Christmas Week Trip: What happens when parks close? About This Page:

[jesann1981]

Looking for some advice about our Christmas Week trip, any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I know that on some busy days during the Christmas Week, that Disneyland can close and not accept new entrants.

We are planning on arriving bright and early and do not expect a problem getting in the first time, but if we leave the park(getting stamped)... are we guarranteed to get back in?

How about if we got a park-hopper and did California Adventures the same day? Could we go back and forth between the two without worries?

Thanks for your time!

[HeatherD]

Welcome to the boards!

I think, but don't know for certain, that the counts are based on the number of people through the turnstiles. When they "close" they are not accepting new ticket scans. So, if you go to DL in the morning, you should be able to get back in that afternoon. It's only happened to us once, during the 50th, early in the month. But I think we were leaving the park early to go to Goofy's Kitchen for dinner, so I don't know for certain if we'd've been able to get back in - I think so, though.

It won't work the same way if you go to DCA in the morning, since your ticket wasn't part of the count for DL. So, if you plan to go to DL in the afternoon, better make sure you go in the morning for a bit, too.

Hopefully, someone for whom this has happened will come along and then I'll know too! Asking Disneyland directly (through the website) may be a good route to go if noone here ends up being able to answer it...

[DebiDebiDebi]

My parents were in DL on the actual 50th anniversary and they had in and out privileges even after they quit accepting new tickets.

[disney777]

I know during the busy times, they even ask Annual Passholders to have their hand stamped when leaving the park to make sure you can get back in later. (Usually, it's not necessary.) I wonder if they have a different hand stamp for DL and DCA during the busy times? Seems like that would make sense. I remember a couple years ago DL "closed" down around 11:00am. It opened up to more people later in the afternoon. I guess they have some way to track the crowds so they know when to allow more to come in.

[jesann1981]

Thanks for all of the advice!!! I appreciate the help!

[mechurchlady]

The fire marshall and his people decide when the park is too crowded. They are also in charge of what areas can open after the fireworks and during the fireworks.

I read there are like four stages. First they stop selling one day tickets then all passports then no admission for one day tickets then nobody allowed in. It is in stages and if you leave the park during the final stages then you may be left outside trying to get in. Make sure on a very busy day that you get your hand stamped and that you have a multi-day pass or an AP.

If you are driving the 460 bus from LA leaves the Fullerton Park and Ride every half hour until around 9 to 10 and last northbound leaves Disneyland at about midnight but varies so you have to check. There is a drop off area in front of DLR and then one person can take the 460 or face the LONG LONG lines for DLR parking.

During heavy times they may shut down the Downtown Disney parking area as that will fill up with people visiting DLR. I will expect parking to be a night mare.

[TheTravelMama]

Oh my word...how exciting to be at Disney during the week of Christmas! I hope to do that someday! What fun! Please post and tell us all about the experience afterwards!