Magic kingdom emh 30th dec

[MagicalAdventures]

We are planning our first trip to wdw in December and are going to buy the 21 day ultimate ticket.

Our first day of use would be the 9th dec (arriving 8th). I think that means I can still use the ticket for entry on the 30th. We won’t be visiting the parks everyday in between.

My plan was to watch the practice New Years fireworks on the 30th from the Polynesian beach/lounge then go into the magic kingdom after midnight for the emh from 12 to 3am. Would this work given I wouldn’t actually have a valid ticket for the 31st or does the ticket expire at the end of emh that started on the 30th?

Also I wondered if anyone knew how busy the parks are likely to be at this time and how easy it would be to get into the magic kingdom? We thought it might be worth it given it’s our last night but we have a 7 and 9 year old so if it’s going to be ridiculously busy then perhaps not. The late night part will be ok for them!

Thanks

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

We were there 30th Dec just gone and I can tell you it’s an absolute zoo, totally and utterly crazy. Wall to wall people with HUGE crowds.

We watched the practice nye fireworks from the hub having staked out our spot about 10:30pm and then left straight after them. It took us about 45 mins to make it from the hub to the bus stop.

If you plan on going into MK after the fireworks then I would leave it till about 1am so that the bus/ferry entrance area calms down a bit.

Our eldest son and nephew stayed till the very end and got a time stamped photopass photo with the castle in the background 4 minutes after the park closed at 3:04am. They said the park remained fairly busy all the way to closing time although wait times for ride “was doable”

 

[Alesia]

We are planning our first trip to wdw in December and are going to buy the 21 day ultimate ticket.

1. Our first day of use would be the 9th dec (arriving 8th). I think that means I can still use the ticket for entry on the 30th. We won’t be visiting the parks everyday in between.

2a. plan was to watch the practice New Years fireworks on the 30th from the Polynesian beach/lounge then go into the magic kingdom after midnight for the emh from 12 to 3am.
2.b Would this work given I wouldn’t actually have a valid ticket for the 31st or does the ticket expire at the end of emh that started on the 30th?

3. Also I wondered if anyone knew how busy the parks are likely to be at this time and how easy it would be to get into the magic kingdom? We thought it might be worth it given it’s our last night but we have a 7 and 9 year old so if it’s going to be ridiculously busy then perhaps not. The late night part will be ok for them!

Thanks

1. If the first day you use the ticket is on the 9th, the last day you can use the ticket is on the 29th.

2a. Unless you're staying at the poly, don't count on being able to watch the fireworks from the beach there. During busy times they restrict the beach to resort guests only, and you're asking about the second busiest night of the year.

2b. If you had valid tickets for the 30th, you could do this.

3. The parks will be busier than you can possibly imagine.

 

[MagicalAdventures]

1. If the first day you use the ticket is on the 9th, the last day you can use the ticket is on the 29th.

2a. Unless you're staying at the poly, don't count on being able to watch the fireworks from the beach there. During busy times they restrict the beach to resort guests only, and you're asking about the second busiest night of the year.

2b. If you had valid tickets for the 30th, you could do this.

3. The parks will be busier than you can possibly imagine.

Thanks for your reply that’s really helpful. We are staying at the poly so it looks like the beach would still be an option for us. I could start our park trip a day later which would from reading your reply mean we could go in to mk on the early morning on the 31st.

Can I ask when you say parks will be busier than you can imagine do you mean specifically the early morning hours 12 to 3 am or just in general on the 30th? I think that would be helpful in deciding whether to just stay put at the poly

Thanks

 

[MagicalAdventures]

We were there 30th Dec just gone and I can tell you it’s an absolute zoo, totally and utterly crazy. Wall to wall people with HUGE crowds.

We watched the practice nye fireworks from the hub having staked out our spot about 10:30pm and then left straight after them. It took us about 45 mins to make it from the hub to the bus stop.

If you plan on going into MK after the fireworks then I would leave it till about 1am so that the bus/ferry entrance area calms down a bit.

Our eldest son and nephew stayed till the very end and got a time stamped photopass photo with the castle in the background 4 minutes after the park closed at 3:04am. They said the park remained fairly busy all the way to closing time although wait times for ride “was doable”

Hi

Thanks for this. It’s useful to hear your experiences and thanks for the tips on returning to the park although from what you’ve said about crowds it seems it might not be worth it.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I was at Poly this past year - 12/30-1/2. My advice - just stay at Poly!

 

[MagicalAdventures]

I was at Poly this past year - 12/30-1/2. My advice - just stay at Poly!

Thanks GADisneyDad appreciate your input. We are staying club level. Do you happen to know if they do anything special/extra activities in the club lounge or the hotel on the 30th day/night or during the day on the 31st? We are leaving early evening on the 31st. Thanks

 

[Alesia]

Can I ask when you say parks will be busier than you can imagine do you mean specifically the early morning hours 12 to 3 am or just in general on the 30th? I think that would be helpful in deciding whether to just stay put at the poly

Thanks

The week between Christmas and New Year's is the busiest week of the year. The week leading up to christmas is very busy as well. The crowds will be be extraordinary -- not just on the 30th, but for the entire second half of your trip.

But, to answer your specific question: yes, the 30th is going to be packed from open to close, but it will be a little less busy at the night goes on.

 

[Alesia]

If you try to go in after the fireworks, this is the crowd you'll be dealing with:

https://goo.gl/images/4V47d3

 

[MagicalAdventures]

If you try to go in after the fireworks, this is the crowd you'll be dealing with:

https://goo.gl/images/4V47d3

Wow. A picture speaks a thousand words! Staying Out the parks it is then! We are actually only staying onsite until the 17th then leaving Orlando till the 28th and coming back to the poly for a couple of days before we fly home.

Hopefully we should miss most of the madness. We’re staying at wilderness lodge for the first part of the trip so we’re considering just exploring/relaxing at the poly for the last couple of days.

I think given the advice here that’s probably the best plan.

Thanks again