Mind Blowing Wait times!!!!!

[joanna71985]

MK Usually gets it about 4-7 times a year.
Epcot may on NYE.
DHS & AK a few times at random.

Oh trust me, I wouldn't say may. They will be

[johnatthebar]

I knew that there were different levels of madness that Disney has defined but I'd never seen them spelled out before. I remember reading (in Disney docs) long ago that Passholders can still get in when the park has been closed to everyone else, pretty interesting to see how it actually works. I'd figured there was a point when even Passholders were turned away though, for safety reasons if nothing else.

It's funny, I generally end up in the park about 30 days out of the year (sometimes more, sometimes less). I live about 3 hours away. That being said, I have a Seasonal Pass. Why? I'd rather not go when its not that busy and that's when the blackouts general are. I understand some people brave it when its a special occasion/once in a lifetime deal, but for me, I'll stay home. It's not the wait times, there is plenty to do in the parks that doesn't require waiting, it's the crowds in general.

Hats off to those who brave the madness. My buddy is going up on the 2nd, not as bad, but I am looking forward to hearing from him.

[doconeill]

At some point they have to determine that the park is at maximum capacity (for legal/fire code/etc. reasons), and not let anyone else in - even passholders. Disney generally does guarantee (as a resort guest or passholder) that you will be let in to A park - just not the park of your choosing necessarily. Now, if each park reached Stage 4, I have no idea what they'd do...build a 5th park in a hurry?

I don't think Epcot reaches Stage 4 much, if ever. It has the biggest general capacity I believe.

[TrendyMagic]

Yep at Level 4 they allow no one to the parks. All transportation closes to that park and walkways are closed.

Epcot and MK should be close to that right now.

[doconeill]

Haven't specifically heard of closures yet, but I have heard that Soarin' wait time is almost 200 minutes, and even Spaceship Earth is at 70 minutes...

Spoke too soon. MK is at Stage 3 since about 10:30am.

[mattj4226]

I love Disney, don't get me wrong... but that is just insane! I'd just assume stay home before I braved those crowds. Sounds like a big panic attack waiting to happen to me! (I get testy and start panicing when surrounded by large crowds - ironic, right?)

Thanks for the 'closure list" I've never seen it spelled out like that. Very interesting!

[Disney2000]

You know waiting in line for Soarin' for 5 hours would be kinda fun...Think of the conversations you'd have with the random people around you! I mean standing on a bus for 15 minutes on your way to the magic kingdom you can connect with and talk with people... imagine what fun you could have in line with friends or total strangers! Well. I guess that's just me. I think i'd rather wait in line for Soarin' for 5 hours than sit at home for 5 hours on NYE!

[LisaAnn]

You know its bad when there's a massive line for Mexico

[ImaMouser]

If our first experience with WDW had been like that we would have never gone back. I have never and will never go when the crowds are like that. Off seasons for me!

[RuddyWDW]

When I visited in November 08 the first week was really quiet and wait time were minimal but during the second week it was Thanksgiving and it got really busy and wasn't as much fun. I'd never go around christmas time just wouldn't be at all fun to me.

[Stitchgirl1]

Could be something to do with School holidays in the UK?

[RuddyWDW]

This was started around Christmas time Stitchgirl dont think the queues are as bad now, although I had a sneaky look at wait times on my Iphone before and the queues looked long so you may be onto something about the hols over here.

[joanna71985]

If we're talking about the crowds right now, it has to do with winter breaks (as well as school/sporting groups).

[thegoz85]

If you want to know what the wait times are like right now, try Lines from the Touring Plans guys. So far, I think it's still free. I know it's for smart phones, but it actually works in a standard computer browser pretty well.

[supermariodrums]

The other day my girlfriend and I decided we could go the 26th of december till the 2nd of january and this is kind of putting me off from the idea