Epcot New Years Eve fireworks view and exit strategy

[Janet McDonald]

We are going to be in Epcot on New Years Eve to watch the fireworks that will be starting at 11:40. The plan I have in mind is to attempt to view the fireworks over in the area close to the international gateway. To leave the park after the fireworks, which I know it will be a madhouse, I am wanting to exit through the international gateway, walk to the closest resort, and take an UBER to Pop.

Does anyone have any input for where to view the fireworks with this strategy in mind? Is this a good strategy to exit more quickly than walking back through the front of the park? Is there a decent spot to view the fireworks from the area I am considering? Which resort would be the best option to get the UBER?

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Robo]

We are going to be in Epcot on New Years Eve to watch the fireworks that will be starting at 11:40. The plan I have in mind is to attempt to view the fireworks over in the area close to the international gateway. To leave the park after the fireworks, which I know it will be a madhouse, I am wanting to exit through the international gateway, walk to the closest resort, and take an UBER to Pop.

Does anyone have any input for where to view the fireworks with this strategy in mind? Is this a good strategy to exit more quickly than walking back through the front of the park? Is there a decent spot to view the fireworks from the area I am considering? Which resort would be the best option to get the UBER?

Any input would be appreciated.

There are a dozen or more very good spots on the west side of the lagoon.
I'd mention a few of them, but planning on actually getting a SPECIFIC spot will be difficult, as there will be thousands of other guests already heading for "their" preferred spot.
You just want to grab a spot with a clear view of the lagoon without too many tree branches overhead.
Find your viewing location 60-90 minutes (or more) before show time.

You'd want to exit the IG and walk to the Beach Club to get to your hired transportation.

 

[Disneylover99]

My exit strategy is to hang back, have a drink and watch the crowds pour out. Almost everyone exits at the same time right after the fireworks. I'm not so sure trying to uber from the BC or anywhere for that matter is a good idea right after midnight on New Years.

I'd just wait a bit til the crowds die down and take the bus to Pop.

 

[fla4fun]

The only problem with selecting a specific location in advance is that you don’t know which way the wind will be blowing. You do not want the smoke blowing in your face. If the wind is not blowing that direction, I have watched from the bridge between UK and France when planning an IG escape.

 

[Upatnoon]

We are going to be in Epcot on New Years Eve to watch the fireworks that will be starting at 11:40. The plan I have in mind is to attempt to view the fireworks over in the area close to the international gateway. To leave the park after the fireworks, which I know it will be a madhouse, I am wanting to exit through the international gateway, walk to the closest resort, and take an UBER to Pop.

Does anyone have any input for where to view the fireworks with this strategy in mind? Is this a good strategy to exit more quickly than walking back through the front of the park? Is there a decent spot to view the fireworks from the area I am considering? Which resort would be the best option to get the UBER?

Any input would be appreciated.

You can watch as close to the exit as possible and then immediately head for the exit after the show. For Pop I wouldn't do IG and Uber, I would watch from as far North (I had incorrectly said South when I originally posted this) on the lagoon as possible and immediately head for the bus. My experience from doing this in the past was Disney had extra buses ready to go right after the show.

 

[Gehrig1B]

Exiting immediately after the midnight fireworks is not a good idea regardless of where you will be getting transportation. Your idea is not a new one and many others will be doing the same (others will be walking to DHS to get a bus from there) plus the roads around Epcot will be jammed... Your plan is best if you wait at least an hour if not longer.

 

[Monykalyn]

Exiting immediately after the midnight fireworks is not a good idea regardless of where you will be getting transportation. Your idea is not a new one and many others will be doing the same (others will be walking to DHS to get a bus from there) plus the roads around Epcot will be jammed... Your plan is best if you wait at least an hour if not longer.

We wandered over to Boardwalk and hung out for a bit (party going on over there). Then caught a bus from DHS back to Coronado-the roads were JAMMED around Epcot.

Also-the bathrooms just outside the IG entrance tended to be clean and uncrowded-only downside is having to go through security to get back into park-just had DH wait with my bag so I could go through bagless line, and then he did same.

We had a blast on NYE at Epcot last year!! Have fun!!

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I would not try to exit right after the fireworks. It is more than a madhouse

We were there for NYE 5 years ago and after the fireworks, we headed to Test Track and Soarin and walked on both! We enjoyed the light lines while everyone poured out of the park in both directions - FW and IG. By the time we left (we went on rides until the park closed at 1), it was so much more manageable getting out of the park.

Not sure if it is still that way now or if we just got lucky that year. Maybe someone who has been for NYE more recently can chime in.

 

[TwinkleKS]

You are going to be stuck whatever you do for a period of time. Unless you are actually staying at a resort you can walk to. So your options are stuck for two hours on a bus, or walk around for an hour and then be stuck for an hour on a bus. Or be stuck in your car ... which didn't go well for us last year ...like three hours later ...

