New Years Eve

[DISNUT21]

Hey Guys,
It's been a while since I've been on the boards... but with everything going on it has been incredibly busy. Lets just say working on Wall Street in Finance during this whole mess has not been fun at all. At any rate, due to recent economic events everyone who was going to roll over un-used vacation time to next year is now not allowed to and must take it by years end. And, since I fall into that category I now have 7 days to use and figured why not take the GF and head on over to WDW for New Years. The only thing I was wondering is with all the cutbacks (esp. the closing of PI) is it still a good choice for NYE? Another question I also had was how is the weather down there in Dec/Jan? Is it warm enough to go swimming or is it lukewarm... we're from NJ so anything is better than what we have... haha. Thanks again for all your help with planning, you guys all are awesome!
Anthony

 

[ADP]

Hey Guys,
It's been a while since I've been on the boards... but with everything going on it has been incredibly busy. Lets just say working on Wall Street in Finance during this whole mess has not been fun at all. At any rate, due to recent economic events everyone who was going to roll over un-used vacation time to next year is now not allowed to and must take it by years end. And, since I fall into that category I now have 7 days to use and figured why not take the GF and head on over to WDW for New Years. The only thing I was wondering is with all the cutbacks (esp. the closing of PI) is it still a good choice for NYE? Another question I also had was how is the weather down there in Dec/Jan? Is it warm enough to go swimming or is it lukewarm... we're from NJ so anything is better than what we have... haha. Thanks again for all your help with planning, you guys all are awesome!
Anthony

Well, I was at EPCOT last New Years Eve. I can tell you my reaction to everything FWIW.

The park was miserably crowded. I'm talking trying to move 20 ft one way or the other took 5 minutes. Be prepared to get to the park early and don't plan on leaving to park hop. EPCOT seems to handle the crowds well, but it was still extremely crowded.

The Illumination fireworks with the holiday tag and New Years tag were very good and unique. However, because of the crowds it was uncomfortable watching them around the World Showcase lagoon.

Wait times for attractions ranged anywhere from 200 minutes for Test Track to 30 minutes for Figment. Just getting a snack at a snack cart took 20 to 30 minutes.

We did attend the New Years Eve dinner party over at the World Showplace pavillion (located between Canada and the UK). It was a great way to escape the crowds and relax. In fact, I told DW we shouldn't leave and go back out into the crowds until closer to the time when the fireworks would begin. So, if you plan on visiting EPCOT New Years Eve you might want to think about attending this special dinner. We thought it was wonderful.

After visiting EPCOT last New Years Eve I don't think I'll be visiting a park on a holiday again. I think the best advice I can give you is to stay at your resort on the day of a major holiday like New Years Eve and enjoy the resort amenities and resort holiday activities. Many of the Disney resorts have special activities on holidays.

Hope this helps.

 

[DISNUT21]

Thank you so much... you have now made my decision all the more clear. I hate crowds and so does my GF it will not be a good trip if we are dealing with wall to wall people in the parks. Thank you so much for answering before I booked anything haha.
-Anthony

 

[*NikkiBell*]

We went to WDW December 26 through January 1 not this year, but the last. We had a blast on NYE at Hollywood Studios. Epcot and MK tend to be the most crowded. HS was crowded too but it was exciting and fun. They had amazing fireworks and gave out NYE hats and horns for free. Champagne was also being sold all over.

Swimming is kind of do-able, but it is cold at night. They heat the pools and can turn the heaters up if you ask. It's just cool when you get out.

I definitely recommend trying it even if it is just one time. BTW, we are from NJ too and not far from you.

 

[zulemara]

I was also at EPCOT last year on New years. I had been there once before so I really knew what to expect. Going to EPCOT on new years is not a time to expect to get on rides. That should be common knowlege.

Yes, it's crowded, but you referenced PI and if you like PI, EPCOT is the next best thing. They have DJs spinning techno with light shows in 3 differnet pavilions plus in futureworld. We staked our spot for the fireworks really early at the expense of not drinking at midnight. In hindsight, I'll be drunk next time because if you're drunk, you don't care about the crowds and you don't care where you're standing as long as you can see the fireworks. Basically after 7pm you want to escape to the back of the world showcase and don't expect to make it back to future world. Canada and Mexico are the most crowded places. If you just kinda hang back, it'll be a fun time.

I also attended that dinner at the WS pavillion and thought it was great. Unfortunately we were eating when illuminations came on so we ran out to watch that. The waiter just sort of looked the other way and let us go LOL.

There is nowhere I"d rather be on New Years than EPCOT, but that's just me

 

[DISNUT21]

How Exciting! Maybe I will consider going, for what its worth how many people get to say they were in WDW for New Years... not many.
Thanks alot guys for helping me with my decision... and NikkiBell, really? where about? Go Figure, such a large community and I've got a DIS'er in my own backyard practically LOL.