Epcot for New Years

[Hunterr]

I think I may wanna finally try out Epcot for New Years this year. The Dis say its great, and and the vids I've seen look really fun. I've always been to the parks during the holidays, but never on New Years specifically.

I listened back to the old podcast and looked around, but it would be nice to get some info on people who have done this recently (or the resort in general on new years).

1. Should I get park tickets for Epcot prior to going, or is it still safe to get a ticket at booth day of?

2. I understand that it's not recommended to park hop because of park capacities, but what time do you think is best to get into Epcot? Rope drop? Or can we stroll in there later in the day to make sure we can get in?

3. If it's full, do they wait for several people to trickle out before letting more in?

4. Illuminations can be seen fairly well anywhere on a normal day around World Showcase. How bad is it on New Years to get a decent spot in the crowd? Am I overestimating how bad it will be to walk through when the midnight show happens?

5. Is there a particular restaurant thats best to view this at if we wanna go that route?

 

[jnfr2424]

I have done Epcot on New Years Eve for 2014. We actually arrived late - we were sitting in our hotel room and decided around 9:30pm to go to Epcot
People were everywhere!! Normally the grass thats usually fenced off was open and people were purchasing items to get the blanket to lay out and sit on. I am still amazed on the amount of people that was laid out everywhere. As far as the fireworks we didn't really pay attention to Illuminations since we've seen it a zillion times and honestly it was nothing different. The midnight show we stood on the walkway between future world and world showcase (think near the water spouts the kids play area) and we saw everything perfectly. The way the midnight fireworks was set, there really wasn't a bad spot because the fireworks is all around you. Afterwards we stayed and enjoyed the DJ that was placed by the fountains in future world. while watching throngs of folks leave. The worst part was leaving the park as there are a lot of road closures. The only thing I would do differently would be to stay in the Epcot Resort so we could walk back to our room. The entire trip was a last minute decision so we ended up staying offsite (bonnet creek area) it took us 3 hours just to back out of the parking spot!!! I can't answer about the tickets as we are AP holders. Just make sure if you want to get on any rides, use FP+ because the wait times were astronomical (4 hours wait time for Soarin and Test Track)

 

[Hunterr]

Thanks!
I was definitely thinking the best thing to do was to stay on-site. We're gonna be drinking, so even taking a cab to get to a hotel offsite on new years when the park closes is like giving your life savings to the cab driver.

Do you think 9:30pm is cutting too close to go in in terms of capacity? Though, from what I hear, Magic Kingdom is usually the only one that reaches that limit.
We'd be there earlier though, because of all the different DJ areas.

 

[Beezle2]

We are doing Epcot this year for NYE also so I hope this thread gets lots of response! We are AP holders and will stay onsite. My plan so far is to get to EP at around 5 pm after resting all day. We will stop in the FP+ area up front with a FP to the 6pm Illuminations then take the boat over to the China pavilion where we will have dinner. We will just stay in that area to shop and people watch, grabbing a seat when it looks like we should and seeing the 11:40 fireworks from there. I think there is a DJ and dance party over there and we don't really plan on doing anything but chillin

 

[MickeyWaffles]

We LOVE Epcot on NYE. Actually, we usually see the Magic Kingdom's NYE fireworks on 12/30 (since they do them both nights) then EPCOT on 12/31.

Last time, we arrived in EPCOT around 3:00 or 4:00. Went to the World Showcase movies, rides (RIP Maelstrom) etc. had a 7:30 reservation at Le Cellier. The EPCOT shows are incredible that night. We didn't actually have trouble finding a spot. For the midnight fireworks, we stand between Future World and World Showcase. We like to stand further back to see more of the sky stuff, but not everyone prefers that. Works for us. Plus, last time we even got to ride Test Track a few times standby after the midnight fireworks with NO LINE because of the mad exodus after the fireworks. Pretty cool. We hung around in the park for a while rather than sitting in the parking lot.

Edited because I fat fingered and submitted my post before it was done

 

[JOE DELL]

We did MK last year and the fireworks were well worth the crowd and crappy weather, we're thinking about doing Epcot this year, how do fireworks compare?

 

[yulilin3]

My two cents. I'm a local AP and have done Epcot for NYE about 6 times now
1.- The park doesn't reach capacity, that said I would recommend getting your tickets before hand cause you don't want to make an extra line to buy tickets
2.- Don't expect to ride anything unless you have a fp, lines go all the way up to 3 and 4 hours for the popular rides, no kidding
3.- The grassy areas around Test Track are the best spot to relax, even watch the first Illuminations,w e usually arrive around 5pm and wait there for them
4.- Use the backstage walkways that they open. After we watch Illuminations from the grassy area we head toward the entrance of Test Track, they open the backstage gate and it's a pleasant walk, no crowds, it'll lead you to the gate between Norway and China si right smacked in the middle of the first party area.
5.- Every party is different, we love China with the fire breathing dragon, Italy and the laser techno music and American Pavilion with Dj and live Latin Band
6.- Don't wait to go to the restrooms, after attractions this would be the longest lines.
7.- If you're driving wait until about 1:30am to leave and you won't be stuck in traffic. Same for the Disney buses, nothing worse than being trapped inside a crowded bus, with cranky tired people. Stay in the park until most traffic clears up.

