If you decide to try and pass along some info...
Single busiest week of the entire year at WDW. Capacity closures are common. For a good idea of what that looks like, check out the photos on
THIS THREAD.
FWIW, this past year MK closed 4 days Christmas week - almost always around 11-11:30 a.m. On 3 days it reopened around 3-3:30, the other day was NYE and it reopened at 9:30pm
HS and AK both closed one day each - pretty close to the same times. I didn't read any reports of EP closing.
You're definitely in better shape staying onsite, and this is good info to have...
The turnstile master computer at each park keeps track of both entries and exits. When a park capacity closes (which is done in stages) there has to be a certain number of people exiting, with the total "in park" below a certain number, before they start allowing people in again.
I am low enough on the totem pole that I have no idea what these numbers are.
There are four stages to park closing:
Stage 1 - The parking lot entrance is closed. You can only access the park if you are using Disney Transportation.
Stage 2 - The ticket windows are all closed (and the automated Ticket Vending Machines are turned off). Unless you already have a ticket you cannot get in.
Stage 3 - Only people with Annual Passes or current Resort IDs will be allowed in.
Stage 4 - Nobody is allowed in.
Note - having restaurant reservations in a park, even with written proof, will not override a stage closing for you.
Also, if you are staying at a Disney owned and operated Resort and have a ticket, you are guaranteed entry into A park. Not necessarily the one you want (unless you want to go into AK). And if you have entered and left a park and do not have a hopper you may not get into anything.
The keys to crazybusy times at WDW...
4. Rope Drop
3. Fast Pass
2. Good Touring Plan
...and the #1 key to having a great time at WDW with thousands of your new best friends??
1. Good attitude and realistic expectations
Top 3 things to ruin a WDW vacation during crazybusy times...
3. Not making a plan and thinking you'll be able to just "wing it" and do everything you want without ADRs or a clue
2. Not being ok with standing in masses of people or waiting in lines for rides/shopping/food/bathrooms.
1. Expecting to "do it all"
Go expecting it to be crowded and having to wait in line and being prepared and ok with that.
Go with your short list of "must dos" and consider everything else a bonus.
Go with the attitude that you're just going to have a wonderful time just BEING AT WDW!