Wow! I'm just now seeing this part ... not sure how I missed it earlier, but that's so amazing! I have half of that for this next trip, and the FP alone is giving me a headache lol My Mickey Hat's off to you! You will be a Disney Guru by the time you're through, if not already. That trip will be one for the books, filled with lots of great memories
We'll be there in Oct! It'll be our first time, and hopefully a new tradition. I can possibly find you a reduced dvc rental reservation, too. Let me know if interested
Thank you! Right now I am hoping to book at a Magic Kingdom resort, but if that won't work, I may contact you.We'll be there in Oct! It'll be our first time, and hopefully a new tradition. I can possibly find you a reduced dvc rental reservation, too. Let me know if interested
It was our Family Christmas present, and we were able to take advantage of free dining. We were there from December 21 to January 2; it was a long time, still pretty expensive but SO worth it! We drove from Michigan, escaped one ice storm, and arrived back home in time to experience a larger ice storm that kept the kids out of school until the following Thursday
We said if we checked the weather we could have stayed an extra 4 days 
Our youngest was 11 at the time, so we just asked if they would like going to Disney for Christmas and New Years instead of receiving presents. Of course they said YES, and still say it was the best family trip we've ever had. Of course, the down side is we said at the time it was a once in a lifetime trip to go at that time, but we all want to go again. I did plan everything out, but we ended up adjusting while we were there. We did not go into the parks Christmas Day, and had a leisurely day checking out other resorts decorations, and just relaxing.
It was our Family Christmas present, and we were able to take advantage of free dining. We were there from December 21 to January 2; it was a long time, still pretty expensive but SO worth it! We drove from Michigan, escaped one ice storm, and arrived back home in time to experience a larger ice storm that kept the kids out of school until the following Thursday
This sounds so nice, really! lol I'm still laughing about the "once in a lifetime, but we want to do it again" partIt was our Family Christmas present, and we were able to take advantage of free dining. We were there from December 21 to January 2; it was a long time, still pretty expensive but SO worth it! We drove from Michigan, escaped one ice storm, and arrived back home in time to experience a larger ice storm that kept the kids out of school until the following Thursday
Somehow, I can see me saying "this instead of presents", but I can't imagine my husband actually going through with that - he loves presents time. Maybe when the kids are older and can understand better, like yours. Thanks for sharing your story.
It was crowded, but I did not think it was obscenely crowded. I am used to going to college football games with crowds in excess of 100,000, so I might not be the best judge. Going early, and late helps. When we were on the buses, we did see the signs about the closures, and ogled at the traffic, glad we were not stuck in it.This sounds so nice, really! lol I'm still laughing about the "once in a lifetime, but we want to do it again" part
I have to know, though - was the park REALLY as crowded as everyone says?
I just can't even imagine!! I remember going in the summer when I was a teen and thinking it was way too packed. You literally couldn't make a chicken wing without your elbow touching someone in either direction - madness!
We spent New Year's Eve in Epcot, I couldn't imagine going anywhere else
We went to MK the 30th, and did the NYE dress rehearsal, which was a blast! My DH and youngest DS got tired and went back early, my DD stayed for a bit longer, but my other DS and I stayed till the bitter end, which was probably around 1:00 am. MK's dress rehearsal is about the same as NYE, but I would guess a touch less crowded. It was still packed, but you could move and dance without feeling claustrophobic, which I believe I have a touch of. They have a huge dance party right at the castle, and pretty much everyone was participating. On the actual NYE, we went early to Epcot (I fully believe I am on a huge adrenaline rush when at WDW, and don't need as much sleep as usual
) We did our FP's in the morning, had a leisurely lunch at Via Napoli, did the "Behind the seeds" tour at Living with the land, and went to the Biergarten in Germany for dinner, around the time Germany was actually celebrating NYE in Europe, which was very entertaining. By the time we were done, it was almost dark outside and things were almost all set up. They had multiple dance areas, an American top 40 in FW, a dance area with a dragon in China, and a techno area in Italy. There was latin music at the America Gardens stage, and there may have been more. Our kids stayed pretty much at the Top 40 dance area, and DH and I wandered around the countries, trying different celebratory drinks, people watching, dancing, and just enjoying the atmosphere!
It was very busy, but Epcot is so large that it did not feel as bad even as a weekend at F&W! Youngest DS got tired of dancing, and walked around with us, and we all watched the midnight fireworks celebration, and finally made it back to our cabin at Fort Wilderness probably around 2-2:30 am. We stayed in the cabin pretty much January 1st, watching parades and bowl games; Michigan State was in the Rose Bowl, so we HAD to watch. I think we did grab some food somewhere during the day, but pretty much just recuperated from the previous two whirlwind days. My kids were 16, 13, and 11 at the time, and very active, so I would say we did much more than a family with smaller children. (I grew up with a Disney COMMANDO mom, so we were used to going non-stop)
It was crowded, but I did not think it was obscenely crowded. I am used to going to college football games with crowds in excess of 100,000, so I might not be the best judge. Going early, and late helps. When we were on the buses, we did see the signs about the closures, and ogled at the traffic, glad we were not stuck in it.
We spent New Year's Eve in Epcot, I couldn't imagine going anywhere else
It was an amazing family trip, and we all would go again in an instant! Below is our family at the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. Sorry for the long post! If you have any other questions, just holler
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We were able to get FPs when our window opened, didn't have to wait or anything. They did not offer fireworks viewing options when we went, it was the first year of FP, and they were still tweaking things. There are two fireworks displays at Epcot that night an early (I think 9?) and the midnight (11:40) showings, so the crowd does thin a bit with many families of younger children leaving after the first display. I don't necessarily think you need to get the FP for the fireworks that night, I would rather have it for one of the attractions, but that's just me.Thanks for all that detail! So sad that the osborne lights are no more :-/ Since the announcement I've been wondering what they'll do in its place. It was such a long tradition. Your post led me to a couple more questions: were you allowed to get fast passes ahead of time for new year's? or do they block it and you had to get it that morning? I'm curious if they offer the fireworks viewing options for epcot that night. if so, would you recommend it? Thanks for your replies
It was crowded, but I did not think it was obscenely crowded. I am used to going to college football games with crowds in excess of 100,000, so I might not be the best judge. Going early, and late helps. When we were on the buses, we did see the signs about the closures, and ogled at the traffic, glad we were not stuck in it.
We spent New Year's Eve in Epcot, I couldn't imagine going anywhere else
It was an amazing family trip, and we all would go again in an instant! Below is our family at the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. Sorry for the long post! If you have any other questions, just holler
View attachment 194321
reserved new year plus two weeks today 
Maybe you are locked in DVC, but for the resorts, the earliest you can book is 499 days in advance, and then when the regular rates come out, they update your booking to show the new price. I'm wondering if you had tried to book for later in 2018 if they would have let you book.I thought you were locked in if you put a deposit. 2018 is already open for booking
