How bad is New Years week really?

[Tissa]

We went 2 years ago at that time and are planning again for the 28-4th this year. I did not experience any of those crowds. Of course I didn't go to MK or Epcot for NYE. I can't enjoy myself in crowds like that. We rang in the new year at the resort (POP Century) and rope dropped the MK new years day. I usually go in summer so we are used to crowds. The one time of year I will never go again is Thanksgiving week. I couldn't avoid the crowds then.

 

[ebenmax]

We rang in the new year at the resort (POP Century) and rope dropped the MK new years day.

How were crowds at RD on New Year’s Day?

 

[mousestruck]

We are going 1/2 - 1/9, which will be a first for us this time of year. With a son in law school and a daughter in college - plus annual passes that expire in February - this was the week that worked for our family so this is the week it is! We are super excited! We’re staying at AKV and hoping to see the resort decorations before they come down. We’re planning some special meals and experiences. And we’ll do our best with fast passes. We are DVC members so not pressured to do it all or brave massive crowds. With planning and realistic expectations, I’m certain we’ll have another magical trip!

 

[FSU Girl]

I loved it. Yes it crowded. I went to Magic Kingdom on 12/31 and 1/1 and I found both days crowded. Ride lines were all around 4 hours long. We used our fast passes and didn't wait long at all. I went in knowing it would be crowded and set expectations with my husband who doesn't do well with crowds and he was fine. I actually found crowd flow better than a normal busy day. Cast Members are all over directing traffic, they have you walk on one side so there's no crisscrossing of people.

Make ADRs. Having a place to sit and relax away from the chaos is a great way to help with the crazy crowds. Quick Services were lines out the door and no seats in sight. Try and avoid driving your own car and take Disney transportation. Since you'll be at the Dolphin I highly recommend walking to Hollywood Studios and Epcot.

You really just need to manage expectations. We went in expecting the apocalypse of crowds and were pleasantly surprised it wasn't as terrible as we thought it would be. I think if I hadn't kept telling my husband how horrible crowds would be leading up to our trip it might have been different since he can get overwhelmed. But he went in prepared and I made sure to find random places to sit and people watch away from the crowds, which helped a lot too.

 

[mdsouth]

No one has mentioned that this year will probably be even more crowded since Star Wars Edge will be open and the biggest Star Wars ride, will have only been open a few weeks at this time. So, I am guessing many more people may be heading to WDW than normal years!

 

[Lion100]

We will be staying at the Fort Wilderness campground over New Year's this year and planing to be at Epcot on New Year's Eve. Would taking the boat to Magic Kingdom then hopping on the monorails to get to Epcot and then doing the same on the way back be the quickest route to take? Thanks!

 

[DSLRuser]

We have done New Years Eve 3 times. 2 of the 3 was not that bad. But the 1999-2000 new years eve was horrible. 7am to 1am at EPCOT standing shoulder to shoulder with 50,000+ people was a bad idea.

You could not do any attractions because of 3+ hour wait. you couldn't walk because people started to stake out illuminations spots by 1pm.

The rest of the week per your question was just a very very busy week. On all 3 trips. We have not been back since for x-mas week.

 

[FSU Girl]

We will be staying at the Fort Wilderness campground over New Year's this year and planing to be at Epcot on New Year's Eve. Would taking the boat to Magic Kingdom then hopping on the monorails to get to Epcot and then doing the same on the way back be the quickest route to take? Thanks!

I think that's a good plan. Staying off the roads is the smartest way to travel that day.

 

[gtpoohbear]

We went last year from 12/26-1/1, and it was actually one of my favorite trips we've taken. You definitely have to go into it with the right mindset- and not have high expectations of doing a lot of rides or getting anywhere fast. But there is a certain buzz of excitement (especially on NYE) that you won't get any other time, and it's really fun to be a part of it.

Make plenty of ADRs in the park, you will appreciate the chance to get out of the chaos a couple of times a day. And a dessert party for the NYE fireworks is a total game-changer. (Not sure if they do those at the other parks, we did MK) Don't plan on being able to do much that you don't have a FP for, but we were able to get several more after our first 3 at both Epcot and MK, even on NYE.

I am NOT a person who generally likes crowds, but I was mentally prepared enough that I didn't let it stress me out too much, and we had a great time. We didn't even do rope-drop a single day, but tended to stay until closing every night, getting ourselves on a late-morning/late night schedule well before NYE, so staying up past midnight wasn't a problem. Other than NYE at MK, the last couple hours of the night in the parks weren't crowded at all.

 

[dprincessmom]

We did it last year and it wasn't as bad as I expected HOWEVER we did Magic Kingdom on the 30th for the NYE early fireworks and we did Hollywood Studios on the 31st. It was a great plan for us.

 

[Tissa]

How were crowds at RD on New Year’s Day?

Not bad at all. People were sleeping in.

 

[Lou'sMommy]

My daughter and I went last year from Dec. 30 - Jan. 3. We primarily wanted to enjoy the Christmas decorations and experience some old favorites. We stayed at the Swan which was great because it took care of any transportation issues for two of the parks. We went in knowing that it would be really crowded and that doing extras on the spur of the moment probably wouldn't be possible. So, we made our fastpasses as early as the window opened and were able to get all of the rides we wanted (even FOP) except for SDD. We also made ADRs for the mid day so that we could take a break from the crowds and recharge for the afternoons. We really looked at being able to do anything more as improbable.

