New Years Eve Dinner

[Mykelogan]

Hi All!

I am helping a friend figure out some options for her post Christmas/New Years trip to the Kingdom. Was wondering if anyone could suggest some good places to dine New Years Eve? They will be on the Dining Plan if that helps.

Thanks in advance!
Mike

 

[wintermom]

Best advice is make them as soon as you are able. We have spent the last
two NYE's at Disney and it is a wonderful place to be


If they have children (we have a DD age 8) try Ohana's . We got a window
seat both years and watched the early fireworks over MK. Its also only
one dinning credit!

Then we headed back to Epcot and watched the midnight fireworks -
they were fantastic!

A lot of people might suggest the California Grill - but they have some
special NYE package that cost a fortune!!

Good luck

Wintermom

 

[magicmouse2]

We will be dining at Teppenyaki, Epcot hopefully!!!

 

[Mykelogan]

Thanks for the suggestions so far all!
It will be three 20-somethings with no children. If that shapes responses at all! (I hadn't thought about that! hehe)

Mike

 

[wintermom]

No kids, probably pick somewhere else than O'hanas for NYE. If you want to eat at a park I too would pick Epcot, lots of good choices. If you want more
upscale, blue zoo at the dolphin is wonderful and then you could walk to
Epcot for the fireworks!

Wintermom

 

[Carole]

We'll be staying at the Swan. Do you think we can leave Epcot and re-enter after dinner on New Year's Eve?

Can anyone tell us their New Year's Eve dining experiences at Epcot?

Thanks!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

NYE 2003/2004 I was with Judy and two friends at an outside table at Rose and Crown with a 10:00 PS. Service was exceedingly slow and we did not get our dessert until just before the fireworks started! The waitress got a very large tip!

NYE 1999/2000 we were at Akershus and what was even more interesting was we were dining at the time it was midnight in Norway.

 

[bubblefactory]

I've been advised to get to Epcot by lunchtime and not to leave or we won't get back in? Originally we wanted to dine on the Boardwalk then go in for the fireworks around 8pm, what do you think?

 

[magicmouse2]

We will not be entering Epcot until around 8pm. Our flight doesnt arrive until 5:30pm.

 

[Avalanche]

We were there last year and just hung out at the resort (CR) on New Years eve, but the word was that MK was not letting anyone else in about noon, and MGM and Epcot it was about 5. Talked to several families who went to MGM and Epcot after 5 and couldn't get in and just ended up coming back to the resort.

 

[Luv2Roam]

We spent allll day in Mk in NYE. We ate at LTT.
Probably not my first choice now. I would go with the castle if I am crazy enough to do that again.

 

[wintermom]

We have donethe last two NYE's at the Swan. Last year, we spent NYE at Epcot, left for dinner at Ohannas and then returned to Epcot. I think we got there about 10:30 pm Very crowded but great, we got in no problem.

The year befor we did the same but did not return to Epcot after dinner.
DD was too sleeply for a late night. People told me the next day that
MK and AK closed but Epcot was ok.

The only way I would do Epcot on NYE is if I was staying at a resort I could
walk to - or maybe monorail. The parking lots are beyond jammed and the
buses too. Walking back to the Swan after the midnight fireworks was so
great. Makes me want to go again this NYE but DH wants to do something
different -of course I still have a little time to work on him

wintermom

 

[riu girl]

wintermom: do you know if the swan or Dolphin offer any special NYE (kids) activities? We were in Disney the week before Christmas 2004 and onthe swan web site they offered a ton of kids activities for the week we were there.

 

[robinb]

We were there last year and just hung out at the resort (CR) on New Years eve, but the word was that MK was not letting anyone else in about noon, and MGM and Epcot it was about 5. Talked to several families who went to MGM and Epcot after 5 and couldn't get in and just ended up coming back to the resort.

Not true. I went to the MK early (around 7:30 AM) so we could enjoy the park before the crowds entered. We left at about 1:30 PM and returned at around 6:00 for our PS at Tony's. We did the same the year before. The previous 2 NYEs were similar, except the park was Epcot. As a WDW resort guest who walked or took the bus I have never been turned away when I returned to the park after our afternoon rest. That being said, I know for a fact that the MK parking lot was closed around 10:00 most of that week. Don't drive to the MK on NYE unless you intend to spend the whole day there. I also wouldn't be surprised if the MK gates closed somewhere around 2:00 - 3:00 PM, although they were still allowing guests to enter when we left. I felt sorry for the people who were entering the park since the queues are very long at that point and all the fast passes were gone.

We will be returning to Epcot this year. In the past we have eaten at Teppanyaki (1 credit) and loved it. Our group takes up a whole table, which is fun. We will not be on the Dining Plan (we're staying at BCV on our DVC points) so we need to pick a place that takes our Disney Dining Experience card. Teppanyaki does not and a 20% discount on dinner for 7 people is nothing to sneeze at. So, we're thinking about Rose and Crown right now. We like the beer there .

Back to the OP: For 4 adults on the Dining Plan, I would recommend Teppanyaki. It's fun and the food is great. If you like sushi you can get it as your appetizer. I also like the Biergarten, Le Cellier and Rose and Crown. Have fun! Maybe we'll see you there .

 

[Amyality]

Hi All!

Removing this post, I was mistaken!

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

I wouldn't even think of doing the UK if you have children with you. We have been there the last two years and people were very drunk in that area and surprisingly early too. If you need to use the bathroom you must go across the street and the line is very long and it is so crowded it is hard to get across. We thoughtthe crowds were frightening there for children. Wanted to give you a heards up. Good Luck.

 

[robinb]

I wouldn't even think of doing the UK if you have children with you. We have been there the last two years and people were very drunk in that area and surprisingly early too. If you need to use the bathroom you must go across the street and the line is very long and it is so crowded it is hard to get across. We thoughtthe crowds were frightening there for children. Wanted to give you a heards up. Good Luck.

You have a very good point. That is one of the reasons we have been going to the MK the last couple of years. However, our friends want to go back to Epoct and I'm OK with that. We know how wild things can get and will be proactive in protecting the kids. I still bring a stroller for my 6 year old at night (especially on NYE) and I suspect that she will be asleep after about 10:00 PM. One of us makes sure the drunks don't trip over her. And you're right, it does get "drunk out" pretty early at Epcot. That's why many people do the regular IlluniNations as their NYE fireworks and go home away from the crowds.

FWIW, there is a small bathroom inside Rose and Crown.

 

[wintermom]

Riu Girl-
Last year and the year befor they did have activities at the Swan/Dolphin
hotel for kids. There was some kind of party in the Lobby and the Dolphin
has the kids' club as well which had a special party. We did not go as we were at dinner or in the parks
You might check their web site, they may have their NYE plan listed by now!

Wintermom

 

[riu girl]

thanks for the info. I'm not sure what we will do NYE. We will check into POP around noon or 1 pm. We have never stayed there so we might just swim, play at the playground and get to bed early. Or we might go over to Boardwalk (I have enver been over there), walk around the lake and maybe get an ADR for a restaurant in that area. If we do this, I think I will plan to take the kids to the swan/dolphin and see if there are any kids activities beforehand. Their web site is still listing last years activities so I will keep a close eye on it for this years activities.

1.Are children allowed to partake in the free activities in the lobby if they are not staying there or is it for their guests only????
2. Can anyone reccommend an inexpensive place to eat NYE in the boardwalk area (child friendly)?

Thanks Suzy V