Disney at New Years

[IDoBelieveInFairies]

My family and I are thinking about staying at POP Century Dec 31-jan6. I have read about the crowds at the parks on New Years. We arrive at noon. I would like any family friendly suggestions. I thought about swimming at resort or H2O park (weather permitting) and dinner at Epcot, then take in Illuminations at 9:00. We'd call it a night after that. Any other suggestions? Will crowds lessen after New Years on the other days? Will there still be Christmas "Magic" to be found? Thanks for the wealth of info all of you provide!

 

[HannaBelle]

We are going Dec. 30th to Jan. 6th!

I too have been worried about crowds and doing a bit of research over the past couple of months...

It sounds like this day is going to be so busy that there is the potential of the parks closing due to the size of the crowds. That might be a factor in arriving late in the day to the parks.

Also, the holiday season is the most expensive time of the year to stay. If you check in on the 31st, that rate will be applied to your entire stay.

The Disney Resorts Value Season at a value resort is $82 a night while the Holiday Season is $129 a night. (This is not factoring in any discounts you might have or what not.)

We are getting around this by checking out on the 1st and then checking back in. I am hoping this is not too complicated. It will mean that we will lose out food credits for the day though. There has apparently been an issue with using credits on the dining plan after you check out too.

On the upside, I had a friend that went over New Year’s Eve and she said they had a blast despite the crowds! The Christmas decorations should still be up and it should still look very festive.

I am interested in what others have to say too!

 

[john1012]

Hi,

We went about four years ago, the year without Osborne Lights, from 12/29 -1/3. New Years eve was unbelievably packed at Epcot. So much so that we left by 10PM. Most of the reason was because we had 4 year old twins and it just seemed dangerous. We were at a complete standstill trying to get past the bridge near Mexico. Also, make restaurant reservations early, pretty sure most take 180 day ressies. All the X-mas stuff was up. Park traffic was signicficantly reduced on 1/3. Too bad we had to leave. Hope it helps

 

[disprincessatheart]

If your flight arrives at noon, there's a very good chance you won't be able to get into any disney park once you get to Disney, check into your hotel and get to a park. They fill to capacity by lunchtime usually on busy days like New year's. You might want to try to do a day at the pool, DTD and then watch the MK fireworks from the beach of one of the monorail resorts. Save your park passes and energy to get to a park bright and early the next day.

 

[IDoBelieveInFairies]

Thanks for the great info! I think we will by-pass the parks. I like the idea of watching the fireworks from the beach! I appreciate the replies!

 

[CA Disney Fans]

We went to EPCOT in 2003 for New Year's Eve and it was PACKED! They didn't allow guests in after 1 PM, might have been earlier, but that's when I noticed.

It was crazy and hectic, but a once in a lifetime experience to ring in the new year (early) at EPCOT. I wanted to stay until the park closed, but the crowds were too much for my DMom (who has two bad knees) and DS.

 

[klmall]

First of all,

Welcome IDoBelieveInFairies to the DIS!

There are also lots of tips etc. for New Year's in the following threads:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1313277&referrerid=&highlight=New%20Year's%20eve

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1438249&referrerid=&highlight=New%20Year's%20eve

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1280102&referrerid=&highlight=New%20Year's%20eve

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1368448&referrerid=&highlight=New%20Year's%20eve

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1370327&referrerid=&highlight=New%20Year's%20eve

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1310289&referrerid=&highlight=New%20Year's%20eve

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1368448&referrerid=&highlight=New %20Year's%

I know these cover a wide range of ideas.

Hope they help!