Christmas Day and NYE

[pad406]

Hi all, planning our first trip over Christmas/New Year. Any recommendations for the 2 big days, CD and NYE? thanks

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

For dining? Yes. Know that if you want to dine in a park restaurant you will need to plan on being at the park at opening.

The parks (particularly MK, but EPCOT has been know to do so as has DHS, and less often, DAK) will close due to capacity and regardless of ADR status you will not be allowed in if this happens.

Best bet in that case is to choose a restaurant in a resort.

There are many to choose from so have a look at what each one serves, and make your selection from there. Call at the earliest chance you can to make the ADR and be flexible on your time and place.

 

[pad406]

Thanks, good pointer on the parks, ahdn't thought of that. Do all resturaunts accept the dining plan plus or are there add ons in some or even total OOP?

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I don't use the DDP (I'm one of the very, very few who hate it! ) so don't really know.

I know that Victoria and Albert does not take the DDP. Most other full service places do... some use more points than others.

Also, counter service places do...

 

[Forever Fairy]

Also - Epcot has the Candlelight Processional dinner package and most TS restaurants are booked solid as a result of that even. Times start at about lunch for the early seating and then continue throughout the night.

If you want to do a TS at Epcot while that is going on, I suggest you make it ASAP.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

I did NYE 2009-2010 at Magic Kingdom. We arrived at 6:30 AM for the 7:00 AM opening, left at 1:30 AM, and the wait for the buses back to the hotel put us back in our room after 3:00 AM. It was a long day but one of the most amazing days of my life, as it was always a dream come true for me to be at MK for New Years Eve.

Anyway, to answer your question about dining, my biggest suggestion, if you are planning to be there all day (which you have to be in order to guarantee that you'll be there for the midnight fireworks), is to book at least 2 sit down ADRs. We booked an 11:30 AM at The Plaza Restaurant which was a nice resting lunch, we took our time and relaxed for a good hour and a half before going back and braving the crowds again. Then I booked a 4:30 PM at Crystal Palace, which again was a nice break and gave us a ton of food to fuel up on before braving the longest part of the day- the period of time from the Castle Lighting to the midnight fireworks. We basically sat in one spot on Main Street from 6:15 PM until midnight, through 1 castle lighting, 2 spectro magic parades, one Holiday Wishes fireworks, one Fantasy in the Sky fireworks, and of course, the midnight fireworks. Amazing, but lonnnnnngggg. So I cannot over emphasize the importance of getting in two solid meals for lunch and dinner to gear you through the day.

PS if you want any other advice about spending NYE in Magic Kingdom, feel free to PM me as I'd love to share my experience and advice!

 

[OhThePain]

If you plan on being in any of the parks at midnight on NYE, I would not suggest eating at a resort because you may not be able to make it into a park. My girlfriend and I did NYE in EPCOT a couple of years ago and had a great time. If you get an ADR for 730-8 at night in the WS, it will give you enough time to eat and find a spot to bring the new year in (we ate at Biergarten, the festive atmosphere there was a nice addition to the whole night itself).

On a non-food related side note, MK does show its NYE Wishes on 12/30.

 

[RonPaulaD]

We did NYE 09-10 and did DHS. We arrived around 5-5:30 and had an ADR for 7:40 at Sci-fi. It was crowded but we had a blast. With our mixed group it was the best choice.