Christmas week & New Year's Eve strategies?

[JudyS]

My DH and I will be in Orlando from the evening of December 25th through January 1st. Yeah, I know it will be packed to the gills, but that's when he has off from work!

We may use this time to do some of the lower-key, less crowded Orlando attractions such as Lew Gardens, especially since I've already started planning another WDW trip for later in the year!

But, I want to get *some* Disney magic in on this trip, and I'd really like to spend New Year's Eve in one of the main parks. Any suggestions for avoiding the worst of the crowds? We're night owls, not morning people. We're willing to focus on shows or restaurants instead of rides. I'm also wondering if taking one of the tours, like Keys to the Kingdom, would be a good way to avoid the crowds (if the tours are even offered that week.)

I'm particular concerned about December 31st. I just can't imagine going to the parks early and having to battle the crowds all day! But, if we go later, I'm afraid the parks will be at capacity and we won't be able to get in. We'll have multi-day tickets, and we're DVC members, but we're staying off-site this trip, so I'm not sure we'll be allowed in once the parks get crowded.

What I'm thinking is that maybe we'll go to Animal Kingdom around noon and stay until it closes at 8 pm. Then, we'll get dinner, and hope that either MK or Epcot will have emptied out enough so that we can get in around 9 pm. Epcot has an early showing of Illuminations (7:30p); MK has early presentations of Spectromagic at 7 and Wishes at 8:30p. Do you think the parks will empty out enough in the evening that we can get in? Also, is there any way to find out which parks are letting people in, without actually going to the gates?

I found suggestions on the best days to tour each park in 2005 at www.touringplans.com/BestDays.htm . But, I didn't see a list for 2004. Anyone know if one is still online?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Connears]

We have been to WDW for the past 2 NYE. MK has closed to all guests(including resort guests)by 10am so if you wnat to go there go early and plan to stay..I would not park hop or you may not get back in. We started NYE 2002-3 at MGM then went to Epcot around 4:30pm and had PS in Japan for 7:30pm. It was crowded and then the rain hit. They have lots of ourdoor venues which were water logged. They also give out noisemakers and hats around 6pm. It was fun, but we left early because it was raining so bad. Last year we went to MGM and stayed the whole day. We had no problem touring the rides with FP and in the PM they started having live bands and Radio Disney did stuff for the kids before that. We had PS at BD and it was wonderful..went to last Fantasmic that night and then around 11:30 we beat the crowd and took boat back to Swan and watched the fireworks over TOT from our room! We even saw some of Epcot fireworks from the Swan/Dolphin dock. If you don't have PS, be prepared for long fast food lines. If you don't plan on Seeing MK fireworks, you can park hop between Epcot atn MGM, but the crowds are still there. Just go with the right frame of mind. We will be at BCV 12/26-12/31 so we miss NYE this year at WDW. Have fun!
Connears

 

[Diznut84]

For New Year's Eve Day, get your PS now for dining. Use a combination of Fast Passes while concentrating primarily on live entertainment rather than rides. For example, you might identify three rides that you probably want to go on. Get a Fast Pass immediately upon entering the park. Have lunch. Get your second Fast Pass (2 hours after first). Either go on first Fast Pass or stand in line (perhaps the only time that day?). Go on second Fast Pass ride. Grab your Third Fast Pass. Eat dinner. Watch shows, fireworks, and go on your final Fast Pass ride.

Our experience has been that the crowds are overwhelming, but if your attitude is right, you can still have a fantastic time. Go for the atmosphere and overall experience rather than the rides. IMO, your best bet is dining PS and shows!

We'll be there with you!

 

[swilphil]

I would do Epcot on 12/31. I don't know what the capacity of AK is and if it's ever closed on New Year's Eve. You might want to ask a CM earlier in your trip. MK will definitely close by noon, if not sooner. But it's so packed in there, I wouldn't want to set foot in it anyway. I wouldn't do any non-Disney parks because they will be just as packed but I don't think their employees are used to dealing with the crowds like Disney is.

We went to WDW a few years ago the same week you are going. I hate to tell you, but going early is your best strategy. I would avoid the EE parks though--go the day after a park has had EE. Use Fastpass as much as possible. Get them early in the day for your favorite rides and always get a second fastpass before you use your 1st fastpass. The time to get a new one should be 5 minutes after your 1st FP becomes active, but plenty of time before the time expires.

 

[MarkLem]

We were there last NYE and are going again this NYE. Last year we did Epcot, and got in around 4:30. There is a high probability your strategy will not work out, so if you stick with it, have an alternate plan for when you don't get into a park at night. You might think about hanging at the Boardwalk.

We chose Epcot last year for NYE, cause we didn't want to be in MK from 10:00 AM on. Epcot was letting people in till around 3:00 or so. I heard there were some people that were able to get in during the evening, but it was a hit or miss type thing, and there is nothing worse than standing around outside the park entrance for long stretches of time.

If you have not made priority seatings by now, chances are slim to none of getting on in one of the park restaurants. I know cause I spent last week trying to get one. Only thing I could get was 4:30 PM at the Biergarten. So plan on eating from walk-up places.

