New Year's Eve & Park Capacity

[Keels]

If you’re doing NYE at Epcot DO NOT try to get on a bus at Epcot after midnight. Save yourself the frustration and take a 20 minute walk to DHS.

Epcot will never hit capacity, but there will be 8-10x the guests at Epcot than there will be at DHS.

 

[constanze]

If you’re doing NYE at Epcot DO NOT try to get on a bus at Epcot after midnight. Save yourself the frustration and take a 20 minute walk to DHS.

Epcot will never hit capacity, but there will be 8-10x the guests at Epcot than there will be at DHS.

But won't DHS be closed after midnight? So if I walk over there after Epcot closes---there won't be anymore busses?

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

I really appreciate the advise to go to DHS. Does anyone know what it would be like to get an Uber/lyft/Minnie van (now that they exist) on NYE from the Boardwalk/Yacht and Beach Club after the fireworks? That’s an option I’ve considered.

 

[Disneylover99]

If you’re doing NYE at Epcot DO NOT try to get on a bus at Epcot after midnight. Save yourself the frustration and take a 20 minute walk to DHS.

Epcot will never hit capacity, but there will be 8-10x the guests at Epcot than there will be at DHS.

Or just continue to walk around and enjoy Epcot. It's open til 1am. That's what we did last year.

 

[DOOM1001]

But won't DHS be closed after midnight? So if I walk over there after Epcot closes---there won't be anymore busses?

DHS is open until midnight,they probably won't get everyone out of the park until like 2am at the earliest,Disney doesn't strand guests at the parks,I wouldn't be surprised to see buses running until 2-3am.

 

[HopperFan]

But won't DHS be closed after midnight? So if I walk over there after Epcot closes---there won't be anymore busses?

There were last year and they were still rolling in. Plenty of folks were just walking out of DHS and it was probably about 12:50 am when we got there. We had watched the midnight fireworks from UK right in front of the gates that go backstage. We had been told they would open them and we could get to buses quicker. Apparently there was still a no clearance from the fireworks fallout back there so after about waiting 20 minutes we headed to DHS. My knee was shot so it took me about 30 minutes but it's about a 20 minute walk.

 

[Gehrig1B]

We are flipping things this year. We always avoid MK on NYE but arriving on the 30th we want to enjoy Holidays around the World so doing Epcot on 30th and MK on NYE. We have Dessert Party booked for NYE to make things a bit easier. Staying at Wilderness Lodge so hoping boat ride after will be relatively easy. We'll see all of you there!

 

[quinnc19]

We are staying at BWV, planning on HS on the 30th (and of course EPCOT for the 31st). I know TOTW is limited to people staying at BLT on the 31st, but is it also on the 30th? I was considering heading over there if we could get in as DVC members.

It is crazy at MK on the 30th! We book BLT just so we can see the fireworks from TTOTW Lounge!

However, yes, we are in EPCOT on the 31st.

 

[SaintsManiac]

We are flipping things this year. We always avoid MK on NYE but arriving on the 30th we want to enjoy Holidays around the World so doing Epcot on 30th and MK on NYE. We have Dessert Party booked for NYE to make things a bit easier. Staying at Wilderness Lodge so hoping boat ride after will be relatively easy. We'll see all of you there!

That sounds like a good time!

 

[FastPasser.]

We had watched the midnight fireworks from UK right in front of the gates that go backstage. We had been told they would open them and we could get to buses quicker.

Now that's interesting. There is a bus loop located through the UK flood gates that is used regularly for events at the World Showplace. I wonder if they actually used it.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

We are staying at BWV, planning on HS on the 30th (and of course EPCOT for the 31st). I know TOTW is limited to people staying at BLT on the 31st, but is it also on the 30th? I was considering heading over there if we could get in as DVC members.

BLT is closed to all DVC members besides those staying at BLT on the 30th and 31st.

 

[robinb]

But won't DHS be closed after midnight? So if I walk over there after Epcot closes---there won't be anymore busses?

In the past DHS has had EHM until 2-3 am. I have not looked at this year’s schedule.

 

[HopperFan]

Now that's interesting. There is a bus loop located through the UK flood gates that is used regularly for events at the World Showplace. I wonder if they actually used it.

There were quite a few CMs stationed in front of it, not all "front liners", told us they would be opening it up for those heading to buses. After 20 minutes of them telling us there was still a fireworks hot spot they had to wait on, we knew we had lost an advantage ........... so we headed to DHS. I don't know if/when they opened it.

No surprise on hot spot they were shooting up from back there so I believed them.

 

[FastPasser.]

I don't know if/when they opened it.

The CM shuttles, which are the same as the Disney resort buses, go by that loop so having buses go into the loop would be very easy to institute.

 

[MrKnight]

I think I might try this. Thanks for the tip!

Also, if you prefer not to walk, there is also the option of hopping on the Friendship boat at International Gateway, the boat stops at BW/BC/YC/Swan/Dolphin and then the last stop is DHS.

 

[MrKnight]

I really appreciate the advise to go to DHS. Does anyone know what it would be like to get an Uber/lyft/Minnie van (now that they exist) on NYE from the Boardwalk/Yacht and Beach Club after the fireworks? That’s an option I’ve considered.

It will be very difficult to get Uber/Lyft on NYE, especially on WDW property, surcharges will be $$$$$ and priority will be given to longer trips going outside of WDW property and other parts of the Orlando area..

 

[AngiTN]

In the past DHS has had EHM until 2-3 am. I have not looked at this year’s schedule.

It does not stay open till 2:00 or 3:00 AM, if you are talking about the 31st

 

[robinb]

It does not stay open till 2:00 or 3:00 AM, if you are talking about the 31st

I thought that the poster was talking about being in Epcot on the 31st. I admit that I skipped a couple pages on my phone .

 

[AngiTN]

I thought that the poster was talking about being in Epcot on the 31st. I admit that I skipped a couple pages on my phone .

Yea, it was the 31st.
Epcot is open till 1 AM, no EMH

 

[bobbiwoz]

We are staying at BWV, planning on HS on the 30th (and of course EPCOT for the 31st). I know TOTW is limited to people staying at BLT on the 31st, but is it also on the 30th? I was considering heading over there if we could get in as DVC members.

Yes, the 30 and 31 are both blacked out for non BLT staying guests.

Blockout dates apply for Top of the World Lounge, includingbut not limited to: December 30 — 31, 2017; July 3 — 4, 2018; and December 30 — 31, 2018. Current operating hours are 6:00 PM to midnight.