Disney World Parks Can SELL OUT! Here's How To AVOID Getting Shut Out at the Gates

Disney World is gearing up for the holidays!

Happy Holidays from Magic Kingdom!

We’ve started seeing decorations appear at multiple parks and hotels, including Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. It may only be November, but Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s will be here before we know it. These major holidays come with lots of excitement and celebration, but they also come with lots of CROWDS at the parks. If you’re hoping to venture to the parks during one of these BIG holidays, especially New Year’s, here’s a tip we think will help you out!

We often see park reservations “sell out” throughout the year on busy days. However, most people don’t need park reservations anymore, so on the days reservations do sell out, just tell us that those are likely to be really crowded days. (Currently, only Annual Passholders and those without date-based tickets need park reservations.) But just because most people don’t need park reservations anymore doesn’t mean that the parks can’t still “sell out” to everyone.

Main Street, U.S.A.

There are certain days of the year when some of the parks will reach capacity, meaning Disney can no longer allow anyone else to go in until some people come out. The day we most often see this happening is New Year’s Eve. A LOT of people enjoy being at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT on this day to ring in the new year. Hollywood Studios is another popular park, while Animal Kingdom is usually less crowded since they don’t do a nighttime fireworks show.

New Year’s Eve crowds 2024

If you’ve ever been to Magic Kingdom for this big celebration, you might have seen what a full park looks like. There are people EVERYWHERE. Typically, Magic Kingdom and EPCOT will fill to capacity early in the morning, likely before 10AM, which means if you really want to be there at midnight, you’ll want to get there right away in the morning and DO NOT leave. If you leave, there’s a very good chance you won’t get back in.

Usually, Disney World will send out notifications on the My Disney Experience app regarding capacity. As soon as a park has hit capacity, you’ll be notified that no more entry is permitted.

EPCOT on New Year’s Eve

On the other hand, if you want to enjoy the countdown in front of the castle without the massive crowds, Magic Kingdom also counts down on December 30th, so you could see the show the day before New Year’s Eve and then head to one of the other parks that’s less busy on the 31st.

New Year’s Eve at EPCOT

Before you head to a park on New Year’s Eve, though, we suggest calling the park capacity hotline, a.k.a the park hopping hotline. (407) 560-5000 will let you know which parks have reached capacity and which ones are currently still available for you to enter.

Countdown at Magic Kingdom

It’s an exciting time of year, and we’re ready to celebrate! But visiting Disney World over the holidays can mean more planning is required, earlier mornings, and/or longer days. A great way to enjoy the holidays at the parks is to go to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom or to Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios. These specially ticketed events will certainly get you in the holiday spirit!

For more Disney news, keep following DFB!

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