2012 New Year's Eve crowd??

[csummerlin55]

We were looking at going to WDW the 1st week in January 2013 since our school year has been extended to include that full week. Our WDW vacation weeks usually run Saturday-Saturday and with the way the weeks fall we would be there December 29th-January 5th. Anyone want to offer a guess at how crowded it will be that week? We wouldn't mind the experience as long as the crowd dwindles down after NYE.

 

[matt and beth]

Went the same time this year. Oh boy!!! I have never seen so many people in my life. It boggles the mind! Rope drop is essential. I have pictures of people who got to Epcot early on New Years Eve and slept on the lawns. Too funny! Epcot is an absolute blast and my three little ones were having so much fun. One warning is that the restrooms see waits exceeding those seen at major sporting events. Expect waits in excess of thirty minutes for the ladies room later in the evening. The different countries were awesome. Ate at beirgarten on the German new year time. The whole staff celebrated on the dance floor. Outside they gave away hats and horns at America. Italy had a very cool techno laser dance stage and booming music. China was celebrating in the same manner with flames shooting up off the top of the stage lights. We were all amazed at the effort and money invested. They had great fireworks in excess of the normal illuminations.

Good news... It drops off significantly after news years eve. Night and day. We went three years ago and took til about the third to calm down. Not this year. It was like someone flipped a switch. We were in the MK and you could walk with much ease and the ride times were a third of what they were just three days prior.

Have fun!

 

[csummerlin55]

Good news... It drops off significantly after news years eve. Night and day. We went three years ago and took til about the third to calm down. Not this year. It was like someone flipped a switch. We were in the MK and you could walk with much ease and the ride times were a third of what they were just three days prior.

Have fun!

Thanks! Do you think the reason it dropped off so quickly in 2011 was because the 1st was a Sunday? I was worried it might not drop off so much 2012 becuase NYE is Monday.

The other week we were thinking of was the last week in February but it is so much higher in points than Jan 1-31. Although, it may even out after I figure in the points prior to Jan 1.

 

[Magic3forme]

We were there this year Dec 30- Jan 4th. NYE was beyond insane. We went to Epcot and had lunch, then left to swim. ( no need to wait 4 hrs for any ride!!) We then returned at 945. It was still insane, but we got a great spot for the fireworks. and everyone around us was friendly.

As for the crowd levels, they did lessen, but it was still crowded! (8 & 9 out of 10) 10/ 10 on some days. So many schools didnt go back until Jan 9th.
we watched what park was recommended to go to that day and we followed it. Our son wanted to do Star Wars Jedi training so we were there at rope drop to get in line. ( he got the 12:20 time frame).

We knew it was going to be crowded and just went with the flow. we slept in a few days and just stayed later, that worked better for us, and the crowds at night were lighter.

 

[csummerlin55]

We were there this year Dec 30- Jan 4th. NYE was beyond insane. We went to Epcot and had lunch, then left to swim. ( no need to wait 4 hrs for any ride!!) We then returned at 945. It was still insane, but we got a great spot for the fireworks. and everyone around us was friendly.

As for the crowd levels, they did lessen, but it was still crowded! (8 & 9 out of 10) 10/ 10 on some days. So many schools didnt go back until Jan 9th.
we watched what park was recommended to go to that day and we followed it. Our son wanted to do Star Wars Jedi training so we were there at rope drop to get in line. ( he got the 12:20 time frame).

We knew it was going to be crowded and just went with the flow. we slept in a few days and just stayed later, that worked better for us, and the crowds at night were lighter.

Thank you for the info. I don't know that my family would enjoy a trip if the crowds are still that heavy. I was hoping it would drop off after NYE.

 

[Colleen27]

With the 1st falling on a Tuesday a LOT of schools are likely to have that full week off. We do, and we usually go back on the 3rd or 4th at the latest but even our school board decided that a 2 day week post-Christmas wasn't worth it.

 

[Twinkbelle]

I was in MK for NYE last year, can't comment on how the crowds were afterwards as it was the last day of our trip. We arrived around 11am (at which point the park was already closed to those staying offsite) I've never seen so many people anywhere! You had to queue just to get into the counter service resturants! All the rides were really long lines, we only went on Haunted Mansion thinking that is usually a fast moving line, we waited an hour and half.

Having said all that the fireworks were incredible, and I'm glad I got to see them. I'd have to think carefully before going into something like that again. I knew it would be busy but insane is a better description of that crowd!

 

[csummerlin55]

I was in MK for NYE last year, can't comment on how the crowds were afterwards as it was the last day of our trip. We arrived around 11am (at which point the park was already closed to those staying offsite) I've never seen so many people anywhere! You had to queue just to get into the counter service resturants! All the rides were really long lines, we only went on Haunted Mansion thinking that is usually a fast moving line, we waited an hour and half.

Having said all that the fireworks were incredible, and I'm glad I got to see them. I'd have to think carefully before going into something like that again. I knew it would be busy but insane is a better description of that crowd!

Hmmm, I live in Louisville KY and we have some of the best fireworks just before Derby so it's really hard to take those into account (although the fireworks at WDW have much better music and the castle!)

 

[csummerlin55]

With the 1st falling on a Tuesday a LOT of schools are likely to have that full week off. We do, and we usually go back on the 3rd or 4th at the latest but even our school board decided that a 2 day week post-Christmas wasn't worth it.

I'm thinking more people will spend that week in the park based on exactly what you have pointed out.