MK Reaching Capacity. . .

[inchy warrior]

After reading that MK has reached capacity over the last few days, I was wondering what is the number of people allowed into the park is, and is it also determined by car parking availability

 

[s8film40]

After reading that MK has reached capacity over the last few days, I was wondering what is the number of people allowed into the park is, and is it also determined by car parking availability

I haven't heard of the MK reaching capacity in quite some time. I don't think it really ever does anymore with all the phased closings.

My understanding on capacity though is the number is calculated by all open space including attractions and restaurants so the actual number can change based on whats open. I've always heard it's somewhere around 50,000 - 60,000

 

[KeeKee]

I haven't heard of the MK reaching capacity in quite some time. I don't think it really ever does anymore with all the phased closings.

My understanding on capacity though is the number is calculated by all open space including attractions and restaurants so the actual number can change based on whats open. I've always heard it's somewhere around 50,000 - 60,000

That is way too many people in the park for a quality guest experience. If you control the gates, you determine the guest experience. Come on, Disney. You can do better than this.

 

[s8film40]

That is way too many people in the park for a quality guest experience. If you control the gates, you determine the guest experience. Come on, Disney. You can do better than this.

It's a balance of disappointment. While it may not be an ideal guest experience try telling that to the people who would be turned away to preserve that experience. If you go at a peak time and specifically a peak day Christmas, NYE etc. you really just have to expect this. I've been in the parks on these type of days at different times and so long as you go in with the right expectations it's really not that bad. You have to understand your not going to go through the park riding a lot of rides, pathways are going to be crowded and it will take a lot of patience. My suggestion is plan on going with friends or family you want to simply hang out with and can spend time just having conversations with, plan a table service restaurant as a way to get a break from the crowds and be sure to go to some of the less popular attractions especially longer shows. You can have a good time on days like this you just have to do it right.

 

[KeeKee]

It's a balance of disappointment. While it may not be an ideal guest experience try telling that to the people who would be turned away to preserve that experience. If you go at a peak time and specifically a peak day Christmas, NYE etc. you really just have to expect this. I've been in the parks on these type of days at different times and so long as you go in with the right expectations it's really not that bad. You have to understand your not going to go through the park riding a lot of rides, pathways are going to be crowded and it will take a lot of patience. My suggestion is plan on going with friends or family you want to simply hang out with and can spend time just having conversations with, plan a table service restaurant as a way to get a break from the crowds and be sure to go to some of the less popular attractions especially longer shows. You can have a good time on days like this you just have to do it right.

However, there are periods when the gates are closed, so there is a threshold. It seems that the threshold has changed over the years and is determined more now by the "bottom line" than the comfort of the parks' guests. They either need more capacity or better control of the gates. There is a saturation point. The problem is when greedy accounting drives you beyond it.

 

[s8film40]

However, there are periods when the gates are closed, so there is a threshold. It seems that the threshold has changed over the years and is determined more now by the "bottom line" than the comfort of the parks' guests. They either need more capacity or better control of the gates. There is a saturation point. The problem is when greedy accounting drives you beyond it.

I would say that they have better control now than they did in the past. I haven't heard of the park being at capacity in a very long time. They now seem to go into the phased closings to prevent this from happening. I think the desire to protect their bottom line (resort guests spending more money) has actually resulted in the parks being less busy at peak times than in the past.

 

[marni1971]

Nowadays the park is unlikely to reach actual capacity due to phased closing, as happened this week. The MK used to accommodate the low 90 thousands before closing the gates. Now it won't get anywhere near that.

The threshold for phases has indeed changed over the years.

 

[KeeKee]

Whether the capacity is 60,000 or 90,000 is a moot point. The end result is wall-to-wall people and a miserable experience. Disney can do better - and has. This forum is filled with comments about the over crowding.

 

[s8film40]

Whether the capacity is 60,000 or 90,000 is a moot point. The end result is wall-to-wall people and a miserable experience. Disney can do better - and has. This forum is filled with comments about the over crowding.

