Christmas - New Year's Day - For those that have been

[js]

Hi.
Can anyone please let me know what you did between Christmas and New Years Day at Disney when
you were not in the park?
We are a family of 5, including two 22 year olds and one 18 year old.
Hoping to maybe do KTTK tour (my dd and I have done but not my dh/ds).
Will make tee time reservations.
What did you do for NYE? We are staying in the Treehouses at SSR.
Can't go into a bar at DTD since my son is 18, is that correct?
Maybe SSR does something too for NYE but looking to see what you did onsite.

Thanks so much!

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Alright, so bear with me. I tend to be long winded by nature and even more when it has to do with Disney.

We go every year during Christmas. While it's the most crowded time of the year, it's also a blast as there are so many things to do OUTSIDE the parks. You get a constant reprieve from the parks.

First, to answer your question, yes, you can't go to bars with your 18 yo. However, you can go to restaurants where drinks are sold. I believe you can do Jock Lindsay's, The BoatHouse and know that you can do Raglan Road and the outdoor bar. They will check IDs when ordering drinks. I remember at 20 yo sitting with my family while they sipped drinks and I milked a Diet Coke.

Disney Springs is a ton of fun and a great spot to take a break from the parks - especially now that there's so much to do. There's plenty of outdoor seating and areas to grab a drink and some appetizers. You can also shop if you want to or hit the bowling alley.

You can go to Trader Sams, but once it hits 8pm, they'll ask anyone under 21 to leave. One of my favorite nights was spent in the outdoor area of trader sam's sipping a drink by the waterfall. It's a cool area to hang out, even during the day.

It was hot this year. Most days were in the high 80s, so we spent some time by the pool. It was nice an relaxing and we tried to soak up as much sun as possible, knowing that we'd be returning to the dead of winter in New York.

We also spend a lot of time exploring the resorts. The Deluxe Resorts have some of the most gorgeous Christmas decorations. Hop on the monorail and stop at the Contemporary, Poly and then the Grand Floridian. The GF is the most popular spot, as it has the most elaborate gingerbread house display. We could easily spend an hour taking photos and walking the grounds. When it's nice outside, the Poly is the place to be. It's right on the "beach" and has beautiful picturesque views of MK and the surrounding hotels.

Don't forget about the Wilderness Lodge. Arguably one of the most gorgeously themed resorts, it really steps up its game during the holidays. It feels like you've stepped right into a ski lodge. Grab a drink or coffee and sit around the multi-story fireplace or sit in awe of the picturesque tree.

Oh - and Fort Wilderness is always decorated by campers. People decorate their campsites with crazy displays. Disney offers a horse-drawn carriage ride for $80 (I think). It's really cool. Not sure if you can walk the area. Not sure why you wouldn't be allowed to, though.

The EPCOT resorts also have some gorgeous decorations. The Boardwalk has another gingerbread display, as well as a tree decorated based on the theme. The Beach Club has a gingerbread carousel and the Yacht Club has a train set, as well as trees decorated to the theme.

We didn't do it this year, but we usually rent a boat for an hour or two. You used to be able to get them from Downtown Disney. We like to go to the Contemporary, rent a boat and take it to the 7 Seas Lagoon. That allows us to cross the water bridge and grab some cool photos of Magic Kingdom. You do need to be careful, though, as the ferry is constantly going by and larger boats create large wakes.

We're total foodies, so outside of EPCOT we also enjoy the different QS spots in deluxe resorts. We'll stop at Captain Cook's at Poly or the Contempo Cafe at The Contemporary.

As for golf - this past year would have been perfect for it. When I went down for a wedding a few years ago, some of the guys and I went golfing. I THINK we did Oak Trail, which is right by OKW. If I remember correctly, WDW guests can book 180 days out. They have both stiff and regular clubs for rent, golf carts and a beer girl. WDW provides transportation to the course (a voucher you pick up from the Concierge).

