Stupid Guest Tricks

I read that the Magic Kingdom was number 1 in attendance for 2010. The number quoted was 16.97 million visitors. This is an average of over 45,000 visitors each day. I realize this means some days are less and some are more, but my question is this; How does the number of 45,000 equate to the four phases of closing a park? Phase four must be a doozie.

whopper_49 wrote:I read that the Magic Kingdom was number 1 in attendance for 2010. The number quoted was 16.97 million visitors. This is an average of over 45,000 visitors each day. I realize this means some days are less and some are more, but my question is this; How does the number of 45,000 equate to the four phases of closing a park? Phase four must be a doozie.

Short answer: It doesn't relate at all.

Longer answer: MK closure phases are determined by a committee of Park upper management based on their perception of crowd levels. Frankly, the park's capacity can vary a lot depending on how many major attractions are down, and how close to parade time it is. Some crowds fit better than others, too. For instance, Brazilian teenagers take up less total space than the same number of non-screaming teens.

It's considered a judgment call, which is why there are no fixed numbers for each phase. I can say that I've seen the MK with 87,000 in park, and while it was hella dense, it was not (quite) dangerous (yet). Had the crowd's mood been different, or had rain started, or any of a number of variables changed, that number could have been homicidal.

HTH

Zazu wrote: I can say that I've seen the MK with 87,000 in park, and while it was hella dense, it was not (quite) dangerous (yet). Had the crowd's mood been different, or had rain started, or any of a number of variables changed, that number could have been homicidal.

HTH

I have always been curious to see MK reach it capacity. I cant imagine it would be very fun with so many people clogging the hub. I heard fourth of July is insane and if you dont have to be there you would really not want to be there. I wonder what the longest wait was Splash or Space has been.

Thank you Zazu. I always park hop on my trips and I wonder if that also inflates the numbers. I will still stick to the "off season" to stay below the average.

Zazu wrote:Short answer: It doesn't relate at all.

Longer answer: MK closure phases are determined by a committee of Park upper management based on their perception of crowd levels. Frankly, the park's capacity can vary a lot depending on how many major attractions are down, and how close to parade time it is. Some crowds fit better than others, too. For instance, Brazilian teenagers take up less total space than the same number of non-screaming teens.

It's considered a judgment call, which is why there are no fixed numbers for each phase. I can say that I've seen the MK with 87,000 in park, and while it was hella dense, it was not (quite) dangerous (yet). Had the crowd's mood been different, or had rain started, or any of a number of variables changed, that number could have been homicidal.

HTH

SWMBO and I made the mistake of visiting MK on Easter Sunday one year. I was scarred for life. Both literally and figuratively. If that wasn't close to stage four then stage four must be worse then the Apocalypse. (Shudder)

TdcOgre wrote:SWMBO and I made the mistake of visiting MK on Easter Sunday one year. I was scarred for life. Both literally and figuratively. If that wasn't close to stage four then stage four must be worse then the Apocalypse. (Shudder)

I've seen The Apocalypse. The acting was pretty bad, but I'd still take it over the MK during phase four.

And this is why I've told my best friend that her husband is a moron (and, yet, strangely, also one of my friends....).

He won't let her take the kids out of school but wants the family to go to WDW. Therefore: Christmas!!!! I told her she was nuts and I am attempting to help her with as much planning as possible, but my goodness! I told her....at rope drop everyday....no exceptions!!! And park hop when it gets crowded or go back to your resort and swim.

I'm still shaking my head....

I've seen TL at 9,800. We were not closed. Guest cars were being parked on grass and in the Cast lot, and anyplace they could be shoehorned in. Our theoretical capacity is 9,200.

Zazu wrote:It's considered a judgment call, which is why there are no fixed numbers for each phase. I can say that I've seen the MK with 87,000 in park

Good god.
That's more than there are usually in Epcot on NYE. And Epcot is twice the size and still crowded.

I hear 80k is the ballpark for DLR's maxcap for the parks, give or take. Of course, if its busy @ DL, your other option is DCA...or go home. Which it seems more guests would take option 2 before option 1.