Hi there, Matt! Welcome to planDisney!
Thanks for stopping by with your question today! Your Walt Disney World Resort vacation is just around the corner and it looks like it will be extra merry and bright! I have never been to The Most Magical Place on Earth on Christmas Day, but it is certainly on my bucket list! Please say hi to Mickey and Santa for me!
So, Matt, after confirming with a Cast Member over the phone, here is what you need to know. If you have
theme park reservations on a day that is sold out or a day that is particularly crowded, you are guaranteed entry into the park where you hold a reservation all day. So if you have a park reservation for
Magic Kingdom Park on Christmas Day, you will be permitted to enter and exit as you please, no matter the crowd level. If you have a Park Hopper Ticket and planned to leave mid-day and hop to another park, this guarantee is not in place when it comes to entering the next park. Maybe you spend the morning in Magic Kingdom Park, then hop to
EPCOT at 2:00 p.m. for some yummy
International Festival of the Holidays food. If EPCOT is at capacity by the time you arrive, you are not guaranteed entry into this park. However, because your starting park was Magic Kingdom Park, you would be able to return there at any time.
In short, you're safe with your Magic Kingdom Park reservation to take a mid-day break and return later in the day. It is pretty rare that parks hit capacity limits, even on these busier days, though it is possible. I'm glad you've done your due diligence to work through the possible scenarios on your vacation!
Now Matt, I know I mentioned the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays already, but if you have time during your travels, it is worth checking out! My favorite part is the
Holiday Cookie Stroll. When you purchase five eligible cookies throughout the Festival, you can show your stamped passport for an additional sweet treat prize! Eat cookies to get cookies? Sounds magical to me!
I hope this trip is full of core memories for your family, Matt! Please feel free to stop back by
planDisney with any additional questions that arise before, during or after your stay! You've got a friend in us!
Happy planning,
Ashley