Epcot NYE

[CarrieR]

That's why we might not end up doing that FP. We heard that on NYE they might open up the tunnel between Japan and Future World which might make it easier for us to go back and forth.

There's a tunnel?!

 

[wgeo]

That's why we might not end up doing that FP. We heard that on NYE they might open up the tunnel between Japan and Future World which might make it easier for us to go back and forth. We mainly put that one there because we had an extra FP and no other time to use it. I guess it'll depend on how things work out that day if we end up using it or not

I have never heard of a tunnel between Japan and Future World?

 

[Dr.Mickey]

We might not spend that whole time waiting in a spot, we’ll probably walk around a little bit. My dad can’t walk for hours on end so I thought it’d be good to block out time to just sit and take in the atmosphere. We were planning on bringing a blanket and playing card games while we wait

This makes sense to me. I certainly wasn't raining on your idea - but given the relative ease of finding a spot for fireworks (compared to the other shows), the idea of bringing a blanket and cards and just soaking up the atmosphere sounds lovely.

You mentioned your dad having trouble walking a lot. Honestly, I'm 46 and in good health, and I would be toast by 10 o'clock on a full day at Epcot. I think security might frown on me stretching out with a blanket and a pillow for a nap, but I might consider it

Have fun!

 

[Gehrig1B]

We have done NYE at Epcot and honestly I don't get the folks that stake out territory 5 hours before the fireworks finale but to each their own. We just walk through World Showcase enjoying the dance parties and revelry and wherever we are at the witching hour we stop and enjoy the view.

The problems develop after it is over. Getting out can be a real chore if you don't have a great plan. A good plan is to exit through the International Gateway and walk to HS and get a bus from there, or wait until 1:30 or so if exiting through the main entrance. getting an uber or Taxi can be a nightmare with waits of well over an hour. Have a plan!

 

[brave321]

There's a tunnel?!

I have never heard of a tunnel between Japan and Future World?

From what I've heard and read about, there's a CM tunnel that they sometimes open up to help with crowds. Don't know if they'll do it, but it'd be cool if they did!

 

[AngiTN]

This makes sense to me. I certainly wasn't raining on your idea - but given the relative ease of finding a spot for fireworks (compared to the other shows), the idea of bringing a blanket and cards and just soaking up the atmosphere sounds lovely.

You mentioned your dad having trouble walking a lot. Honestly, I'm 46 and in good health, and I would be toast by 10 o'clock on a full day at Epcot. I think security might frown on me stretching out with a blanket and a pillow for a nap, but I might consider it

Have fun!

Actually, folks do this on NYE and they won't bat an eye. Well, maybe no pillows but blankets

 

[AngiTN]

Anyone have any thoughts on having DME take luggage vs us just grabbing it on the 30th? I plan to pack essentials into carryon and we aren't going to be back into room before 1 am at earliest anyway...but in October it took until 10 pm to get our luggage (got in 2 hours earlier too).

I'd let them get my bags but I let them get my bags as long as we land anytime they are operating. I'm always good for a couple days no matter what just off my carry on

 

[FastPasser.]

I have never heard of a tunnel between Japan and Future World?

There is a short-ish Utildor in FW, but if there is a tunnel from Japan to FW, I never got the memo.

 

[CarrieR]

I knew about the FW utilities, but a tunnel from Japan to FW would have to go under the WS lagoon. Maybe a backstage path from Mexico or Canada is what you read about?

 

[LindyWebb]

We are going to HS for the day with TSM, TT AND ST fp. Then Teppan Edo for dinner. We will watch the fireworks were ever we land! Plan on being a lot more flexible this trip. we are lucky because we are staying at BC so no real need for a exit strategy.

 

[brave321]

I knew about the FW utilities, but a tunnel from Japan to FW would have to go under the WS lagoon. Maybe a backstage path from Mexico or Canada is what you read about?

Not sure... I read it a while ago from some Disney blog, but I thought it was Japan to FW. I could be wrong, I've never seen it (or any of the CM tunnels for that matter)

 

[AngiTN]

Not sure... I read it a while ago from some Disney blog, but I thought it was Japan to FW. I could be wrong, I've never seen it (or any of the CM tunnels for that matter)

Not everything in the various Disney blogs is accurate. Stuff of legends in some of them quite honestly.

 

[AngiTN]

I hope anyone who sees me (and DH) will feel free to stop, or holler across the crowds, to say Hey! I tend to stand out with bright magenta hair. It also tends to mean I am recognized by many Disboarders, something DH has gotten used to over the years (yes, I've had magenta hair for years)
I may or may not have on the same crown as in my avatar. Depends on if I remember to throw it in the suitcase when I get home from work this evening.

