New Year's Eve at WDW

[Rafikifan]

Friends have asked for help with their Disney trip since we have been so many times and have helped others. However, in our 18 trips we have gone at various times of the year but the only holiday we've been there for is Thanksgiving. They are going Dec. 28 - Jan 1 I tried to talk them out of that week since it's SOOO busy, but their vacation dates are set with their employers. I've read that Epcot or HS would be the best parks for Dec. 31. I want to help them plan that day first since it is the most crowded. Then when we've got their plans for that day we'll back up and plan the others. Does that make any sense? LOL. I tend not to until at least 10 a.m.

 

[cleophus12]

We spent our one and only WDW NYE at Epcot. Even at its most crowded, the park still has room to move around. Lines are ferocious, but we went early in the day and stayed all day straight through to the fireworks. We got in a few rides during the early part of the day, and that was during the old paper FP days, so by noon everything was gone. Being able to schedule FPs ahead of time now could ensure that you will be able to ride at least three rides during the day. I don't think I could take the crowds at MK because there is no room to move on a regular crowded day, much less on NYE. NYE at WDW is a been there, done that for our family and I don't see us doing it again. Fun, but not enough to repeat it.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Disney during New Year's Eve is definitely busy. My family has spent the last 5 out of 6 Christmases and NYE at Walt Disney World. IMO, NYE is actually more crowded than Christmas. I think Disney is Florida's version of Times Square. Not only do you have people from all over the world flocking to celebrate their holiday in Disney, but it's a staple among locals.

Are they staying on-site? We stay on-site and avoid the parks during the day. We made the mistake of going to EPCOT during the day with the expectation that "it can't be as bad as Christmas." It was worse. Lines are astronomical and people are everywhere. We've never been to MK on NYE or NYE Day, but I could only assume it's worse. At least EPCOT is spaced out - MK is very tight together, especially on Main Street, making it very tough to get around.
My family has never had a problem entering the park after 6pm. We've gone to EPCOT as late as 10:30pm and gotten in, no problem. I'm not saying you won't get turned away - it can always happen - but we're willing to take our chances and haven't had a problem yet. I'd much rather risk getting turned away than spend the day fighting the crowds - but that's my personal opinion. If they're staying offsite, get to the park early and stay there. It'll hit a Phase 2 or 3 closure by noon.

MK and EPCOT both open backstage areas on NYE. This makes it easier to navigate the park. The CMs are also very helpful in directing guest traffic.

A helpful hint - Magic Kingdom does a "dress rehearsal" NYE show on December 30th. They do the countdown at 11:59 and the same fireworks the night before. There's a DJ at MK and it's a lot of fun. I'd recommend going to MK on December 30th and EPCOT or Hollywood Studios on NYE.

EPCOT is great for older families. It's more of a party culture. People will be drinking, there's DJs at a few countries (America, Italy, China) and it's more of a party/club atmosphere. DHS is more of a fun Disney atmosphere. They have a cover band and DJ which is really fun. We used to go to DHS but it got a little stale. DHS is nice because it's very spaced out and handles crowds well. You can battle the crowds on Hollywood Boulevard or tour the Osbourne Lights. EPCOT is also great for crowds as the World Showcase is so open. No one really stays in the Future World Area. They have a stage by Mouse Gear.. but no one really stays by Future World. It's funny - when we first entered the park we couldn't believe how empty it was (at night)... as we got closer to the World Showcase, it starkly contrasted Future World. It looked like a G-Rated Project X (look it up.)

It's not bad, but you definitely need to plan out your day. Book a TS restaurant for around 6 or 7pm. THis will give you a nice break fi you're in the park all day, or be a solid time to enter the park. We ate at Rose and Crown at 8pm last year. The only mistake we made was trying to ride Test Track after. It took so long that we didn't get back to Italy until ~11:30pm. Everything felt rushed and we missed all the festivities.

Tell your friends to check out my free guide: survivedisxmas.com. I have a chapter on NYE.

