Guide to Walt Disney World Closing Phases

If you’re visiting the Walt Disney World parks in the next week over the Christmas and New Years holidays, then you know that it will be insanely crowded. Because of the large crowds, Disney must close the parks at some point during the day for everyone’s safety once they reach maximum capacity. The parks will close based on the phases below, so a good rule of thumb is to be at the park for rope drop. Arriving to Magic Kingdom after 10AM on Christmas Day is almost certainly going to result in you being turned away…so be prepared.

Phase 1 Park Closing

Guests with ‘Magic Your Way’ base tickets or a ‘1-Day 1-Park Ticket’, guests without an admission ticket, and Cast Members using Main Gate & Silver Passes will be turned around at the parking lot booths.

Phase 2 Park Closing

Admission is limited to:

Disney Resort Guests (including the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, and guests arriving by bus from the Hotel Plaza Boulevard hotels)
Annual and Premium Annual Passholders
Guests with Hopper tickets coming from another park
Guests re-entering the park
Guests with dining reservations
Magic Kingdom guests with reservations for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League
Guests using Walt Disney World Resort Transportation

Phase 3 Park Closing

Admission is limited to:

Disney Resort Guests (including the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, and guests arriving by bus from the Hotel Plaza Boulevard hotels)
Annual and Premium Annual Passholders
Guests with dining reservations
Magic Kingdom guests with reservations for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League

Phase 4 Park Closing

Closed to all guests

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