NYE Strategy?

[emma'smom]

We won't arrive until about 1:00 on NYE. I figure there is no chance of getting into MK. Epcot? We're thinking our best chance at getting into a park might be DHS? Any thoughts from those with experience?

We just need to check in to activate the dining plan and then we're off to wherever we can find. We'll have our 7 and 4 year old with us...so we are really hoping for a park entry somewhere.

I didn't make dinner reservations that night figuring we'll have to play it by ear and do counter service. So, will all of the parks be closed by 2:30ish or do we have any chance? I figure we'll check with guest services to see what still is open before we head out.

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I have never personally been on NYE but I recall on here and other boards that Epcot often reaches capacity as well mostly b/c the availability of adult beverages. Rumor has it that it can get pretty rough and people brown bag the beverages in themselves and full strollers of liquor have been reported beign seen pushed around on here, so if you aren't into that kind of activities or find it offensive you might want to steer clear.

[mollygirl13]

DH and I are going to Jellyrolls for NYE. We figure the parks will be way too packed so we're going to the Boardwalk instead.

[allshookup]

I've been to Epcot for NYE a few times & yes it does get a bit rowdy and extremely crowded (to the point that it's difficult to walk in many places). However, I've never seen people "brown bagging" it. Not even sure how they'd get away with it since all bags are checked. In any case, it's still WDW & still plenty of families & very few drunks. In fact, I've never seen anybody overly obnoxious, staggering, sick, etc. like a rock concert. Expect it to be festive & loud, because they pass out noise makers & hats, but I wouldn't worry about it being unacceptable for children. They do have champagne kiosks set up throughout to toast the NYE, and I personally like to have a glass of bubbly to ring in the NY, but if that bothers anybody, they should definitely stick to MK.

Friends of ours went last year to MK, & they were told by a CM that Epcot & DHS never reached full capacity, but MK did & still it was only for a short time period. Also keep in mind, that even if the parks do close due to capacity, Epcot will most likely reopen later in the evening, because there are usually family fireworks at 7:30pm & a lot of families leave after that. In fact when we were leaving the year before last, a lot of people were coming into Epcot around 8pm. We have ADRs at Nine Dragons & our plan is to not arrive until around 8pm. I can't guarantee it, but I don't think you'll have a problem arriving later. I would suggest that if you are not going to do a sit-down meal, that you have something before you get to the parks. We waited over an hour just to get a Churro for DD on NYE. The counter service areas are insane!

[breammom]

We went last year to Mk and it was soooo crowded. You could not just stand somewhere near the front of the castle because they had areas taped off that were acceptable and not acceptable places to stand. Although it was magical, I don't think my family is ever going at this time of year again.

I heard DHS and AK ran out of counter service food also.

[kaffinito]

Yikes!

Well I'll just have to come up with a good plan for NYE. I read that the Atlantic Dance Hall was having a NYE party so DH and I might try that out.

[zumbergc]

anyone have experience with Dec 30th? We are arriving that day, and wondering if we would be able to get into MK in the evening, wouldn't hit the parks until like 6-7pm, with grocery stop/plane landing?

Thanks

[wdwphile]

We spent the last two New Years Eves at Epcot / World Showcase. The first year, we arrived at 8:00 AM and left at 2:00 AM (never again!). We were affraid if we returned to our hotel to freshen up, we'd never get back in. While it was crowded and the lines were long, I wouldn't say it was crazy or unbearable.

Last year, we arrived at 9:00 AM. It was crowded, but we took the chance of leaving at 2:00 PM and returned at 6:00 PM. There were hundreds of people arriving at that time, and we had no problem getting back in.

World Showcase gets very crowded in the evening, particularly around the time of the first Illuminations show. I never saw anyone brown bagging it, and agree with the previous poster who questioned how people could sneak in alcohol when they check bags. While there was a lot of drinking and people were having a great time, I saw no fall down drunks or obnoxious behavior.

This year we are going to DHS. My sister went last year and had no problem getting in at 5:00 PM. Said it was crowded, but not over the top.

I think you'll have a good shot at getting into either Epcot or DHS