New Years Eve 2016!

[soniam]

There were a couple of special dining events this past NYE - one was a buffet at the place that completely slips my mind (EDIT: Odyssey Center!). Can't remember what it was.

Monsieur Paul and La Cellier do special prix-fixe menus, and then the only way to get into La Hacienda San Miguel is to book the five-course dining event that includes margaritas and a table to view the fireworks.

Atlantic Dance also does a party and they say it includes fireworks viewing, but I'm not sure how they do that.

Personally, I find NYE at EPCOT to be one of the most electric experiences at Disney AND for the holidays. If I'm in Orlando for NYE, I'm going to be at EPCOT.

FP+ has REALLY helped the enjoyment of NYE for me - I make three ADRs (lunch at Biergarten, late lunch/happy hour at Spice Road and then a late, late dinner at Chefs de France) - and then fill in with FP+s between those. We're guaranteed places to sit, things to do and we spend the rest of the time wandering between the specialty bar setups around the World Showcase.

Thanks. I remember the Odyssey thing and La Hacienda being mentioned now. Would you have a view of fireworks from Monsieur Paul or Le Cellier? Is the Epcot NYE show different from the normal Illuminations? I am asking, because I like Illuminations, but the MK fireworks hold fond, emotional, nostalgic memories for me, so they are had to pass up.

@AMusicLifeForMe Did you know about the MK dessert party? I don't think it's really different than the normal one though.

 

[CAS239]

Thanks. I remember the Odyssey thing and La Hacienda being mentioned now. Would you have a view of fireworks from Monsieur Paul or Le Cellier? Is the Epcot NYE show different from the normal Illuminations? I am asking, because I like Illuminations, but the MK fireworks hold fond, emotional, nostalgic memories for me, so they are had to pass up.

@AMusicLifeForMe Did you know about the MK dessert party? I don't think it's really different than the normal one though.

The NYE fireworks are nowhere close to Illuminations

Also, the MK NYE fireworks are nowhere close to Wishes.

Completely different shows for both

 

[Keels]

Thanks. I remember the Odyssey thing and La Hacienda being mentioned now. Would you have a view of fireworks from Monsieur Paul or Le Cellier? Is the Epcot NYE show different from the normal Illuminations? I am asking, because I like Illuminations, but the MK fireworks hold fond, emotional, nostalgic memories for me, so they are had to pass up.

@AMusicLifeForMe Did you know about the MK dessert party? I don't think it's really different than the normal one though.

They do the traditional Illuminations at something like 8:30 p.m. ... and then the REAL show starts at 11:40 or so, when they start fireworks celebrating the countries of the World Showcase that have already hit midnight earlier in the day and then there's this MASSIVE fireworks countdown around the World Showcase the ends with such a huge display, it lights up the sky like daylight. It's AMAZING.

And then after that, there are four different dance parties in countries (Japan had a "headphone rave" which was SUPER cool to watch, Italy and Morocco had a DJ and the UK - I think? - had a band), and there was also a band at the big stage in front of the fountain in FutureWorld.

You would likely not have a view from Le Cellier, and you may have a view from a small window at Monsieur Paul ... but I'd never schedule those to overlap with the countdown fireworks because that is something you NEED to experience outside by the lagoon.

We usually finish dinner around 11:15 and have no problem finding a great spot to view the fireworks - we've watched from Japan, China and the Africa Outpost and all are great viewpoints!

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

Thanks. I remember the Odyssey thing and La Hacienda being mentioned now. Would you have a view of fireworks from Monsieur Paul or Le Cellier? Is the Epcot NYE show different from the normal Illuminations? I am asking, because I like Illuminations, but the MK fireworks hold fond, emotional, nostalgic memories for me, so they are had to pass up.

@AMusicLifeForMe Did you know about the MK dessert party? I don't think it's really different than the normal one though.

I have heard of the dessert party. I plan on never doing it at the Magic Kingdom based on the reviews i have heard about it. I hear they put you where the Tomorrowland Terrace is which provides a bad view of the fireworks. If I do a dessert party, it will probably end up being for the new Star Wars fireworks at Disney's Hollywood Studios if it's in a great location.

I'm starting to get more settled on Epcot as more of you keep saying how great it is. If I was to record the show, where would be the best spot for viewing. Also, do they allow the fastpass+ option to be open for the countdown show on New Years Eve? I have the fastpass+ location reserved for the 4th of July this year and wondering how good of a view that is?

