New Year's Eve Strategy

[fjs08]

Planning on being at WDW on New Year's Eve.
Anyone have any tips on how to handle that day.
Couple of web sites say the parks "will" fill up and that you should get to "a" park early, plan on staying there and NOT leaving.
Is this a reasonable plan??
Thanks.
Frank

 

[tjmw2727]

Yep, we do just that! Been at WDW for the past 3 NYE and love it. The past few we have been at Epcot, just arrive in the am and plan the day. IMHO Epcot has the most to do esp when the E type attractions have long lines. Lots of shows and movies and live entertainment at WS.

However this year we are trying something new and heading to the Studios mid morning for the day.

Just be patient, enjoy what you can do and go with the flow. My kids are only allowed to bring a DS or Ipod to the parks on NYE and we also bring some trivia cards and such to help pass the lines and the time waiting for fireworks and parades etc. It's especially fun when the folks around you join in for the trivia cards while waiting on line or for a parade or fireworks. We have met some fun people

Check the schedule for the park you want to visit and pick a few "must do attractions" hit them early and grab as many FP's as you can and then just enjoy.

It is crowded for sure but IME for the most part everyone is in a great mood and just there to ring in the new year like you.

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

I read on another thread about someone who had been spending NYE at Epcot every year since 1992 and they said they could easily get in around 3-4pm because they were resort guests. We're planning to do that, spend the morning and afternoon shopping at DTD and then heading to Epcot around 3 or 4. If we can't get in will just find some place to have dinner, hit another park or just relax in the room. That's the plan so far!

 

[tjmw2727]

I read on another thread about someone who had been spending NYE at Epcot every year since 1992 and they said they could easily get in around 3-4pm because they were resort guests. We're planning to do that, spend the morning and afternoon shopping at DTD and then heading to Epcot around 3 or 4. If we can't get in will just find some place to have dinner, hit another park or just relax in the room. That's the plan so far!

Yes, Epcot holds the crowds best so you are very likely to get into Epcot as a resort guest.

Resort guests are guaranteed entry to a park - not necessarily the park of your choice though. IME MK is the first to close to guests and AK closes at 7 so that leaves DHS and Epcot as good choices.

ETA - we have also been at the Boardwalk for NYE and it is lots of fun with entertainment, noise makers and live bands. You can even see some of the Epcot fireworks.

 

[texaslonestar]

I was at Epcot last year for NYE and will be there again this year. We got to Epcot pretty close to rope drop (yes, we were there ALL day) grabbed fast passes, and enjoyed the slower paced morning. We actually did the Behind the Seeds tour and might do it this year again. Our theory was to try new things and just enjoy ourselves. We had (and will again this year) dinner at the German Biergarten. We happended to be there last year during the German New Year. When we go out of dinner, World Showcase had transformed into a big party like atmosphere! Party hats had been passed out and everyone seemed to truly be enjoying the celebration. It was fun being in the different countries when they celebrated their New Year! I'm a fireworks girl and loved the New Year's countdown and fireworks! After the fireworks, there are a few DJs set up around World Showcase. I am really looking forward to NYE in Epcot!!

I did have some friends that live in the area that were able to get into Epcot later in the evening. So if the park was closed to capacity, it was opened later on in the evening.

If you have any more questions, feel free to message me.

 

[mbat]

@ Caribbeanprincess...

How did New Years at Epcot turn out? Were you able enter the park around 4? I am staying at BCV this year and spending New Years at Epcot. I am trying to see what our best options would be. I understand that it is not predictable but at least having the options is good. Thanks in advance!

 

[Grumpy92]

Historically the week between xmas and nys is the busiest time of the year for wdw.

The three parks do NYE celebrations of some type. We have done a different park on various NYEs. Most of the time the parks fill to capacity by noon. So I would recommend making an ADR at the park of your choice and then just stay there. ADRs do not guarantee admittance either. If you are staying at a Disney resort you are guaranteed admittance to a park but it may not be the park you want. If you are staying off property you need to get there very early.
I will give you an example. We did EC for NYE one year. We got there about 9:00am, took our time on the attractions because we knew we had all day and into the night. If there was a line we did not care, time to waste. We had dinner at Akershus and afterwards watched the cms celebrate NYE according to their home countries time. As adults we had no problem, but we did feel bad for the children. Most were exhausted and sacked out anywhere they could (stores, grassy areas, strollers, sidewalks). They do sell champagne for the first toast. We enjoyed illuminations and the extra fireworks for NYE.