Need Help Planning Dec 30- Jan 4th Park Choices

[TiffFromTX]

Hi everyone! I feel so out of sorts w/the reservation and park hopping wait so I need some help, please.

Dec 30th - We arrive late afternoon for a Boardwalk stay Dec 30th, so we plan to just do Epcot until close for a few hours, have a nice dinner there, etc.

Dec 31st - We have wanted to do Epcot for NYE so that's what we're going to do

This is where it gets tricky....

We're leaving Jan 4th and know we want to stay close to the resort to meet my scooter company and catch the ME (last time boooo) back to MCO, so we're doing Epcot this day, too (it's our favorite park).

What I need help with is the Jan 1-3rd days.

I had originally chosen this:

Jan 1st - Magic Kingdom
Jan 2nd - Hollywood Studios
January 3rd - Magic Kingdom

But since we'll be a massive crowd NYE, I'm wondering if we should switch from MK on the 1st to HS or if it'll even matter. Will the crowd die down on New Year's DAY since it was so crowded on NYE or no?

I'm trying to plan a time to do dinner at Steakhouse 71, while still making sure we see fireworks at least 1 night.

Note: We are nightowls, so we plan to get to the parks around 11 AM and stay til close, and since we're in a deluxe resort, hoping to also have park reservations coincide w/the extra late night hours, too. But not sure how far in advance those are released and I want to be ready for dining reservations since we're doing 3 meals a day so my daughter can rest from all the walking.

Any advice on what you'd suggest?

 

[scrappinginontario]

I'm going to finish reading your question and respond more but, my understanding is that Magical Express ends Dec 31, 2021. I'm not aware of them functioning after that date. Are you sure you're not responsible to get yourself back to the airport even if you took DME from the airport to your resort on Dec 30th?

You may wish to call 1 (866) 599-0951 to confirm your travel back to MCO in 2022.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Back to your other questions.

Just looked at Touring Plans and Jan 1-3 continue to be extremely busy at all parks. New Year's Day slightly less busy but still crowded.

If it were me I would go with the plan you have above so that my 2 MK days were split up but, be willing to move them around if I were successful getting an ADR for Steakehouse 71 and plan MK on that day.

 

[CarolynFH]

I'm going to finish reading your question and respond more but, my understanding is that Magical Express ends Dec 31, 2021. I'm not aware of them functioning after that date. Are you sure you're not responsible to get yourself back to the airport even if you took DME from the airport to your resort on Dec 30th?

You may wish to call 1 (866) 599-0951 to confirm your travel back to MCO in 2022.

Disney’s official word is that DME will run “for arrivals through 12/31/21,” which I believe means they’ll get guests back to the airport as long as they arrive before the end of DME.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Disney’s official word is that DME will run “for arrivals through 12/31/21,” which I believe means they’ll get guests back to the airport as long as they arrive before the end of DME.

Thanks. I looked and saw that but wasn't sure what it meant for those staying past Dec 31 as it could meant DME runs into mid-Jan for those who arrive late in December.

 

[TiffFromTX]

Yes you're right - as long as you arrive before 1/1, ME works for your return trip, too. It'll be a sad moment. Thanks for the advice!

 

[AZMermaid]

We have those same dates, also at BW. Our plans are
12/30 Kennedy Space Center (this is our switch resort day from OKW)
12/31 EPCOT
1/1 off/resort
1/2 DHS
1/3 MK

We were able to schedule DME back to the airport on 1/4.

 

[TiffFromTX]

We have those same dates, also at BW. Our plans are
12/30 Kennedy Space Center (this is our switch resort day from OKW)
12/31 EPCOT
1/1 off/resort
1/2 DHS
1/3 MK

We were able to schedule DME back to the airport on 1/4.

How cool! Have fun! It'll be our first BW stay. Hope I like it. I'm partial to Beach Club but my daughter wanted to try BW.