New Year's at DVC

[Degli]

Tell me I'm crazy but how busy is the w/e of NYE? We're considering this for the family. Thanks!

 

[njmeisje]

NYE (Dec 31st) 2008 - we were at Epcot. This was the single WORST day I have ever spent at WDW. Around noon, they began rolling out port-o-potties in the World ShowCase. No kidding. We decided - that's it - we're outta here. On our way out - seas of people were entering. Miles of cars coming into the parking lot - people parking on the grass because the lots were full. We were SO glad we left. Obviously many people found this day/night to be fun but this was just not for us.

Know yourself, know what your getting into. Spending 30 minutes trying to use the restroom, where there was no toilet paper was just --- beyond the definition of vacation for me.

Have fun!

 

[StevesBLT]

Based on past years, it is extremely busy. Call me crazy, too, but I'll be there with the crowds. This year, however, I"ll be in a BLT studio--with a MK view for the midnight fireworks!!!!!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We are a couple. We went for NYE in '08 and intend to do it again and again, after this year. This year we have other plans.

It is crowded, very very crowded, but the fireworks were amazing, the weather was wonderful and it something to experience at least once.

The MK had the same fireworks on the 30th, and that's when we saw them. We went to Epcot on the 31st. They have 2 showings of Illuminations on the 31st. One was around 8:30, they said for the Families with Children. They didn't have all of the effects, but it did help the wait. Some people may have left, but people were still pouring in. The big fireworks began around 11:45. There were also fireworks at DHS. We got to view some of them from the bridge in Epcot, they were still going after Epcot's were over.

Truly, if we couldn't walk home, we stayed at the BWV, I don't think we would go again. However, we are BWV and BCV owners, and I hope we can always get something in either of those resorts. OF course, BLT owners will have the advantage of walking home from MK, and that would be a huge plus. I don't think we would attempt to do MK on NYE. On the 30th the MK had a "NYE party" maybe it was just for practice, but it was great for us. We left after the fireworks, the party was still going on, and was going to last until at least 2AM. We had no problem getting a bus, we missed the BWV bus, so took the BCV/YC bus and walked to our villa from there.

Bobbi

 

[castleri]

Will be there this year for the 4th time and know it will be very busy. Last time the lines were several hours long for the most popular rides. We do what we can and just go with the idea that it will only be a few rides or attractions per day. The longer hours help so we usually get to do all of our favorites with use of fast passes and strategic planning. The first time we went to MK fireworks for NYE the crowds at the end were literally back to belly and shoulder to shoulder. We had a wonderful time and are heading back for the fourth time as I said.

 

[brookelizabeth]

We will be there Dec. 26 - Jan. 1, but are avoiding the parks on NYE and watching the fireworks from the Poly beach. This will be our first time there on NYE.

 

[Degli]

Well I checked availability for a studio and only BLT has the 1st, 2nd, 3rd available. Nothing for Dec 30, 31st. Not even cash. Bummer!

 

[StevesBLT]

Well I checked availability for a studio and only BLT has the 1st, 2nd, 3rd available. Nothing for Dec 30, 31st. Not even cash. Bummer!

I'm shocked they don't have availability for cash. Just for kicks--after we had booked our ressie for points--we called and asked the cash price for a MK view studio that weekend. They did have availability--for just $600 a night!

 

[drusba]

As to the entire weekend, crowds will be enormous. The holiday crowd really will not start leaving until the Monday after New Years (January 4 next year) and usually Tuesday is the first "Wow, we can breath now" day. A measuring point: Soarin approaches a four hour stand-by line. NYE is just the worst of the several bad days for crowds.

 

[allshookup]

We've been waitlisted at BLT for the 31st for weeks now. There isn't one room available on property for points on the 31st at all. We may end up off property for that one night & leave our luggage at BLT bell services.

Haven't decided what to do for NYE yet, but we definitley won't listen to CM advice & try to get to the parks early before they close for the day. We've done that before & it makes the day way too long & they almost always open Epcot back up later in the evening after the family fireworks. We may have a late dinner at Epcot or maybe just have dinner at the Poly & watch Wishes from the beach.

 

[Degli]

Wonder if the Contemporary has anything for the 30/31st? There is availability for the BLT studio 1/2/3rd. You guys are scarin me with the crowds!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Wonder if the Contemporary has anything for the 30/31st? There is availability for the BLT studio 1/2/3rd. You guys are scarin me with the crowds!

The talk was that at 10AM this past NYE the signs were up for off site guests that the MK was closed. Apparently then off site people went to Epcot and then took the monorail over to MK to get in. Whether that worked or not, I don't know.

I don't think you go for NYE expecting to have a "typical" WDW trip.

DH and I were in Times Square one NYE, that was scary too and not nearly as much fun as last year at Epcot.

You didn't have to go into a park. There was a party on the Village Green at the Boardwalk. It looked like fun and I'm sure there were others on site.

Bobbi

 

[Deb & Bill]

Way fun, but way crowded.

 

[katmittens]

We have also done NYE at Disney and had a good time. We also did MK on the 30th. and then to Epcot on the 31st. We had a seat near France down near the water at 9:00 or 10:00 for the last showing of fireworks. It was very loud and very busy but it is something great to experience. Two years ago we ate at Rose and Crown for the earlier fireworks and had a great table near the water. This was terrific. We stayed a little while and then left back to our room at OKW, got into our PJ's and watched some of the fireworks from our balcony.

We have done NYE's and 4th. of July and yes they are busy, but you have to do it at least once. My kids were older so that was not a problem, so I'm not sure how it would be if you have younger kids. I don't mind the crowds too much it adds to the party feel.

Good luck

 

[Degli]

I'd love to go. Just don't know about the availability since I'm such a slacker!

 

[bigsmooth]

We spent Dec 31st 2007 at Animal Kingdom on the theory that because it was not open late it would be less crowded. For the most part that was true, it was crowded, but not insanely crowded and even towards the end of the day (believe it closed at 7pm or 8pm) rides like Everest were under 20mins for a wait.

We then went back to the resort and enjoyed the activities. That was back when DtD still had Pleasure Island so we watched the fireworks there from our DtD view balcony (my ears are still ringing), but not sure if DtD does NY Eve's fireworks any more (assuming not- which is too bad, that was a good show).

 

[disneyeveryyear]

We have a THV scheduled 1/1 - 1/6/10. I called earlier this week when we were thinking about downgrading to a 2BR. The only availability on 1/1 was OKW and SSR. Most of the other nights were available, but 1/1 was busy, busy, busy.

We decided to keep the THV.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We have a THV scheduled 1/1 - 1/6/10. I called earlier this week when we were thinking about downgrading to a 2BR. The only availability on 1/1 was OKW and SSR. Most of the other nights were available, but 1/1 was busy, busy, busy.

We decided to keep the THV.

There isn't any difference in points, is there? The THV sleeps nine, the two bedoom eight. Other than no king sized bed (and that's why I'll never stay at the THV), not much of a difference.

 

[JimC]

Our older daughter wanted to do New Year's Eve at WDW before moving to LA in 2006. She and a friend stayed on property and had a great time. They got themselves up early on 1/1 and had MK all to themselves. They said they had several turns on each ride and never waited for anything. I don't remember where they stayed on property.

 

[cj9200]

We were there last year. Skipped the parks on NY Eve and had dinner at V&A. Really enjoyed it. We stayed at the Board Walk and they had a party on the lawn that looked fun.