Ideas for New Year's Eve with kids? HELP!

[goofy4dizney]

I'm looking for suggestions for what to do to celebrate New Year's Eve with kids in Disney World!

My son's going to be playing in the New Year's Classic at the Wide World of Sports, which is a week-long baseball tournament, so we won't be done there until about noon or 1 PM.

I was initially planning on spending the rest of the day at EPCOT, making a PS for dinner, and then watching Illuminations. However, having just read a few other posts about how crowded it gets on that day, what are the chances of us not getting in?

Does having a PS at a WS restaurant guarantee entry (we'll be staying at the All-Stars for the tourney)? Then, realistically, are we going to be able to do anything once we get inside?

Also, do they have TWO showings of Illuminations that night (one at 9 and then the special one at Midnight)? If so, does the crowd thin out after the first show?

I was also looking into one of the Illuminations cruises, but can't believe how much more they cost for NYE! We did one for my son's BD a few years ago, and enjoyed it, but not for $500!

Come on, you guys! Throw me some suggestions!!! Don't let the team down

 

[Grumpy92]

EC is wonderful for NYE. It does usually fill to capacity by 11am on that day. If you are staying at a Disney Resort you might be able to get in around three, no guarantees even with a PS in the park.

EC has numorous bands and entertainment performing all over. One year we arrived at 10am, took our time with the rides, didnt worry about lines and stayed till midnight. They do only have the one illuminations show. As it got later you saw children and adults sacked out in every conceivable location. We also saw each of the country celebrate NY's on their time. So we were counting down all night. A PS 90 days in advance is a must.

 

[Hieatt]

We were at the Dolphin for NYE last year, and we are going back this year. We went to Epcot - it was packed and high energy. Had we not had young children with us, I would have thoroughly enjoyed it. As it was, things were just a bit too crazy for our family.

We were able to enter Epcot no problem at around 4:00 p.m. We had been there earlier in the morning and went back to rest at the hotel in the afternoon, but they didn't check hand stamps or anything. It may have reached capacity at some point, but I never saw it. I have heard that Epcot seldom reaches capacity on NYE (unlike Magic Kingdom and MGM) due to its size.

Epcot does Illuminations twice on NYE, once at 7:30 and the other at 11:40 (with Midnight finale). We caught the early show and put the kids to bed early. Then we went down to the pool area of the Dolphin and watched the Epcot and MGM fireworks simultaneously - it was awesome!

We also did PS at Rose & Crown, trying to catch UK NYE at 7:00 p.m. and the 7:30 p.m. show. In spite of 6:20 PS, we didn't have drinks by 7:00 p.m. for the toast, and we were seated inside without a view of Illuminations (they wouldn't let us wait for a patio table)... things are crazy that night - just be prepared!

 

[goofy4dizney]

Thanks, Grumpy and Hieatt, for your replies!

It's encouraging to hear that EPCOT will probably not reach capacity, so we will have the opportunity to get in sometime in the afternoon, despite the large crowds. I think we can handle that, as long as we are prepared

That's pretty cool about the celebrations going on for each country at their midnight hour. Is it fireworks or ???

Also, anybody else out there have some suggestions for NYE's fun, in case we decide to forego the parks?