Need Help with NYE plans

[AlwaysAPrincess]

This is my first trip going to Disney at Christmas time. We are going 12/26-1/1/05. My husband & I are going with friends who have a 10 year old son. My questions are:

What is a good restaurant but not super pricey like California Grill for 4 adults & one child?
Does anyone know what time the Parks are open till?

Our friends have NEVER been to Disney at all. This will be my 11th trip & my husbands 4th....so I want them to have a WONDERFUL time. Any suggestions!

Thank you!!

 

[funhouse8]

HI LAST nye we went to Epcot and ate at Teppanyaki. It is the Japanese restaurant where they cook on your table. My kids loved this the chief was very entertaining. While we were waiting for our table we watched the first fireworks from the steps of the restaurant and after dinner they had a DJ right outside with a big video screen set up. We decided to stay put and watched the most amazing fireworks from the baloney at midnight. It was great. Just remember the parks will be packed so make your PS early where ever you decide to eat. Enjoy!

Oh and don't forget to go to the CP it ends on 12/30. This also was a moving experience!

 

[Deb & Bill]

All the parks but AK are usually open until past midnight to have fireworks at midnight.

Second the suggestion for Teppanyaki. It will be fun for the 10 yr old boy. My son usually gets the steak and skips all the vegetables.

 

[Diznut84]

If you prefer an environment more suitable for children (i.e. less alcohol and partying), I would recommend the Magic Kingdom and/or MGM.

How about a PS at Crystal Palace (with characters) or dinner in Cinderella's Castle (no characters for dinner)?

 

[Deb & Bill]

I still think a 10 yr old would love Teppanyaki. The chef will usually put on quite a show for the guest - including a volcanic onion. And if the kiddo wants to use chopsticks but can't quite get the hang of them, they will fix them for the boy. My 11 yr old son loves Teppanyaki - I think it is his favorite.

 

[swilphil]

They also celebrate New Year's Eve in World Showcase at the time that it's midnight in that country. That might make it fun to go from country to country. We loved our dinner at Alfredo's in Italy this summer--fun atmosphere and GREAT food (reasonably priced too).

 

[WDSearcher]

Be sure that your never-been-before friends are aware that the week you're going is the absolute busiest week of the year at WDW! They may not be expecting the crowds to be so heavy, and they need to be aware that everything (bathrooms, fast food, merchandise, rides, everything) will have a line. But they also need to understand it's not like that all year round. I know several families who came down for their first-ever trip during Christmas week, and it took me LONG time to convince them to go again, and that there were times during the year that had fewer crowds. They now come every year in October.

PLEASE be sure you warn them!

 

[my3boys]

Because of the crowds, we've stayed away from the parks on NYE. After a sleep-in day, possible swim, and visit to Downtown Disney, we've enjoyed dinner at O'Hanas. Once we ate early enough to finish and watch the fireworks along the shore and another time we watched them inside from our table (good thing since it was pouring!).

 

[KCMiller]

My best advice is to go EARLY. Yes, it's a long day, but whichever park you choose will end up being very crowded by the time the afternoon rolls around, and waits for ANY rides could be very long. Be there at opening, do rides and get Fastpasses, and then spend the afternoon shopping and relaxing. I like the idea of Teppenyaki for dinner - we did Rose and Crown, which had a wonderful view of the fireworks, but it was a little boring for our ds, 11 (I actually ran over to the giftshop in England and bought him a book to read ).

And don't be afraid to plan a nap - you have no idea how many people I saw sacked out on any available green space . . .

KC

 

[AlwaysAPrincess]

To Everyone that answered my thread....

Sounds like Teppanyaki is a FAVORITE for family fun! My husband & I have never been there for dinner either, so that could be the place. I am not opposed at all to a character dinner. I think I am going to check with my friends & see what they think their son would like the most. And YES, I did tell my friends that we are going to WDW at the MOST crowded time of the year.

I def. think the idea of getting up & into the park when it first opens is a must. Has anyone ever gotten stamped & left the park for a nap & gone back in for dinner & fireworks? I had hoped we could fit a little R&R in that day since it will be a LONG one. My fear is we won't get back in.

I am sure that will will wind up being in MK NYE. From my understanding the Electrical Light parade runs twice, Wishes is at 10, and Fantasy in the Sky at Midnite. Can anyone confirm?

Have lots of PS reservations to make!