new year @ DW

[natsumin]

Hi! This is my first thread.

We are planning to visit over the New Year's day
(from 12/28-1/6).
I wonder if I can stay and count down at WDW
without any special tickets.
It seems we need to buy one to go to Pleasure
Island on New Year Eve, but other than that,
I could not find any info about events over New Year's Day.

Don't they have any special fireworks or parade?
I am originally from Tokyo and Tokyo Disney Land
usually has limited entrance over the New Year and
has special events. Do you have any recomendation
where to be, try or eat during the time?

We are thinking to stay outside the resort,
near Florida Mall, but is it much better to stay
in resort? If so, we may stay at Resort
for a couple of nights.

We don't have plenty of money.
Flying from MN costs quite a lot, but we are not
ready to drive in winter. Plus, we have to
buy gifts to visit my boyfriend's family in Philadelphia...

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[robinb]

natsumin,

First of all, welcome to DIS! You have come to the right place for answers to your questions .

The Magic Kingdom, MGM Studios and Epcot all have special events, fireworks and count-down celebrations. You do not need to pay extra to go to Pleasure Island. Walt Disney World also has limited entrance over New Year's Eve with priority given to WDW Resort Guests. That doesn't mean that you won't be able to get into a WDW park if you do not stay at a WDW resort, but you will have to get to the park of your choice early. Luckily, you have a couple of days to decide which park is your favorite before 12/31. The Magic Kingdom will be somewhat familiar to you since it is a lot like Tokyo Disneyland (but a little smaller). If you want to enjoy a glass of champagne for New Year's Eve, then you will want to choose MGM or Epcot since no alcohol is served at the Magic Kingdom.

If you will not be renting a car, you may want to consider staying a little closer to WDW than the Florida Mall area. It's pretty far away. You also may want to think about staying at one of Disney's All Star Resorts from 12/29 - 1/1. The Holiday rates are pretty expensive at $109 per night but it includes Disney transportation to all the parks and you are guaranteed admittance into one of the WDW parks for New Year's Eve. After 1/1 things slow down a lot and you can move off-site to one of the other local hotels and save a lot of money.

New Year's Eve at WDW is really a lot of fun! You will have a great time .

 

[Falls1]

Hello, We have been to WDW every year so
this is one site you might want to look at
I would suggest you stay on property, As they will
close the parks to outside guest if the parks reach
capacity.although givin the state of thing right now I
doubt this will happen this year, I hope not
but back to your question. Try for a priority
seating at the park of your choice, That should just
about gurantee you entrance to a park. Epcot has
a couple of real nice Japananse resturants that I
enjoy, All the parks are fun to be at during New Years
Eve. If you want a closed party then there is
Boardwalk it costs about $ 100.00 a person American
but it includes buffet and different vienues only to
guest's that are there. Downtown is also a closed party
for that night,Again it will cost anywhere from $ 70.00- 90.00
for the evening, But again it includes a dinner and several
shows. I did not enjoy my self there. but you may find it a
hoot..We also have spent New Years at MGK at had dinner
at Tony's on the square for a late supper. The parks stay open
till after midnight,,Some until 1:00 or 2:00 depending on where you are.
When you stay on property you miss all that traffic leaving the parks after the evening
so for me that is a big plus..

here is the site for you to keep and eye on the dis also will post the dates as soon as they get their updates so check back..

http://www.intercot.com/infocentral/calendar/events.asp#December 2001Events

We hope to go to Japan in 2003 I so want to see the Sumo Bosh

 

[mypriceline.com]

I also am going to Disney on New Years. I have been there in years past and spent alot of money. Anyone know of ways to save lots of $$$ to events?

 

[natsumin]

First of all, I am so happy that I have received so many coments
that soon! Thank you very much!!!!

As for hotel, we are planning to rent a car, so staying far away
should not be so bad. I would love to stay in All Star Resort,
but the hotel we found near Frolida Mall was about $47/night.
That's quite a difference.... However, if it agarantees us to get
in the park, we may want to stay there for some nights.

This is going to be my second visit to WDW. Last time I flew
from Tokyo with my friends---14 girls! It was quite a group.
At the time, we stayed at Condo in Resort, so I know
how fun to stay in Resort will be, but this is high-season....

Do I need to pay for parking, if I stay in All Star Resort?
It seems parking is $5/day at parks.

Where can I check how late they open during
New Year's holiday? I found some info but was not very current.
I will keep eyes on the site I was told. If you have more info,
please let me know!!!

DIS tells me many hidden fun spots and it is very educational!
I will try to make 60-day reservation for breakfast
at Cindellera, maybe Jan4 or so, when things get quiter.
I promised to myself when I went with my 14 girlfriends that
next time I would come to WDW with my sweetheart. I hope
it will turn very sweet and exciting!

