Disney World is full. According to the Disney World website, Disney is no longer selling tickets for any of its theme parks over the next two days (December 29, 30) and only Disney’s Animal Kingdom is available for December 31st. Likewise, required Disney Park Pass theme park reservations are no longer being offered for any of the four theme parks over the next two days to both regular ticket holders and Annual Passholders. Effectively, the parks are at capacity. That said, “at capacity” with the Disney Park Pass system means something completely different than what you might be used to. Let’s discuss.
Before the Disney Park Pass system was created, there would be phased closures at the theme parks during the busiest days of the year (which we’re experiencing right now). Under the old system, guests would not be required to make a reservation to enter the park, but they could be turned away at the gate based on their ticket type and the level of phase closure. Essentially, you could buy a ticket for a day where one or more parks might be closed to your ticket type. Admittedly, not a good experience at all.
Now, with the Disney Park Pass system, the chances of that happening are slim, but not zero. Disney World could, on a whim, close a park for capacity concerns should there be too many guests inside the gates, but that would only happen, in theory, due to a rush of park hopping. By our count, Disney World has only ever restricted Park Hopping on one day since Summer 2020, and that was for a few hours in the afternoon at Magic Kingdom on the park’s 50th Anniversary.
So, while the old term “at capacity” would’ve meant that the park would turn people away at the gates. The new definition of “at capacity” means that no more Disney Park Pass theme park reservations are being distributed. Of course, there may be some very periodic availability if you refresh for half of the day, but you’ll have to get lucky.
Another caveat goes back to the idea of Park Hopping. It’s possible that Disney might restrict Park Hopping at some point over the next few days, but it would largely be unprecedented in the Park Pass era save for one day at Magic Kingdom when the overall park capacity was lower. Also, if you’re a Walt Disney World Annual Passholder and unable to make theme park reservations, the following rule still applies, and would open most parks to you in the afternoon:
Annual Passholders may visit the theme parks after 2:00 PM without a theme park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom park. Applicable pass blockout dates apply.
In short, it’s busy. We’re seeing some of the longest posted wait times of the entire year, and this is one of the rare times when the Disney Park Pass theme park reservation system will aid guests – if you’re able to get a reservation.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
You couldn’t pay me to go there when it’s this busy. What a miserable “vacation”!