 

[yulilin3]

We did MK last year and the fireworks were well worth the crowd and crappy weather, we're thinking about doing Epcot this year, how do fireworks compare?

I love the fireworks at Epcot , each pavilion does a countdown and then all hell breaks lose They are so big that car alarms in the parking lot go off.

 

[JOE DELL]

Sweet, we did the 4th of July fireworks at both parks this year and I must say its a tough call on what was better, both were the best fireworks display I'd ever seen besides MK on new years.

We just settled it we're doing Epcot this year!!

 

[jnfr2424]

Thanks!
I was definitely thinking the best thing to do was to stay on-site. We're gonna be drinking, so even taking a cab to get to a hotel offsite on new years when the park closes is like giving your life savings to the cab driver.

Do you think 9:30pm is cutting too close to go in in terms of capacity? Though, from what I hear, Magic Kingdom is usually the only one that reaches that limit.
We'd be there earlier though, because of all the different DJ areas.

Yes it was cutting it close as we decided literally at the last minute to go to a park - MK was closed by 10am that day(came on the local news) so we were not planning on going there plus they do the same exact New Years Eve "show" on December 30th which we got to see so it was like see the best of both. But I loved Epcot more! IMO best New Years show. I am curious to see what DHS is going to do with Mulch Sweat and Tears leaving - they usually have a concert in front of the Chinese Theater for New Years.
As far as capacity Epcot is huge and some people cannot hang all day long - we saw lots of people leaving at that time plus if your staying onsite especially in the Epcot Area you will get in the park unless someone can correct me I have never heard of Epcot closing due to capacity, With MK I have been there for closures: Christmas Day, July 4th and New Years Day

 

[yulilin3]

Yes it was cutting it close as we decided literally at the last minute to go to a park - MK was closed by 10am that day(came on the local news) so we were not planning on going there plus they do the same exact New Years Eve "show" on December 30th which we got to see so it was like see the best of both. But I loved Epcot more! IMO best New Years show. I am curious to see what DHS is going to do with Mulch Sweat and Tears leaving - they usually have a concert in front of the Chinese Theater for New Years.
As far as capacity Epcot is huge and some people cannot hang all day long - we saw lots of people leaving at that time plus if your staying onsite especially in the Epcot Area you will get in the park unless someone can correct me I have never heard of Epcot closing due to capacity, With MK I have been there for closures: Christmas Day, July 4th and New Years Day

they are just going to have a Dj doing the dance party, probably Elliot.

 

[Keels]

I'm actually about to start my planning thread for NYE this year! We've done NYE for the past two years and have had A BLAST.

The biggest key I would say is to guarantee you have places to sit down to eat or get drinks throughout the day, because come about 1-2 p.m. when people start filing in to the park to stake out spots for Illuminations, it will become almost impossible to find a place to sit to eat - people will get there and not leave. Our first year, we spent a good four hours (and some serious $$$ at Cava de Tequila, and they don't really serve food).

People will bring blankets and lay out on the grass for Illuminations (they open up ALL the lawns for Illuminations viewing - it's really lovely!).

Also, if drinking is your thing, there will literally be a temporary bar every 150 feet or so in the World Showcase offering up all sorts of Glowing Drinks.

They had out horns and hats that have the EPCOT logo and NYE with the year on them about two hours before midnight. The minute you see cast members handing those out, jump in line! We usually get ours as we pass through Germany.

Truly, if you want a good seat for the midnight Illuminations, you need to be ready to stake it out by 3 p.m. and be content to sit there. We don't care, as we're usually wandering around to the dance parties and stuff. We watched from the arch in China last year (standing) and it was fabulous.

We have three ADRs for NYE - Noon at Biergarten, 3 at Spice Road Table and 9 for dinner at Chef's de France. I'm thinking about squeezing in one more at 5 for more drinks and a snack before dinner.

FP+ and ADRs will be your friend. As well as Ellen's Energy Adventure.

 

[madsmom22]

We have three ADRs for NYE - Noon at Biergarten, 3 at Spice Road Table and 9 for dinner at Chef's de France. I'm thinking about squeezing in one more at 5 for more drinks and a snack before dinner.

FP+ and ADRs will be your friend. As well as Ellen's Energy Adventure.

Maybe we will see you there! We have ADRs at Chef's de France at 8:30 on NYE. This will be our first trip the week between Christmas and New Years. Hubby and 2 teen DDs just had to join me before my Marathon trip. Nervous about the crowds but this thread is making me feel better about that day! Plus we are staying at the Beach Club so we get to walk back to our room when we are ready!

 

[JOE DELL]

We're doing Epcot for New Years too, we did MK last year and had a lot of fun.