Thanks again.
Natsumin

PS: If you will come to Tokyo for Sumo, I will share some insider info!
Please let me help you that time.

 

[BuhByeNebraska]

Hi Natsumin ~

If you check around the various hotel websites, you can find a much closer hotel than Florida Mall for $47 night. Another option would be to check Hotwire and Priceline for your dates. Those are not refundable so you must be sure of your stay. Check out biddingfortravel.com for more info.

 

[Falls1]

Natsumin
Here is a site to help you plan you food seating, it is so important
at the busy time to plan for some of your meals..

http://home.twcny.rr.com/pscalc/pscalc.html
Also if you stay on property you do not pay for parking, You do
not really need your car Disney has a fine transport system
Also if you need the fromt desk has guide book's in all languages
this is so improtant.
If you are booking your trip through a Travel agent
get back to them and ask if there is any discounts available.
Here in the states there are all kinds of discounts available
You might even try The dis travel Called Dreams on the main page
they may be able to get you a better deal. I am not familure with
you system of travel, Here we have several travel parteners such as
AAA Auto which gets some real nice deals from disney.. Also if you
belong to American Express they also have good deals, And if you
have a credit card see if they can get you some type of deal,, My neice
who lives in England got a very good deal from here credit travel card for
a trip to disney last year..Look around and see if you can do better.
The yen is strong right now and you should be able to do something.. I will get back to you I am looking for information..

 

[natsumin]

Thanks for all your help!
Although I am in my mid-term week and supposed
not to think about my vacation, I called to try PS.
I fotunatelly could make one on 12/31 in Epcot.
Now, I have to wait until 11/4 to make another PS
for breakfast. I am getting very excited!
Actually, we still haven't decided where we will stay.
I would love to stay in Resort, but it is costly....
My boyfriend does not want to move during our
stay (8 nights!) and that means the difference is
going to be quite a lot.
I haven't found any cheaper and closer place than
one in Florida Mall, and still thinking about this issue.

Anyway, I am getting there! Thanks again for you all!

Natsumin

 

[DisneyPoly]

Any suggestions on the best place to be with kids on NYE? Do I assume it's the MK? Any thoughts are appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Falls1]

Hi. Disneypoly. I to live in Bucks county..Small world after all...
Depening on the age of your children And their disposition, You might consider
one of the other parks, That being said, and given the state of disney right now,
I do not believe it will be overly crowed this year as it was last
year, We did not do MGK but opted for a dinner at the Hoop-dee do..
As we had encountered hugh crowds the year before. So it was a bit easier
on everyone..I would make dinner seating at, one or two parks and then
when you get there if it appears there are large crowds you can always go to
another park for dinner...and fun stuff. If it's a matter of timing then by all
means do MGK, they do a great job and we have hat's and noise makers and
all that stuff you get fron MGK. We did not get any hat's or noise makers from
EPCOT, or Dis Studios,but the fireworks at each of these parks are spectacular
as always, Last year we all but froze the whole time we were there,So this year
We are doing the beach thing South of Disney for a change of pace, We are going
to stop there on our way home, I really hope the crowds pick up
My son just came back and he had no lines and a lot of the parks are closing earlier
than he had antipicitated so he was a bit bummed about that, But understands thats
way of things now..I would keep trying for better rates at the hotels, Son kept asking for
a better rate and finally got a rate of 39.00 a night at sports...

 

[DisneyPoly]

Thanks Falls1!

We too were there last NYE. We arrived at the Poly about 5:00 p.m. and the parks were closed already. Although we hadn't planned on doing the parks anyway. The kids are younger and we didn't want to fight the crowds. We were FREEZING however. We ended up watching the fireworks from the Poly's Ceremonial House as there was no way we were going onto the beach.

Since we're staying at the Contemporary, I think the MK will be worth a try. Hopefully the crowds won't be as bad this year. I at least hope the weather is a bit warmer. It would be nice not to have to wear a hat and gloves!!!!!

Thanks for your info!

 

[Robinrs]

I agree, DisneyPoly, this past NY was very cold. I arrived on New Years Day and everyone was shivering!

I understand this it was a cold snap and extremely unusual for anytime of the year so hopefully it will be back to the 70s which is the normal temperature for January!

 

[DisneyPoly]

Robinrs ... Thanks for the post. Last year was our first year traveling in the Dec./Jan. timeframe. I wasn't sure if that was the norm for that time. I'm glad to hear it's not. We're going to try again this year (12/28-1/4) and I hope for a little warmer weather!!!

 

[Robinrs]

Boy was it NOT! We go every year now for my son's birthday, Jan 5th, and this year was no the typical! One day we were there the heat of the day was 40 degrees! Brrrrrrr!