New Year's Eve at Magic Kingdom

[GoingToDisney25]

Who's done it and what were your opinions? If you can share a little bit of what I could expect in terms of the event, I'd appreciate it.

I know it'll be extra busy, most likely hit closing, but that's fine. I was more wondering how the celebration is. I'm from NYC, so I know what insane crowds on NYE are like. The reason I mention that is because while at Disney, I asked a crew member and she just made this face and said, "Busy." lol. I know to be at MK at rope drop if I plan to be in that park for the party, but other than that I don't know anything else about it.

Thanks!

 

[robinb]

Who's done it and what were your opinions? If you can share a little bit of what I could expect in terms of the event, I'd appreciate it.

I know it'll be extra busy, most likely hit closing, but that's fine. I was more wondering how the celebration is. I'm from NYC, so I know what insane crowds on NYE are like. The reason I mention that is because while at Disney, I asked a crew member and she just made this face and said, "Busy." lol. I know to be at MK at rope drop if I plan to be in that park for the party, but other than that I don't know anything else about it.

Thanks!

I have been in the MK for NYE a couple of times. It was SUPER busy with wall to wall people. The MK will close to offsite guests by about 10:00 am and has closed to all guests on NYE. Many people will leave after the parade and the park will reopen. We always leave the park around 1:00-2:00 and return at 6:00-7:00 for the evening and we have never been turned away. We always stay onsite, BTW. If you are offsite then leaving and returning is more problematic because the MK parking will be closed and the Epcot monorail will be limited to onsite guests (and maybe AP holders).

Here are two photos from a few years ago ...

FWIW, the MK does the same fireworks on 12/30. We always go to that one and then to Epcot or DHS for the 12/31 fireworks.

 

[double r]

You pretty much got your answer already, CROWDS, but you know that and are ready Don't expect less, lines will be long for just about everything, but it is still a great time to be there just relax go with the flow and enjoy!!! We have done it twice but last year just could not last the whole day( sucks getting old) left later in the day, relaxed some then went and joined friends and watched the fireworks from the beach at the campground, it was crazy there also.

 

[Skywise]

How is it resort-wise? I'm planning on being there on the 30/31st and staying on-site but have no intention of hitting MK on the 31st except for maybe the noon running of the parade if I can't see it on the 30th.

My current plan is to hit DHS in the evening for the Osborne Lights then a hasty retreat back to the resort! Maybe Animal Kingdom or Epcot in the afternoon/morning of the 31st?

 

[GoingToDisney25]

I have been in the MK for NYE a couple of times. It was SUPER busy with wall to wall people. The MK will close to offsite guests by about 10:00 am and has closed to all guests on NYE. Many people will leave after the parade and the park will reopen. We always leave the park around 1:00-2:00 and return at 6:00-7:00 for the evening and we have never been turned away. We always stay onsite, BTW. If you are offsite then leaving and returning is more problematic because the MK parking will be closed and the Epcot monorail will be limited to onsite guests (and maybe AP holders).

Here are two photos from a few years ago ...

FWIW, the MK does the same fireworks on 12/30. We always go to that one and then to Epcot or DHS for the 12/31 fireworks.

Nice pictures!!! And yeah, we're staying onsite and we actually plan to do Magic Kingdom 2 days while on the short vacation for the few days there. The 31st and the 1st. One day, most likely 31st, we will ONLY focus on characters. My son loves characters and it will let us not worry "too much" (used loosely lol) about the crazy waits for the rides. We also will hit rope drop, so possibly get on one or two rides before crowds finish swarming in. lol.

We're doing Epcot the 2nd and Hollywood studios the 3rd before driving back home. Just came back from Disney and really wanted to come back for New Year's, so we decided to drive back and forth. Two drivers, so we can do it non-stop in about 15-18 hours, give or take bathroom breaks and stops to get something to eat.

Not sure if you know, but does anything special happen in Downtown Disney on the 30th? We'll be spending the evening after arriving there.

You've got some GREAT pics pretty close to the castle, and I know you went on the 30th, but what time would you recommend we get to the curb (as close as possible for the best view) to have the best view of the parade and fireworks shows?

Thanks so much!!

 

[GoingToDisney25]

How is it resort-wise? I'm planning on being there on the 30/31st and staying on-site but have no intention of hitting MK on the 31st except for maybe the noon running of the parade if I can't see it on the 30th.

My current plan is to hit DHS in the evening for the Osborne Lights then a hasty retreat back to the resort! Maybe Animal Kingdom or Epcot in the afternoon/morning of the 31st?

Personally, I'd say the resorts are nuts, but that's because I just finished this week trying[/I] and finally succeeding to get the reservation for AoA booked, and it was showing me unavailable for the 30-31st until I reserved from the 30th to the 6th and then called and adjusted the reservation to be checking out on the 3rd instead of the 6th. Make sure you book ASAP if you aren't booked yet and have your heart set on staying somewhere specific. Then again, it's a value and we fell in absolutely love with AoA, so we really wanted that one, which I'm sure is popular because it's reasonably priced (even though at 200/night... lol).

