How does WDW celebrate New Year's Eve?

[dislvr75]

We have good friends planning to visit WDW from the day AFTER Christmas thru January 2nd. What types of special things can they expect see and do surrounding new year's? I know the Christmas decorations will still be up but is there a special parade, countdown etc?? Thanks in advance for anyone that responds!!

 

[WDSearcher]

Be sure you warn them that the week between Christmas and New Year's is the absolute busiest week of the year at WDW! That's important info!

As for NYE .... all of the parks (except DAK, because of the animals) do special fireworks at midnight, and they also do "early bird" versions as well, for parents who want to get their kids to bed before midnight. They hand out hats and noisemakers at the gate, and there is usually some sort of special entertainment at various places throughout the parks. Cirque, PI, and Atlantic Dance usually have special hard-ticket NYE events, and PI celebrates NYE for real that night!

 

[harris2x2]

I finally found the thread!

I'm one of the friends.

We got seating at Cindy's this morning, so now the excitement has really kicked in. We'll be arriving Dec. 30th and leaving Jan. 4th. We plan on doing MK NYE and the 4th. I know the crowds should be enormous, but what kind of exciting things make it all worthwhile? Are the crowds bad all day long, or just in the evening?

Thanks dislvr75 for directing me to this board! And thanks for any replies!

 

[dislvr75]

You got Cindy's, YES!!!!

I do hope folks will respond and talk a little bit about what to expect during that magical time after Christmas and through New Year's. I heard they pass out hats and noisemakers, I'm not sure if there's special parade, does anyone know???

Thanks in advance for any responses!!!!

Harris 2x2, I'm am SO excited for you!!

 

[coli]

I was at WDW for NYE last year. Stayed BWI Dec 26-Jan2. We got up early and were out of the parks before lunch... it is busy! Magic Kingdom still has the Christmas Parade and all the decorations are up. As for NYE itself. If you are going to a park - get there early... particularly MK. Epcot can absorb more people, but MK fills up for the day before 11am. MGM/Epcot follow close behind - you have to get there early if you are spending NYE in the park. And don't expect to get anywhere quickly after midnight... it is amazing how WDW deals with the traffic. If you are stay on property - definitely take the bus. We actually went to Pleasure Island for NYE - it was brilliant - we spent NYE during the day just chilling out, played mini-golf, went shopping, had a nap - went out. MGM/MK/Epcot all do special fireworks/entertainment for the night...it's a great time to be there if you don't mind all the people.....

 

[jdonat]

NYE at the MK is THE place for fireworks.
Last year, the fireworks were behind the Castle
in the usual place ((and they were Fantasy in
the Sky, NOT Wishes last year) and they were
mirrored behind Town Square. So, if you were
on Main Street, you would see fireworks in front
of you, and a mirrored show BEHIND you. Then
as Zero Hour approched, a countdown, and then,
fireworks all around you -about 8-10 places around you. Extra fireworks after Midnight infront
and behind you, and all around you....
Noisemakers and hats distributed at all the parks
open for NYE about 5pm or so.

We went into MK at rope drop on NYE morning,
did a character breakfast late at the castle -which
let us do a buncha rides before. then we boogied
out of there, and got back about 6pm -had no
problem getting back into the park at that time.
We did Tony's for NYE last year, and we're going
there again this year.
The Christmas decorations are still all up at
the parks and resorts -the resort decorations
are amazing -all themed to the resort, and most of them made out of some sort of
confection!
The Candlelight processional is going on
at Epcot until the 29th? -worth going to.
The osborne lights will be back at the Studios..
a new location within the studios, so's I cant
tell you how they'll look this year.....

Remember to warn your friends ITS BUSY!!!
be prepared for LOTS of people.

We're going from 12/17 to 12/22 and then
from 12/29 to 1/2..... I can't wait!!!!

john

 

[harris2x2]

Thanks so much for the tips!

I'm curious about leaving MK and reentering on NYE. We'd like to go early on and then take a break mid-afternoon. Is it possible that we wouldn't be able to get back in? Do they hand stamp?

Any more info on an earlier show for kids?


Thanks again, you guys are great!

 

[QuickGold]

NYE info for the Disney-MGM Studios
http://www.mgmstudios.org/xmas.html