New Year's Eve

[lomillerin]

I read that MK closes down because of crowds on NYE.

Was anyone there last year? Did it close? What time?

We are looking at flying in on Dec. 31st in the morning.

This would put us at a park around noon.

Will MK be closed by then?

It is 150.00 more a person to fly in on Dec. 30th.

Any advice would be great....

Is MK the best place to be? Do all the parks count down that night?

Thanks,

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Last year on New Years Eve the official closing time for the Magic Kingdom was 2:00 AM & since they were having EMH that night Walt Disney World Resort Hotel guests were allowed to stay until 4:00 AM. As for when in the afternoon the Magic Kingdom would close by it all depends on a few things. They could the TTC parking lot as early as 10:00 AM, so if your comming from an off site hotel you would be told to turn around. Later on in the afternoon they might stop Disney Transportation from their own Resorts on WDW propery for a certin time because the park would be filled to capacity. So it all depends on how many people are trying to get into the Magic Kingdom & this is just a guess but at 12:00 PM you might not be so lucky. However you just never know so the best thing you can do is try to get there & see what happens.

 

[Luv2Roam]

We were at Epcot for NYE last year. (MK the year before.)
We arrived late afternoon and shortly after we arrived guests were heavily entering Epcot, as MK was closed off for guests to enter.
MK on NYE is about as bad as you can imagine. So if you go, be prepared.

 

[Mary Anne]

I can guarantee you the MK will be closed by 10 am on New Year Eve. I'm not sure about the other parks, the only one you may get in if you get here later in the day is Animal Kingdom.

 

[Al and Kate's Mom]

We have PS for Le Cellier New Year's Eve - will we be able to get in for dinner if the park is at capacity?

 

[Mary Anne]

No, if the park is closed even if you have a PS you will not be let in. Some years they have allowed you back in IF you were on site and had been in earlier that day. I do think with Epcot you have a much better chance then the MK of it not being closed, exp if you are onsite (which I can tell by your sig you are.)

 

[MinnieFan]

We were at MK on NYE 2005. The park was closed due to capacity by 9 a.m. (we arrived about 7:30 a.m.) We love WDW at the holiday time and will definitely visit again at that time of the year, but we have already decided that we will never go to MK again on NYE. The crowds were a nightmare.

If you are really set on being at MK for NYE, I would fly in the day before so that you can get to the park very early. At least that way you will be able to get around and do a few things before the crowds become impassable.

 

[Mary Anne]

I agree with you Minnie Fan, we have done the MK 3 times on NY Eve and have agreed never again. We'll be there this year and specifically decided to stay at the BWVilla so we would not have to deal with bus transportation after the midnight hour. We will take our chances with MGM, get there early, spend the day and then be able to walk back to our room if we decide to stay till midnight. Same with Epcot. Getting home from the MK on NYEve can take 2 hours by bus with the lines.

 

[Al and Kate's Mom]

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions and tips - I think we'll hit EPCOT early and stay through dinner, and then maybe resort hop and look at the decorations instead of staying in the park - crowds are not fun for me!

 

[mamacatnv]

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions and tips - I think we'll hit EPCOT early and stay through dinner, and then maybe resort hop and look at the decorations instead of staying in the park - crowds are not fun for me!

That is what we did, we resort hopped and then went to Fort Wilderness for the campfire sing-a-long and movie. We had a great NYE without the madness and chaos of the parks, we got enough of that in the days leading up to and away from New Years.

 

[Connears]

We have been to wdw for 2 NYE's. First thing we decided was to avoid MK. It is usually closed to all guests(including resort guests) by 10am. If you do decide to go there, plan on getting there early and staying! You should not try to park hop because you will not be readmitted if they are at max capacity..even if you have ADR. 2003-4 we started at MGM and then went to epcot around 4:30pm. It was fine at MGM and we toured well with FP. Epcot was crazy crowded, but fun. They gave out hats and noise makers around 6pm and we had PS at Teppanyaki for 7:30pm. 2004-5, We started and stayed at MGM. They had live bands and radio disney inpm. We had PS at Brown Derby and then did Fantasmic. Around 11:30pm we took boat back to Swan and watched Fireworks at MGM (Fantasy in the Sky) from our room on 11 th floor. Then we saw some on Epcot fireworks from the dock at swan/dolphin. It was nice being back at resort before the crowds and still have a chance to see the great fireworks. I think you can still plan to park hop to Epcot as it is such a big park. If you want MK..make sure to make your ADR's asap.
Have fun
Connears

We arrive 12/24 and are leaving 12/30 this year and miss NYE..oh well
__________________

 

[Partridge4ever]

We were there last NYE. I don't know if the parks closed or not. I worried that they would. We arrived at MGM about an hour before the parade. It was horribly crowded by fireworks time, but I thought it was a lot fun. I grew up watching New Years Rockin Eve on TV every year w/just my mom and me, wishing I could be in on the excitement. My DH on the other hand hates crowds and did NOT enjoy it.

On Dec. 30 they did the countdown and fireworks at MK, so we got to see it too. We watched from Fantasyland w/only moderate crowds.

 

[lomillerin]

So much to consider....

What does each park offer on NYE? Which is best?

What is there to do not in a park?

I am just beginning to plan......

 

[Al and Kate's Mom]

That is what we did, we resort hopped and then went to Fort Wilderness for the campfire sing-a-long and movie. We had a great NYE without the madness and chaos of the parks, we got enough of that in the days leading up to and away from New Years.

Can you go to the FW things without being a guest there - that sounds like a perfect NYE for my DD5!!!