Anyone been to WDW on New Year's Day?

[BCKatie02]

How were the crowds on New Year's Day and the week following? I've read it's one of the lowest attendance periods and its value season.

Thanks!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I'm curious too, since we'll be there New Years Day 2006 through the 8th!

 

[Simba's Mom]

We arrived on New Year's Day, 2005. There were extremely heavy crowds the first few days. Sunday, 1/2, was evening EMH at MGM, and by 8:00 I'd had enough it was so crowded. On my way out, I stopped in Sid Cahuenga's and the CM there agreed-it really hadn't slowed down as she had hoped. A few years ago, when I arrived on NYDay, by 1/2 the parks were very slow. This year it was a few days later before things really slowed down. Don't know if this is a one year thing, and it'll go back to slowness right away after 1/1 next year.

 

[lpizzuro123]

We have spent quite a few NYE and NYD at WDW. I think alot of it has to do with what night NYE lands on. This year it is on a Sunday so NYD will be a Monday. I would think that alot of people will start heading home because most kids need to get back to school. If NYE lands on say Thursday - I believe most people will spend the rest of the weekend at WDW since most kids will not have to return to schook till Monday.
Linda

 

[Luv2Roam]

Last NYE we spent all day at MK. It was as crzy as you can imagine.

NYD we were in Epcot (Saturday). It was like being in Epcot on a slow Sunday. VERY different from the day before.

 

[snowglobe girl]

We went a couple of years ago from 12/29 to 1/2. Through New Years Eve, it was so crowded that it was miserable. On NYD, everything was totally dead and didn't have to hardly wait in line. Decided that from now on if we go during that time of year, we'll start our vacation on NYE so we can participate in festivities, but the rest of our vacation will be more relaxed. I can't remember what day of the week NYE fell on the year we were there, but want to say it was mid-week.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We've been down for New Year's several times... NYE and NYday are very crowded, but usually by Jan. 3rd or so it starts thinning out, then by Jan. 5-6 the crowds are gone and school is back in session. It's a great time to go to the parks because the Christmas decorations are still up but the people are gone.

 

[Amy&Dan]

That is what I am hoping, crowds lessening with each day! I am thinking that since January 1 is on a Sunday the legal holiday will be Monday. Still, would assume a lot of people will clear out early in the week. I know this has been asked, but how long do the decorations stay up? Also does MK do a special holiday fireworks like Disneyland does and if so when does that end?

 

[Pennsy22]

We've been there several times on NYE/NYD. Most of the time we go to EPCOT because they have an extended Illuminations show. One year we went to MGM and got to see Huey Lewis and the News up close. We were also at MK for 1999/2000 new years eve and they had a great extended show with fireworks coming from all sides of the park. It was such a surprise. They had been going off in the usual place behind the castle and above 20,000 leagues lagoon. Then when we thought it was all over, boom, fireworks shoot up from all around the outside edge of the park and the fireworks go on for another 10 minutes. The whole show lasted about 20 minutes.

The week between the day after Christmas and NYD will be the buisiest. The week leading up to Christmas isn't too bad. It depends on what day NYE is on as to when things will slow down. Generally the Monday after NYD thing drop off a lot. The parks won't be open very late though.

I highly recommend NYE at a Disney World park. But don't expect much in the way of riding a bunch of rides. Just enjoy the atmosphere.

 

[riu girl]

 

[Kande]

We will be there on NYD and would love to hear more. Are there any special events like parade or fireworks?

 

[vettechick99]

NYE and NYD are both very crowded. However, like another poster said, crowds will thin out soon after, especially if those days don't land on a weekend.

I went NY's weekend of 00-01 and it was so packed, we went back to our room and got to bed early. That kind of crowd isn't my cup of tea.

Now another year we went the week after NYs and it was really great. No crowds and all the characters were out just to see you!

 

[stitchluva22]

there were not that many crowds at all.

 

[simzac]

I'm curious too, since we'll be there New Years Day 2006 through the 8th!

We will also be there Jan 1-8, maybe we will run into you. We were at WDW Jan 1-5 this year, first 2 days were very crowded, last 3 were not bad at all. Figure this coming year may slow down on the 2nd due to that being a Monday, I hope at least.

 

[danny1649]

On Sunday this year so may be busier than one that falls on a week day.Still don't think it will be a huge crowd though.2nd on will be very low crowds in my opinion.Have a magical and safe trip.

 

[jdonat]

NYD at Epcot tends to be quiet at least until late afternoon.. I think most folks
are sleeping in. We get to EC just before the first character greeting in the
World showcase promenade, and a couple of times we've had Mickey and Minnie to ourselves.. in fact last year, we were getting pics with Minnie, and
Mickey had no one waiting for a pic/autograph.... so he came over and we got
pics with Minnie&Mickey!!!! That's pretty rare...

We're not sure about the other parks, our tradition is NYD at Epcot....

This year, it 'may' be busier the first week of January as from what I can see
many of the schools in the Midwest arent going back to school till 1/9/06.
We'll see. We're going down on 12/29 or 12/30, leaving on 1/7.

 

[the kabuki]

This year we waited until the 8th of Jan. and the crowds were non-existant.

The year before we hit the tail end of Christmas/New Year's crowd by arriving on the 2nd and all I can say is WOW!! I couldn't believe how crowded it was. I made a comment to someone and they answered by saying 'this is nothing , you should've seen it last week" Yikes! I felt like it was wall to wall then. Would hate to see it the holiday week.

Usually if you wait until the 5th or so, depending on how the week-ends fall,you should have some quiet parks.