Debating Park Hopper for December

Walt Disney World
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Hi folks! We’re looking to tack a park day on ahed of a DCL trip on 12/30, to knock out a bunch of stuff we’ve never done in the parks.

My initial thinking was to start at Epcot on 12/29 in order to do a LLSP for Guardians, the Festival of the Holidays Cookie Stroll, possibly a pop into Geo-82 for cocktails if we can get a reservation, and the early Candlelight Processional showing (likely with a Spice Road Table package for guaranteed seating).

Then, after Candlelight, so around 7:30pm, hop over to Magic Kingdom for fireworks, see the Jingle cruise holiday overlay, and then nab a spot for the late Starlight parade before heading out.

However, I’m also aware this is one of the busiest times of the year for MK. How concerned should I be that MK will be at capacity just ahead of the fireworks and not allow park hopping by that point in the evening? It’s like an extra $200 to add the park hopper option on, and I wouldn’t be interested in hopping to any other park if MK is full.

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If my recollection is correct, on the few occasions when MK has been at capacity, it has temporarily closed to new visitors in the afternoon (maybe 1-4pm?) and then reopened later.

Also worth noting that when the park is “at capacity,” new visitors are turned away in stages based on a priority matrix. I can’t remember exactly what those are, but someone onsite with a park hopper ticket will not be in the first few stages so it’s less likely you’d be turned away.

In short, if you’re prepared to deal with the crowds, you should be able to make it work.

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This is what AI tells me. Sounds correct based on my recollection.

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