 

[LLM]

Does Epcoot always do early evening fireworks then midnight fireworks on NYE? I have been debating what to do on NYE as we will be getting off of the Disney Dream that day and checking into our resort. If Epcot offers early evening fireworks I could take the kiddies there, then their grandparents can take them back to the resort while DH and I enjoy the rest of the evening and midnight fireworks.

Lisa

 

[yulilin3]

Does Epcoot always do early evening fireworks then midnight fireworks on NYE? I have been debating what to do on NYE as we will be getting off of the Disney Dream that day and checking into our resort. If Epcot offers early evening fireworks I could take the kiddies there, then their grandparents can take them back to the resort while DH and I enjoy the rest of the evening and midnight fireworks.

Lisa

it's already on the schedule. Illuminations at 6pm and then at 11:40pm https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/calendars/epcot/2015-12-31/#timeofday=allday

 

[LLM]

it's already on the schedule. Illuminations at 6pm and then at 11:40pm https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/calendars/epcot/2015-12-31/#timeofday=allday

Awesome, thank you! That means the little kiddies can still get to see fireworks without having to stay up way to late for them!

Lisa

 

[Hunterr]

Bumping my thread because as the time is coming closer, time to decide finally if I'm doing this.
A few more questions for the experienced (sorry if it's long and wordy)

1- If anyone has the ability to, and is so kind, can they check to see if all fastpasses are gone for Epcot new years eve at this point? (if not, will those definitely be gone by the december 30th?). Getting a pass for soarin or test track would be killer, but i totally get that its a long shot this close...

2-Someone kind of answered this already, but pretty much anywhere is a good spot for the fireworks, right?
I've been to the show so many times on a regular night, so my frame of reference when factoring MAJOR crowds isn't there.
I doubt we'll be hanging in one single spot for hours, but I'm fine with standing anywhere.
(in my mind, we'll probably be at one of the DJ stages until its time for the show to start... and since they are all in a country, seeing the show is as simple as facing the water, right?)

3-Are the crowds so massive that its hard to run from one stage to another? When do these music stages start?

4-Staying on property is out of the question at this point because of lack of All Star rooms. This lead me thinking of renting a house with my friend for the few days we are there (costs roughly the same for a decent, close hotel).
SOO, that means we'd have to take a cab from Epcot.
What is the best time to leave Epcot and avoid major traffic. Most of you say 1.30am, but that answer was regarding driving yourself out or taking disney transport. I have no clue what to expect if I were to take a cab...hopefully 1.30-2am the latest to wait for the traffic to go away... Waiting around is fine, but yikes.

^^ the whole cabbing it out might deflect me from doing this at all, though. We'll see.

 

[yulilin3]

Bumping my thread because as the time is coming closer, time to decide finally if I'm doing this.
A few more questions for the experienced (sorry if it's long and wordy)

1- If anyone has the ability to, and is so kind, can they check to see if all fastpasses are gone for Epcot new years eve at this point? (if not, will those definitely be gone by the december 30th?). Getting a pass for soarin or test track would be killer, but i totally get that its a long shot this close...

2-Someone kind of answered this already, but pretty much anywhere is a good spot for the fireworks, right?
I've been to the show so many times on a regular night, so my frame of reference when factoring MAJOR crowds isn't there.
I doubt we'll be hanging in one single spot for hours, but I'm fine with standing anywhere.
(in my mind, we'll probably be at one of the DJ stages until its time for the show to start... and since they are all in a country, seeing the show is as simple as facing the water, right?)

3-Are the crowds so massive that its hard to run from one stage to another? When do these music stages start?

4-Staying on property is out of the question at this point because of lack of All Star rooms. This lead me thinking of renting a house with my friend for the few days we are there (costs roughly the same for a decent, close hotel).
SOO, that means we'd have to take a cab from Epcot.
What is the best time to leave Epcot and avoid major traffic. Most of you say 1.30am, but that answer was regarding driving yourself out or taking disney transport. I have no clue what to expect if I were to take a cab...hopefully 1.30-2am the latest to wait for the traffic to go away... Waiting around is fine, but yikes.

^^ the whole cabbing it out might deflect me from doing this at all, though. We'll see.

1.- don't have access to fp this far out (APs only get 30 days out) so I can't check
2.- Anywhere where there are not a ton of trees, so the American Pavilion area (around the fountain) Morroco, Japan, by the Fountain of Nations next to Starbucks...
3.- There are huge crowds but you can just walk from one party to the next, there are a lot of CM keeping the walkways moving
4.- The latest you leave Epcot the better, traffic wise. Do not try and leave right after midnight. Another option if you are just staying around World Showcase for the Djs is to walk out of Epcot using the International Gateway, you can walk to Boardwalk and get a cab from there

 

[LLM]

I already have my FastPasses booked for NYE at Epcot but I took a quick look just then and there are plenty of times available for both Test Track and Soarin'. I only checked based on one person though.

Lisa