New Years Eve

[nibbo]

I know I've got a long long time to go before we go but I'm just wondering about New Years Eve at DW. We want to be at Epcot in the evening to see in New Year. Would it be ok to go to Epcot just for the evening and do other parks or attractions during the day or would it be advisable to spend the day at Epcot due to crowd levels and risk of park closing in the evening?

And there's me posting a thread the other week about how I don't plan things!

 

[saratogagirl]

We got the bus at about 12.00pm to Epcot last New Years Eve, there were already road signs up to say that Magic Kingdom was closed and that MGM was on red alert. We got chatting to an american lady in France at about 4.00pm, and she had been chatting to a cast member who had told her the park was 75% full. It was packed at that point I don't honestly know where the other 25% would have fitted. It was wonderful, I 100% recommend it, we had so much fun, they start to give out party hats and blowers at about sixish, they also set up stalls selling cocktails in flashing glasses etc. We left and went back to Saratoga to watch the Pleasure Island fireworks, this year we will definately not be doing that, but hope to book a later dinner and stay till the end.

 

[tashasmum]

We went into Epcot about 9am a couple of years ago and stayed until 1am. Fantastic. We had a booking for the Rose and Crown at 7pm and then after that we just wandered around to the different discos they have on and then saw the fireworks and New Year in, infront of the fountains. The atmosphere was brilliant, everyone was dancing and singing along with the usual silly dances. Would highly recommend it even though Epcot is not one of my favourite parks.

 

[nibbo]

Think we'll play safe and go for the whole day and just take it easy. Sounds like you both had so much fun and i imagine seeing the new year in watching the fireworks is just amazing. I love standing there, arms around the family and watching Illuminations at the end of the day so being able to see in the new year this way with DW and DD's will hopefully be the climax to our holiday as it will also be our last night there.

 

[suzycute]

Wow - New Years Eve at Epcot sounds amazing - definately on my "to do" list!

 

[wayneg]

Been for 4 New Years Eves, All in EPCOT, keep saying we will try another park but don't know how it could beat EPCOT, its just the place to be for us.
1st time was NYE 2000, got there about 30 mins after park opening, they were turning everyone away, luckily that was the only time we stayed onsite so they let us in. The other 3 visits got there for opening as we have been ofsite since an didn't want to be turned away.
I am sure we will be there again this NYE. Get to UK for 7pm(midnight at home) great atmosphere, watch early fireworks (best firework show in Disney) then out for a bite to eat and to DTD for midnight fireworks.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

I was in Epcot New Year 2000/2001.

Epcot was closed to all off-site visitors by early afternoon and all guests from late afternoon.

If you plan on seeing the New Year in at Epcot, spend the day there.

We arrived around lunchtime, and guests were already staking out their spots all around the lake with blankets.

That year (do they do this every year?) the performed Illuminations twice, once at 7pm and again at midnight (extended & enhanced version).

Of course 7pm EST = Midnight GMT, so my wife & I were in the square at UK in World showcase outside the Rose & Crown. Unfortunately, we were seperated just before 7pm, when cast members cleared the square. I understand that this is because the first firework of Illuminations, the one that flies low and screams, is launched from one of the roofs in the UK.

Andrew

 

[Hilary]

We've only been in Orlando for NYE once, in 2000/2001. We arrived at Epcot at park opening (7.30 I think!) to make sure of getting in, as we wanted to be there for the evening, and had been warned the park was likely to close very early. However, I've heard plenty of reports from other years of people getting in just for the evening, so I guess it must vary

We tried to get around World Showcase to be at each country for the time their homelands would be celebrating NYE - i.e., in the Rose and Crown in the UK at 7pm because that was midnight back in the real UK. We didn't manage all the countries at the right time, but we had fun trying!

I don't know what NYE is like in the other parks, but the atmosphere in Epcot certainly made a very looooong day absolutely worth it

 

[CarolynU]

If you want to dine in one of the restaurants make ressies as soon as you can, because they get booked up very early. The atmosphere is amazing, but do expect very long lines even for the restrooms.

 

[Kevin Stringer]

We spent Millennium Eve in Epcot. I guess it would probably have been even more packed than normal New Year's Eve's, but we had a wonderful time.

Have a look here http://www.kevinstringer.co.uk/millennium trip/day4.htm if you want to read about the fun we had that day.

Kev

 

[T16GEM]

I was supposed to be meeting Jules (Saratogagirl) at EPCOT last New Years but I got food poisoning and we had to delay going to the park, we were worried about not getting in, so we eventually got there at about 4pm, our friends had been to MK in the morning and it had been closed, they asked a CM about EPCOT though and they said that they wouldn't be closing the park. We were very surprised that we parked right by the entrance too so we didn't have a long walk.

The party atmosphere was fantastic, we all had party hats and noise maker blower thingys, the kids had a couple of flashing light rings that they wore round their necks, there was a great DJ and lots of music etc, there were countdowns to the New Year for each country in the World Showcase, and the fireworks at mid night were the most amazing thing we have ever seen, Shelby (DD2) hated them as they were too loud for her but the whole hing was something that we will never forget. I would say Epcot at New Year is a must!

 

[wils]

I think both MK and MGM ended up at capacity last NYE and as Jules has said a 75% full EPCOT is rather busy! We left at 4 and went back to the hotel as we thought it would be too much for the kids.

I'd get there early to be sure. The man in front of us at security was an expert of EPCOT NYEs and can with blankets and books to sit some of the day out!

I'd love to do it 'properly' one year

 

[T16GEM]

I meant to say that we waiting about 90 mins for Spaceship Earth on NYE too, so gives you an idea of the wait for that, BUT Soarin was 6 yes 6 hours!!! Needless to say we didn't ride that day!

 

[Lisash]

We've spent two NYE's in Magic Kingdom and both times the gates were closed by mid-day. The atmosphere was terrific both times which helps carry you through such a long day. I'd definitely recommend making a dinner booking as it gets you away from the crowds for a while

 

[wils]

I meant to say that we waiting about 90 mins for Spaceship Earth on NYE too, so gives you an idea of the wait for that, BUT Soarin was 6 yes 6 hours!!! Needless to say we didn't ride that day!

The fast passes for Soarin ran out just before midday! A lady DH talked to when I rode wanted to know if it was worth her waiting another 10 hours to ride

 

[wayneg]

I have a 20 min limit for ride lines. up it to 30mins at Xmas and Easter. So it usually means fast passes and single rider lines but works quite well get to do most we want every time. I just don't understand lining up for more than 30 mins, no ride in the world is worth it to me.

 

[Hilary]

I think you just have to view NYE as a day when you visit the parks with the intention of having a great day and soaking up the atmosphere and any special events (like the music stages in Epcot), and any rides you get to do are a bonus. Try not to use very busy days like NYE for ticking off 'must do' rides in your schedule

 

[Camac]

We have found that New Years Day is a great time to visit the parks - so quiet and no lines!

 

[nibbo]

Thanks for all your replies.

It will be our last day there of the 3 weeks we are going for so all the rides would have been taken care of the first 2 weeks. We intend to just chill out and soak up the atmosphere of everything during Christmas week as it will be so busy. I think it would be a good idea by the sounds of things to get to Epcot early on NYE just to be on the safe side and I'll book up a meal reservation if I can on the first day available.