Epcot / New Year's Eve

[Poohsmommi]

How crowded is Epcot on New Year's Eve? Will we be able to get on any rides or get in any countries, or will it be wall-to-wall people? I've never done New Year's Eve in Epcot, and always swore I wouldn't .... but after a recent death in the family, I've decided I should experience just about everything at least once ... so those with experience at Epcot on New Year's Eve, please tell me what to expect.

Thanks!

 

[2BOYMOM]

Wall to wall people. Especially in the World Showcase. But you are right, you need to experience it at least once! That's all it took for me......


Kim

 

[2BOYMOM]

Wall to wall people. Especially in the World Showcase. But you are right, you do need to experience it at least once. That's all it took for me...



Kim

 

[2BOYMOM]

Now how in the heck did I do a double post???

 

[Poohsmommi]

Wall to wall people. Especially in the World Showcase. But you are right, you do need to experience it at least once. That's all it took for me...



Kim

Would you go back? Is MGM less crowded?

 

[civileng68]

Well I said I'd never go back after July 4, 2005 (during a big holiday) but here I go again for New Years Eve this year.

Yes it's wall to wall. If you plan on going and doing alot of rides, you can just forget about it. It's not as bad to walk around as you may think. YOu can walk just fine, though you may have to go slowly since crowds will be going each direction. World Showcase handles it better than any park.

I think if you plan on just going and enjoying the atmosphere you'll have a blast! If you plan on going and really getting on attractions, you can forget it.

Example: Spaceship Earth, which is typically walk-on, will likely be a 30-45 minute wait.

However, seriously the fireworks are just incredible. They will do the regular Illuminations earlier in the night (with I think the holiday finale, which is incredible) and then at nearly midnight they'll light the place up again with fireworks, which are not to be missed.

 

[Feralpeg]

We were there last NYE. It was extremely crowded late afternoon into evening. I will be there again for an early dinner. Since we live close, we won't even try to do any rides.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Humm this sounds like a nice way to spend New Years Eve. Do all the parks do something special or just Epcot?

 

[robinb]

I have been to Epcot a few times for NYE and we're going again this year . You can do rides, but you must do it early in the morning. Use fast passes and the singles line as much as possible. You should be able to get a few rides in if you go right when Epcot opens. You can also walk around easily until nightfall ... then it gets pretty crazy. They set up stages all around Epcot and things get very congested around them. Japan is one of the worst. Plus, a lot of people hang out there all day ... celebrating. It can get a little "drunk out", KWIM.

The other thing to think about is ... where do you plan to eat? I know that Rose and Crown is no longer taking ARs for NYE. I would guess that the other Epcot table service restaurants are also booked. If don't want Counter Service food, I would call today for an AR in Epcot, or around the Boardwalk/Beach Club area.

Good luck and have fun! Maybe we'll see you there .

 

[crzy4mk]

A little off subject, but for those of you who have been there for NYE, did you stick around for a few days following? I will be arriving on 1/1 and staying for 5 days. Will the crowds thin out alot after the NYE celebration?

 

[robinb]

The crowds get better after NYE. But, according to this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=977432 many kids will be out until the start of the next week. I think it will be less crowded than the week before, but still pretty crowded.

 

[Julylady]

We were there for New Years Eve 2004. It wasn't too bad during the day, but it became very crowded in late afternoon. We had dinner reservations at Alfredos about 6:30pm. After dinner it was absolutely wall to wall. We searched for a place to just get out of the crowd and stand, but there wasn't one. Not a single plot of grass. We just walked around the concourse shoulder to shoulder with other people. Finally about 10pm we gave up and went back to the hotel (Dolphin). We couldn't see spending another 2 hours like that. We were not having fun. I always wanted to be there for New Years Eve and ended up watching Dick Clark on TV just like at home! I would never plan another NYE visit again.

Donna

 

[randomprince]

Which is the best park overall for NYE then?

 

[robinb]

Which is the best park overall for NYE then?

It all depends on what you use for criteria. Crowds are lowest at MGM and highest at the MK. However, the MK's fireworks are awesome! We prefer the dining over at Epcot and the fireworks are very good.

 

[sarbruis]

We went two years ago to Epcot for NYE, and I discovered that after the fireworks when everyone started leaving, a majority of the rides were walk-on. We walked-on to Test Track twice in the row, so I would suggest doing that for any attractions that you missed. During the day, the waits were 3+ hours for the E-Tickets. Even in the morning, I rushed to Mission: Space and had to wait like an hour or so. So try to get fastpasses and go as early as possible. And enjoy the amazing fireworks. It's definitely worth it. I'd rather be at Epcot than at a smaller park. I would definitely go again, but I'm 19 and don't mind all that congestion. I like lots of people.

 

[Fedya]

I was in Disney World last year for New Years. I was in EPCOT during the day , and I wanted to get to the Magic Kingdom for the big event. Since Epcot is about twice as large as the Magic Kingdom, they can have a lot more people there. The Magic Kindom was closed due to it being filled to capacity. I was able to get in due to being a disney guest. The fireworks were great they, had them all around the park. Even though the MK was closed to the general public, I was still able to get onto rides, becuase everyone was gathering and waiting for midnight. After the fireworks I was also able to get on a few more rides with no lines.