So, based on the not-so-easy availability of the resort, I'd say the resorts are packed and will be extremely busy. I'd even go as far as to assume that the waits for buses will be extremely long, but I hope someone can answer that question for you based on experience.

 

[robinb]

You've got some GREAT pics pretty close to the castle, and I know you went on the 30th, but what time would you recommend we get to the curb (as close as possible for the best view) to have the best view of the parade and fireworks shows?

Those pictures are from 12/31. We staked out a spot on the street between Casey's and the hub's popcorn stands about 90-120 minutes before the fireworks.

 

[GoingToDisney25]

You pretty much got your answer already, CROWDS, but you know that and are ready Don't expect less, lines will be long for just about everything, but it is still a great time to be there just relax go with the flow and enjoy!!! We have done it twice but last year just could not last the whole day( sucks getting old) left later in the day, relaxed some then went and joined friends and watched the fireworks from the beach at the campground, it was crazy there also.

Thanks for the advice, and for your response, especially because you said you've done it twice!! The couple people that I asked on property pretty much were like once was MORE than enough and I'd never do it again. But that could also be they went expecting normal crowds.

 

[GoingToDisney25]

Does anyone know approximately when the tickets go on sale for the event? I'm sure that day's tickets will sell out within a matter of hours, so I would love to be prepared and know approx when they go up.

 

[GoingToDisney25]

Those pictures are from 12/31. We staked out a spot on the street between Casey's and the hub's popcorn stands about 90-120 minutes before the fireworks.

Ooh, nice!! Thanks, exactly what I was thinking 2 hours before.

 

[serene56]

Does anyone know approximately when the tickets go on sale for the event? I'm sure that day's tickets will sell out within a matter of hours, so I would love to be prepared and know approx when they go up.

this is not a separated event-- a days ticket will get you in until it reaches capacity.

 

[robinb]

Does anyone know approximately when the tickets go on sale for the event? I'm sure that day's tickets will sell out within a matter of hours, so I would love to be prepared and know approx when they go up.

New Year's Eve at WDW is not a hard ticketed event. Just use your pass to get in.

 

[GoingToDisney25]

Oh, wow! Thanks guys! I thought it was like the Christmas and Halloween party, where you needed a ticket. Good to know.

 

[Ariel Oswald]

Does anyone know approximately when the tickets go on sale for the event? I'm sure that day's tickets will sell out within a matter of hours, so I would love to be prepared and know approx when they go up.

This is not a hard ticket event. All you need is a a valid park ticket, though I would not recommend standing in line at MK to purchase a ticket. I would definitely already have it purchased.

 

[GoingToDisney25]

This is not a hard ticket event. All you need is a a valid park ticket, though I would not recommend standing in line at MK to purchase a ticket. I would definitely already have it purchased.

I agree. We'll be purchasing tickets soon. We're getting the 4-day park ticket to be able to go to all 4 parks throughout our stay, or did you mean the regular tickets will sellout online and should be purchased asap too?

 

[robinb]

I agree. We'll be purchasing tickets soon. We're getting the 4-day park ticket to be able to go to all 4 parks throughout our stay, or did you mean the regular tickets will sellout online and should be purchased asap too?

No, regular tickets will not sell out. The way the MK will "sell out" is that they will not allow people to enter the park once it reaches capacity. You will want to have your tickets in hand 60-days in advance so you can book FastPass+ ride reservations.

If you sign up for the MouseSavers newsletter (http://www.mousesavers.com/) you will get a link in the newsletter to Undercover Tourist for discounted park passes. They have a 5 day pass for the price of a 4 day pass right now.

 

[Skywise]

Personally, I'd say the resorts are nuts, but that's because I just finished this week trying[/I] and finally succeeding to get the reservation for AoA booked, and it was showing me unavailable for the 30-31st until I reserved from the 30th to the 6th and then called and adjusted the reservation to be checking out on the 3rd instead of the 6th. Make sure you book ASAP if you aren't booked yet and have your heart set on staying somewhere specific.

Thanks and I booked a month ago because I was getting nervous that I wasn't going to pull it off!

The REAL trick is going to be getting the ADPs!!

 

[GoingToDisney25]

Thanks and I booked a month ago because I was getting nervous that I wasn't going to pull it off! The REAL trick is going to be getting the ADPs!!

Agreed!! As of now, we're only planning on doing Chef Mickey's. We loved it last time, so we want a repeat, and we're doing it on our last day the 3rd, so hoping we can get it without a problem. good luck with your plans! I just hope we can grab fastpasses i will be sitting at my computer starting at 11pm to try my best! Lol

 

[GoingToDisney25]

No, regular tickets will not sell out. The way the MK will "sell out" is that they will not allow people to enter the park once it reaches capacity. You will want to have your tickets in hand 60-days in advance so you can book FastPass+ ride reservations. If you sign up for the MouseSavers newsletter (http://www.mousesavers.com/) you will get a link in the newsletter to Undercover Tourist for discounted park passes. They have a 5 day pass for the price of a 4 day pass right now.

Thank you so much!! We might take advantage of that and maybe book 3 fastpasses for the day we arrive and just go do those before we go to downtown disney. Thanks!