How does this New Years Eve plan sound?

[FSU Girl]

So I'm planning ahead for next New Years where my boyfriend and I will spend it at Disney for the first time.

So original plan was stay at either contemporary (have this currently booked) or bay lake tower theme park view and watch the fireworks from our balcony to avoid the crowds. We are going to be there 12/29-1/1.

My new idea is do 12/29-12/31 over at magic kingdom and watch the firework show from our balcony for the 30th. This is the exact same show as the 31st right? Then switch hotels to one of the Epcot resorts and go into Epcot on New Year's Eve to watch their fireworks. Reason for switching hotels would be so we can walk back to our room after midnight and not have to rely on Disney transportation

I just watched a video of Epcots fireworks and I really liked them. I'm just a little nervous about this plan. How crowded will Epcot be this day? Will we be ok going into the park around 7 at night? I'm thinking we could spend some time at the hotel during the day and go later into the park for dinner and then to find a spot to watch. Second idea is do that private firework cruise, which I assume books up fast and with a split stay I'll be at a disadvantage since it'll be my 180 mark. Is there a chance to get that?

My biggest concern are how crowded the parks will be which is why the original plan was just to watch from our balcony.

What do people think? Should I switch to the split stay and do both parks?

 

[bobbiwoz]

We have done at least 6 vacations during the time you mention. We always do the MK’s firework on the 30th and either EPCOT or DHS on the 31st.

We also move from BLT over to the Boardwalk on the 31st, to make going back to the resort easier.

Sometimes we have rented fireworks boats on either night, and we have always been able to find people to share with us. A boat costs less on the 30th.

We found the crowd at MK to be harder to deal with, so we have either rented the boat or gone to TTOTW on the 30th recently. We are DVC members staying at BLT, so we can go up there on the 30th. Watching those from your balcony sounds perfect to me!

 

[FSU Girl]

We have done at least 6 vacations during the time you mention. We always do the MK’s firework on the 30th and either EPCOT or DHS on the 31st.

We also move from BLT over to the Boardwalk on the 31st, to make going back to the resort easier.

Sometimes we have rented fireworks boats on either night, and we have always been able to find people to share with us. A boat costs less on the 30th.

We found the crowd at MK to be harder to deal with, so we have either rented the boat or gone to TTOTW on the 30th recently. We are DVC members staying at BLT, so we can go up there on the 30th. Watching those from your balcony sounds perfect to me!

Were the firework boats for Epcot hard to reserve for New Year's Eve? The crowds for New Years scares me lol

 

[bobbiwoz]

Were the firework boats for Epcot hard to reserve for New Year's Eve? The crowds for New Years scares me lol

We booked that one 6 months out. DH did it. He had to call a few times, also for the 30th. When we shared the 31st, it cost roughly $100 per person. This included tip for captain. The cost for the 30th boat at MK came to about $70 per person. These were 4-5 years ago.

The captain included wine and other treats on the 31st.

 

[kydisneyfans]

If you don't have the Epcot area hotel booked, you are probably too late-unless by referring to next New Years being 2018.
I personally would not wait until that late to enter Epcot, you have chances it will be closed due to capacity.

 

[FSU Girl]

We booked that one 6 months out. DH did it. He had to call a few times, also for the 30th. When we shared the 31st, it cost roughly $100 per person. This included tip for captain. The cost for the 30th boat at MK came to about $70 per person. These were 4-5 years ago.

The captain included wine and other treats on the 31st.

Ok cool. It's not the end of the world if we can't and just go into the park.

 

[FSU Girl]

If you don't have the Epcot area hotel booked, you are probably too late-unless by referring to next New Years being 2018.
I personally would not wait until that late to enter Epcot, you have chances it will be closed due to capacity.

Ya I'm planning for a year from now so I have pretty much pick of which hotel I want at the moment. Has Epcot reached capacity before? We'd probably have dining and an onsite stay so only the last closure would keep us out right?

 

[kydisneyfans]

Ya I'm planning for a year from now so I have pretty much pick of which hotel I want at the moment. Has Epcot reached capacity before? We'd probably have dining and an onsite stay so only the last closure would keep us out right?

That is correct. You would have higher priority than someone staying offsite.

 

[Tiffany_m15]

The parks will be crowded... period...but New Year's at Disney is worth it in my opinion. We were lucky enough to see the New Year's fireworks at Magic Kingdom on Dec 30th a couple years ago and ........IT. WAS. INCREDIBLE. Don't watch them from your room (although I'm sure they're great from there too). Go to the park, deal with the crowd for a couple hours, and stand in awe like we did. There were so many fireworks that at one point it looked like daytime! They were so bright! I haven't seen New Year's Illuminations but your dates sound great. I would brave the crowd because the payoff is worth it.

 

[yulilin3]

Ya I'm planning for a year from now so I have pretty much pick of which hotel I want at the moment. Has Epcot reached capacity before? We'd probably have dining and an onsite stay so only the last closure would keep us out right?