Not trying to rain on your parade, but the reality is that people who made plans to go months and months ago have already filled up the restaurants, etc. by now. Still you could get lucky.

 

[JudyS]

Thanks for the input.

I know everyone says, "Go Early" but Dh & I just aren't young and healthy enough to go early, battle the crowds, and still be at the parks for midnight on New Year's Eve. In fact, on our last Disney trip in October, Dh became exhausted and collapsed and spent about half the trip in the hospital. That's why we planned this trip at the last minute -- it's our "replacement trip" for the one that went badly in October. We are definitely taking it easy and trying to avoid another vist to the hospital -- even if it means no rides at all!

I have heard conflicting things about getting into Epcot in the evening and afternoon of December 31st. Most people seem to think there will be space there late in the day. However, I agree that a back-up plan is a good idea. The suggestion to go to Boardwalk if we can't get into a main park is a good one.

I don't think I'd try Universal that week, but Seaworld might work. I've heard it isn't too bad Christmas week. I'll ask on the Seaworld board here.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We did Disney Studios last year on NYE. We arrived in town about 4PM, checked into our hotel (for one night before moving to DVC resort) and headed for Disney Studios. The musical entertainment was outstanding and we had a grand time. I'd do that park again in a minute for NYE. We had a blast. Best NYE I have ever had.

 

[Vals]

Hi. Where is Disney Studios located?is it new? thanks

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hi. Where is Disney Studios located?is it new? thanks

Disney-MGM Studios. At the other end of the Friendship Boat line from Epcot???

 

[JudyS]

We did Disney Studios last year on NYE. We arrived in town about 4PM, checked into our hotel (for one night before moving to DVC resort) and headed for Disney Studios. The musical entertainment was outstanding and we had a grand time. I'd do that park again in a minute for NYE. We had a blast. Best NYE I have ever had.

Thanks, Deb! That sounds like a good suggestion!

 

[jbaker10]

We're thinking of arriving 12/29 and staying thru the 2nd. How are the parks regarding crowds the 30th, 31st, and the 1st?

Jay

 

[MarkLem]

We're thinking of arriving 12/29 and staying thru the 2nd. How are the parks regarding crowds the 30th, 31st, and the 1st?

Jay

Biggest of the entire year...if you want to see the shows and rides, be there well before opening, commando style for the first couple hours. After that fast pass and the longest waits you've ever seen.

 

[eeyore0062]

No matter when you go between Christmas and New Years you are going to encounter HUGE crowds. Just be prepared to stand in extremely long lines, run out of FP's by noon, and wait to eat, unless you have made PS. If you haven't made PS, you may not be able to get in any full service restaurants, and the lines at counterservice will be huge.

With this in mind, look at it as an adventure. You will likely be able to get in an average of 6 rides or attractions during any given day. Sit back and enjoy the atmosphere... try to ride during parades and fireworks. Eat at off times.

Most people go to Epcot for New Years Eve, and it is packed full. It never closed to capacity last year, though. Maneuvering through WS can be a real test to one's patience. You may want to go to another park that day, but just know that no matter where you go, you are going to be surrounded by others who had to visit at this time due to available time off, or because they LOVE the crowds and the thrill of being surrounded by others wanting to celebrate, too. As long as you go in with the right attitude you will be fine.

Have a great time and Happy Holidays!

 

[boswellnakia]

Any new suggestions for this year? Our family will be in DTD HI the week after Christmas; we are scheduled to head home on New Year's eve. Should we hang around another night to experience WDW on this special night?

 

[Amy&Dan]

I am glad to see this thread resurrected! My question is this. DH is determined that we will be at MK when we are there on NYE. We will be staying onsite but if the park is that crowded can we still get in? I know there are different levels of closure and that sometimes they do let onsite guests in. We are also AP holders. Does it get so crowded that NOBODY gets in no matter what? Personally since we will be there from 12/27 until January 8 I just vote for having dinner at the food court at POFQ and saying to heck with it but he wants to do MK. But no way am I going to be there from 10:00 a.m. until past midnight with those crowds! Any ideas?

 

[disnut8]

We did Disney last year for Christmas and New Year's. Had a family reunion. None of us are morning people either. Hitting the parks at 11:00 AM was early for us. We had a blast. We totally avoided Magic Kingdom. Even with a six year old. She never even missed it.

For New Year's Eve, we started most of our group (two members went rock hunting offsite) at Animal Kingdom. We did what we wanted. I don't remember that many crowds. Then we split up with my husband and me going to Epcot for the rest of the day and everyone else going to MGM. Epcot wasn't crowded either. The other four had a good time at MGM and joined us later at the All Star food court for dinner. They were attired with New Year's Eve top hats. MGM does a nice New Year's Eve thing. If that group hadn't planned to be back to meet us, I think they would have stayed until midnight.

We did a nice meal at the food court and then ended up watching "Fried Green Tomatoes" in the room. We had the good fortune of seeing the Epcot fireworks at midnight from right outside our room. We wanted a nice family New Year's Eve and got it with Disney extras.

No wonder I'm going back this year.