We do EPCOT for NYE. We left early this year. It was crowded (as expected) and my mom and dad weren't feeling well. It felt more crowded than past years. With everything that was going on in the world, we just didn't feel comfortable. We celebrated at our resort (POFQ) but vowed to stay at Beach Club last year to allow time to go to and fro the park with ease.

Disney holds a number of events during NYE but they all come with a pretty hefty price tag. This past year they did some kind of event at Y&B. It had dancing, dessert tables, etc. It was like $300 per person though. Many of the deluxe resort restaurants do prix fixe menus, but it's expensive and you need to dress up. That may appeal to some people, though.

Some other suggestions to escape the parks:

- Book ADRs at resorts. That gives you more of a reason to escape the parks and go to the resorts. We personally love booking Narcoossee's right around Wishes. If you book Cali Grill for Wishes (or anytime that day) you can watch Wishes from the rooftop. It's an awesome view and a great opportunity to escape the crowds.

- Walk the grounds. We sometimes walk from EPCOT to DHS rather than take the boat. It's a fun way to escape the crowds for a little while.

- The Boardwalk is fun when it's nice outside. Grab lunch or a pastry and sit outside for a while.

 

[hamilkm]

I haven't been the week you mentioned, but we are going the week after Easter this year and they did not offer the KTTK tour during the holiday week. I had to wait and book for the next week, so it's possible they might not do tours this week.

 

[LivingforDisney]

We were there during Xmas / New Year last year.
Xmas day, we had a sleep in, had early lunch at CBR where we were staying and then went to Fort Wilderness where we had a ADR for the Hoop DeDoo Show.
We walked around looking at the RV's decorated before the show and after the show we did the sled ride, and saw the RV's decorated with the lights.
It was a very relaxed enjoyable day.
For NYE we went to the Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge for dinner and then went back to CBR, they had a dance party and things going on for the kids. They handed out Hats and blowers ( you know,those noisy things kids love) , we found a table and and seats near the lake and watch the MK & Epcot fireworks from there at midnight, then we strolled back to our room.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We were there from Christmas Day until Dec. 30 last year. We went to Trattoria al Forno for Christmas dinner and then watched the entertainment on the Boardwalk. We did the Wild Africa Trek. We also went to DS and ate at Morimoto Asia and then saw Star Wars. We swam in the pool a few times and my DS went to the Sandcastle Club a few nights.

If you are interested in park tours (KTTK, etc.) I HIGHLY recommend doing them this week. We really enjoyed Wild Africa Trek because it automatically got us out of the crowds and let us enjoy some very special things AK has to offer. If we went this week again in the future, we would most likely do another tour or two. I think a tee time is a good idea!

If we were to do NYE there, I would most likely pick one of the resort parties that are offered. They are a bit pricey, but, again, it keeps our exposure to the massive crowds to a minimum while still offering a way to really enjoy the WDW experience.

 

[js]

Thank you all so much for your very detailed responses! Please know I VERY much appreciate each person that put all the time in to
help me. I will see if they do KTTK Tour during this time. I LOVED it when I did it a few years ago but it was in mid September so a lot
different than over Christmas. I could see how they may not offer it.

I would love to do a party that is offered but when I looked for BW Party, it was $300 per person. For $1800 I may as well stay home in NY and plan my
own party LOL We will be at SSR so I'm thinking the easiest thing for us to do is be at DTD. In typing this, I will try to get a late reservation on NYE
for dinner and stay there after dinner. Has anyone been to DTD during NYE. Do they do a countdown? How about SSR? Has anyone been there
for NYE and did they have a party?

LivingforDisney, thank you! I didn't think about Hoop De Doo. The "kids" in my group are 22 and 18 and didn't think about this but
may try to book. I think it will be fun for our family.

Plutothedog, does Epcot do a countdown somewhere on NYE? I know you left this year but I'm guessing once you leave, you cannot get
back in due to capacity being filled? We have been a few times in November and right after Christmas for a cruise so we have seen the
resorts decorated but trying to minimize our travel on non park days I think due to very high crowds. I don't want to change to a monorail
resort since my kids are older and I think they will utilize DTD much more than going to a park in the evenings.

Thank you all so much!