 

[disnut8]

Friends have asked for help with their Disney trip since we have been so many times and have helped others. However, in our 18 trips we have gone at various times of the year but the only holiday we've been there for is Thanksgiving. They are going Dec. 28 - Jan 1 I tried to talk them out of that week since it's SOOO busy, but their vacation dates are set with their employers. I've read that Epcot or HS would be the best parks for Dec. 31. I want to help them plan that day first since it is the most crowded. Then when we've got their plans for that day we'll back up and plan the others. Does that make any sense? LOL. I tend not to until at least 10 a.m.

We do Epcot but we don't stay for the evening activities. We like Epcot because there's the freedom of walking around World Showcase and having room just to walk. Then thinking about the rest of the world and how New Year's will be celebrated. It would be interesting for your friends to see how the different countries do New Year's before they leave so they can talk to the Cast Members that night.

But, as I said, we don't stay for the evening stuff, we go back to the room and have our own celebration and can hear the fireworks and try to stay awake until midnight. I have found that champagne does taste just fine in plastic cups.

 

[dugthetalkingdog]

Last year my daughter and I had booked a trip to WDW for New Year's. After reading how crowded the parks were, we rebooked a Disney cruise on the Dream and had a wonderful time. We had
a wonderful special New Year's dinner, then at midnight on deck there was a count down with sparkling cider toast and fireworks.

 

[tndisney5]

Friends have asked for help with their Disney trip since we have been so many times and have helped others. However, in our 18 trips we have gone at various times of the year but the only holiday we've been there for is Thanksgiving. They are going Dec. 28 - Jan 1 I tried to talk them out of that week since it's SOOO busy, but their vacation dates are set with their employers. I've read that Epcot or HS would be the best parks for Dec. 31. I want to help them plan that day first since it is the most crowded. Then when we've got their plans for that day we'll back up and plan the others. Does that make any sense? LOL. I tend not to until at least 10 a.m.

We went to WDW a few years back for NYE. It was one of our best visits. We spent NYE at HS. At the time there was a lot to do. Now, we some attractions closed, no hat, it may not be as fun, or on the flipside, not as busy

Here is a short review of our trip: http://sharpmoms.com/2013/02/walt-disney-world-on-new-years-eve-hollywood-studios/

It was a great trip. The parks are busy, but they are very doable. We found the most trouble was had at MK. If you don't get there at RD you are just buried in lines and crowds. We spent a couple of hours there, had lunch at left for the day to go to DTD.

My main suggestion would be to plan ahead and plan each day to the best of their ability. That time of year requires planning!

 

[SmallWorld71]

We were there from Dec. 23rd to Jan. 1st last year. It wasn't too bad near Christmas, but the days before New Year's were utter insanity!
A few tips:
If they are not staying on site, they really should. The traffic can get crazy and Disney transportation is definitely the easiest way to go this time of year. They will also need to use the early entry at MK.
Rope drop - if they want to stand a fighting chance of doing anything, they need to get to the parks before they open even though that is often before the sun comes up. MK opened at 7am every day that week. We were there on a day that it reached closure but walked onto rides until 9:00 am. By 10:30, just walking from one place to the next was difficult. The other parks will likely open at 7am or 8am as well and get just as crazy.
Book a Candlelight Processional Package and a Fantasmic package. That way that will at least see two of WDW's best shows.
Have a touring plan.

 

[MrKnight]

I have spent several NYEs including the most recent one (2014) at Epcot, this is by far my favorite place to spend NYE on WDW property. As mentioned by PP, even though the park is EXTREMELY crowded (as all WDW parks are on that day) thankfully Epcot has large enough walkways so that you can still navigate and not feel squeezed in tight like MK, it also helps that they open up backstage areas in the most crowded areas. As far as the atmosphere, Epcot puts on an incredible show, there are all out DJ dance parties (China, Italy, USA, UK, Future World Fountain Stage) with lighting effects, pyro, lasers and great dance music. The special NYE countdown show begins around 11:40pm right after the second showing of Illuminations, the show is really creative and celebrates NYE "around the world" with fireworks shooting out from behind each country around WC followed by the GIGANTIC official NYE countdown beginning at 10 seconds to midnight. Just talking about makes me want to plan my next NYE at Epcot!

 

[Rafikifan]

Thanks everyone for your input!