New Years Day at Magic Kingdom

[bcbdawgs]

Alright fellow Disneyer's, my family has done Disney World several times, mainly in October, once in April. Also, as a kid I used to go every July. But now my wife is talking about doing a cruise for the last week of December and then stopping by Magic Kingdom on New Years Day. I get that it is INSANE at this time, but what exactly does this mean. If we do a semi-commando day how many rides will we be able to do? Is it pretty much three fast passes and maybe 3 rides with two hour waits. Or should I expect to ride a little more than that? Thanks for everyone's help on this. Trying to decide if it's worth it.

 

[gap2368]

New years eve will be insane like the FP for space was 45 minutes long they had Main street closed a few hours before the fireworks new years day will be busy but not as bad

 

[goodeats]

Rope Drop at New Years Day will be especially beneficial. Most of the revelers will be still sleeping!

 

[gap2368]

I should add last year it was so cold and rain it was dead ( like fewer people than on a party night) so hope for bad weather and the crowded will not be a problem

 

[anomamatt]

We did New Years day this year (Jan 1 2018) and it was empty. It was cold, windy, and rainy. But no one was there... after a week of crazy crowds, it was such a welcome sight. We got a ton of stuff done. I think the projected crowds were 7/10 but it was closer to a 5/10.

 

[Hopefully]

Alright fellow Disneyer's, my family has done Disney World several times, mainly in October, once in April. Also, as a kid I used to go every July. But now my wife is talking about doing a cruise for the last week of December and then stopping by Magic Kingdom on New Years Day. I get that it is INSANE at this time, but what exactly does this mean. If we do a semi-commando day how many rides will we be able to do? Is it pretty much three fast passes and maybe 3 rides with two hour waits. Or should I expect to ride a little more than that? Thanks for everyone's help on this. Trying to decide if it's worth it.

Do you get off the ship onNew Year Day? If so and you cannot get there until later, I think that will be a problem

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Well, New Years DAY is nothing like New Years EVE!

We were there 12/30-1/3 this past year. To me, 1/1 at MK felt like the calm after the storm.... slow start to the day, manageable crowds. BUT echoing some other PPs.... big caveat.... 1/1 this past year was especially COLD, grey, and windy all day. Like very, very cold ( high of 59 and low of 42 plus a crazy wind!). We walked up to HEA <5 minutes before showtime and we could have done cartwheels in the Hub.

It was amazingly opposite than the prior two days, although I have to concede that the weather likely played a role.

 

[DisneyMim]

I agree with GADisneyDad. We have been going that time for ten years. New Year's Day is nothing like NewYear's Eve. We were in magic kingdom on New Year's Day and it was not crowded. Granted the weather was awful. We also watched HEA and it was empty. It was awesome!

Enjoy The Magic!!

 

[bcbdawgs]

We will get off the ship on New Years Eve. We plan to drive to Disney that morning. I am thinking we will do HS on NYE (looking forward to Toy Story Land) and do MK on NYD. We are morning people, so probably won't make it to midnight on New Years Eve. We hope to do rope drop on New Year's Day.

Thanks for everyone's replies.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We will get off the ship on New Years Eve. We plan to drive to Disney that morning. I am thinking we will do HS on NYE (looking forward to Toy Story Land) and do MK on NYD. We are morning people, so probably won't make it to midnight on New Years Eve. We hope to do rope drop on New Year's Day.

Thanks for everyone's replies.

Are you driving from the port to WDW? NYE has some crazy traffic around WDW, especially MK and Epcot. Add some extra time in your plans in case you hit anything crazy.

Have fun!

 

[Gehrig1B]

New Years Day is not a problem, probably the least crowded day of that week. The park will be empty at rope drop (compared to other days). We have been to MK on Jan. 1 three years running. As far as fast passes are concerned you can use MDE to get multiple FPs after the initial 3. Just refresh the app. No need to get in long standby lines. We never get in a line of over 20 minutes...

I cannot remember any extremely long FP lines, usually only after a ride has gone down for an extended period of time.

Are you driving from the port to WDW? NYE has some crazy traffic around WDW, especially MK and Epcot. Add some extra time in your plans in case you hit anything crazy.

I concur about NYE traffic. Just seeing the lines of cars trying to get into TTC as we passed over on the monorail...insane!

We will see you there again this year!

 

[disneybirds]

Are you driving from the port to WDW? NYE has some crazy traffic around WDW, especially MK and Epcot. Add some extra time in your plans in case you hit anything crazy.

Have fun!

Agree with this statement. We moved hotels around 1 pm last year on NYE and the line to get into the MK was backed up to Swan/Dolphin exit. It won't be as crowded for DHS, but definitely allow extra time.

 

[bcbdawgs]

Are you driving from the port to WDW? NYE has some crazy traffic around WDW, especially MK and Epcot. Add some extra time in your plans in case you hit anything crazy.

Have fun!

Yes. Driving to WDW on NYE. I will plan on fastpasses being after lunch. Thanks for the tip on the drive in.

We were there last October and took the bus to EPCOT on it's 35th anniversary. I remember the bus taking FOREVER to get there, so I can imagine how bad NYE will be.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Just some fun traffic visuals from 12/31/17....

Not sharing to scare you (because you shouldn’t be)... just suggesting to maybe make a pit stop if needed before getting to WDW property.

MK Toll Plaza at 8:29 AM.....



Also 8:29AM.....


Early afternoon at Epcot Toll Plaza - 1:56PM....


