New Years Eve Week - help!

[KCMiller]

Hi, everyone!

I need some help. My children will be going to Disney with their high school marching band - they are leading the Share a Dream Come True Parade at MK on 12/29! I'm so proud! Here's my question.

I have never been to Disney before. I do know that this is a very crowded week to be going. We are staying off property, but I will have a car. We will be in MK on the 29th, Epcot on the 31st!, and MGM on the 1st. Any or all suggestions anyone has on dealing with the parks on these days would be MOST welcome. Food, rest areas, ANYTHING.

thanks, oh founts of all Disney wisdom <g>!

KC

 

[nativetxn]

Since I've never toured WDW during this time frame, I'm going to bump this back to page one for you and hope that our veterans can offer advice.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

First - expect CROWDS ! Tens of thousands of your closest friends will be in the parks with you. This time period is one of the busiest times of the year.

Some tips that might be worthwhile :

Buy a copy of Bob Sehlinger's The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2003. He has a chapter on how to tour at the busy times of the year, and since you have never been to WDW before reading one or more of the Disney guidebooks would be time well spent. Your local library should have one or more if the disney guidebooks in their travel section - give them a look. Also try Deb Will's site, it's great ! WDWIG

Get to the parks when they open. If a park reaches capacity, the first people that will be denied admittance will be off-site guests. Though this does not happen often, it has happened on times of high capacity - July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve.

Use Fastpass. Use Fastpass. Use Fastpass. Use Fastpass. Read up on it. Learn it, Love it, Live it. Fastpass will be your Friend ! Read this : Deb's WDWIG Fastpass Info .

Ok , we now have you in the park with a plan in hand. However, at some time of the day you will need to eat. You can either stand in line for counter service ( up to an hour at this time of year ) or make Disney's version of reservations : Priority Seating . You can make priority seatings at most Disney restaurants up to 90 days out, so your clock on that has already started ticking. Here is a listing of the restaurants and their menus Menus , and how well or poorly the restaurants are rated by those who have eaten there Restaurant Ratings .

Don't forget the Disney Resorts, either. Though you are not staying on-site, it might be worth you time to visit some of them. They will be beautifully decorated for Christmas, and some of the best Disney dining is in their resorts. The lobby's of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Wilderness Lodge, and the Grand Floridian are stunning during this time. You do not have to be staying at these resorts to eat and visit there.

Lastly , pace yourself. You WILL NOT be able to do everything there is to do at WDW in the amount of time you will have there, so don't stress yourself and your family by trying to. Read the guidebooks, this site and Deb's, and get the vacation planning video/cd mailed to you if you don't already have it.