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

for NYE and did they have a party?[/QUOTE]

Okay, so Disney Springs is pretty hoppin' the day of NYE. We usually head there for the day, as the parks are way too crowded. It will be crowded. Keep this in mind. They cater a lot more to the locals now - it's the spot to be on the weekend and holidays.

We did Portobello one night - a late ADR. We planned on going to the park, though, which proved to be a mistake as after eating, it took far too long to get to EPCOT. Oh well, we learned.

Our first year, though, we did Raglan Road. I believe it hits 12am at 7pm in Ireland. They do a huge countdown and celebrate the New Year. This could be fun for your family. I know they allow people under 21 because I was there when I was 20.

Plutothedog, does Epcot do a countdown somewhere on NYE? I know you left this year but I'm guessing once you leave, you cannot get
back in due to capacity being filled? We have been a few times in November and right after Christmas for a cruise so we have seen the
resorts decorated but trying to minimize our travel on non park days I think due to very high crowds. I don't want to change to a monorail
resort since my kids are older and I think they will utilize DTD much more than going to a park in the evenings.

EPCOT does do a countdown and it's incredible. They go through each country in the World Showcase. They'll say "earlier today China celebrated the New Year - blah blah blah" and do fireworks over each respective pavilion. It's very cool and I recommend seeing it at least once.

As for capacity... it depends. Any park can hit capacity at any time during that week. BUT, as resort guests, we've never had a problem. Magic Kingdom will see capacity, but EPCOT is so large and absorbs guests so well that it's the least likely park to be closed due to capacity. It's more of how comfortable you are with the crowds.We avoid the parks during the day on 12/31, then go later at night. We've never had a problem but again, it could happen.

I almost forgot - Magic Kingdom does a NYE show on 12/30. It's an opportunity to see the SAME EXACT show as NYE, but on 12/30. Literally, the only thing that changes on 12/31 is the year. They have a DJ and dancing and everything. It's good because 1) You'd have to be insane to brave the crowds on NYE at Magic Kingdom and 2) it gives you a chance to do something else on 12/31. We always joke that we celebrate the New Year twice.

 

[js]

for NYE and did they have a party?

Okay, so Disney Springs is pretty hoppin' the day of NYE. We usually head there for the day, as the parks are way too crowded. It will be crowded. Keep this in mind. They cater a lot more to the locals now - it's the spot to be on the weekend and holidays.

We did Portobello one night - a late ADR. We planned on going to the park, though, which proved to be a mistake as after eating, it took far too long to get to EPCOT. Oh well, we learned.

Our first year, though, we did Raglan Road. I believe it hits 12am at 7pm in Ireland. They do a huge countdown and celebrate the New Year. This could be fun for your family. I know they allow people under 21 because I was there when I was 20.



EPCOT does do a countdown and it's incredible. They go through each country in the World Showcase. They'll say "earlier today China celebrated the New Year - blah blah blah" and do fireworks over each respective pavilion. It's very cool and I recommend seeing it at least once.

As for capacity... it depends. Any park can hit capacity at any time during that week. BUT, as resort guests, we've never had a problem. Magic Kingdom will see capacity, but EPCOT is so large and absorbs guests so well that it's the least likely park to be closed due to capacity. It's more of how comfortable you are with the crowds.We avoid the parks during the day on 12/31, then go later at night. We've never had a problem but again, it could happen.

I almost forgot - Magic Kingdom does a NYE show on 12/30. It's an opportunity to see the SAME EXACT show as NYE, but on 12/30. Literally, the only thing that changes on 12/31 is the year. They have a DJ and dancing and everything. It's good because 1) You'd have to be insane to brave the crowds on NYE at Magic Kingdom and 2) it gives you a chance to do something else on 12/31. We always joke that we celebrate the New Year twice.[/QUOTE]

Thank you very very much! I love the araglan Road idea but thinking dinner before 7 wont happen lol. Going to try to make ressies during the week for about 8. Need something to keep the "kids" busy at night too lol. DTD or Epcot will be one of the places we will go. I really so appreciate your help!!