I will be in Disney World over the Thanksgiving break. I know it's going to be crowded but that was basically the time that worked for us. I know there is a chance that Magic Kingdom can close due to capacity, especially on Thursday and Friday. We have lunch reservations in Epcot and then fastpass and a dessert party reservation at Magic Kingdom on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
If Magic Kingdom closes due to capacity, what are our chances of getting in, and how do we handle it? Do we just hang out in front until they start letting people in, or what?
Thanks all!
Aryn
I am the rebel spy.
I don't recall anytime that MK closed due to capacity during the Thanksgiving period, but you never know. If you have reservations for a dessert party, I'm sure you'll be allowed in.
Even though it's a holiday weekend, it'll not be as insane as the Christmas craziness. I'm pretty sure you'll have no trouble.
First trip, Christmas 1971.
Last Trip, Oct. 2017 - ICOT20!
Next Trip: Planning...Always Planning
In the past 10 years, there has not been a closure - at any level/phase or at any park - over the Thanksgiving holiday.
The possibility of a phase closure is pretty much limited to the week after Christmas - with the occasional Easter Week day thrown in for good measure. But even then, it doesn't happen every year and rarely goes past Phase 2.
The last time any park was completely closed - Phase 4 -was the Magic Kingdom on April 7, 2009.
It will be crowded, but there's no need to be concerned about closures or restricted access.
Steve
First visit: Disneyland, July 17, 1955 (well, somebody had to be there on opening day!)
Most Recent Visit:
Disneyland - June 21-25, 2017
WDW - Sep 22 - Oct 5, 2019
Next up: WDW - May 9 - 16, 2020 at Riviera!
Dec 5 - 16, 2020 at Poly
Your dessert party reservation should allow you to enter the Magic Kingdom up to a Phase 3 (out of 4) closure.
Phase 3 still allows Guests with in-park reservations, Guests Staying at Walt Disney World hotels, and Annual Passholders to enter.
Phase 3 level closures have historically occurred at the Magic Kingdom during the Peak Christmastime and Peak Spring Break periods in recent years.
Figment! aka Jason ºoº
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Aryn
I am the rebel spy.
Been going to Disney about every other Thanksgiving since 2007 and have never experienced any park closures that week.
Denise
Resorts we've stayed at in 20+ trips: ASMo, ASMu, ASSp, PC, CSR, CBR, POR, POFQ, WL, AKL Jambo, AKL Kidani, Poly, Contemporary, BC, YC, BWV, OKW, SSR, Swan, Shades of Green, Vero Beach, Disneyland Resort
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The Friday after Thanksgiving last year I had dinner at the Poly and then went to MK at about 6:30 or so with no problems.
The main surprise I experienced with crowds was that it was busy generally in the Orlando area all Thanksgiving week, not just starting with Thanksgiving Day. Many local schools have that entire week off.
DVC Member
Boston, MA and Celebration, FL
A couple years ago my family went to WDW over thanksgiving expecting the worst, but we were very surprised. sure it was busy, but not as busy as we expected, in fact, it was less crowded than when we went the 2nd week of June this past year.
you'll be fine.
Have A Magical Day-1970-1989-offsite, 2002-DLR, 2003-DLR, 2005-Sports, 2007-All Music, 2008-POP, December 12-21 2009-Pop, January 16-18, 2010-Disneyland. Disney Sports-Feb 1-6, 2012, Disneyland-December 7 and 8, 2012, DIsney Pop-Feb 1-5, 2013 (my son's first trip.)
