New Year's at Disney

[aricau]

My family is thinking about going to Disney the first week in January 2002. I'm trying to get reservations at BWV or OKW. Can anyone tell me what type of events Disney has around that time? Also, does anyone know if the Christmas decorations are still up the first week of January?

Thanks for any info that is provided.

Alison

 

[pharmlivin]

The decorations are in full swing...I'm pretty sure until a least a few days past New Years. It was VERY CROWDED and this year it was VERY COLD. Osborn Lights at MGM was something to see. The hotel lobbies are beautiful...Grand Floridian. We attended the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. It was a beautiful Christmas choir concert. We caught Cirque d'Solei(sp) on New Year's eve then fireworks at Downtown Disney. It was great. Just a great place made better with all the Christmas fun! Just be prepared for crowds and uncertain weather. Make Prefered Seating reservations if you plan on eating out.

 

[pharmlivin]

the crowds will probable disperse if you are there after New Years eve...have fun!

 

[cropman]

Pharmlivin is right, must see the candlelight processional and the Osborne Family lights. It was so cold this last year can't remember all what to see. Sign up for the newsletter thru here and it will keep you posted on this year's events. The decorations stay up for a couple of days after new year, I think. As you get closer to your trip post again and you will get a lot of replys.

 

[kem330]

We were there 12/31/00 - 1/3/01. It was great fun but cold! Special events included very expensive parties at PI, california Grill and Atlantic Dance.($150 +/person) Absolutely get PS ressies for dinner.They had extra fireworks at epcot after illuminations and parks were open till 1 am.
we were there 5 years previous at new years and crowds did thin out 1/1 however this year it was still very crowded due to bowl games going on in Florida. Good luck getting ressies I've been on a wl for BWV for 12/30 and 12/31 since 2/20. but 1/01 was still available

 

[LisaT]

We went in '92 and had a wonderful time at Epcot!
CM's were handing out hats and horns at select locations around the park. We lined up around the lake and watched a fabulous fireworks show.

There are so many options on Dis site and off. Many of the hotels have dinner dances with great entertainment. The crowds thin out after 1/1 too.

Lisa

 

[Caskbill]

We've spent two New Years (12/31/98, 12/31/00) and are going again this year (12/31/01). We enjoy new years at Epcot tremendously. Several posters have mentioned what's going on, but for us it's great at the parks. The crowds were more moderate in 98, but huge this year, and they stayed longer, so don't know if you can really predict what to expect.

You said the first week. Do you mean the week of 12/30 or the week of 1/6/02? If 1/6 then crowds will probably go down a lot. If you meant the week of new years itself, you'd better check with MS as that week may have filled already.

Caskbill

 

[Vero Beach Bum]

I was at BWV the year before last for the Millenium celebration. I invited my parents and my Sister's family as guests. We went to the private party at the Atlantic Dance Club and, if I remember correctly, the cost was close to $300 per person and included a five course meal, open bar, and live entertainment. In addition to the price of addmission, the guy's rented tuxedo's at a cost of approximately $70. I typically do not spend that kind of cabbage on a night out, but justified it because of the special circumstances surrounding the new Millenium. If you are considering doing Atlantic Dance, I must say that Disney really did it right and that I felt that I got my money's worth. If you decide to rent a Tux, Disney will arrange to have you fitted at home and will deliver the Tux to your room (I would definitely reccomend getting one as most men had them on). I must say that this year was a real downer in comparison to last.

Good luck with your planning.

 

[dianeschlicht]

WE also did the "Millennuim Thing". We were there from 12/31/99 through 1/7/00. The crowds dwindled to nearly nothing by the 2nd of Jan. Even Jan. 1 was very slow. The Epcot celebration was wonderful, but VERY crowded. You moved to the entrance at the end of the fireworks by taking baby steps and letting the crowd move you. It was a fantastic fireworks display though! We really enjoyed it and were pleasantly surprised at the lack of crowds immediately after New Years Eve. The holiday decorations were mostly gone by then. A few things were left, but nothing major. We went eary December this past year, and enjoyed the decorations, CP, and other holiday amenities, but it was way more crowded than advertised for this time of year.

Disneydiane

 

[Mic]

We were at WDW for the last 2 New Year's celebrations, and have a current ressie for NY 2001/2002 at the BWV(made day by day, thank you very much!). I agree with previous posts about the parks being a virtual ghost-town on Jan.2,2000, but not on Jan.2,2001. We were there through Jan.4,and the parks were still crowded. I don't mind the crowds for NYE, as it adds to the excitement, but I want everyone gone by 01/02 so I can do everything!(LOL) I like going this time of year so I can experience the parks when they are crowded and open late the first few days, but slow the last few days, and I did not feel the crowds dwindled much this year. The mass-marketing WDW is doing and plans to celebrate Walt's 100th this year may make the end of the year a bit busier, but when is WDW NOT busy anymore?

 

[sumessefui]

We were there from 01/04/01 to 01/13/01 and it was crowded over the weekend. This may have partly been due to the marathon that Sunday. By Monday the crowds were gone and all the attractions were easy to get on. There were still some Christmas decorations up but most were gone by the end of our stay. The weather was cold, but still much better than at home.

 

[vacationlover]

Our family usually goes every new year's from 12/27 through 1/2. This year was VERY cold - and unexpected. The parks sold out of all hats, gloves and scarves - and boy were they needed!! Yes - it is very crowded - but fast pass helps and the crowd gives it an exciting feeling I think. The one good thing is that the parks are open early and quite late - like 10 or 12pm - and on new year's eve - till 1:00am. Definitely make dining reservations ahead of time for the Eve. Epcot and the MK are more crowded than MGM on the Eve - I've always found MGM more manageable on the eve. And one more thing - if you're thinking of park hopping on the eve- be careful - they close the parks early a lot to avoid overcrowding so I would suggest staying at the same park all day/nite.

 

[nestlejean]

We were at BWV 1999/2000 for the Millenium celebration. It was our first visit as members and the first time we ever stayed on Disney Property. It was GREAT. We loved it. It was VERY crowded though. We were at Epcot for New years Eve and it was something. A mass crowd of people moving around the countries. It looked like ants from far away. We are going again this New years Evee. I hope it will be almost as nice. The Xmas decorations are neat to see. I just wish it wasn't as crowded. We thought it would be a fun place to spend New Years and not have to worry about what the kids are doing and where the kids are going ( 16, 14 and 10). They'll be with us and hopefully have fun! We haven't been on the special seasons list either time. I just called day by day each time and got hat we wanted.