Epcot on New Years Eve

[spark21]

Hi!

We are flying across to go to Epcot for New Years Eve. I've heard alot that the parks fill up and get closed due to capacity on NYE. We are stopping at a Disney Resort which I've heard may benefit us getting in to a park.

Does anyone know what time we should get to Epcot to ensure we are able to get in?

Thanks!

 

[RMulieri]

As a Disney resort guest you are guaranteed entrance to A park, not neccessarily the park of your choosing.That said , Epcot is rare to close to capacity since it is so large and can hold many more people.Not sure what the risk is on new Years.

 

[Magicbus]

As a Disney resort guest you are guaranteed entrance to A park, not neccessarily the park of your choosing.

I'd like to confirm that. Is it written somewhere?

 

[spark21]

Would AK be included in the guaranteed park admission? As they dont do anything for NYE do they?

 

[Missytara]

Would AK be included in the guaranteed park admission? As they dont do anything for NYE do they?

"A" park would be any one of the four parks; so AK would be included.

 

[thej]

We were in the world last NYE, and the only part to close for capacity was the MK. Epcot never did. We chose to go to AK on NYE simply to avoid some of the crowds (and it worked out nicely).

 

[luv2sew]

We were there for NYE 2008 (Epcot) and entered the park around noon...the crowds were not too bad then but it really filled up about 2 and continued to be that way..But I loved being there for all the excitement and hearing the cheers from each country as the time changed to midnight in their home countries..They hand out noise makers and hats (at least they did then) at 6pm and it was sooo much fun to walk around hearing everyone tooting on their horns and being happy.....I loved being there for that celebration. But it is crowded, take your patience with you and if you don't have ressies...don't wait till your starving to stop to eat cause the wait is long for the walk up places and do not expect to get into alot of the attracions the lines are long. But other than that enjoy...it's a great time to be there.

 

[RMulieri]

I'd like to confirm that. Is it written somewhere?

It is , but I can't get the Disney site to work for me.The system is down.But there are plenty of Disney Cms here who post and have posted the Disney phases of capacity closure.There are 4 phases,If a park is a phase 4, no one gets in.That includes Disney resort guests,DVC owners, AP holder, and people with prepaid dining or adrs.You can get into any of the other parks that are not closed for capacity providing you have admission/and or park hoppers.

 

[Eljay]

Hi!

We are flying across to go to Epcot for New Years Eve. I've heard alot that the parks fill up and get closed due to capacity on NYE. We are stopping at a Disney Resort which I've heard may benefit us getting in to a park.

Does anyone know what time we should get to Epcot to ensure we are able to get in?

Thanks!

to the DIS, spark21!

I would try to get a room at one of the Epcot resorts, which are within walking to the International Gateway, the back door into Epcot.

That would be either the Boardwalk Inn, Beach Club or Yacht Club, the Swan or Dolphin. I would think that they would be pretty booked up on NYE, but you might get a cancellation!

Have a Magical trip!

 

[WDSearcher]

Phases for Park Closing

At certain busy times of the year the Theme Parks experience great numbers of visitors. These fall mostly on the holidays, but can happen any day of the year. In order to ensure safety and a magical time for all once a certain number of Guests have entered the park, certain attendance measures go into effect. They are as follows:

Alternate Parking: All Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks remain open. Due to limited available parking, Guests arriving at the Theme Parks may be directed to alternate parking areas where they will use Resort transportation to travel to the park of their choice.

Phase 1: At this phase, Day Guests with Magic Your Way Base Tickets or a 1-Day 1-Park Ticket, Guests without Theme Park admission and Cast Members using Main Gate & Silver Passes will be turned around at the Auto Plaza. Guests meeting these criteria are told the Theme Park has reached capacity.

Phase 2: At this phase, Theme Park admission is limited to Disney Resort Guests*, Annual and Premium Annual Passholders, Guests with Park Hopper tickets crossing over from another Park, Guests re-entering this Park today, Guests with Dining reservations, and, if applicable, Magic Kingdom Guests with reservations for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League. Guests using Walt Disney World Resort Transportation will be admitted. Guests not meeting the above criteria are told the Theme Park has reached capacity.

*Guests of WDW Swan and Dolphin Hotels and Shades of Green at the Walt Disney World Resort are considered part of this group in this instance. In addition, Guests from Hotel Plaza Boulevard hotels arriving by bus are included (Best Western Lake Buena Vista, Buena Vista Palace, Doubletree Guest Suites, Hotel Royal Plaza, Regal Sun Resort, The Hilton Lake Buena Vista).

Phase 3: At this phase, Theme Park admission is limited to Disney Resort Guests*, Annual and Premium Annual Passholders, Guests with Dining reservations, and, if applicable, Magic Kingdom Guests with reservations for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League. Guests not meeting the above criteria are told the Theme Park has reached capacity.