About a month before our trip, we found out that my husband would be able to join us for part of the trip. I was surprised that I was able to get him most of the same fastpasses that we had. So far, so good.

When we arrived, we spent the first day at DisneySprings and touring the MK area resorts. We so enjoyed seeing all the decorations, listening to Christmas music, etc. For NYE, we had some fastpasses and an ADR at MK. We tried to rope drop, taking the bus from the Swan, but the traffic was insane. As I remember, it took about an hour to finally arrive at MK. The bus took all sorts of routes that I had never seen before but even on those roads the traffic was really slow and backed up. Happily we got there in time for our fastpasses. It was crowded (in fact admission was restricted for a while), but it really didn't impact us. We enjoyed holiday decorations, entertainment and our late lunch at Tony's. We ate on the porch and loved looking at the Christmas trees and listening to the Dapper Dan's as we ate.

We had already been advised not to use ground transportation so we hopped on the monorail to Epcot after lunch. It was about 3 pm at this point and the monorail was empty. We had the whole car to ourselves. So we spread out and marveled at the line of cars completely stopped and stretching as far as the eye could see. We enjoyed additional fastpasses at Epcot and stayed to see the fireworks at midnight. We positioned ourselves at the back of the park so we could easily exit out the IG after the fireworks. They were incredible - I thought the best I had ever seen. Epcot was crazy crowded and hard to move around in as the night went on. It was fine for us, but I wouldn't have wanted to be there with small children.

The rest of our trip was great too. Busy, but not crazy busy. We were even able to get a few extra fastpasses by refreshing in the app. We stuck to our plans, enjoyed perfect weather and had a great time. My best advice is to make good plans, stick to them and avoid street transportation on NYE.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[rad91]

In New Year's Eve, we are staying at BWI. I want to walk to Epcot for rope drop, stay there until 2pm, go back to BWI to rest or whatever, then come back to epcot at 8pm. I keep hearing contradicting reports about whether or not we will be able to get back in at 8pm. Since we're staying in the resort, will we have a problem getting in (even though it'll be very crowded)?

 

[Disneylover99]

In New Year's Eve, we are staying at BWI. I want to walk to Epcot for rope drop, stay there until 2pm, go back to BWI to rest or whatever, then come back to epcot at 8pm. I keep hearing contradicting reports about whether or not we will be able to get back in at 8pm. Since we're staying in the resort, will we have a problem getting in (even though it'll be very crowded)?

Typically we arrive at the main gates between 6pm and 8pm. It’s not crowded at all at the entrance at that point. I don’t think you’ll have any trouble.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

In New Year's Eve, we are staying at BWI. I want to walk to Epcot for rope drop, stay there until 2pm, go back to BWI to rest or whatever, then come back to epcot at 8pm. I keep hearing contradicting reports about whether or not we will be able to get back in at 8pm. Since we're staying in the resort, will we have a problem getting in (even though it'll be very crowded)?

Epcot has not had a capacity closure at any level since like 2000. While it's always possible, history suggests it's not likely. You'll have no issues heading back in - many people will be doing exactly the same thing.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

It's bad. It's really bad.

However, some people do better in crowds than I do. I get claustrophobic in crowds. If you like crowds or at least they don't bother you, it can be fun. SOME rides can still be had. But don't expect to be riding 7DMT with any reasonable wait.

 

[igrsod]

We are going 1/2 - 1/9, which will be a first for us this time of year. With a son in law school and a daughter in college - plus annual passes that expire in February - this was the week that worked for our family so this is the week it is! We are super excited! We’re staying at AKV and hoping to see the resort decorations before they come down. We’re planning some special meals and experiences. And we’ll do our best with fast passes. We are DVC members so not pressured to do it all or brave massive crowds. With planning and realistic expectations, I’m certain we’ll have another magical trip!

Hey neighbour... we are going that week too as it just worked for our family with AP expiring too. We are at AKL Jan 1-7. The only difference is that my young adult kids are bringing their significant others... and it's their first times at WDW. So we kind of want them to have a good time and experience as much as possible. Hopefully it's not too crazy busy. I'm a pretty good planner, so we should be ok. We own at AKL, so like you, we don't feel pressure to do EVERYTHING, we will be back year after year. Hope you have a magical trip.

 

[mousestruck]

Hey neighbour... we are going that week too as it just worked for our family with AP expiring too. We are at AKL Jan 1-7. The only difference is that my young adult kids are bringing their significant others... and it's their first times at WDW. So we kind of want them to have a good time and experience as much as possible. Hopefully it's not too crazy busy. I'm a pretty good planner, so we should be ok. We own at AKL, so like you, we don't feel pressure to do EVERYTHING, we will be back year after year. Hope you have a magical trip.

Awesome!!! Our kids are adults, too - one a freshman in the college and the other a freshman in law school. Trips with grown kids are different but no less magical. They both still love Disney! But we definitely spend more on food and alcohol!!! See ya in January!