Traffic heading into Epcot and also on World Drive in the background heading towards MK.



Also 1:56PM... looking back at the Epcot Toll Plaza. The line of cars on the left is turning right onto World Drive to head towards MK. For reference, that is a really long backup!


More World Drive just before the MK Toll Plaza... 1:58PM.

 

[bcbdawgs]

Wow! That looks scary! Is there a back way to Pop Century?

 

[Gehrig1B]

Yes, you would not catch me anywhere near WDW in a vehicle on New Years' Eve. We don't even use the Disney buses to get around on NYE.

Wow! That looks scary! Is there a back way to Pop Century?

Wish I could help but we usually stay at Wilderness Lodge...

Good luck!

 

[MagicalAdventures]

Just some fun traffic visuals from 12/31/17....

Not sharing to scare you (because you shouldn’t be)... just suggesting to maybe make a pit stop if needed before getting to WDW property.

MK Toll Plaza at 8:29 AM.....

View attachment 331443

Also 8:29AM.....
View attachment 331444

Early afternoon at Epcot Toll Plaza - 1:56PM....
View attachment 331445

Traffic heading into Epcot and also on World Drive in the background heading towards MK.
View attachment 331447


Also 1:56PM... looking back at the Epcot Toll Plaza. The line of cars on the left is turning right onto World Drive to head towards MK. For reference, that is a really long backup!
View attachment 331448

More World Drive just before the MK Toll Plaza... 1:58PM.
View attachment 331450

Is this likely to be the same on 30/12. We are planning to return a car to the car care centre early afternoon. We would be leaving from the Polynesian and returning to there. Its only a few miles on the map so thought this would be easy but now I'm not so sure. Does anyone have an idea how long this journey is likely to take on the 30th?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Is this likely to be the same on 30/12. We are planning to return a car to the car care centre early afternoon. We would be leaving from the Polynesian and returning to there. Its only a few miles on the map so thought this would be easy but now I'm not so sure. Does anyone have an idea how long this journey is likely to take on the 30th?

I’m sorry, I don’t know for sure. We arrived on 12/30 around 11:30AMish and had no issues getting to Poly at the time. I didn’t stray from the MK area the rest of that day. MK does do special New Years fireworks 12/30 and 12/31... Epcot only does 12/31.

The car care center from Poly is usually quick/easy and not far at all. I suspect you’ll be OK.

 

[MagicalAdventures]

Just some fun traffic visuals from 12/31/17....

Not sharing to scare you (because you shouldn’t be)... just suggesting to maybe make a pit stop if needed before getting to WDW property.

MK Toll Plaza at 8:29 AM.....

View attachment 331443

Also 8:29AM.....
View attachment 331444

Early afternoon at Epcot Toll Plaza - 1:56PM....
View attachment 331445

Traffic heading into Epcot and also on World Drive in the background heading towards MK.
View attachment 331447


Also 1:56PM... looking back at the Epcot Toll Plaza. The line of cars on the left is turning right onto World Drive to head towards MK. For reference, that is a really long backup!
View attachment 331448

More World Drive just before the MK Toll Plaza... 1:58PM.
View attachment 331450

Thank for this. Your experience is really useful. I think we will just go for it and keep our fingers crossed it’s not too bad.

 

[rachel333]

Alright fellow Disneyer's, my family has done Disney World several times, mainly in October, once in April. Also, as a kid I used to go every July. But now my wife is talking about doing a cruise for the last week of December and then stopping by Magic Kingdom on New Years Day. I get that it is INSANE at this time, but what exactly does this mean. If we do a semi-commando day how many rides will we be able to do? Is it pretty much three fast passes and maybe 3 rides with two hour waits. Or should I expect to ride a little more than that? Thanks for everyone's help on this. Trying to decide if it's worth it.

I have the same questions as you. I am staying at Disney World from 12/31/18 to 1/6/19. Jan 1st, 2019 will be my first day in the parks for this trip. I've done quite a bit of research on Jan 1st crowd levels at WDW and the consensus seems to be that the parks are very quiet near rope drop since most people sleep in after late-night NYE festivities.

Personally, I plan to arrive 90-60 minutes before Hollywood Studios opens on Jan 1st, wait in standby lines for as many rides/shows as possible until a table service lunch at around 12pm, and then use my three fastpasses around 1:30pm, 2:30pm, and 3:30pm. After that, I'm heading out for an early dinner on the Boardwalk.

I think if you rope drop MK and secure fastpasses in the afternoon, you'll get quite a bit done. But I don't speak from personal experience...I've just spent way too much time reading about others' experiences.



Edited to add...
You might find this thread helpful: https://www.disboards.com/threads/magic-kingdom-rope-drop-advice.3676305/ . You can see that unrequited23 said "We were able to make Jungle Cruise, POC, Splash, Big Thunder and be 10 mins early for our 11am Plaza ADR with 2 kids and 4 slow moving grandparents. With just 2 adults, I think you should be able to add in HM with no problem as long as you get there before RD." and FutureDisneyEventPlanner said "I have also done Big Thunder first, followed by Splash, Jungle Cruise, Pirates, and then used the cut through to get to Haunted Mansion. In both scenarios I was done with everything by around 11:30." Mind you, unrequited23 and FutureDisneyEventPlanner didn't specify the time of year of their visits. Although their posts don't directly pertain to Jan 1st, it gives you an idea as to what can be accomplished close to rope drop in general!