New Years at WDW

[kesharn81]

it should be a nice experience...
lets us enjoy our sellves...

 

[mom0299]

We did Epcot on NYE last year and thought it was great! There were 12 of us (6 kids and 6 adults). We went early and stayed late without leaving the park. I had heard that if it got filled to capacity they would close the gates and not let anyone else in so we didn't leave the park. It was extremely crowded, (we heard rumors of 70,000) but we did manage to ride "the big 3" that day - Soarin', M:S and TT along with a few other things. We had CS lunch at Electric Umbrella and dinner at Garden Grill. The great thing about Epcot is that even with crowds there are so many out of the way places. We spent about an hour near Figment's Place sitting on benches while the kids played in the dancing fountains and got their pictures taken with Figment. We explored Innoventions. We spent most of the day in FW then headed to WS after dinner. It did get seemingly more crowded in WS. The fun thing is that each WS country celebrates the New Year when it is actually midnight in that country. We happened to be in England when they celebrated (at 7pm I think). After their celebration they did a special early show of Illuminations and we left after that since we had children. The music was great and we danced our way out of the park.
I would recommend going to Epcot on NYE. It was a once in a lifetime experience for us. We took paper and pencils and little things to do in our backpacks so the kids would have something to do in line. We only needed it for the very littlest of the bunch (2 1/2 years old). We took plently of snacks to tide us over between meals. We went prepared for the largest crowds we had ever seen and we weren't disappointed on that front. I'd say that since you already have ressies you've won half the battle. Just be prepared for a lot of people, long lines, and some drunks in WS after dark.

 

[Darth Sidious]

This year for New Years my mom, dad, sister(13) and myself (21) will be headed to epcot for the 2nd time. We have gone to Disney for new years about 4 or so times already, 3 at MGM... err.... Hollywood Studios(I will never get used to that. hahahaha) and the last time at EPCOT. I haven't gone in like 3 years but from what I remember, it wasn't too crowded. MGM was fine until the music started at the hat and then it became crazy packed. It was really disturbing and in the ToT preshow and having everyone blow their noise makers. Other than that it wasn't too bad. Now of course it will be even worse due to Toy Story Mania(which btw is my new favorite ride due to its awesomeness). EPCOT wasn't that bad, I think I remember seeing clsoe to 3 hours for test track. But that doesn't bother me because I'll have been there for a week prior and I have also been to Disney over 30 times and probably have done test track more times than any other ride. But i digress. The bottom line is whatever park you go to, you will be waiting for rides, waiting to walk and waiting for everything else. If you don't mind this then pick a park and stay. Though I thought I remember hearing from someone that if the park closes there are certain "tiers", if you will, of guests who will be let in. For example, Annual Passholders will be allowed in first, then guests staying on property. Or something like that. As far as the bus lines go, it is true in that the lines will be impossible. I have never had to experience the bus lines New Years Eve because I'll be staying at BCV and going to EPCOT. It is definatly a fun time to be there and I can't wait to go, I just have to survive my finals in the next 2 weeks and I'll be Disney bound. For those of you going New Years, have a great time.... I know I will

 

[Chedstro]

The best advice I have is that if you want to see the same fireworks show, go on Dec 30th. Epcot tries out the fireworks that night and it is just as spectacular without the pushing shoving crowds. Same for MK.

 

[lucas]

A little off topic, but....

I'm taking my mom to MGM on 12/28 because I want her to see the Osborne lights. Are the parks so crowded then that they will close like they do on NYE? (I'd love to be able to take a break mid-day to go back to the hotel for awhile.)

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Forgot to say that we are staying at POP Century.

 

[kesharn81]

thanks for the info - useful thread...

this seems useful information...thanks for sharing...

 

[mecllap]

A little off topic, but....

I'm taking my mom to MGM on 12/28 because I want her to see the Osborne lights. Are the parks so crowded then that they will close like they do on NYE? (I'd love to be able to take a break mid-day to go back to the hotel for awhile.)

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

12/28 should be no problem going into the Studios later in the afternoon -- it's just that NYEve can be a problem, but two years ago when we were there, people were still coming in a little after 6 when we left (altho I think we heard that MK had "closed" to new arrivals). You could just relax in the morning and go mid-day if you want to stay for Fantasmic as well as the Osbourne lights (which are fantastic). If you're doing another Park on any day but NYE, if you have parkhopper tickets, you could just go to the Studios in the evening by bus (and then take the bus back to your first park, if you drive your own car and park there --not a need if you're staying on property).

 

[lucas]

12/28 should be no problem going into the Studios later in the afternoon -- it's just that NYEve can be a problem, but two years ago when we were there, people were still coming in a little after 6 when we left (altho I think we heard that MK had "closed" to new arrivals). You could just relax in the morning and go mid-day if you want to stay for Fantasmic as well as the Osbourne lights (which are fantastic). If you're doing another Park on any day but NYE, if you have parkhopper tickets, you could just go to the Studios in the evening by bus (and then take the bus back to your first park, if you drive your own car and park there --not a need if you're staying on property).

Thanks for the info.

(Forgot to say that we are staying at POP Century.)