Can someone tell me about the party NYE at Epcot?

[wintermom]

I have read on this board the Epcot has some party NYE that
is extra$$ , I guess it has food etc. but I don't see anything about
it. Does anyone know what it is like?

We are two families of 3, each with DD age 7, would this be some
thing the kids and adults would like? Last year we did Ohanna
for NYE but this year we won't have a car and are staying at the
Swan, so I think we should do something at Epcot or on the board
walk.

Thanks for any advise

Wintermom

 

[Connears]

We stayed at the swan last x-mas week and spent NYE at MGM eating at Brown Derby. It was great. The year before for NYE we started at MGM then went to Epcot and we were thinking of the party you speak of but DS just wanted to tour around. It is at the old millenium village between UK and Canada. Its called Rock N Roll NYe or something like that. They advertize a buffet dinner and live bands and kids/adult activites throughout the time. You can also leave the party and go to Epcot activites as you please. If you are at the Swan, the Swan/Dolphin also have a similar event and it is for kids and adults. You can choose the dinner and party or just desserts and the party. If the kids can't make it until midnight, you can see the fireworks at MGM from the front of the Swan(we had a great view from our room) and the fireworks from Epcot right from the dock at Swan/Dolphin-that's if you are not in the parks. Its a great time. We will be at BCV until 12/31 so we miss NYE this year at WDW.
Connears

 

[wintermom]

Thanks so much for the info. We are at the Swan NYE and I
am trying to plan for that night!

Wintermom

 

[Connears]

We found the exact info about the Swan/Dolphin party on their website. swandolphin.com It was closer to the holiday time when they added the exact infor on their site. Hope this helps.
Connears

 

[*Flower*]

We'll be at the Swan for NYE also.........

Of course (if it doesn't rain) we'll be in Epcot........

 

[wintermom]

I am thinking Epcot too, I appreciate all the information!

Wintermom

 

[*Flower*]

This will be our 4th Christmas/New Year at WDW in a row.

What kind of information would you like?

 

[*Flower*]

I should say that we don't do anything too structured....

This year we're just making our PSs as usual and wandering around.

If the party would include private viewing of the Illuminations, that might be the way to go- but with the kids possibly getting tired, there will be two Illuminations going on NYE.

That way they wouldn't feel like they were missing anything.

 

[wintermom]

Flower,
Where do you reccommend eating at Epcot?

Last year we ate at O'hanna's and watched wishes from the
window, it was beautiful, but a bit far away.

I think we are going with Epcot, I wish there was a place for
reserved viewing of the fireworks, do you think you could see them good from the millenium village (not sure I remember where that is)? We are more of sit down and eat people than just
graze at a buffet, so I am not too sure about that.

Which fireworks is better Epcot or MK?

The two girls are 7, not sure if they will make it staying up till
midnight but we could plan dinner around the earlier fireworks.

Wintermom

 

[*Flower*]

The early fireworks go at 7:30 or so.

Depending on your budget and what kind of food you like- we enjoy Rose & Crown, Le Cellier, Teppanyaki, and Restaurant Marrakesh. There are good counter service places too.....

We'll be trying Biergarten for the first time during our December trip. Akershus in Norway is good too- it's half buffet, half served.

As to which fireworks are better...... everyone has their own opinion on that. As you're staying at the Swan, Epcot is closer for getting the children to bed, and although the early show is the regular Illuminations display, the midnight show has more umph.

Any Priority Seatings that you make for NYE will need a charge card guarantee.

 

[linda_pizzuro]

Last year we ate at Rose and Crown with outside seating on NYE and watched the early IllumiNations. We actually did not have a PS but when we were walking past the R&C my boyfriend asked if they had an seating. It was me, my boyfriend and his 15 year old son. We had to wait about an hour but we were able to get served. We walked around after dinner (the place was PACKED) and checked out all the different parties going on in the different countries. We also stayed for the midnight IllumiNations and NYE display. We watched from near one of the boat docks near the entrance to Future World. We probably got there at least 2 hours early, staked out a spot and had fun talking with all our neighbors. We had a FP for TestTrack at around 10:30 pm but I did not want to give up our spot. My boyfriends son went and was back pretty quickly - he said FW was not too crowded as I think most people were waiting for IllumiNations.

We were able to check out the party but did not attend. It looked really good and I am a little sorry we did not do this. We have spent at least 4 NYE in Epcot over the past 5 years. Not sure if we will be down there this year for NYE (we are going in November for Thanksgiving) but if not we will try for the party next year.
Linda