New Years Eve in Epcot

[ACJT]

does Epcot have any special fireworks on NYE?

 

[Robo]

does Epcot have any special fireworks on NYE?

Yes.

Epcot is THE go-to park at WDW for NYE.

 

[ACJT]

I assume they're at midnight?? I do have a 7:45pm Rose & Crown which has worked in the past as a nice spot to sit and watch Illuminations.

Also, why do you feel it's the "go to" place? I'd value your opinion.

 

[Robo]

I assume they're at midnight?? I do have a 7:45pm Rose & Crown which has worked in the past as a nice spot to sit and watch Illuminations.

There are actually TWO fireworks shows on NYE.
IllumiNations runs very early in the evening at 6:00PM (Yes.)

And, the BIG special NYE fireworks show that starts about 11:40 and ends at Midnight.

Also, why do you feel it's the "go to" place? I'd value your opinion.

It's not my opinion.
It is the park that is the choice of, by far, the greatest number of guests on NYE.

 

[CAS239]

Epcot for Nye is the best. And the show at 6pm is like Illuminations on steroids.

Then for their midnight fireworks that start at 11:50pm, it's probably the best fireworks show I've ever seen

 

[MickeyWaffles]

MK does an identical version of their 12/31 fireworks the night before on 12/30.

So if you go to MK on 12/30 and Epcot on 12/31, you get to see both NYE fireworks extravaganzas.

This is my recommendation to anyone going at that time of year. Epcot's NYE fireworks are can't miss. Both sets of them. Since you can see MK on 12/30, Epcot is 100% the place to be for us.

 

[mdinme]

Yes.

Epcot is THE go-to park at WDW for NYE.

I agree, but when we did it we regretted it because it was so packed we literally could not move. We had young kids at the time and it was a bit scary. W/O the kids would have been less stressful. They had closed entry earlier due to the Epcot being full then they reopened access.

 

[Robo]

I agree, but when we did it we regretted it because it was so packed we literally could not move. We had young kids at the time and it was a bit scary. W/O the kids would have been less stressful. They had closed entry earlier due to the Epcot being full then they reopened access.

AFAIK, the only NYE (or ever) that they have ever closed Epcot due to crowds was 1999 into the year 2000.

 

[mdinme]

This was 2010. They at least werent letting in offsite for several hours. We were at the Sheraton the first two nights then AKV...

 

[lovin'fl]

What restaurants can you see fireworks from besides R&C? Spice Road....La Hacienda?

 

[supersnoop]

This was 2010. They at least werent letting in offsite for several hours. We were at the Sheraton the first two nights then AKV...

The Magic Kingdom hit Phase 3 in 2010, but I can't find any evidence that Epcot has experienced any level of closure in the past 10 years.

 

[minniegirl19]

There's also DJs in a lot of the countries. By far the best atmosphere to be at for New Years. I've been the past 3 new years and while it was crowded I never felt like I could move. It never closed due to capacity either so you can come and go as you please. Just don't plan on riding much more than your 3 fastpasses. Unless you come for rope drop ride a few things go back to the resort hangout and come back do your fastpasses then enjoy the countries. Also after the midnight fireworks we were able to do single rider for test track twice with no wait.

 

[Gehrig1B]

We like to FP+ Magic Kingdom and then hop to Epcot for the evening. I too know of no closures at Epcot recently on NYE...the park is so huge it handles many, many NYE revelers. Now, getting back to the resort afterwards, best to stay another hour or more and enjoy the park while others exit.

 

[mitchwebb]

We had Adr for Rose and Crown for NYE 2014 and planned a reservation 1/2hour before illuminations. Didn't work we had a 45 minute wait since no one was moving and
were seated after the early illuminations. This year we are planning a dinner at Swan or Dolphin and going to see fireworks at end of the night. It was really fun walking around
and hearing the different music and people watching. I think we entered Epcot three times on NYE without a problem

 

[Planogirl]

Do they open extra food and drink booths? Are there special souvenirs?

We went to MK one year and it was miserably crowded. Epcot sounds more appealing.

 

[CAS239]

Do they open extra food and drink booths? Are there special souvenirs?

We went to MK one year and it was miserably crowded. Epcot sounds more appealing.

Yes they have food and beverage booths set up. Mainly booths serving beer, champagne, and wine. If you're into drinking beer, Epcot for NYE has the cheapest beer I've seen out of all of WDW at $5 a cup

Near the Innoventions building they had tables set up where they handed out free NYE plastic party hats and whistles

 

[ShannonRT]

This will be our first New Year's Eve and we have also planned for MK on the 30th and Epcot on the 31st. We are so excited!!! Any tips on good viewing areas and how long in advance should be be in our spot?

 

[CAS239]

This will be our first New Year's Eve and we have also planned for MK on the 30th and Epcot on the 31st. We are so excited!!! Any tips on good viewing areas and how long in advance should be be in our spot?

There's a ton of good viewing spots. I'd recommend grabbing a spot closer to where your exit will be.. So if it's international gateway then grab a spot over near England. If it's the front gate then grab a spot near the front of the WS. This will help you get a jump on the crowd when leaving but still be prepared for long waits.

If you want a good spot with a clear view and up against a fence or wall, then I recommend trying to grab a spot about 2 hours prior or earlier. Some people grab a spot for the 6:30 fireworks and family members keep that spot for the midnight fireworks. So you'll just have to judge when you're there how early you want to wait.

 

[minniegirl19]

This will be our first New Year's Eve and we have also planned for MK on the 30th and Epcot on the 31st. We are so excited!!! Any tips on good viewing areas and how long in advance should be be in our spot?

I've been the past 3 New Years. People get a spot super early but my family has always got a spot an hour and a half- 2 hours prior to midnight and we were fine.

 

[HopperFan]

Went this year, bucket list. Expected a cluster and never again. WRONG! Had a blast and fireworks AMAZING!!

Hats etc were handed out at Horizons. We were first to get and they even took our picture.

Extra drinks, some special for night and some food spots. Eat early if no ADR, food lines long. Norway even had cafeteria style line outside.

Dances were great! Best tip was since there were no closures in effect the bathrooms just outside international gateway dead empty, all others long lines.

After we walked to DHS and literally walked on bus and sat down. No wait.