 

[soniam]

I have heard of the dessert party. I plan on never doing it at the Magic Kingdom based on the reviews i have heard about it. I hear they put you where the Tomorrowland Terrace is which provides a bad view of the fireworks. If I do a dessert party, it will probably end up being for the new Star Wars fireworks at Disney's Hollywood Studios if it's in a great location.

I'm starting to get more settled on Epcot as more of you keep saying how great it is. If I was to record the show, where would be the best spot for viewing. Also, do they allow the fastpass+ option to be open for the countdown show on New Years Eve? I have the fastpass+ location reserved for the 4th of July this year and wondering how good of a view that is?

I have done both, not on NYE though. The MK party is OK. We did it in 2015, before some recent changes. The food was OK, but the guests were really rude and grumpy. Plus, there's no alcohol, which is why I think people are grumpy. The view isn't terrible, but I didn't think it was all that. The DHS party has great food and a good location, plus alcohol. Technically, with the current show, which is mainly pyros, the dessert party is not the best view. Echo Lake is. However, when they start the new show with a lot of projections, the dessert party location will be perfect. I won't do MK again, but I would do DHS or Illuminations parties again.

Didn't they get rid of FP+ for parades and fireworks, or was that just at MK?

 

[soniam]

What's the MK NYE, and I guess 30th, show?

Does anyone know if they do one of the cruises during the NYE Epcot show, not Illuminations? Thanks

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

I have done both, not on NYE though. The MK party is OK. We did it in 2015, before some recent changes. The food was OK, but the guests were really rude and grumpy. Plus, there's no alcohol, which is why I think people are grumpy. The view isn't terrible, but I didn't think it was all that. The DHS party has great food and a good location, plus alcohol. Technically, with the current show, which is mainly pyros, the dessert party is not the best view. Echo Lake is. However, when they start the new show with a lot of projections, the dessert party location will be perfect. I won't do MK again, but I would do DHS or Illuminations parties again.

Didn't they get rid of FP+ for parades and fireworks, or was that just at MK?

They still have fastpass+ for Illuminations and Fantasmic. There are no fastpass+ options for shows now at the MK.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

What's the MK NYE, and I guess 30th, show?

Does anyone know if they do one of the cruises during the NYE Epcot show, not Illuminations? Thanks

Magic Kingdom will do their New Years Eve firework show on the 30th and the 31st. It's popular because fireworks surround the entire Magic Kingdom. Here is a video taken from the Poly if you are interested in seeing what it is like outside the MK.

 

[Keels]

I have heard of the dessert party. I plan on never doing it at the Magic Kingdom based on the reviews i have heard about it. I hear they put you where the Tomorrowland Terrace is which provides a bad view of the fireworks. If I do a dessert party, it will probably end up being for the new Star Wars fireworks at Disney's Hollywood Studios if it's in a great location.

I'm starting to get more settled on Epcot as more of you keep saying how great it is. If I was to record the show, where would be the best spot for viewing. Also, do they allow the fastpass+ option to be open for the countdown show on New Years Eve? I have the fastpass+ location reserved for the 4th of July this year and wondering how good of a view that is?

Honestly, I only remember FP+ being an option for the earlier showing of Illuminations - NOT for the Midnight fireworks.

As for best place, I think it really depends on how much time you want to spend waiting for a spot AND if you are looking for that PERFECT, recording. I'd be more than happy to give you a few ideas based on what you're looking for, but short of sitting in a spot for hours before midnight is the only way to guarantee a perfect spot! That said, there are PLENTY of wonderful locations to watch from that you can get to just a few minutes before the fireworks and still have a great view. Personally, I prefer Japan - I've watched one year from the arch, and one year from the second-floor balcony of the Mitsukoshi building and both were fabulous. The gondola landing at Italy is another great spot, but fills up fast. People will start staking out spots along the waterfront in Germany, but I've generally noticed it's only one row of people deep right up until fireworks time. Also, any of the boat docks for the boats that traverse the lagoon are great spots once the boats stop running.

 

[Keels]

What's the MK NYE, and I guess 30th, show?

Does anyone know if they do one of the cruises during the NYE Epcot show, not Illuminations? Thanks

You mean the boat rental from Yacht Club?

 

[soniam]

You mean the boat rental from Yacht Club?

Yes

 

[soniam]

Magic Kingdom will do their New Years Eve firework show on the 30th and the 31st. It's popular because fireworks surround the entire Magic Kingdom. Here is a video taken from the Poly if you are interested in seeing what it is like outside the MK.

It's just before midnight, right? Just want to be sure. Thanks

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

It's just before midnight, right? Just want to be sure. Thanks

The MK show will start about 10 minutes before midnight. This video shows what happens right at midnight. I think the 30th and 31st have the shows at midnight. Does anyone know if they run the show earlier on the 30th or are both at midnight?

