New Years Day Arrival

[bksomody]

I need some advice on what to do on arrival day.
First a little background. .We're going 1/1 - 1/8 and staying at BWV. Our group includes family ranging from 3 to 70 including kids aged 16-19. Our plane lands at mco at 11:00.
I'm thinking Epcot or HS. I'm happy anywhere but I know the kids will want to hit the rides where I'm happy just enjoying the atmosphere.
So I need some advice. Will NYD be crazy crowded? Will we be able to get on any rides with such a late arrival to the park? We will also have to eat lunch and dinner too.

 

[baler31]

Yes, it will be very, very crowded. We typically find AK to be the best NYD park and also the best late arrival park.

 

[MSSANDRA]

It will be very very crowded that day and very crowded that week. We were there last year that week and were really surprised. We planned that week not really checking and thinking it would not be too bad. Learned here it would be and was so glad we knew going into it. We are veterans, but used to uncrowded time. Epcot would be a fine choice but make the kids aware FP will all be gone and headlinner rides will be very long waits. The rest of your trip you will want to be at rope drop. Also, if you are not accustomed to WDW in January, be forewarned it can be cold...not cool but below freezing cold. 2012, it was 27 degrees when we went to AK one morning and they had heaters out to keep the plants from freezing.

 

[tiggerunner]

We arrived NY day 2 years ago and had a great week. It all depends on the schedule of vacations and if kids have to be back for school. The 1 st was a bit busy, but workable. Many people stayed up late, so early park time was good. The rest of the week was empty and we walked on everything with little wait time. The crowds started coming in for the marathon later in the week, but we left before it got bad. Hope this helps.

 

[bksomody]

Yes, it will be very, very crowded. We typically find AK to be the best NYD park and also the best late arrival park.

I didn't consider AK since we're staying at BW but that may be a good choice. Last time we went we didn't get to AK and the kids said that it's a must do this time. Maybe Sanaa for dinner?

I wonder if a lot of people go NYD thinking it's a good park for a late start?

 

[bksomody]

It will be very very crowded that day and very crowded that week. We were there last year that week and were really surprised. We planned that week not really checking and thinking it would not be too bad. Learned here it would be and was so glad we knew going into it. We are veterans, but used to uncrowded time. Epcot would be a fine choice but make the kids aware FP will all be gone and headlinner rides will be very long waits. The rest of your trip you will want to be at rope drop. Also, if you are not accustomed to WDW in January, be forewarned it can be cold...not cool but below freezing cold. 2012, it was 27 degrees when we went to AK one morning and they had heaters out to keep the plants from freezing.

NYD is not my first choice but my options are limited and I don't think my parents could take the heat in the spring or summer.

What park did you go to on NYD?

 

[karmutt]

I was at Epcot most of the day on NYE this year. It got to the point where they were parking people in the grass, but never got to the point where they closed the lot or stopped letting people in. And it didn't feel crazy crowded. That's one good thing about Epcot; it doesn't feel as crowded as the other parks because of its size. I don't know if it was less crowded on NYD. A lot of the NYE crowd were locals there for the NYE festivities.

 

[bksomody]

I was at Epcot most of the day on NYE this year. It got to the point where they were parking people in the grass, but never got to the point where they closed the lot or stopped letting people in. And it didn't feel crazy crowded. That's one good thing about Epcot; it doesn't feel as crowded as the other parks because of its size. I don't know if it was less crowded on NYD. A lot of the NYE crowd were locals there for the NYE festivities.

So Epcot might be a good choice for NYD b/c it's so big. I read a trip report that said Epcot was not to busy NYD. And if FP+ is up we might even get to ride a big ride even with a late arrival.

 

[bksomody]

We arrived NY day 2 years ago and had a great week. It all depends on the schedule of vacations and if kids have to be back for school. The 1 st was a bit busy, but workable. Many people stayed up late, so early park time was good. The rest of the week was empty and we walked on everything with little wait time. The crowds started coming in for the marathon later in the week, but we left before it got bad. Hope this helps.

Thanks, it's very helpful. Did you go to a park on NYD? Just trying to figure out our arrival day so I can make adr for 1/1.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I was at Epcot most of the day on NYE this year. It got to the point where they were parking people in the grass, but never got to the point where they closed the lot or stopped letting people in. And it didn't feel crazy crowded. That's one good thing about Epcot; it doesn't feel as crowded as the other parks because of its size. I don't know if it was less crowded on NYD. A lot of the NYE crowd were locals there for the NYE festivities.

I was there this past NYE also. I had gotten there by like 10:30-11:00am and parked up toward the front.. never again will I park in front.. took us over 2 hours just to get out of the lot! we left the park at 12:45am... it was a mad house trying to get out... I had a great time in the park and would definitely do it again but I will park in the back of the parking lot...

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Went to the MK on NYD and it really was not that bad at all. It was nothing like NYE in EPCOT.. world of difference... it was crowded but you were able to walk.