January 1, 2006

[Kande]

We will be at Disney 12/31-1/7, January 1, being our first day in a park. Which park do you think would be the best (least crowded if there is such a thing) to visit that day.

 

[Keara'sMom]

I'm bumping this up, since we're in the exact same boat! Our first day in the parks (unless we choose not to go 'cause of the crowds) will be Jan. 1 as well, and I'm curious as to what others' experiences have been! My dd's birthday is Jan. 2, so we'll be in the MK on that day (her request), no matter what it's like!!

thanks!

 

[mtdevine615]

I'd have to go with Epcot since it's the biggest. We were there on Jan. 1st 2003 and it was very busy at the hotel but Epcot wasn't to bad. Maine

 

[riu girl]

That will also be our first park day. I have read on DIS that epcot is the park to go to, since crowds are handled best there, lots of open space etc. I think the secret is to get to the parks at opening Jan1 since so many people were celebrating the evening before and sleeping in Jan 1.

Personally, I think we will pick Epcot for Jan 1.

 

[Bill From PA]

We arrived New Year's Day this year and hit Epcot about 2 pm. The crowds didn't seem any worse than during early March, our usual trip time. Two days later, all the parks were ghost towns.

Bill From PA

 

[grimley1968]

I'd avoid both MK and EPCOT. EPCOT may have slightly wider sidewalks, but it still gets awfully crowded.

The least crowded park would probably be AK, given all its outdoor focus, and the colder temps that time of year.

 

[Keara'sMom]

Glad to hear it! Epcot works great for us, as we're staying at BWV and can simply walk. If it's too crowded, maybe we'll go back and have a swim (cross your fingers for nice, sunny, warm weather!!!).

 

[Kande]

Thanks for the replies, I was also thinking about Animal Kingdom until I read the 05 Unofficial Guide and it said to avoid Animal Kingdom and go to Epcot or Magic Kingdom which really shocked me. I wonder if what the 06 version says?

 

[Jackie H.]

We will be down on the January 1st as well. I wonder if the fact that 1/1 is a Sunday will affect things? Won't most folks have to be back at work the next day? January 1st is the start of the value season, so I was kind of expecting a lot of folks to be checking out and going home.....

Edited to add: we were there January 2004....we were staying at the Dolphin (we moved to the Poly on 1/2)...we walked over and had breakfast on the Boardwalk and then to EPCOT...it was deserted....I just can't clearly remember that it was Jan 1st. I REALLY think it was because we moved to the Poly the next day......but my 42 year old brain can't say for sure!

 

[Bill From PA]

Quote:'I wonder if the fact that 1/1 is a Sunday will affect things? Won't most folks have to be back at work the next day? January 1st is the start of the value season, so I was kind of expecting a lot of folks to be checking out and going home.....'

This NY was Sat and we thought the same, folks would leave on Sun. Either that didn't happen or enough checked in on Sun. to offset those leaving because Sat. the first and Sun. the second were equally crowded. On Mon. it was dead. Also, verify that the first is the start of Value. This year it was the second. We were originally booked at Pop, with a one day stay on the first and the rest at the Value rate. We ended up at the Swan on the Teacher's Rate, but I remember Value starting on the second.

Quote:'The least crowded park would probably be AK, given all its outdoor focus, and the colder temps that time of year.'

This year from Jan. 1 through Jan. 9 the daily high was never less than 75 degrees and often it topped 80. This was the best early Jan. for temps I could find for Orlando, going back 7 years, but it does happen. A few weeks before our trip and a few after temps didn't get out of the 50's for some days, so it's a crap-shoot.

Not just on this trip, but always, when the park we hit early gets crowded, we hop to Epcot and notice a difference in the perception of how less crowded it seems

Bill From PA

 

[AJKMOM]

We went to MGM on New Years Day and it wasn't too bad. Remember that more people want to spend New Years Eve-midnight- in a park. so, it you can forego the whole champagne and noisemakers thing to get moving early, you should have a good time in any park. I think it would get crowded later than usual.

 

[Jackie H.]

Bill,

Yes the value season starts on Jan 1st this year because I already have ressie at POFQ and I got the value season rate. I know sometimes it doesn't start then...that is why we moved to the Poly on 1/2/04 instead of 1/1...

 

[joanjett1976]

I'll be there Dec 30-January 4th.

I'll be spending the 31st at the Studios and the 1st at EPCOT and MK.

 

[Kande]