crowds at other FL parks/attractions NYE week??

[ceopamom3]

We would like to spend Dec. 29 to Jan 5 in Florida.. sounds like the Disney parks will be near capacity packed... We usually travel in the off-season - I am not sure we will enjoy WDW when it is that crowded...so we are looking for alternatives.

Has anyone been to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens/Tampa or the Kennedy Space Center this week? Any idea on the crowds?

Thanks for the help!!

 

[momof3disneyholics]

That week is the busiest week in Orlando, it doesn't matter what park you are going to. The only difference is Disney is smart enough to stop people from coming in when it has reached capacity. The other parks rarely ever close. All the parks, including the smaller ones like Gatorland and Cypress Gardens will be extremely busy.
If you usually come in the off season, this will definately be something that you are not used to. Even the dinner shows sell out everynight that week.

 

[Jason71]

That week is the busiest week in Orlando, it doesn't matter what park you are going to. The only difference is Disney is smart enough to stop people from coming in when it has reached capacity. The other parks rarely ever close. All the parks, including the smaller ones like Gatorland and Cypress Gardens will be extremely busy.
If you usually come in the off season, this will definately be something that you are not used to. Even the dinner shows sell out everynight that week.

I totally agree. Starting December 26, this side of town is just slammed. By way of comparison, Sea World has to park people across the street the week after Christmas, which they only do that week and for a few days around Easter and Fourth of July. As I recall, Universal actually did shut down briefly one day last year to off-site guests, because their parking garage was at capacity. Even off-site restaurants tend to be packed. It's not just a Disney thing.

Personally, I think you "feel" the crowds the most at Sea World, because there are so few rides, as opposed to shows. But really, anywhere around town is going to be shoulder to shoulder.

 

[ceopamom3]

I appreciated the candid reports on the crowds. We are off peak travelers to WDW, so this does not sound like a park week to me. I think we will go the relax in the condo route...

Thanks again!

 

[ceopamom3]

We will be traveling to Orlando from Dec. 29 to Jan 5th. It seems like a totally packed time at the parks, so I think we will relax and take it easy this week. I would like to rent a week at a timeshare, and we will spend a good bit of time at the resort.

It will be DH and myself, and our 3 kids 12, 10 and 9. They love pools, waterslides - not big video game kids.

Any suggestions? Anyone love a particular resort?

We have stayed at OLCC (which might be a good choice, but I hear they are renovating like crazy), Summer Bay (won't go back - a very "buggy" stay), Cypress Pointe (just OK overall), Vacation Village at Parkway *unit are great - pools are just OK), Embassy Grand Beach (love the 3brs, pools are just OK).

Thanks for the help! Any advice is welcome!