New Years Eve at Magic Kingdom

[loll1511]

Hi guys, we are planning to go to Magic Kingdom on 31st December 2005. Is there anything we should know before we go - like early entrance etc. Has anyone ever been on New Years Eve before.

 

[Debi]

Be sure to get there EARLY (1-2 hours prior to park opening time). The Magic Kingdom fills up quickly on New Year's Eve, and it's almost always the first park to close due to capacity.

Have fun - I'll be in Epcot on New Year's Eve!

 

[luvmy2sams]

DH and I spent last New Year's Eve in the Magic Kingdom. I ditto the suggestion of arriving early. Don't expect to be able to do everything and you might be pleasantly surprised. We sure were! ADR's are a must unless you want counter service via long, long lines. We couldn't believe the number of people expecting a sit-down meal without a reservation. I felt bad for them! Noisemakers and hats will be passed out in various locations (I think we picked ours up in Adventureland) around 5pm. The atmosphere is contagious! We couldn't believe how well the traffic flow was controlled. We watched the midnight fireworks (unbelievable...especially the countdown to midnight) from in front of the Mickey & Minnie topiary on the path into Tomorrowland and made it back to the Wilderness Lodge shortly before 1am. I thought for sure we'd be standing in lines forever just trying to make our way out of the park. It was a wonderful experience, and the best way to celebrate 10 years of marriage. We can't wait to do this again!

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[stc1223]

You don't need to arrive early just make sure you have priority seating at one of the Magic Kingdom restaurants. We had 7pm reservations at Liberty Tree Inn and we got to the park around 6pm. I brought the reservation confirmation with me in case there was a problem getting into the park but they let us right in without question. The park was jammed and they wisked everyone coming into the park behind Main Street (with lots of security) directly to Tomorrowland.

We knew it was futile to try to get onto any rides so we made our way to Frontierland and got to the restaurant in time to give them our name. The wait at the restaurant was probably over an hour but we had a good time. The dinner was terrific and we got hugs from Minnie, Pluto, Chip & Dale. What a nice way to end the year.

Main Street was insane and my friend and I were both widow's who just wanted New Year's to pass so we just sat down and braced ourselves for midnight (it's the hardest time when the one you love and want to be with at the strike of midnight is gone). We sat on a bench in Tomorrowland under the Tomorrowland Transit Authority and listened to the recording of the ride. Suddenly fireworks started and for about 20 minutes the entire sky was lit with the most spectactular fireworks I've ever seen. We just sat with our mouths hanging open. Then it was over. No countdown to midnight, no Ole Lang Syne, it was just over and not a tear for either of us. I'm sure you could hear the countdown on Main Street but all we heard was the ride recording which was perfect.

When it was over, we went to Fantasyland and went on a few rides. While we walked down Main Street (with a couple of hundred other people), we saw that it was snowing and there were snow flakes all over the castle. It was so wonderful.

Plan on a very long trip back to your hotel, but it was a memory I'll never forget. Have a wonderful time

 

[Jon99]

We have a 5:00 PS at LTT, so if we get to the MK at opening and stay until about 11:00A, we can leave and can get back in at 4:30 regardless of capacity issues???

 

[Debi]

Unfortunately, a PS does *NOT* guarentee admission in to a theme park. Each park has a set capacity limit, and once that number has been reeached, nobody else will be allowed in. It is a fire safety issue, and Disney is very strict in enforcing it. In the past 3 years, the MK has closed to capacity between 10-11AM. Please plan accordingly.