I think the point is they have effectively reduced how many people are in the park at peak times. Obviously there are going to be people like you who feel they should limit it even more, while at the same time there are people who feel they shouldn't cut it off as soon as they do. You can't please everyone, obviously Disney has determined how they want to balance this. If you don't like crowds just don't go during these times, it's really just that simple.

 

[OvertheHorizon]

With 19 million guests to the Magic Kingdom last year, you can do the math and see that averages to more than 52,000 guests per day. There is a reason Disney sought to put blackout dates on several of their Florida annual pass options to help control crowds during the expected peak visitation times. And another reason that by extending the park day at Animal Kingdom and DHS they can keep people in those parks.

 

[s8film40]

It wouldn't surprise me though if at some point in the future Disney starts treating these days as special events. For example MK for Christmas and Epcot on NYE closed to AP's MG's and Multi Day tickets. Create a specially ticketed event similar to the Christmas and Halloween parties but all day and charge $200 - $300+ a person include snacks a meal and all the extra entertainment that's there those days anyway.

 

[KeeKee]

I think the point is they have effectively reduced how many people are in the park at peak times. Obviously there are going to be people like you who feel they should limit it even more, while at the same time there are people who feel they shouldn't cut it off as soon as they do. You can't please everyone, obviously Disney has determined how they want to balance this. If you don't like crowds just don't go during these times, it's really just that simple.

I agree with you. Not everybody sees this the same way, but for me, over the years, the experience of visiting the parks has degraded to the point that it may not be the best way for me to spend my time. I still have many, many great memories of years and years of good visits. And, I'll probably go again, just not as frequently and certainly not during peak times.

 

[s8film40]

I agree with you. Not everybody sees this the same way, but for me, over the years, the experience of visiting the parks has degraded to the point that it may not be the best way for me to spend my time. I still have many, many great memories of years and years of good visits. And, I'll probably go again, just not as frequently and certainly not during peak times.

Yeah, there's no easy solution. I think it comes down to which of the following would you prefer if visiting during a peak time:

A - A very crowded park.
B - A more expensive park.
C - Not able to get in unless you go first thing in the morning and don't leave.

 

[marni1971]

It also shows the park needs to increase physical capacity more.

Since the FP repercussions of the early 00s this has been the mostly neglected solution.

 

[DABIGCHEEZ]

I think WDW should have the days that are always extremely crowded... planned out 6 months in advance. If you are not registered by the 6 month mark you will know not to even show up. if you put your name down and don't show... you are charged to credit card. It seems that is the way they want us to plan our vacations now anyway....

 

[Florida_is_hot]

B - A more expensive park. ..... great idea charge double on holidays. People will go any way and the share holders would love it.

 

[Retroman40]

I'm kind of curious at what crowd level people who think the parks are too crowded would like to see phased closures to begin. 25000? 30000? 50000? What about having the number of people presently in the park shown on a monitor or even online. They know pretty darn close how many people are in any given park at any time.

 

[DfromATX]

I'm a little late on this, but I just read about the park closure. The article on Yahoo even quoted WDWmagic by the way. I've been to MK on Christmas before... 2006 or 2008, I can't remember, but I do remember it wasn't that crowded. It was much better than when we went on July 4, which is something I'll never do again. That was horrible... very crowded AND hot!

 

[OvertheHorizon]

There are approx 33,000 rooms on WDW property (Disney, DVC, privately owned hotels). So if you figure 2.5 people per room that's about 82,000 guests (to spread across four parks). Most of them take Disney transportation to the parks. There are 12,000 parking spots in the MK parking lot... figure 2 people per car. When the lot is full, that's 24,000 guests primarily from the local area. As a local, I've seen the effect that "early or late Magic hours" has on park attendance. Even during slow times, it turns a park into a busy place for the day. So I always check to see what park has the extra Magic hours and then choose a different one to visit.