 

[allshookup]

They do open the gate by the Mexican Pavilion and let people out that way.

 

[Gehrig1B]

They do open the gate by the Mexican Pavilion and let people out that way.

Avoid, avoid, avoid... Took forever going that route last year. It crosses over CM bus routes it seems and you will be consistently stopped while buses come and go. Without exaggeration it took us about 45 minutes to get to the bus depot. Just stick around WS and enjoy the atmosphere, exit later, much later!

 

[Monykalyn]

I'd let them get my bags but I let them get my bags as long as we land anytime they are operating. I'm always good for a couple days no matter what just off my carry on

Thanks! I am leaning towards letting them get the bags...I will be prepared for a day without them regardless

 

[lolomarie]

EPCOT on NYE is so magical. We did MK on the 30th in 2015 and EPCOT on NYE and much, much preferred EPCOT. We had our 15 month old son and I just wore him in the baby carrier.

We spent all day at the resort, in the pool and relaxing. We did dinner on the Boardwalk and entered at IG at around 9 pm with no line and no issue. We wandered around WS until we found a spot near Canada around 11:30. No issues whatsoever. Yes it was busy, but in a party on NYE kinda busy way, lines for beers weren't even that long. The only issue all night was leaving the park and traffic on the way back to POFQ. Honestly, I don't think you can wait out the crowds. When we finally got on a bus at 2 am there was still very, very long lines for all the resorts. And then traffic on the way back was CRAZY. What was normally a 20 or so minute drive took over an hour, maybe more I can't remember. I think we all fell asleep on the bus.

All told, I would absolutely do it again. I think the best decision was not visiting the park during the day, it meant we were fresh and ready to dance and party (with our baby, lol) all night long. Have fun and Happy New Year to everyone!!!!

 

[MrKnight]

Also keep in mind that there is lots of special NYE entertainment (DJ dance parties, live bands, etc.) throughout the park that you may want to checkout and enjoy, this requires walking around, it is not something that Epcot normally offers and IMHO is worth checking out more over saving a spot for the fireworks, the midnight firework show is so huge you can see it from anywhere inside the park, the amount of fireworks that is launched for the NYE show will blow your mind! Trust me, you will be able to see it..

 

[Andrea817]

Also keep in mind that there is lots of special NYE entertainment (DJ dance parties, live bands, etc.) throughout the park that you may want to checkout and enjoy, this requires walking around, it is not something that Epcot normally offers and IMHO is worth checking out more over saving a spot for the fireworks, the midnight firework show is so huge you can see it from anywhere inside the park, the amount of fireworks that is launched for the NYE show will blow your mind! Trust me, you will be able to see it..

I couldn't agree with this more! We did Epcot for NYE last year and will be there again this year. I can't even fathom sitting in one spot to wait for fireworks for hours. To be honest, you would be missing out on what NYE at Epcot truly has to offer! There is absolutely NO need to have a "spot"...you will not miss it!

Last year we stayed at the Beach Club & will be checking in again tomorrow morning. This was the biggest key to success for us as we knew we did not want to fight the crowds afterwards. We have plans for a late breakfast at Ale & Compass Restaurant at the Yacht Club and than Disney Springs for a couple of hours. After we get back we will rest, shower, and get ready for the evening. We have a 6:30pm reservation at Cape May for dinner and will head to Epcot after. We did this last year and had the greatest experience. Staying at the resort for ADR's that day made things less hectic. We enjoyed all of the dance parties in the World Showcase and explored all of the different stages. We quickly realized that Italy was our favorite and stayed there for the majority of the evening. When it got closer to 11:40pm we moved out towards to water area of Italy and our view of the fireworks at midnight was great. It isn't like Illuminations so there is no need to see the ball etc. everything is in the sky! The show was incredible, magical, and perfect! After that we went back to the dance party in Italy until the park closed. Walking back to the resort was a breeze and made staying at Beach Club worth EVERY penny.

My advice would be to bring your patience, explore, and enjoy! While it's extremely busy it is also VERY organized and Disney does a great job at directing foot traffic and making sure the walkways are clear. We were pleasently surprised at how organized everything was.

 

[CAS239]

Not sure... I read it a while ago from some Disney blog, but I thought it was Japan to FW. I could be wrong, I've never seen it (or any of the CM tunnels for that matter)

When I was there they opened up the backstage path by UK/Canada. Same spot they have the characters come out in training. It leads you behind and over by Soarin. They opened this as an exit at the end of the night