New Year's Eve at the World

[Michelina]

Hi All,
Can anyone who's been to WDW for NYE give me their opinions or suggestions as to the best place for fireworks and any theme park strategies? We'll be flying in that morning and probably getting to the parks around 11 am. It's going to be insanely busy isn't it? I'm a little scared...
Thanks in advance!

 

[Simba]

Depending how crowded it is, you might not be able to get into the park you want to. I know some NYE that some of the parks have closed as early as 10am. Just thought I'd give you a head-up before you make any detailed plans.

 

[jade1]

Was there last year and EPCOT was awesome, packed but managable and fireworks were great. Also get up early NY Day for MK especially if its EE, EMPTY until 10 or 11. We were the first to ride teacups in 2004.

 

[KFISCHER]

Plan on elbow to elbow everything.

Eternal waits for attractions.

Having said that, it was still a great time.
Had ressies for dinner at Tony's Town Square. Dreading a NYE dinner of spaghetti and soda, we had a very nice special for that night only of Surf and Turf.

The fireworks just may have been the best I've ever seen in my life. We watched from the walkway from the castle to Tomorrowland. Great view.

If you go in expecting craziness, that helps! Because it will be insane.

 

[sugermouse]

We were there two years ago for NE. We opted for Epcot, crowded but not bad. Get there early if you want the free blowers and hats that they give out.
If you want to see fireworks at midnight, head for PI.

 

[Ravens58C]

My fiance and I spent last NYE at MGM. It was crowded of course, but from what I heard nowhere near as crowded as epcot or magic kingdom. We had dinner at Prime Time cafe and they set off sorcery in the sky fireworks at midnight. I heard they only do that on the 4th of July and NYE now. It was a wonderful night.

 

[Michelina]

Thanks for the replies! At first I thought that maybe we should battle it out at MK, then I thought that Epcot would be fun because Illuminations is my all time favorite thing at WDW but now I'm thinking that it would be pretty neat to see Sorcery in the Sky at MGM since it's so rare.
It's going to be fun no matter what! I will be fully prepared for theme park madness LOL !

 

[robinb]

Will you be staying onsite or offsite? If you're onsite, you still might be able to squeeze into the MK at 11:00. Just don't expect to do anything! Just to give you an idea of exactly how insane NYE is, here is my trip report (with pictures) from last year. The fireworks are awesome!

Robin's New Year's Eve 2003/2004 at the Magic Kingdom Pictoral Report

If you're staying off-site, then I would recommend Epcot. It's the last park to close. The fireworks are also cool and they do IllumiNations twice, once early and then again at midnight.

MGM would also be cool with the Sorcery in the Sky fireworks show, which is only shown a couple of times a year.

The #1 piece of advice I can give you is to made a PS reservation at the park of your choice.

 

[Michelina]

Thanks for the advice and the link Robin. That was a great trip report! Was that your friend John in the tie-dye? I would love a tie-dyed Mickey shirt!
We aren't going to be onsite until the day after NYE. I know that offsite guests are the first ones turned away if they close the parks, does being an AP holder help any with getting in? I think if we end up going to MGM we won't have any problems.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Originally posted by Michelina
Thanks for the replies! At first I thought that maybe we should battle it out at MK, then I thought that Epcot would be fun because Illuminations is my all time favorite thing at WDW but now I'm thinking that it would be pretty neat to see Sorcery in the Sky at MGM since it's so rare.
It's going to be fun no matter what! I will be fully prepared for theme park madness LOL !

Yes, yes, yes. Go to Disney Studios for Sorcery in the Sky. It was a blast last year. Not overly crowded, great bands, and three Fantasmics. We'd do it in a minute again.

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by Michelina
Thanks for the advice and the link Robin. That was a great trip report! Was that your friend John in the tie-dye? I would love a tie-dyed Mickey shirt!
We aren't going to be onsite until the day after NYE. I know that offsite guests are the first ones turned away if they close the parks, does being an AP holder help any with getting in? I think if we end up going to MGM we won't have any problems.

Nope, that was my husband . I have one on too, but you can't see it under the cargo vest. I made the tie-dye t-shirts myself! I made them for a family reunion two summers ago ... I made 12 of them! I found the instructions on the Disney Dollarless website: http://www.themouseforless.com/articles/fabisch082201.shtml FWIW, I used dental floss instead of thread to outline the Mickey head. It was easy and fun .

I don't think an AP does a darn thing for you. Especially when they will close down the MK's parking lot sometime around 10:30 am. The only way to get to the MK is by bus. It sounds like MGM might be the best place for you.

 

[mjbaby]

We were there for the "millennial" New Year's of 2000 and blundered into the greatest spot for fireworks.

December 31 is also my birthday and we had had dinner that night at the seafood restaurant in Downtown Disney - the one that kind of looks like a boat (the name escapes me at the moment). We asked the manager when dinner was over if we could come back for fireworks and he agreed that we could.

We ended up on a roomy deck off to the side with maybe 10 other people watching the fireworks in two directions while enjoying a bottle of champagne and some dessert. Not a bad way to spend the evening - out of the crowds and with chocolate!

 

[Michelina]

I found the instructions on the Disney Dollarless website: http://www.themouseforless.com/arti...sch082201.shtml FWIW, I used dental floss instead of thread to outline the Mickey head. It was easy and fun .

Too cool! This sounds like a really fun project for this weekend. Thanks a lot!