Are we crazy???? Disney World for New Years!

[wishonastar]

We (my DH and I - both 52) have made reservations at Disney for the week of December 28-January 3...are we crazy? Are the crowds huge there that week? Should we go another time? We are staying in the Pop Century Resort - wanted to try the newest spot to stay. We love Disney, but I'm wondering if this is a mistake!

ALL INPUT IS APPRECIATED!!

Thanks!

 

[mousefansmom]

Is New Years Day any better than NYE? How about Universal/IOA or Sea World--same crowds there?

Just curious!

 

[2tinksmom]

Hey, we'll be there, too!! We're going 12/31-1/5 and it's a surprise trip for our two DDs. And we are crazy....crazy about Disney, lol!!

 

[mcnuss]

You think you're crazy, we went for Millenium (I am spelling that wrong!) New Year!

It was HORRIBLE right up to New Years Day. Starting on the 2nd, the place emptied out. By the 3rd, we had it all to ourselves. Cannot remember what day New Years falls this year, but if you're there past the weekend, that will be the best time.

 

[tink2dw]

We went to DL last year on News Year Day evening it was a Mad House!! But Disney is fun anytime. While everyone else was watching the fireworks our family had Fantasyland to ourselves!! We got to ride, rides we hadn't ridden in many years due to the normal crowds!! It was a Blast!!

What I liked most was seeing all the Christmas Decorations and the crowds got smaller each day after NYD!!

 

[funhouse8]

Count us in- We are crazy too. 12/29/03 - 1/09/04

"It's great to be crazy, it's great to be nuts like us!"

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

I'm so glad to be in the company of other disney nuts! We will be there 12/31 to 1/5. I am pushing the limits by having a mini family reunion ( 17 people) This will also be my dh's first trip with us, I hope it's not his last! But can't think of a better place to be, we will be celebrating dd's 7th birthday on 1/1. The kids won't care about the crowds! I can't wait to see all the Christmas decorations again! Does anyone know if the the Christmas parade is still running on New Years Day?

 

[LoriZH]

NO WAY! I wouldn't care HOW crowded it was, if I had the opportunity to go to Disney on NYE, I would do it in a NY minute!

Have fun!

 

[frazierle]

We were there last year and the place was packed. Crowds started thinning out after the 1st. I hate crowds but would do it again, we had a blast.

 

[Debi]

I'm headed down from 12/29-1/6, and I'm really looking forward to it. I've read other reports here on the DIS saying that it's crazy no matter which park you're in, but it's definately well worth it. There's plenty going on, and it's a lot of fun despite the crowds.

See you down there!

 

[Mickey527]

I haven't missed bringing in the New Year in WDW for 5 years now. Nothing beats watching the Illuminations show and the added fireworks for the New Year.
The crowds are crazy, but I don't go to WDW during that time of the year to ride the rides. I enjoy the shows, expecially the Candelight procession. The little talks by each Santa of each land, I love learning the history behind the Santas. The different entertainment each country has throughout the day. All the extras I miss on "do the rides and shows" trips.
I also take more photos during my NY trip than I ever take the rest of the year. But I never come home with photos. Last New Years eve before the rains (torrents) came I took over 100 photos of people I didn't know. I offered to everyone I saw to take their entire family photo. Everyone loves having a group photo once in a while instead of always leaving out either mom or dad.
I don't go to the MK on NY eve, Epcot is my park for the night, but others love the MK best. Maybe if they take Illuminations away I might make the hike to the MK for the NY, but I dread that day, I could never live without Illuminations. Peggie

 

[mousefansmom]

Originally posted by Mickey527

I also take more photos during my NY trip than I ever take the rest of the year. But I never come home with photos. Last New Years eve before the rains (torrents) came I took over 100 photos of people I didn't know. I offered to everyone I saw to take their entire family photo. Everyone loves having a group photo once in a while instead of always leaving out either mom or dad.





That is really neat. You are part of what makes the "World" magical!!

 

[snowwhitemom]

We went last NY and are going back for more. The parks are packed to the rim. MK started turning cars away at the parking lot at 10:30 a.m. last year. We left on the bus going back to BWV at 11:30 a.m. and we were told going out that we would probally not have any chance of re-entering ...which was in our plan any way. If you are trying to stay away from HUGE crowds but want to celebrate....The Boardwalk has alot to offer and you can see EPCOT's fireworks from there. Have a great time and use EE like crazy to avoid long lines, enjoy the resort during the middle of the day...great plan . No matter what , Have a great time and a Happy new Year!!!

 

[snowglobe girl]

We went for New Years Eve last year and had a great time (except it was the only time it rained entire trip)! I have to agree with everyone else - park is so crowded you can barely move, but thins out considerably Jan 1. Pick a park you want to be in at midnight, arrive early and DON'T LEAVE because it will reach capacity and they quit letting people in. We spent it at MK - was great - they give out hats and horns, Mickey counts down to midnight and you see the fireworks over the castle - look behind you towards exit and you can also see Epcot or MGM's fireworks too!! It was worth waiting in the crowds and the rain!! I'll be so depressed at home this year - nothing can beat that!

 

[funhouse8]

We will be in epcot for NYE.


snowwhitemom- what do they do at the boardwalk? Maybe we can use this as a plan incase the park gets too crazy.

The Boardwalk has alot to offer and you can see EPCOT's fireworks from there

 

[snowwhitemom]

We loved the BW last year at NYE you can see the fireworks from EPCOT, there is Atlantic dance if you are up for a night of dancing. Jelly rools was really celebrating last year. It was packed but in a good way . The board walk itself had many extra entertainers even in the rain. this year I will be there but only until about 11:15, I was lucky enough to get the Midnight cruise for the Fireworks at EPCOT. We are willing to share the cruise but be warned it is expensive, but worth it. A party boat in the middle of EPCOT on NYE...oh yeah I will take it!!!

 

[mousefansmom]

Hi-
I sent you a pm-

Mousefansmom

 

[xlstacey]

Our family DH, DD12 w/friend 12, DD10 & DD7, will be getting into Orlando around 5ish on NYE. Yes my DH is totallllly out numbered here.

We are staying at the Renaissance Orlando at Sea World for our first 3 nites .. then off to OKW for 2 weeks of fun! Although Disney sounds great for NYE, we will be wayyy too late to get our $$ for that day ... does anyone have any other suggestions for things around International Drive? Do to the HIGH cost of renting a minivan on the 31st ... we are picking our van up on the 1st (saving about $140 even w/the van shuttle from the airport) .. so our evening must be around our resort. I would really love any suggestions .. ideas ... thank you!!

 

[drp4video]

We just went in August, and my daugher and I deciding what to do for NY-and I just made the reservations. We will be there Dec 30-Jan 5. This is our first NY at the Parks. Any idea which is less crowded-Epcot or MGM. Are the rides open till midnight as well?

 

[snowwhitemom]

Originally posted by drp4video
We just went in August, and my daugher and I deciding what to do for NY-and I just made the reservations. We will be there Dec 30-Jan 5. This is our first NY at the Parks. Any idea which is less crowded-Epcot or MGM. Are the rides open till midnight as well?

Good deal......I hope you guys will love it as much as we do at that time of year. I am not sure about MGM but last year when we were leaving MK @ 11:30 A.M., they told us that if we left that we would not be able to get back in and that they had just closed the parking lots. We were on the bus and rode by the entrance and sure enough they were turning cars away. That night at the boardwalk, we were told the same thing about EPCOT, but that was just from other guest, but it started to pour rain and ALOT of people were leaving EPCOT and coming back to the BW. I hope you guys have a wonderful time!!!!