New Years Eve/Day

[bentopher]

We've been doing Disney for Christmas and NYE the past 6/7 years and we're heading back again this year.

Animal Kingdom shouldn't be too bad NYE day. We usually avoid the parks all-together during the day, but that's more because we like to have a relaxing day before ringing in the New Year and usually use 12/31 to pacy.

NYE is the most crowded day of the year. The crowds are unlike anything I've ever seen. It's the perfect storm, of sorts: you have those that are visiting Disney for the holidays, those who lie near Disney and choose to drive over for NYE, and locals who flock to the park to celebrate. Disney is the Times Square of Florida. However, most of the crowds are heading to the parks FOR NYE. They wanna get in early before it hits any phased closures. As a result, AK shouldn't be too bad as it does close in the evening.

totally agree! that's why we decided to go to AK, thinking is will be the least crowded of all parks that day. And we will likely we out of there by about 3pm.

Really, it's gonna be up to you for MK NYE. Do know that if you choose to go in the evening, it's gonna be insanely crowded. They do open backstage areas to alleviate the crowds and traffic a bit, but because it's such a small park (comparatively speaking) and it's so popular, it really is hard to move. In addition to this, you're going late. There's much more traffic during NYE. Disney does a good job of contracting in additonal buses, but you should allow about 1.5 hours for travel - especially aroun the MK and EPCOT areas.

I think you misread my post! I have no interest in going to MK on 12/31. We are going to go there on 12/30 to try to watch the fireworks that night instead

Now, we usually for MK 12/30 and EPCOT NYE. We've done DHS our first few years. DHS is a mix between MK and EPCOT. There are alcoholic drinks, but it's a more family friendly version of EPCOT. However, with the construction it's gonna feel very claustrophobic. There are definitely other options available outside the parks. Contemporary, Y&B Club and most signature restaurants should have special holiday meals. However, they're probably booked solid by now and most places are 21+.

Yes, I've thought about HS to ring in the new year. But I think we will be happier at the hotel. I plan on putting together a NYE goodie basket for my boys, and I know they will enjoy that tons. Hopefully we can find a spot at CBR to watch the Epcot Fireworks

On New Year's Day, it's literally night and day. We couldn't believe how empty EPCOT was. Two years ago we did MK at night on 1/1 and it was very crowded. Albeit, a parade had just happened so it may have felt more crowded than it actually was, but we went in; then immediately made a u-turn, stopped at the confectionary and left.

I would rather hit up an empty MK on the morning of 1/1, than be in a park and stay up super late on 12/31. My boys are still young (10 and 9) that they will be happy no matter what.

Thanks so much for an awesome post full of detail! Much appreciated for us planners. I'm feeling more confident about my planning decisions

 

[wickey's friend]

Signing up to watch this thread. We are going 12/30 - 1/4. We are planning on MK in the am on NYE, then moving to the Studios. My DS2 (17) wants to be at the Boardwalk for midnight. Do they do anything special? I know we will be able to see the fireworks from EPCOT, but anything else?

So - since I posted this I've seen how crazy MK is on NYE. We are staying onsite, with EMH starting at 7am. Do you think it will be insanely hard to get there in the am?