Need a New Year's strategy

[SpringBreak]

So we're in Fl visiting relatives and my husband and I decide to bail and spend a couple days at WDW. Our dates are Dec 31-Jan 3 (3 nights). 1 night at Coronado, followed by two nights at Caribbean Beach.

We know the parks will be packed and are thinking of skipping them and just enjoying the rest of the resort. I need suggestions of some things to do for New Years Eve.

We have kids, but they are old enough to stay in the room alone for part of the evening. Though I think some family ideas would be good. We have a car.

Is there anything cool to do outside the parks on New Years Day?

 

[MickeyWaffles]

So we're in Fl visiting relatives and my husband and I decide to bail and spend a couple days at WDW. Our dates are Dec 31-Jan 3 (3 nights). 1 night at Coronado, followed by two nights at Caribbean Beach.

We know the parks will be packed and are thinking of skipping them and just enjoying the rest of the resort. I need suggestions of some things to do for New Years Eve.

We have kids, but they are old enough to stay in the room alone for part of the evening. Though I think some family ideas would be good. We have a car.

Is there anything cool to do outside the parks on New Years Day?

Would you consider going to the park on NYE? Both MK and EPCOT are incredible on NYE. Really incredible. We much prefer EPCOT because there's more room to spread out. The midnight fireworks are truly amazing.

While the crowds are definitely huge, I really encourage you to try and deal with them - especially if your kids are old enough to stay up. Our NYEs at EPCOT are some of our very best family memories. For us, it is totally worth it.

We don't freak out too much about getting on rides, we walk around World Showcase and enjoy all the entertainment. I should note we always have an ADR though to take a break.

Actually a few years ago we walked onto TT, MS and Soarin after the fireworks were over! A pleasant and unexpected surprise. Everyone was streaming out of the parks to go home and we went on the headliners with zero waits Not sure if they normally keep the rides open after the fireworks because that was the first time we tried it and it was awesome. Even without riding the headliners though, we really love how festive it is, albeit crowded. I've never seen anything like the EPCOT midnight fireworks. Worth the price of admission alone, IMO.

 

[Lzylitnin]

Would you consider going to the park on NYE? Both MK and EPCOT are incredible on NYE. Really incredible. We much prefer EPCOT because there's more room to spread out. The midnight fireworks are truly amazing.

While the crowds are definitely huge, I really encourage you to try and deal with them - especially if your kids are old enough to stay up. Our NYEs at EPCOT are some of our very best family memories. For us, it is totally worth it.

We don't freak out too much about getting on rides, we walk around World Showcase and enjoy all the entertainment. I should note we always have an ADR though to take a break.

Actually a few years ago we walked onto TT, MS and Soarin after the fireworks were over! A pleasant and unexpected surprise. Everyone was streaming out of the parks to go home and we went on the headliners with zero waits Not sure if they normally keep the rides open after the fireworks because that was the first time we tried it and it was awesome. Even without riding the headliners though, we really love how festive it is, albeit crowded. I've never seen anything like the EPCOT midnight fireworks. Worth the price of admission alone, IMO.

Thanks for this. I'm looking at doing NYE 2016 and your review of the evening sounds lovely.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

How old are your kids? Will they all be staying up until/past midnight?

 

[yulilin3]

For anyone going to Epcot on NYE here's some info:
Hats & Horns

Distribution will begin at 4:30 p.m. and end when supplies run out at the following locations:

• Future World West: Disney Performing Arts stage
• Future World East: Wonders walkway
• The American Adventure: Area gate

Food & Beverage

The following locations will offer breakfast:

• Joffrey's and Sunshine Seasons open at 7 a.m.
• FountainView will open at 7:30 a.m.
• Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe (Norway) and Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie (France) open at 9 a.m.

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth

There is no FastPass+ viewing for either show.

• Holiday finale: 6 p.m.
• New Year's Countdown: 11:40 p.m.

Special New Year's Eve Entertainment

DJs will perform at the following locations:

• Future World West Fountain Stage
• United Kingdom
• Japan (Silent Groove)
• America Gardens Theatre
• Italy
• China

Alternate Guest Exit Routes (Bypasses)

Open at 4 p.m.

• World Showcase West: via WorldShowplace (next to UK)
• World Showcase East: China and Mexico gates

 

[Lzylitnin]

For anyone going to Epcot on NYE here's some info:
Hats & Horns

Distribution will begin at 4:30 p.m. and end when supplies run out at the following locations:

• Future World West: Disney Performing Arts stage
• Future World East: Wonders walkway
• The American Adventure: Area gate

Food & Beverage

The following locations will offer breakfast:

• Joffrey's and Sunshine Seasons open at 7 a.m.
• FountainView will open at 7:30 a.m.
• Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe (Norway) and Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie (France) open at 9 a.m.

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth

There is no FastPass+ viewing for either show.

• Holiday finale: 6 p.m.
• New Year's Countdown: 11:40 p.m.

Special New Year's Eve Entertainment

DJs will perform at the following locations:

• Future World West Fountain Stage
• United Kingdom
• Japan (Silent Groove)
• America Gardens Theatre
• Italy
• China

Alternate Guest Exit Routes (Bypasses)

Open at 4 p.m.

• World Showcase West: via WorldShowplace (next to UK)
• World Showcase East: China and Mexico gates

Great information! I've never seen the alternate guest exit routes open at EPCOT. Sounds like a party!