Alright, here goes.
We've done Christmas and NYE the past five out of six years and will be returning this year for the sixth time. I'd say we have a pretty solid understanding of the parks by now. Our first few years we did DHS, but we've been doing EPCOT lately.
You're staying off-site, so you automatically put yourself at a disadvantage.
Phase 1 Closure: Guests with 'Magic Your Way' base tickets, or a '1-Day 1-Park Ticket', Guests without an admission ticket, and Cast Members using Main Gate & Silver Passes will be turned around at the parking lot booths.
Phase 2 Closure: Admission is limited to:
- Disney Resort Guests (including the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, and guests arriving by bus from the Hotel Plaza Boulevard hotels)
- Annual, Premier and Premium Annual Passholders
- Guests with Hopper tickets coming from another park
- Guests re-entering the park
- Guests with dining reservations
- Magic Kingdom Guests with reservations for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League
- Guests using Walt Disney World Resort Transportation will be admitted.
- Guests with pre-purchased 1 day Magic Kingdom tickets
Phase 3 Closure: Admission is limited to:
- Disney Resort Guests (including the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, and guests arriving by bus from the Hotel Plaza Boulevard hotels)
- Annual, Premier and Premium Annual Passholders
- Guests with dining reservations
- Magic Kingdom Guests with reservations for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League
Phase 4 Closure: Closed to all guests.
I've never witnessed a Phase 4 closure in person. I think the last Phase 4 closure occurred in 2007 at Magic Kingdom. The parks will typically hit a Phase 3 closure by 10 or 11am. Last year, I distinctly remember the parks hitting a Phase 3 at Magic Kingdom on December 26th and I think December 28th and 12/31. EPCOT definitely hit a Phase 3 on 12/31. Parks will sometimes hit a Phase 3 at, say, 10am and the closure will be lifted by 3pm or 4pm. Last year I remember the closure being lifted by 6pm. It's tough to predict on NYE. On Christmas Day, it may hit a Phase 3 closure - but people will generally leave by dinnertime. During NYE, however, people are there for the long haul. They get there early, find their spots and stay put. Some try and get in a few rides, others will just walk the park aimlessly for 18 hours. It's really a long day.
We avoid the parks like the plague on NYE Day. We head to Disney Springs early in the day, then rest in the afternoon. We'll head to one of the parks at night, around 5 or 6pm. I know - we take a real chance at being turned away due to phased closures. We haven't been yet (knock on wood) but IF we were, we'd make the best of it. We've seen the fireworks and shows so many times. It wouldn't kill us to celebrate NYE an unconventional way.
As for you, though...
NYE is the most crowded day of the year. I've been to Magic Kingdom on Christmas day (every year) and I think the NYE crowds far outweigh the Christmas crowds. It's unlike anything you've ever seen. Think about it - most times at Disney you're dealing with vacationers, maybe some locals or people in the area. On NYE, Disney World is
the Times Square of Florida. Of the south, really. You not only have an influx of people vacationing for the holidays, but you have locals looking to celebrate the New Year, and anyone within a driving or "quick weekend" distance away willing to take the trip. You're a perfect example. You'll "be in the area". I'm in no way discouraging you, just be prepared. It's gonna be packed. As for choosing a park:
Magic Kingdom: This will be the most crowded park, rightfully so. It'll also feel the most crowded. Magic Kingdom is the smallest of the four parks and doesn't hold crowds too well. Main Street will be nearly impossible to navigate. They'll have the backstage area open. You'll be able to go backstage in Town Square and take that to Tomorrowland (right in front of the Pavilion Ice Cream Shop). This helps alleviate the crowds
slightly. There will be lines for EVERYTHING. Things like Stitch's Great Escape will have an inconceivable wait time. Lines for popular QS spots will be higher than some attractions. Lines for bathrooms will seem longer than some attractions. The CMs do a very good job of controlling the crowds and keeping people moving. Unfortunately - some people just don't listen. I remember someone getting to Tomorrowland on 12/30 (I'll get to that soon) and just standing there. The CM continually told the guest that they can't stand there for the fireworks and the person just played dumb and wouldn't budge. Life would be infinitely easier at the parks if people would just cooperate - but they don't.
MK does do a "dress rehearsal" on 12/30. It's the exact same show as NYE. It's great because it not only gives guests a chance to see the show without (as much) mayhem, but it gives you options. You can see the NYE countdown at MK and then go to a different park on 12/31. If you're in the area, go to MK on 12/30. It's totally worth it and you'll get your MK NYE experience without the madness. It'll still be packed, for sure, but nowhere near MK.
EPCOT: EPCOT is the spot to be for NYE. It's party central. It'll be just as packed, if not more, as Magic Kingdom - but it absorbs the crowds better. We did EPCOT one NYE day and said "never again." That's when we decided to stay away from the parks until nighttime. Soarin' will be a 4-hour wait and things like Ellen's Energy Adventure will be a 2-hour wait. It's that crazy. It's totally worth it, though. It's probably one of the best experiences for NYE. Around 11:50pm, they celebrate the New Year around the world. Each country's pavilion will set off the fireworks, which is really cool to see. At 12am, the fireworks go off and the ground literally trembles. Between the DJs, the drinks and the fireworks, I'd totally recommend the park.
It's better for older families who can enjoy the DJs and drinking culture. It's very much party central and you're gonna see a lot of over-served guests. It's kind of cool being there around 6pm. It goes from being a really crowded park to a really big party. It's like Disney flips a switch and it completely changes the moral of the guests.
DHS: We used to do Hollywood Studios, but it got a little stale. DHS stays open the latest with EMH. My sister and I used to have a tradition of riding RnR right after the New Year. DHS is great for younger families. They have cover bands and a DJ playing most of the night. It used to be at the Sorcerer's hat, but that's not there anymore. They serve drinks, but it's not as crazy as EPCOT. I think DHS will see a lot larger of a crowd this year due to the Osborne Lights closing. They give out party horns and hats and all, but they run out quick. If you choose DHS, head to the area in front of 50s Prime Time around 9pm. It's a slightly obstructed view, but there's an area to sit on the wall surrounding Echo Lake. Hold you spot and if anyone wants to drink, send a runner to the Tune-In Lounge. I recommend the electric lemonade.
As an off-site guest, I recommend getting to the park early and staying there. Don't expect to get in too many rides, unless you're lucky enough to secure a FP+. Honestly, we didn't have any FP+'s reserved. Around Thanksgiving last year, my sister called out the fact that we didn't have TestTrack reserved during our trip. I jumped into
MDE and found a FP+ for TestTrack on NYE, so you may get lucky.
If you can find an ADR for a Table Service, do it. Any table service. The chance to sit down is worth the price. That's all I've got for the parks.
I know Narcoossee's and Cali Grill both do a special dinner, but it's like $500 a person. The Yacht Club Resort is hosting some sort of party this year, too. Not sure if JellyRolls or the Dance Hall will be doing anything this year. They have in the past, though. Wouldn't surprise me if Disney Springs gets in on the action somehow, either.