Only once in the past, you'll be fine for Epcot. I would def. do MK on the 30th and Epcot on the 31st. There's is nothing like the parties at Epcot, they have 4 different ones with different types music and effects. I would actually be fine watching fireworks from inside Epcot, no boat needed, since you are staying in walking distance you can leave easily through International Gateway, also no need to grab a spot early for the NYE fireworks, the first part is your regular holiday Illuminations when being by the lagoon is recommended because of the view of the globe but once the countdown starts it's all fireworks so it can be enjoyed from anywhere in the park. I like the view from the fountain of nations area

 

[FSU Girl]

The parks will be crowded... period...but New Year's at Disney is worth it in my opinion. We were lucky enough to see the New Year's fireworks at Magic Kingdom on Dec 30th a couple years ago and ........IT. WAS. INCREDIBLE. Don't watch them from your room (although I'm sure they're great from there too). Go to the park, deal with the crowd for a couple hours, and stand in awe like we did. There were so many fireworks that at one point it looked like daytime! They were so bright! I haven't seen New Year's Illuminations but your dates sound great. I would brave the crowd because the payoff is worth it.

I would be fine with the crowd, but I know my boyfriend will get stressed out if we are cramed in like sardines. Do they do dessert parties these nights? That might be an option since we won't be squished in with everyone else.

Only once in the past, you'll be fine for Epcot. I would def. do MK on the 30th and Epcot on the 31st. There's is nothing like the parties at Epcot, they have 4 different ones with different types music and effects. I would actually be fine watching fireworks from inside Epcot, no boat needed, since you are staying in walking distance you can leave easily through International Gateway, also no need to grab a spot early for the NYE fireworks, the first part is your regular holiday Illuminations when being by the lagoon is recommended because of the view of the globe but once the countdown starts it's all fireworks so it can be enjoyed from anywhere in the park. I like the view from the fountain of nations area

What are the parties like? Are they at different countries or all over the park? I know when I looked into things for last year I saw there was something to reserve on dining, is that what these are or are they free to attend?

 

[yulilin3]

I would be fine with the crowd, but I know my boyfriend will get stressed out if we are cramed in like sardines. Do they do dessert parties these nights? That might be an option since we won't be squished in with everyone else.


What are the parties like? Are they at different countries or all over the park? I know when I looked into things for last year I saw there was something to reserve on dining, is that what these are or are they free to attend?

Included with your park tickets are parties at Come with a for breathing dragon, Italy with lasers and techno music, American adventure with dj and live Latin band, happen had the quiet party and I believe uk had a dj last year, also a dj at the fountain of Nations
You can look up videos on YouTube

 

[FSU Girl]

Included with your park tickets are parties at Come with a for breathing dragon, Italy with lasers and techno music, American adventure with dj and live Latin band, happen had the quiet party and I believe uk had a dj last year, also a dj at the fountain of Nations
You can look up videos on YouTube

Awesome thanks!

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

We did the fireworks cruise at Epcot on NYE a few years back. It was a bit pricey, but my kids still talk about it. I called several times a day for weeks before I was able to book it.

 

[FSU Girl]

We did the fireworks cruise at Epcot on NYE a few years back. It was a bit pricey, but my kids still talk about it. I called several times a day for weeks before I was able to book it.

Was it booked up at 180 day and you kept trying in hopes someone would cancel or they hadn't released it yet? I've read some of the dessert parties aren't released at 180 days sometimes.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

Was it booked up at 180 day and you kept trying in hopes someone would cancel or they hadn't released it yet? I've read some of the dessert parties aren't released at 180 days sometimes.

It was after the 180 day mark. I started at 180 and while I can’t remember the exact date, I want to say it was in July? I’ll see if I can retrieve the email with the confirmation.

 

[bobbiwoz]

It was after the 180 day mark. I started at 180 and while I can’t remember the exact date, I want to say it was in July? I’ll see if I can retrieve the email with the confirmation.

We booked in July as well.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

Was it booked up at 180 day and you kept trying in hopes someone would cancel or they hadn't released it yet? I've read some of the dessert parties aren't released at 180 days sometimes.

I guess I must have called prior to 180 days. I made the reservation on June 28th. Each time I called I was told something different. One would say that it was unavailable. Another would say they were all booked. The last time she couldn’t even find them in the system but “dug” a little deeper and found them. If you decide to do it, be persistent.

 

[FSU Girl]

I guess I must have called prior to 180 days. I made the reservation on June 28th. Each time I called I was told something different. One would say that it was unavailable. Another would say they were all booked. The last time she couldn’t even find them in the system but “dug” a little deeper and found them. If you decide to do it, be persistent.

I'm pretty used to Cast Members giving you a different response every time you call. If I do decide to do the cruise I will

I did move my reservation over to Yacht Club for New Year's Eve.

 

[AngiTN]

If you don't have the Epcot area hotel booked, you are probably too late-unless by referring to next New Years being 2018.
I personally would not wait until that late to enter Epcot, you have chances it will be closed due to capacity.

Nah, there are plenty of rooms at the Epcot resorts for this NY. I just booked our trip last week. There are rooms at BWI, BC and YC for the 31st. Remember, this is a night without discounts so folks aren't clamoring for those rooms.
And Epcot (nor any park) hasn't closed to someone with on site reservations in over a decade. There's a chance but it's minuscule. It's of no concern at all in my opinion. Anyone not staying on site, without an ADR, or a FP, wanting to walk up and buy 1 day tickets, has something to worry about. Anyone else, doesn't.