 

[AngiTN]

We stay at a resort we can walk back to but my cousin is local and he joins us for the night. They actually bring chairs and a cooler along and tailgate at their car following the fireworks. They said there is no reason whatsoever to be in any hurry to try and leave the parking lot so they don't. They hang out, have some snacks and let the crowds thin some. For what it's worth, their drive-in is about 5 times as long as normal that day

So yeah, I'd plan to hang around for a bit and just take Disney transportation. They are going to be able to move you just as well, if not better, than any private car

 

[Hopefully]

No way you are going to get an Uber for a quick escape from an Epcot Area Resort after Illuminations on New Years Eve. You are probably better off, as others have stated, to wait an hour then take the bus.

 

[Wdwfan2016]

Last New Years Eve Uber waits were over 60 minutes after the fireworks. I would remain in the park and enjoy another drink or attraction before heading out.

 

[PanamaMike]

You are going to be stuck whatever you do for a period of time. Unless you are actually staying at a resort you can walk to. So your options are stuck for two hours on a bus, or walk around for an hour and then be stuck for an hour on a bus. Or be stuck in your car ... which didn't go well for us last year ...like three hours later ...

My driving experience last year was very different. When I arrived at Epcot, the parking lot was so full I was directed to the back row very close to where the exit lane is, so while I had a bit of a walk to get to my car after the fireworks, I was out of the parking lot very quickly and while most drivers were turning right along Epcot Center Drive, I went left, over to World Drive, down to Buena Vista Dr then along Osceola Parkway, exiting the property near Animal Kingdom. I was back at my hotel on 192 fifteen minutes after I got in my car.

 

[TwinkleKS]

My driving experience last year was very different. When I arrived at Epcot, the parking lot was so full I was directed to the back row very close to where the exit lane is, so while I had a bit of a walk to get to my car after the fireworks, I was out of the parking lot very quickly and while most drivers were turning right along Epcot Center Drive, I went left, over to World Drive, down to Buena Vista Dr then along Osceola Parkway, exiting the property near Animal Kingdom. I was back at my hotel on 192 fifteen minutes after I got in my car.

We were in the front handicapped parking and sat in the lot for almost three hours before we moved. I don't think that length is quite the norm ... maybe 1+ hours, but we were blocked in a weird place in the lot.

 

[yulilin3]

We were in the front handicapped parking and sat in the lot for almost three hours before we moved. I don't think that length is quite the norm ... maybe 1+ hours, but we were blocked in a weird place in the lot.

by any chance were you at the CP this past Tuesday? I heard this exact same story from a lady there.

 

[TwinkleKS]

by any chance were you at the CP this past Tuesday? I heard this exact same story from a lady there.

Nope. We won't get back to WDW for a few more weeks

Normally we don't park in the handicapped area. My parents were with us last year and Dad was using a scooter due to some back issues. From what I observed that night ... it was crowded, and most of the parking lot took awhile to clear out (1-2 hours), but there was this one section where we were that was literally the last to leave the parking lot ... somewhere after 3 AM (my memory gets blurry lol).

 

[Robo]

You can watch as close to the exit as possible... I would watch from as far South on the lagoon as possible and immediately head for the bus.

I have to assume that you mean, "as far North on the lagoon as possible..."

Far South puts you near Italy, USA, or Japan pavilions.

 

[Upatnoon]

I have to assume that you mean, "as far North on the lagoon as possible..."

Far South puts you near Italy, USA, or Japan pavilions.

You are correct, north. And moving as quickly as possible. If you can't get out quick, I would do what many here have said and just wait.

 

[d-train]

We did Epcot New Year’s Eve back in 2009. It was great until about 3pm, the it was a mad house. We hung at rose and crown, had dinner, enjoyed drinks until the first fireworks show. The crowd of people walking around WS in the few hours was staggering. Solid from on side of he walkway to the other. As one person slid out to a shop or restaurant, another slid right in. Crazy. Like I said, we watched the first show, yes there were two, then headed to the car. Since we are rope droppers, we had a great spot, enjoyed the park until we left. Then went to CB. Roads were great! We hung at the pool a bit, then watched the news as we relaxed, and saw the video of the lines of cars and busses leaving the parks. So glad we left early.

 

[LizGirl]

We did NYE this past year.

My most important bit of advice: PAY ATTENTION TO THE WIND DIRECTION!

Okay, sorry. Had to put that out there. We grabbed a spot at the last minute and forgot to consider this very important factor. It was raining tube bits and ash on us, not to mention the smoke cloud. Don't repeat my mistake.

Other advice:
- There really isn't a quick exit from Epcot. The WS crowds dissipated relatively quickly but just to go sit in their cars or in the bus line. The whole place was gridlocked. Buses weren't moving. Uber wasn't moving. Minnie Vans weren't moving. You'll be happier if you plan for this and take it in stride. As others have recommended, grab a snack or drink somewhere and take your time. We were staying at Saratoga and didn't get back to our room until 3.
- The restrooms at the festival center (between Canada and UK) are huge and I never had to wait in line there.