Holidays question!

[CERS]

Hey y'all. So I'd like to seek some advice.

What would you think would be better for a first-time all-adults trip to WDW on the Holidays:

- Go over to MK on the evening after arriving on Dec 27th to have dinner at BOG, take some pictures, and make use of the 3 fastpasses but NOT see the Fireworks that day (as dinner is at the same time), BUT watch the Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks from the Polynesian on the 30th.

- Go over to MK on the 30th at night, have dinner at BOG (we won't brave the full day at the park, it'll probable be quite crowded) to view the Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks from inside and those 360º perimeter fireworks, and rather go over to PANDORA on AK on the 27th.

- Skip MK completely between Dec 27th and Dec 30th, see the Fantasy in the Sky from the Poly and just have a full MK day on Jan 2nd, without any Dinner at BOG.

Is there really much of a difference between crowds from the Dec 27th, 30th and Jan 2nd crowds?

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

 

[xlsm]

We did 12/30 last year at MK and it was busy and crowded, but manageable. We watched Fantasy in the Sky at 6:30 and then went back to our resort. This year we'll be at the Polynesian and will probably end up watching fireworks both nights at the resort. After last year at Epcot, we have vastly different plans for NYE this year based on what we learned last year.

And yeah, there's a noticable difference in MK crowds, particularly when comparing 12/27 and 1/2 to 12/30!! I have a TR in my signature from this past NYE if you're curious about our experience. At the time we said never again, but here we are going back one year later

Fantasy in the Sky was the first fireworks show I ever saw on my first visit to WDW in 2001, so it's a treat for me to see during the new year holiday. I vote for an option that lets you see it inside AND outside of the park. Are you staying at the Polynesian? Since they do Fantasy twice on 12/30 and 31, you could watch the early show in one place, and the late show in another, to get both experiences. It's what we plan to do this year.

 

[CAS239]

I recommend MK for the 30th and Epcot for NYE. And to be inside both parks for the fireworks.

 

[CERS]

We did 12/30 last year at MK and it was busy and crowded, but manageable. We watched Fantasy in the Sky at 6:30 and then went back to our resort. This year we'll be at the Polynesian and will probably end up watching fireworks both nights at the resort. After last year at Epcot, we have vastly different plans for NYE this year based on what we learned last year.

And yeah, there's a noticable difference in MK crowds, particularly when comparing 12/27 and 1/2 to 12/30!! I have a TR in my signature from this past NYE if you're curious about our experience. At the time we said never again, but here we are going back one year later

Fantasy in the Sky was the first fireworks show I ever saw on my first visit to WDW in 2001, so it's a treat for me to see during the new year holiday. I vote for an option that lets you see it inside AND outside of the park. Are you staying at the Polynesian? Since they do Fantasy twice on 12/30 and 31, you could watch the early show in one place, and the late show in another, to get both experiences. It's what we plan to do this year.

Thanks a lot for the info and the tip of your TR! I checked it! I'll be in WDW for 27th to 03rd, but only will be in the parks on the 27th evening, 29th full day, 30th full day, 01st half-day, and 2nd full day. I'm staying at a value resort for the whole stay. My current plan is:

-27th Evening: AK (specially for PANDORA)
-29th: Epcot (For a slightly "more relaxed" experience, and watch the Candlelight Processional)
-30th: 3/4 of the day at AK (This is one of my favorite parks, so I want to repeat) and evening at MK to see Fantasy either from the Poly or from inside. We'll probably watch the midnight showing, as I think it might be a little bit less crowded as many people will think just like you did last year.
-31st: No parks, BUT we'll see the fireworks from the Contemporary as we have reservations on that hotel for dinner.
-01st: Hollywood Studios half-day.
-02nd: MK full day, to close it all seeing HEA.

I think I'll go for the 30th at MK dinner, and see it from inside. Then we can see it from the Contemporary outside on the 31st.

I recommend MK for the 30th and Epcot for NYE. And to be inside both parks for the fireworks.

Thanks for the tip! We'd rather just skip any parks on the 31st, we've seen images and they are completely crazy. But I'll take into account to not miss the experience of MK Fantasy in the Sky from inside!