Credit: dylanw216, UnsplashIf you’ve ever been to Walt Disney World during the holidays, you already know the crowds can be next-level. But this year, Disney has made it official: not everyone will be getting into Magic Kingdom on one of the biggest celebration days of the year.
The park has already hit capacity for certain ticket types on December 31, 2025—New Year’s Eve. That means if you fall into one of the affected groups, you’ll be turned away unless you already have a reservation in place.
Why the Park Is Already “Sold Out”
Disney still requires theme park reservations for certain categories of guests. While most regular date-based tickets don’t need them anymore, groups like Annual Passholders, Florida Resident Discover Disney ticket holders, Disney Military Salute ticket holders, student groups, and sports or convention groups do.
For those guests, New Year’s Eve at Magic Kingdom is officially unavailable. Disney’s system shows the park as “sold out” for these select ticket types, which is a clear signal that it’s going to be wall-to-wall busy that night.
Annual Passholders: A Small Window of Hope
Interestingly, some Annual Passholder tiers still have a little breathing room. Disney hasn’t completely closed the door for them just yet, but the clock is ticking. Passholders eyeing Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s dates are being strongly encouraged to lock in their reservations now before the last spots vanish.
What This Means for Guests
If you’ve already got your plans in motion—resort booked, flights scheduled, dining reservations in place—this news can feel like a curveball. But it’s also Disney’s not-so-subtle way of reminding everyone to secure those reservations whenever you have those tickets.
It’s not just about convenience; it’s the only way to guarantee your spot inside Magic Kingdom for major holidays. Disney even puts it plainly: park availability can change right up until you hit “finalize” on that reservation.
The Bigger Picture
This kind of early sell-out is becoming the new normal for peak days at Disney World. New Year’s Eve, Christmas Day, and Thanksgiving have always drawn heavy crowds, but the reservation system makes it extra clear which parks will hit capacity first.
And let’s be honest—Magic Kingdom is almost always the first to go. Between fireworks, special entertainment, and the fact that it’s the park most people picture when they think of Disney, it’s no surprise demand is through the roof.
So if you were dreaming of ringing in 2026 in front of Cinderella Castle but haven’t locked down your reservation yet as an Annual Passholder, it’s too late. Disney has confirmed it: the gates will close to certain guests on December 31.
The good news? EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom are still in play for now. But don’t expect that to last forever—holiday magic tends to sell out fast.