Best EPCOT strategy for RD on NYE

[ebenmax]

Our family of 6 adults and 1 2yr. old is planning to visit Epcot on NYE for the first time. Although we are WDW veterans, we have never attempted NYE. We are staying at BCV so coming and going through the International Gateway entrance. I’m trying to figure out FP+ for that day. We are limited by an afternoon nap schedule so will go in at RD and leave by noon to 12:30. (Then return around 5:30 before 1st showing of Epcot Forever).
Should we try to RD FEA and choose either Soarin’ or TT for our first FP+? Or is it better to RD either Soarin’ or TT and try to get FEA for the tier 1 FP+?
Any advice is appreciated!

 

[Robo]

Our family of 6 adults and 1 2yr. old is planning to visit Epcot on NYE for the first time. Although we are WDW veterans, we have never attempted NYE. We are staying at BCV so coming and going through the International Gateway entrance. I’m trying to figure out FP+ for that day. We are limited by an afternoon nap schedule so will go in at RD and leave by noon to 12:30. (Then return around 5:30 before 1st showing of Epcot Forever).
Should we try to RD FEA and choose either Soarin’ or TT for our first FP+? Or is it better to RD either Soarin’ or TT and try to get FEA for the tier 1 FP+?
Any advice is appreciated!

Arrive VERY early (remember the Gondolas will be running to the IG.)
RD Frozen.

 

[ebenmax]

Thank you!! RDing FEA was our first thought, but after doing some additional reading I began second guessing.
Yes...we are aware of the gondolas. While I think they are overall a great new option, I can’t deny being sad our “secret back entrance” to Epcot
is disappearing!

 

[RememberWhoYouAre]

Make FP for test track. Ropedrop FEA then Soarin'. Test Track goes down a lot for technical difficulties or rain/lightning, so at least you'd get a multiple experience FP if it did go down during your FP window and you could ride it later when it re-opened (or use the multiple experience FP for Soarin' instead). Also, TT gets longer standby lines than Soarin'.
We did last NYE at epcot, arrivingin the evening. It was so crowded, but fun! When we did Test Track with our FP, it had a 3 hour standby wait.
When you go back at 5:30pm, grab horns and party hats. They ran completely out of them not long after we got ours (about 7pm). Check out the DJ dance party in China at night, this set-up was so cool!

 

[ebenmax]

We did last NYE at epcot, arrivingin the evening. It was so crowded, but fun! When we did Test Track with our FP, it had a 3 hour standby wait.
When you go back at 5:30pm, grab horns and party hats. They ran completely out of them not long after we got ours (about 7pm). Check out the DJ dance party in China at night, this set-up was so cool!

Thank you for the suggestions! We are supposed to eat at ‘Ohana at 3:15 that day and then headed back to Epcot for the fireworks at 6:30.
How early did you stake out your spot for the early fireworks? Or is everybody more interested in the midnight ones?

 

[Robo]

Thank you for the suggestions! We are supposed to eat at ‘Ohana at 3:15 that day and then headed back to Epcot for the fireworks at 6:30.
How early did you stake out your spot for the early fireworks? Or is everybody more interested in the midnight ones?

Early fireworks will be crazy-busy.

Midnight fireworks will be CRAZY-BUSY!

 

[RememberWhoYouAre]

Thank you for the suggestions! We are supposed to eat at ‘Ohana at 3:15 that day and then headed back to Epcot for the fireworks at 6:30.
How early did you stake out your spot for the early fireworks? Or is everybody more interested in the midnight ones?

We didn’t stake out a spot for the earlier fireworks because we had already seen them before and also we weren’t planning on going into World Showcase until later on in the night. However, we did end up seeing them from afar while still in Future World walkway. Well, the higher up fireworks anyway. If they’re still doing the Holiday tag ending this year, then this would be a must-do. The finale is amazing!!
I imagine the earlier fireworks are very crowded, there are just so many people there. But I do think the big draw is the NYE fireworks and all the dance parties.
It’s so crowded at Epcot, they let people onto the grassy areas in Future World to just hang out! I had never seen that before!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

@ebenmax - You are probably already up to speed on this, but just remember that 12/31 is one of the few days of the year where Epcot opens pre-9am, in this case 8am (which is the current time on the calendar for 2019 and what it has been the last several years).

The early opening and the fact that many people wait until later in the day to go to Epcot should make for a super-easy arrival / rope drop experience. We've been to Epcot the last two years on 12/31 (more like 9am, not right at 8am rope drop) and it's been smooth sailing all around the park. Things don't really start picking up until later in the day.

As for FPs, I agree with those that said RD FEA, Soarin, and FP TT.

Have fun!

 

[ebenmax]

@ebenmax - You are probably already up to speed on this, but just remember that 12/31 is one of the few days of the year where Epcot opens pre-9am, in this case 8am (which is the current time on the calendar for 2019 and what it has been the last several years).

The early opening and the fact that many people wait until later in the day to go to Epcot should make for a super-easy arrival / rope drop experience. We've been to Epcot the last two years on 12/31 (more like 9am, not right at 8am rope drop) and it's been smooth sailing all around the park. Things don't really start picking up until later in the day.

As for FPs, I agree with those that said RD FEA, Soarin, and FP TT.

Have fun!

Thank you!! While I saw they opened early, I’m really encouraged that your early mornings were smooth sailing!! I was guessing it would be jammed packed all day like MK. That gives me a sigh of relief while trying to plan this new adventure!
Any tips for evening? Are we going to be able to get a spot for the first Epcot Forever if we don’t arrive back there until 5:30? (‘Ohana dinner 3:15).
Thanks tons!