UPDATED - Magic Kingdom has reopened to all guests after reaching capacity

Dec 31, 2016 in "Magic Kingdom"

Posted: Saturday December 31, 2016 12:07pm EST by WDWMAGIC Staff

UPDATE December 31 2016: 9pm

The Magic Kingdom has reopened to all guests after closing earlier due to reaching capacity.

December 31 2016: 11:45am

The Magic Kingdom is currently closed to some guests due to reaching capacity, the first capacity closing of the 2016 holiday season.

At approximately 11:45am, the park was declared Phase B status. Magic Kingdom 1 day tickets will be accepted at the other three parks.

Guests arriving at the park are being issued a coupon for free parking at another park, along with free dining for up to 6 guests at a quick service restaurant in one of the other parks.

Based on previous years, the Magic Kingdom is likely to remain at a capacity close until early evening.

Learn more about Disney World phase closures.

Phase B Closing

No admission of guests with one day tickets, and no re-entering or crossing over from another park unless they have one of the following:

WDW Resort Guests, including The Four Seasons Resort, Swan, Dolphin or Shades of Green, Hotel Plaza Boulevard hotels arriving by bus (Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel, The Buena Vista Palace, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel, B Resort, Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort, Hilton), Golden Oak residents and guests.
WDW Premier Passport, Annual & Premium Passholders
Guests with Memory Maker
Guests with dining reservations
Magic Kingdom Guests with reservations for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Harmony Barber Shop or The Pirates League.
FastPass+ reservations and is a WDW Resort hotel guest.

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zulemaraJan 30, 2017

yes, but transportation and Poly cast use what used to be Chip and Dale. So some of them came around the back side of MK wanting to get in the side gate, that was blocked, then the loop was closed for them to return through the main parking entrance, making them go alllll the way to the next exit and back down. It was a mess

RSoxNo1Jan 06, 2017

I wasn't year this year, but the week between Christmas and New Years is always crazy. Generally, I think Disney does an excellent job with handling the crowds.

BandiniJan 06, 2017

What do you mean by really bad planning on Disney's part? Is stuff understaffed?

DisorbustJan 06, 2017

I com]pletely agree about NYE at Epcot. Crowds were nuts but it was worth it. We have been here since the 27th and the crowds now are at their worse. Really bad planning on Disneys part.

righttrackJan 05, 2017

It sort of became this community for a while. Disney was well-prepared for the crowds with the drink and snack carts dispersed as well as dance floors to eat up people who wanted to be on them. Sure the fireworks were just illuminations plus a few others (as the countries celebrated their New Years and a main local NYE fireworks show), but there was something magical about it. People also go to WDW with the most significant people in their lives. You got to see how everybody wished their family and significant others Happy New Years and wished those around them. I live 40 minutes from Times Square but I've never celebrated NYE there. I'm happy I did it at Epcot.

BandiniJan 05, 2017

That's what everyone says about NYE at Epcot. The best party around. One of these days, I'd love to go. It looks like the one NYE experience that isn't overrated.

righttrackJan 05, 2017

Just wanted to say despite the crowds, New Year's at Epcot was amazing and fun. There is a reason for all those crowds. It's a great time. A huge party.

BoltJan 04, 2017

They also unofficially stayed up later last night, too. Kept the attractions up an extra 30 minutes.

YodaManJan 04, 2017

The parks may not have been CRAZY busy over the holidays, but some are still almost just as busy, it seems. Hollywood Studios just had to extend their park hours for today because of the crowds.

PhilharMagicianJan 04, 2017

This "loophole" ramp dumps you into the entry road for the TTC parking lot just after the toll booths past the junction of World Drive. Isn't the cast lot in back of MK on the corner of Reams and Center?

wdwmagicJan 04, 2017

There is a return entrance to the TTV when arriving from the North near the Car Care Center which bypasses the parking plaza.

wdwmagicJan 04, 2017

This is done during peak periods to allow them to close the parking lot at capacity.

drizgirlJan 04, 2017

Just what was the "parking loophole"?

zulemaraJan 04, 2017

That "MK parking loophole" being plugged screwed a lot of CMs! Many came to MK through the back roads and come in the side gate to the MK parking lot using their badge in order to get to cast parking. That had been blocked and then in order to come in as the guests do, they couldn't use that return spot. Thankfully I think most areas are pretty lenient about being late during the peak times like that.