New Year

[dazrob]

Can any one help! We have booked to go out for New Year and we would like to know which is the best park to go to on New Years Eve and do you have to book in advance?.

 

[charlottebetty]

We were there last year.

You can book a meal but if the park is full they will not let you in.

Magic Kingdom was full at lunch time and the others very busy. We didn't bother going into Epcot when we saw the crowds, cars were parked in every space on grass everywhere so we watched the fireworks from our resort.

If you want to be in a park you have to arrive in the morning and be prepared to stay all day.

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi there,

We spent NYE in Epcot. We didn't arrive until 7pm. Be prepared for very long queues!

We had booked a meal but still were told we would have to wait for 2 hours, and no walk ins (people with no reservation) were accepted anywhere. You could get a counter service meal but the queues for this were also huge!

The atmosphere was great, but it will be busy beyond belief

Oh and welcome to the Dis

 

[maleficent_man]

Hey - I can't speak from experience (other than doing DLRP at New Year) but thought I'd chip in anyway!!

NYE is likely one of, if not the busiest days on WDW property. If you are wanting to eat at any sit down venue or stay on WDW property, I would get it booked as soon as you can. I don't know if all the parks will be open for actual New Year. I would be confident that AK wouldn't and that MK certainly would - not sure about MGM and Epcot.....depending on this and your choice of where you want to spend the actual New Year countdown, make sure you get to that park at a decent time during the day as there is always the strong possibility they would reach capacity and you wouldn't get in. You also want to think about where to sit/stand and bear in mind if you do want to be at the heart of things, you'll need to stake out a place well in advance of when you normally would. Also, if you have little uns in tow, bear in mind just how busy it is likely to be - Paris was unreal for New Year and I can't imagine MK being any different. As I say, much will depend on the parks which are open and your own choices. Despite the potential crowds etc, I imagine it is a magical experience.

I am sure someone with more info will be able to help.

 

[maleficent_man]

See what happens when you have dial-up at home and you take too long to type!! I knew you'd be able to help Miffy!

 

[KayleeUK]

Welcome to the DIS

 

[gilld]

We went over Christmas/New Year in 1997 and both EPCOT and MK were at capacity by 09.30 and not allowing entry. We didn't actually go to a park on NYE as we found them almost dangerously busy, but the POFQ had great entertainment in the bar/foyer.

Remember it can be COLD at that time of year so take lots of warm clothes including coats, gloves, thick socks and hats.

 

[dazrob]

Thanks for all the advise I will try and book a meal in MK and just stay there all day.

 

[Miffy2003]

Me again!

Sorry to butt in again, but I would seriously think about avoiding MK if possible - it will be so crowded it just won't be much fun.

Epcot was bad enough for crowds but handles lots of people well - MK really is going to be packed to the point of not being able to move!

 

[Camac]

I agree with Miffy. The parks are a nightmare at Christmas and NY. We were there two years ago and spent Christmas Day at Discovery Cove (great weather) and on NYE we did a spot of shopping in the malls, chilled by the hotel pool then went to Wilderness Lodge for drinks before catching the boat to the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue. It was a bit corny but we had great fun joining in with the fantastic cast, the food was fine and plentiful. We did the 9.30pm show which meant that we were back in Wilderness Lodge (via bus) and made it down to the jetty in time to see the MK fireworks at midnight. A great day rounded off with a good evening avoiding all crowds.

You will be exhausted by midnight if you plan to stay in a park all day and all night and if the weather is bad or very cold that could also seriously affect your enjoyment.

Camac

 

[wayneg]

We have been twice for NYE 2000-01 & 2004-05.
Both in Epcot. If we go again I would do Epcot again. It is the most spread out park for large crowds.
1st time we arrived at about 9am told no more addmissions, luckily we we staying in All stars movies so guaranteed addmission. I think it was as cold as Florida gets about freezing point after the sun had gone down.
2nd time, this last NY arrived just after opening time no problem getting in. Weather was probably as hot as it gets NYE I was in Shorts and Tshirt. Went to UK at 7pm (12 midnight at home) Atmosphere was superb. Watch 1st lot of NY firworks at 9 or 9.30. then left (crowds leaving at this point outside Canada was dangerously bad) Called at hotel (Hilton at Downtown Disney) to get rid of bags then walked across to Downtown Disney until Midnight. The fireworks here are fantastic, thought they were never ending.
Personally I would not do MK as I will not queue for more than 20 mins for a ride. The word was people were queing upto 2 hours per ride don't know if thats true. At least Epcot as more to offer than rides.
Wayne