day early, and it was so much less crazy in terms of crowds.

Glad to hear that your visit was good. We had a very good 3rd of July in MK as well. Got into the park around 5pm and started with our FP+ - Mine Train (4:15-5:15), Peter Pan (5:15-6:15), and then Splash Mountain (6:20-7:20). Stopped on the way to Splash to watch the 6pm Muppet show in Liberty Square. After Splash, we set up shop on the Frontierland bridge to wait for fireworks. The crowd didn't really descend on that location until about 8:15pm (then it quickly went from just us and one other family to 3 families deep across the whole bridge). After fireworks, we had late dinner at Be Our Guest followed by added FP+ at Jungle Cruise, then Pirates and Haunted Mansion both prior to EMH at midnight. During EMH we did It's a Small World, Teacups, and Buzz as well as visiting all the Incredibles photo spots in Tomorrowland with no waiting. By the way, the Incredibles photo spots have videos that come up with the photos - some are quite a bit of fun. I would call yesterday a slightly lighter-than-usual crowd on July 3.

 

[SunnySkies66]

After fireworks, we had late dinner at Be Our Guest followed by added FP+ at Jungle Cruise, then Pirates and Haunted Mansion

Wow, you got a lot done!

Question -- you said "added FP+" --- do you mean that after you used your first three fast passes for Mine Train, Peter Pan and Splash Mountain before the fireworks, you were able to add three more fast passes? For example by using the Disney app on a smart phone while you're in the park?

Forgive me, I'm a bit of a rookie here. I thought you were only allowed three FP's per day total, period. It sounds like you can have three max at any given time?

 

[brifraz]

Wow, you got a lot done!

Question -- you said "added FP+" --- do you mean that after you used your first three fast passes for Mine Train, Peter Pan and Splash Mountain before the fireworks, you were able to add three more fast passes? For example by using the Disney app on a smart phone while you're in the park?

Forgive me, I'm a bit of a rookie here. I thought you were only allowed three FP's per day total, period. It sounds like you can have three max at any given time?

No worries on being a rookie - we were all rookies once! Once you have used (or missed the window) for your three pre-selected FP+, you can add additional ones one at a time. So, we try to book our three during the late morning. As soon as we tap into the third FP+, we get on the app and try to find another one for the afternoon or the evening. Once we tap in to that one, we look for another, and so on. Also, once you have tapped in for an FP+, you can move your next one up (if there is availability) to avoid having to wait for the end of the hour. We did this yesterday at Animal Kingdom. Our initial FP+ were Safari at 9:45, Everest at 10:45, and Kali at 11:55. Soon as we got into the FP+ line for Safari, we moved up our Everest FP+ to the earliest open spot which was 10:25. We got to Everest right at 10:25, at which time we moved up AND changed our Kali to a Finding Nemo at 10:30 (for the 11am show). Once in Finding Nemo, as we waited for the show to start we booked an evening FP+ in another park!

Another thing we do with FP+ is we often book ones to 'burn' in the parks with tiered FP+. On our arrival day, we knew we wouldn't get in to Epcot until about 11am, so we booked Imagination at 9am and Nemo at 10am knowing full well that we would not use them (and since those are both very low demand tier two rides we didn't feel guilty about getting and not using an FP+). We arrived in park and used Soarin' at 11:25am. As we waited for our flight, we booked another tier one FP+. In this case, we actually booked multiple different additional FP+. Often times, single FP+ are easier to book than a group. So, we managed to get a single for Frozen (which our daughter enjoyed while we relaxed) and a pair for Test Track (which my wife and daughter enjoyed - daughter on my FP+). As soon as I tapped my daughter into the Test Track line, I booked an FP+ for Living with the Land (a personal favorite) at that exact time and dashed over there while they rode!

We do our Disney vacations pretty hard core (and have for many years) so we enjoy doing a ton each an every day! I should have a trip report coming up in the next week or so, once we get home!

 

[DisneyFreak]

The only days we have been there when this has happened is July 4th and December 31st.

 

[Damon7777]

. In the case of the park, the argument could be made that you had ample opportunity to enter the park ahead of a closure that could affect you. By failing to do so, you are liable for the no show fee.

That argument is terribly unconvincing.

 

[SunnySkies66]

Also, once you have tapped in for an FP+, you can move your next one up (if there is availability) to avoid having to wait for the end of the hour.

Oh. Em. Gee. Thank you for sharing that! I had no idea!

I am so excited for our next visit, I'm going to give this a try.... wow!

I look forward to reading your report on your next trip... thanks again for the valuable info!