Epcot NYE Advice?

Jannephotog

Disnerd

Joined

Dec 20, 2012

• Nov 24, 2015

• #1

Hey guys- I need any wisdom you have to share about doing Epcot for NYE!

We're staying on property and planning on arriving for rope drop, plus we have some FP made for during the morning. I'm planning on bringing a small blanket (Dustin's overview video from 2012 showed folks being able to sit on the grass - they still do this?). We know to pack the patience & we probably won't get much done besides exploring further back into the countries that we haven't seen before. Slowly.

Any other advice? Thanks! I'm pretty stoked to get to attend a bucket list Disney event and check it off my list!

 

supersnoop

What time is the three o'clock parade?

Joined

Nov 13, 2013

• Nov 24, 2015

• #2

You don't have to show up at rope drop to get into Epcot. We got there around noon last year, but it did take about an hour to get through the gate.

We booked a few restaurant reservations so we could sit and relax for a bit. Ellen's Energy Adventure is also a good opportunity to sit and rest in an air conditioned space. There are plenty of movies in the world showcase; China, America, and France all have decent seating, but Canada is standing room only.

 

wilkeliza

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 1, 2013

• Nov 24, 2015

• #3

Don't really expect to "explore". After about 3pm the countries get jam packed. They turn Italy, China, and perhaps one other area into pretty much a rave as the night goes on. It will be packed so badly that cast members will direct you which way to walk. Listen to them.

I can't stress listen to CMs enough. I worked one Epcot NYE and would never ever do it again. I was spit on, threatened, called the B word, called a Nazi, and just treated very poorly all for telling guests they couldn't stop in a specific location (the promenade around the WS is for moving traffic only after a certain point) or that they couldn't sit where they were for the fireworks due to safety reasons. I had one father with his two teen age sons tell me he would punch me in the face if I told him to move one more time. Needless to say I sent the orange county officers over to him to have a discussion about behavior.

 

epcotty

Now it's time to say goodbye to all our company

Joined

Jul 26, 2013

• Nov 24, 2015

• #4

As far as I know they still open up a large area so you can sit on the grass

 

Boopuff

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 27, 2015

• Nov 24, 2015

• #5

We were there for NYE it was a fun, crazy night. We got free party hats and horns (line up to get them if they still give them!) There were live bands at the countries and at midnight in each country around WS that country would set off some fireworks. I do recommend seeking out a spot well in advance of the big midnight fireworks. We found a small table in Future World (not on top of the action but good enough to see the high fireworks and relatively quick exit) It's amazing - I did it... now I don't have to do it again! Once was quite enough!

 

R

RookieLady

Mouseketeer

Joined

Jun 14, 2012

• Nov 24, 2015

• #6

All that is good advice. May I add, plan to go to the bathroom. I waited 20 minutes in line more than once. Go before you leave a restaurant and use out of the way facilities to reduce this problem but definitely don't expect to dart in and out if you are a girl.

 

Jannephotog

Disnerd

Joined

Dec 20, 2012

• Nov 24, 2015

• #7

wilkeliza said:

I can't stress listen to CMs enough. I worked one Epcot NYE and would never ever do it again. I was spit on, threatened, called the B word, called a Nazi, and just treated very poorly all for telling guests they couldn't stop in a specific location (the promenade around the WS is for moving traffic only after a certain point) or that they couldn't sit where they were for the fireworks due to safety reasons. I had one father with his two teen age sons tell me he would punch me in the face if I told him to move one more time. Needless to say I sent the orange county officers over to him to have a discussion about behavior.

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Oh my. Bless you for putting up with all that. Hope you atleast got holiday pay or something! And thank you for service!

Thanks so much for your wise words, friends! Keep em coming if you've got anymore!

 

wilkeliza

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 1, 2013

• Nov 24, 2015

• #8

Jannephotog said:

Oh my. Bless you for putting up with all that. Hope you atleast got holiday pay or something! And thank you for service!

Thanks so much for your wise words, friends! Keep em coming if you've got anymore!

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Nope no holiday pay as I had the day before (or day after can't remember now) off. I was a DCP so worked for my base pay . I think I got OT pay and then a couple hours of 3rd shift pay because it was a 14ish hour shift that went to 1am.

 

wilkeliza

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 1, 2013

• Nov 24, 2015

• #9

Echoing PP, bathroom lines get long! Your best option this year in WS will be in America. There are massive bathrooms there now thay weren't there previous years. Don't even attempt the ones near Germany as there are only 3-4 stalls.

 

M

MickeyWaffles

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 28, 2010

• Nov 24, 2015

• #10

Check the headliner attractions immediately after the midnight fireworks if you watch them from the FW side. Last time we were there, there was NO WAIT for Soarin, Test Track, Mission Space following the midnight fireworks. There was a mad rush for the exit and lots of people stuck in WS. Literally no one in line because everyone was in WS for the fireworks. Posted times hadn't been adjusted but we walked on all 3. Not sure if that was a fluke that year or the norm. Don't expect it but it wouldn't hurt to try if you are interested. It was a fun bonus for us that trip.

We usually arrive at EPCOT early afternoon with no issue. Last time, we bussed to HS and took the boat over to avoid the main entrance. International Gateway was not too crowded. We were concerned about waiting to get in via the main entrance.

HAVE FUN!