 

[Keels]

Yes

They do, but I have no idea what the cost is. A regular fireworks cruise will run you ~$370ish, before tip and any added F+B that you may order. I have to imagine the Midnight cruise will be much more than that, and will likely go very quickly.

That said, I did one for my friends the Sunday night after we finished the WDW Marathon and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

Honestly, I only remember FP+ being an option for the earlier showing of Illuminations - NOT for the Midnight fireworks.

As for best place, I think it really depends on how much time you want to spend waiting for a spot AND if you are looking for that PERFECT, recording. I'd be more than happy to give you a few ideas based on what you're looking for, but short of sitting in a spot for hours before midnight is the only way to guarantee a perfect spot! That said, there are PLENTY of wonderful locations to watch from that you can get to just a few minutes before the fireworks and still have a great view. Personally, I prefer Japan - I've watched one year from the arch, and one year from the second-floor balcony of the Mitsukoshi building and both were fabulous. The gondola landing at Italy is another great spot, but fills up fast. People will start staking out spots along the waterfront in Germany, but I've generally noticed it's only one row of people deep right up until fireworks time. Also, any of the boat docks for the boats that traverse the lagoon are great spots once the boats stop running.

Thanks. Normally my favorite spot to view Illuminations is on the right side of the building by the fastpass+ location...I was at Disneyland this year for NYE. I got a spot by the castle at 12 p.m. by myself and waited until midnight. So, I have no problem waiting. Also, Disneyland has the problem of having high winds. So, they showed their fireworks at 9 p.m. to welcome NYE with WDW and then at midnight, their fireworks didn't shoot off due to winds causing only a light show on the castle. It was very disappointing. I want to establish the fact that I will see fireworks at midnight and I know that will happen at WDW.

 

[soniam]

They do, but I have no idea what the cost is. A regular fireworks cruise will run you ~$370ish, before tip and any added F+B that you may order. I have to imagine the Midnight cruise will be much more than that, and will likely go very quickly.

That said, I did one for my friends the Sunday night after we finished the WDW Marathon and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

It's got to be cheaper than the California Grill NYE thing at $600+/person. How do you book that? I was looking for it the other day, and it seems impossible to find on the darn Disney site. Thanks

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

It's got to be cheaper than the California Grill NYE thing at $600+/person. How do you book that? I was looking for it the other day, and it seems impossible to find on the darn Disney site. Thanks

It's probably not available yet. We are still more than 180 days away from NYE which means no one can book dining reservations for that period yet. It might be announced in the next month or two maybe.

 

[Keels]

It's got to be cheaper than the California Grill NYE thing at $600+/person. How do you book that? I was looking for it the other day, and it seems impossible to find on the darn Disney site. Thanks

I booked mine by calling (407) WDW-PLAY right at 60 days out! They tell you to call back to confirm two weeks before the reservation. It was very easy peasy!

 

[Keels]

Thanks. Normally my favorite spot to view Illuminations is on the right side of the building by the fastpass+ location...I was at Disneyland this year for NYE. I got a spot by the castle at 12 p.m. by myself and waited until midnight. So, I have no problem waiting. Also, Disneyland has the problem of having high winds. So, they showed their fireworks at 9 p.m. to welcome NYE with WDW and then at midnight, their fireworks didn't shoot off due to winds causing only a light show on the castle. It was very disappointing. I want to establish the fact that I will see fireworks at midnight and I know that will happen at WDW.

The most PERFECT view will either be at the spot you mentioned, or on the bridge between France and UK. People will start staking out spots near the FP+ area almost as soon as they're allowed. The bridge? They really won't let people start sitting there to block traffic for a while. Personally - if I were willing to wait for a while, I'd get to the UK and sit in the open seating area on the water on the portion of the patio that's open for non-Rose & Crown people and make some friends to help hold down the spot so you could all take turns watching the table.

My follow-up spot would most definitely be the gondola bridge at Italy, which won't fill up AS fast - and it will give you an amazing view of the fireworks from the countries on that side of the World Showcase.

 

[soniam]

It's probably not available yet. We are still more than 180 days away from NYE which means no one can book dining reservations for that period yet. It might be announced in the next month or two maybe.

I was looking for a different trip this summer. I have the 180 day date for our possible NYE trip burned in my brain

I booked mine by calling (407) WDW-PLAY right at 60 days out! They tell you to call back to confirm two weeks before the reservation. It was very easy peasy!

Great! Thanks!