new years eve

[welshlamb]

Can anyone recommend which disney park to go to on New Years Eve?
Our first choice is magic kingdom and would like know which restaurant to choose. What time would everyone arrive at a park on nye?
We were going to do a park on Christmas day but we've decided to stay at the villa and have a day by the pool nad chill out rather than go head tohead with the crowds. (we'll leave this for new year)
This might sound a stupid question but can you buy things like Christmas trees lights and small decorations at walmart? and do they have the same traditional christmas dinner items us brits might buy???.
I've checked with the agent who we've booked the villa through and they've said the christmas tree is something we wolud have to get ourselves. I don't mind doing this and will leave the tree at the villa as long as you can pick them up quite cheap otherwise i'll fit a small one in our cases.
As you might guess this will be the first Christmas we've spent away and the children are starting to ask questions about presents,santa etc

 

[gilld]

On NYE ALL parks will be full to bursting and are quite likely to close the gates by about 10am - meaning once you're in, you may well have to stay or risk not getting back in, particularly as you will be staying off site.

We did Christmas/New Year a few years back and I have never been so scared at the number of guests - or been so cold - but that's a whole different story

If you intend going to a park, go early and be prepared to stand around a lot - you certainly won't get on many rides as the queues will quite possibly be in excess of 2 hours each. As regards dining, book ASAP.

I'm afraid I don't know about Christmas trees - but I'm sure someone else will.

 

[wayneg]

We have done 3 NYE in Epcot. Never in any other park. I just don't think its possible to be anywhere better. We get to "England" at 7pm where it is packed with everyone wanting to be there as it is midnight at home. Then watch the early firework/laser show, struggle our way out of the park with what feels like a million people, you don't have a lot of choice in some parts you just have to go with the wave of people. Get out of the park for some food then to Downtown Disney for midnight to see the fireworks there. We might try something different this year but I doubt it.
As for what time to get there, if your offsite get there for opening time (or just before) 1st time we went we got there 30mins after opening and they were at capacity, luckily that year we were onsite so got in.
Not been to Walmart at Xmas but Micheals on Intrnational Drive sell loads of Xmas stuff, its a massive craft type shop, we go to sales after xmas they nearly give stufff away, ie xmas mugs 50c. http://www.michaels.com/art/online/home

 

[Camac]

As has already been said, the parks will be fit to bursting and it is a very long day from 9am to midnight especially with youn children.

For NYE 2003 we shopped in the morning and spent the afternoon poolside before going to Wilderness Lodge for a drink and catching the boat across to the late show of Hoop Dee Do Musical Review in Fort Wilderness. Yes, it was cheesy but quite good fun. We were bussed back to WL and wandered down to the lake in time to see the midnight fireworks. It was a lovely way to celebrate NYE without being caught up in the heaving masses - don't forget all those people will want to leave at the same time as you - it can take ages to get out of the parks.

This year we have booked for Disney's Spirit of Aloha show at the Poly and will be watching the MK fireworks whilst sitting on the Poly beach at midnight after which we will make a quick getaway back to our hotel and avoid the crowds.

Camac

 

[Lisash]

We did NYE in MK last year and it was MANIC. The gates were closed around 11am (we got there at 9am) The upside was a fantastic atmosphere all day (i cried from 11.45pm to 12.15am solid) the downside was that crowds were a bit too much to bear at times (we did consider going home early a couple of times) and we didn't get that many rides in but having said that we knew what we were letting ourselves in for so couldn't complain. All in all it couldn't have been that bad as we are doing it again this NYE. We have booked an ADR for Crystal Palace so at least we can escape the hubbub for a while. I'd say go for a quieter park if you can't stand crowds but just be aware that wherever you are you will be there more for the experience of just being there on NYE than much else

 

[CHRIS F]

We went to WDW for new year 2003 [261203] on NYE we decided to go to Epcot, we were at the main gate at 8.30am took us 90 minutes to actually get into the park,[ok I kept changing queues] but it turned out to be one of the best NYE I have ever spent.

Ok we did none of the bigger rides ,at 10am the fastpasses were for 11.45pm and then 10 minutes later I think they were all out, but we just did things that we would normally overlook had a great time. We had decided that we would not spend hours sitting for an illuminations spot just grab what we could. At 7pm we were in the UK part and celebrated new year doing the can-can with some Brits I met 5 minutes before, then had a reservation at San Angel for 7.45 had a relaxed meal and a few beers, then were lucky to get a great spot in Japan for the fireworks, had a wonderful if long day, every year since then I have wanted to be there again, the fireworks at midnight were fantastic!!

We just accepted that it would be busy,no rides and a lot of walking, but the time just went. Our freinds went to MK and they said that if you had fainted on main street you would not have hit the floor it was so busy, but not having been there could not honestly comment. For us we had such a good time ok I had a few beers that made the day go quicker lol, we got back to ASMo at 3am, but would do it again without even thinking about it, such a special time, the atmosphere was fantastic, I would go again, and I am the guy that hates crowds and won't queue for anything over 20 minutes normally lol

 

[Kevin Stringer]

I agree with all that's been said.
We were in Epcot for the Millennium, it was one of the best days (and nights) of my life. Yes, it was packed, but you shouldn't really go to any of the parks on New Year's Eve and expect to get on many rides.

At night Epcot turned into one huge party. There were disco's and bands all over the place. As Chris said, it was packed around the UK at 7.00pm as everyone turned up to enjoy midnight back home.
It was very crowded at times. We went to watch Off Kilter, but couldn't get through because it was so packed. No big deal we just turned around and walked the other way.

They have 2 showings of Reflections of Earth and a special fireworks display at midnight which is spectacular to say the least. Even then we carried on partying for another couple of hours.
I'd do it every year if I could. Of course, we were very lucky with the weather and it was glorious sunshine all day.

Kev

 

[maleficent_man]

I can't make my mind up where to go for NYE....

I know MGM and MK run their NYE shows on both 30 and 31 Dec so I was thinking of doing one of those then....but I also want to do Epcot.....I want them all!

Whatever happens I know it will be busy but it'll be fun with it.

 

[**Laura**]

We spent New years in MGM last year. Brilliant atmosphere although it was packed and the queues for the rides were 2 hrs. I'd definately do it again though!

The only thing i would do differently is eat early and find yourself a good spot where you can see the stage, we ended up quite far back and being 5ft 3 I didnt see much!

Christmas at Disney is fantastic you will love it whatever you do!