New Years Eve - Which park to celebrate at?

[OffToDWD]

We have been debating whether to celebrate New Year's at Disney World or Disneyland. Leaning towards Disney World. We have 2 kids - 4 and 9 year olds. Which park would you recommend for New Year's Eve celebration? Thanks!

 

[CAS239]

Dec 30th: MK
Dec 31st:Epcot

This way you'll see both nye shows

 

[OffToDWD]

Oh nice! Magic Kingdom also does New Year's Eve shows on the 30th? That's awesome. Thanks!

 

[CAS239]

Oh nice! Magic Kingdom also does New Year's Eve shows on the 30th? That's awesome. Thanks!

Yes they run their nye show on the 30th and 31st. A lot of people don't know this. But it's great to be able to catch both while avoiding the nightmare of trying to leave MK on NYE night

 

[yulilin3]

Epcot, for sure, hands down. Don't expect to do many rides but it is SO MUCH FUN.
No need to get there early either. If you just want to party arrive around 6pm. Be prepared to stay inside the park until about 2am to avoid traffic

 

[Disneylover99]

Epcot. It wouldn't feel like New Year's to me at any other park.

 

[OffToDWD]

Thank you!

 

[Accident]

I wouldn't exactly call the 30th not a nightmare to leave but most people do run out and it's a dream few hours of a rather empty park if you can stay awake

 

[FelisLachesis]

Yes they run their nye show on the 30th and 31st. A lot of people don't know this. But it's great to be able to catch both while avoiding the nightmare of trying to leave MK on NYE night

I'm totally backwards on this. I'll do Epcot on the 30th, to catch the last day of The Candlelight Processional and their NYE fireworks, and then surf the sea of humanity known as MK on the 31st!

Don't ask me why I like watching people just ebb and flow like that. I'll sit at King of Prussia Mall (2nd largest mall by area in the US) on Black Friday, and just watch people buzz by. I'll flow around on MK on Dec 31, sometimes pushing traffic, sometimes letting traffic push me.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

I did MK on the 30th this past year, and EPCOT on the 31st. I will now go to EPCOT for any special holiday fireworks since I have now been there on the 4th of July and New Years Eve. I think EPCOT puts on the best atmosphere for NYE, and their special holiday fireworks finales can't be beat (my opinion). I know the MK shows are great also, but there is just something about being "afraid for your life" at the end of the 4th of July/NYE EPCOT fireworks that has me intrigued every time I see them.

I'll do Epcot on the 30th, to catch the last day of The Candlelight Processional and their NYE fireworks, and then surf the sea of humanity known as MK on the 31st!

EPCOT does not do their NYE fireworks on the 30th. They only do it on the 31st. Magic Kingdom is the only park that does their special NYE fireworks on the 30th and 31st.

We have been debating whether to celebrate New Year's at Disney World or Disneyland.

I have celebrated at both. I grew up around Disneyland, but only went to NYE once. The year I went, the midnight fireworks were canceled due to high winds which made staying in front of the castle since 2 p.m. a sad way to end the night. We got a light show on the castle instead. The 9 p.m. fireworks (same show as midnight) went off though since Disneyland likes to celebrate with WDW when they reach the New Year. You will most likely see fireworks if you go to WDW. I don't think they cancel their fireworks often.

 

[FelisLachesis]

EPCOT does not do their NYE fireworks on the 30th. They only do it on the 31st. Magic Kingdom is the only park that does their special NYE fireworks on the 30th and 31st.

They had something after Illuminations on the 30th when I was there. There wasn't a full on countdown, but they tacked something onto the end. I thought it was part of the NYE show.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

They had something after Illuminations on the 30th when I was there. There wasn't a full on countdown, but they tacked something onto the end. I thought it was part of the NYE show.

It is their "Peace on Earth" Holiday tag. They do that from the day after Thanksgiving (I think)-December 30th. December 31st is the only day EPCOT does their NYE tag. If you want to see both EPCOT and MK NYE fireworks, you will have to go to MK on the 30th and EPCOT on the 31st. On the 31st, Illuminations also does a show around 6 p.m, and at that show, they do their "Peace on Earth" Holiday tag. If you want to see the midnight countdown, you would have to wait until the 11:40 p.m. Illuminations on the 31st to see the countdown tag.

 

[FelisLachesis]

It is their "Peace on Earth" Holiday tag. They do that from the day after Thanksgiving (I think)-December 30th. December 31st is the only day EPCOT does their NYE tag. If you want to see both EPCOT and MK NYE fireworks, you will have to go to MK on the 30th and EPCOT on the 31st. On the 31st, Illuminations also does a show around 6 p.m, and at that show, they do their "Peace on Earth" Holiday tag. If you want to see the midnight countdown, you would have to wait until the 11:40 p.m. Illuminations on the 31st to see the countdown tag.

Oh, ok! Thank you for that! I stand corrected.

 

[deedubb]

Between Disneyworld and Disneyland, I would choose the former hands down. Disneyland cancels fireworks way to often due to high winds and that would be a huge letdown.

 

[OffToDWD]

Does Magic Kingdom do an early fireworks show on 12/30 (for the little ones)?