*Guests of WDW Swan and Dolphin Hotels and Shades of Green at the Walt Disney World Resort are considered part of this group in this instance. In addition, Guests from Hotel Plaza Boulevard hotels arriving by bus are included (Best Western Lake Buena Vista, Buena Vista Palace, Doubletree Guest Suites, Hotel Royal Plaza, Regal Sun Resort, The Hilton Lake Buena Vista).

Phase 4: Closed to all Guests and Guests are told the Park has reached capacity.

 

[Soarin_04]

We decided to spend NYE in Epcot in 2006.

We were in England for dinner (since Mum-in-law is from across the pond, originally, we thought it appropriate!), and the crowds were just starting at that point.

Between dinner (7ish) and 9 PM -- forget it. Wall to wall humans. I never mind the crowds at Disney ever, even on the hottest day in August, but that night scared the living heck out of me. Way too many people all clustered in one small area trying to see Illuminations.

Now, maybe things have changed -- you can never call it from day to day let alone year to year -- but IMHO, if you're hitting Epcot do so early.

 

[Dolce27]

to the DIS, spark21!

I would try to get a room at one of the Epcot resorts, which are within walking to the International Gateway, the back door into Epcot.

That would be either the Boardwalk Inn, Beach Club or Yacht Club, the Swan or Dolphin. I would think that they would be pretty booked up on NYE, but you might get a cancellation!

Have a Magical trip!

This.

I was at WDW NYE 2008. I did DHS that night and was staying at the Boardwalk Inn. I was so darn happy to be able to walk back to my hotel at midnight b/c even though DHS had EMH that night; the majority of the people were trying to leave after the midnight festivities. I’ve read that all parks are a hassle to leave on NYE whether you‘re in your own transportation or trying to use Disney’s. So as the PP suggested, I’d book with an EPCOT resort hotel to stay at if at all possible.

 

[Eljay]

...I’ve read that all parks are a hassle to leave on NYE whether you‘re in your own transportation or trying to use Disney’s. So as the PP suggested, I’d book with an EPCOT resort hotel to stay at if at all possible.

Even if just for the one night. It's so worth while.

 

[spark21]

Thanks for all the tips and hints! I was planning on getting to Epcot at 7 am to make sure we got in but sounds like we dont need to do that now

I'd love to stop at an Epcot resort but we are going to be stuck @ Pop that night as going on the cruise the week after and don't think the budget can stretch that far!

Sounds like we'll have to have our patience hat on and get used to the crowds

 

[Eljay]

Thanks for all the tips and hints! I was planning on getting to Epcot at 7 am to make sure we got in but sounds like we dont need to do that now

I'd love to stop at an Epcot resort but we are going to be stuck @ Pop that night as going on the cruise the week after and don't think the budget can stretch that far!

Sounds like we'll have to have our patience hat on and get used to the crowds

One more thought, POP is very close to the Boardwalk. If you check a Google map of the area, you might want to consider exiting Epcot by way of the International Gateway, (between UK and France), walking the 5-10 minute stroll to the entrance of the Boardwalk Inn, then getting a taxi to POP. Having driven that stretch many times, I'm estimating 2 miles or so, between the 2 resorts. This would help you avoid the bus.

 

[spark21]

Thats excellent advice - hadn't thought of that!! Thanks a lot - you've probably saved me a very long wait and a very cramped bus ride

 

[Eljay]

You are welcome, that's what we're all here for!

 

[DisneyMim]

We've been in Epcot the past two New Year Eves and will be there again this year!! YEAH!! We have a lunch and dinner ressie made and will get there some time in the morning. We drive to Epcot. We stay well past midnight and watch all the people leaving. We then walk to our car, sometimes a long walk, but we really don't mind at all. Yes it is very crowded, but we love Disney on NYE!!

Enjoy The Magic!!

 

[purpliequeen]

NYE really isn't that bad. I agree- BW resorts are best. We stayed 2 years ago for NYE at the Yacht Club. It was great. We went to Epcot in the morning and then relaxed back at the resort. Went back to Epcot around 6 for dinner at Teppan Edo and then stayed for the fireworks. The park was packed, as you can imagine, but it was a great time. There was so much to see and do. Everyone looked like they had a great time. It smelled like a frat house with all the alcohol spilled on the ground everywhere. haha The fireworks were great- I really love Illuminations and find their holiday Illuminations to be magnificent. It's a great way to break in the new year.

If you haven't done so already, make dinner ressies. People were going up to every restaurant asking for a reservation. I felt so bad for them. I made mine 180 days out two years ago so we were golden. Also expect VERY long lines at counter services and food courts. There didn't seem to be enough food locations for the hordes of people there. There were a lot of ad hoc food carts serving popcorn and other light snacks that normally aren't parked in some places because they knew to expect these crowds, but it still didn't really suffice.

Also, people line up around the lake extra, extra, extra early for the fireworks. Be wary of that as well. Bring a blanket to camp out on if getting to a spot in the front is a priority. Also don't forget layers because it can get really cold.

 

[spark21]

I'm worried if we leave Epcot at all we wont get back in!

What time do special events usually start - I know hats & noise makers are given out at 6 - is this about the time that the parties start?