New years eve

[Ck57524]

So we are going from December 28 to January 2nd. We have tickets for the 28th to the 1st. Ive heard they close gates if its too crowded. We're staying at port Orleans riverside , so we'll be in close proximity. We'll have 18 month old twins with us as well, so on new years eve we woukd like to see fireworks but would probably need a break mid day. Are there reservations to have dinner and see the fireworks like the candlelight processional? Advice on how to manage our trip. Where to go on what days and what to do. Also should we get park hoppers or no? We have the dining plan with one fast meal one sit down and a snack. Also any must have dinner places. Thanks for the help. Just trying to plan before making our plans 180 days out.

 

[sweetlittlepeas]

Hi there!

Im interested in responses myself... we will be there the same time Part of me thinks Im insane for going that week, and the other part is like -- this is going to be the best trip ever!

 

[Ck57524]

Thats so cool that you'll be there too. What resort are you staying at?

 

[Ck57524]

I asked this on the family board and was told they close mk usually by 10/11 am on new years eve and don't reopen until later. I think we've decided to stay the whole day there and when we need a break we'll see a show or something, and do the fireworks dinner package when it comes out. End of June early July I believe. I don't think its included in the dining package so we'd have to pay out of pocket which is fine. If anyone has any other ideas I'd love to hear them.

 

[sweetlittlepeas]

Thats so cool that you'll be there too. What resort are you staying at?

POP Century funny... it was between port orleans and Pop...

 

[ChitownFamily]

I asked this on the family board and was told they close mk usually by 10/11 am on new years eve and don't reopen until later. I think we've decided to stay the whole day there and when we need a break we'll see a show or something, and do the fireworks dinner package when it comes out. End of June early July I believe. I don't think its included in the dining package so we'd have to pay out of pocket which is fine. If anyone has any other ideas I'd love to hear them.

Are you completely sold. On your trip dates? Do you have flexibility with work to go in early December? All the holiday attractions, events & decor are up in early December but the crowds are pretty low. I've gone both times (Christmas to New Years & late nove/early December) I love Disney, but a huge piece of the magic for me are lower crowds. You couldn't pay me to go to Disney again during that week. At the time it was just my dh & I, it was packed shoulder to shoulder, I can't imagine taking a stroller etc. if you can't or won't change dates, I think you've found a great place to gather a game plan (on the dis)

ETA: totally not trying to be a Scrooge. Some people do not know that Disney celebrates christmas/holidays in early December. Some people come to the Dis thinking the only way to get the holiday stuff is at literally christmas. Some people do not have work flexibility & can only go at this time. Since you are planning so far in advance, i figured it couldn't hurt to ask if you are sold on your dates. This is one of my favorite articles to pass along to friends who are going during those 2 very busy weeks. Completely dismiss point number 3 about the fast passes (there is a different fast pass system in the park now) http://www.mousesavers.com/so-you-just-have-to-visit-disney-world-at-christmas/

Here's the 2013 crowd calendar for December. http://www.easywdw.com/category/calendar/12-december-2013-crowd-calendar/
and january 2014 http://www.easywdw.com/category/calendar/01-january-2014-crowd-calendar/

 

[Ck57524]

That's too funny because we were originally booked at pop century, but didn't like the idea of full size beds in case the twins decide to sleep with us. So we upgraded to POR.

We already booked, and our airline is non refundable so we're bound to those dates. Anyways its the only week that we both could find time to go. I go to school for nursing, so I'm off for a short period of time there, and my husband has a hard time getting time off. Thank you for the link.

 

[Ck57524]

Thinking about it now; We love crazy and live for craziness as we have twins. We don't know what normal and calm is since they've been born.

Does anyone know when the new years eve packages(dinner and dessert) come out? I saw the flyer for last years, and think this might be the less chaotic way to see nye fireworks. Reserved seating and dinner and dessert combined.

As for the rest I think we've thought about Hollywood studios on the 28th(we'll get there around 1 or 2), dinner at the fantasmic fireworks package, mk on the 29th with breakfast at the castle, and dinner at the crystal palace(buffet so babies can eat off plate), epcot on the 30th with breakfast at our resort, lunch at katura grill, and dinner at boat rights. On the 31st at MK with lunch at be our guest, and dinner at the nye fireworks deal. On the 1st breakfast at chef mickeys, going to AK, and dinner at Bomas. Then on the 2nd we have to be on our flight by 530 am.

Any suggestions? I'm assuming Hollywood studios won't have much for the babies, and epcot will be more for us with the different countries. As far as animal kingdom they love animals already, so I think that will be a hit, and magic kingdom has so much to do for them that two days is a must. I'm a crazy planner who has to have things planned out way in advanced, with budget all put together. (We have our trip fully paid already, and have half our budget put away)

Any snacks that are a must have? Any rides, shows ,etc.?

 

[ChitownFamily]

That does sound crazy! It's a do or die trying plan not sure if you know, so Im just sharing- reserved dining reservations do not guarantee entry to the park. If the park is closed to capacity, it won't matter if you have the reservation, you won't be able to get in. I didn't know this until someone else shared this tip on the Dis...this site has so much good info!


ETA: I was reading your plan. I am not sure if your breakfast at Chef Mickeys is realistic. If you stay at Epcot to ring in the new year (I believe they also do a 930 nye firework) you won't get back to resort until 1-2ish ,., then back for breakfast . Each family is different & has different energy levels. I can just share what my family has experienced. During our nov/dec trip, we started our day at Epcot at 10am & went all the way thru to the Christmas party. We exited MK at 1230am. The next morning we had Boma ressies for 930am HUGE mistake. We were tired, crabby, barely functionally to enjoy the beautiful restaurant. This was one of my biggest regrets, I wish I had cancelled the Boma reservation, we were on Disney/Orlando for 10 days, so the rest of our day was already scheduled as a rest day, just our experience. I would plan for a very laid back day on the first. We like to tour open to close but after even 2 days, it is beyond exhausting.

The best piece of advice I've been given by others & you'll read it over & over on the Dis. Plan on NOT seeing everything. Know that Disney is a multiple trip experience for many here. This advice helped me focus for our last trip (our kids first)


Oops sorry gave some wrong info. It looks like Epcot has a 630 & 1140 NYEs fireworks. Not sure if this helps you, but I wanted to correct my info in case others were interested. http://**************.net/2013/05/16/new-years-eve-20132014-at-walt-disney-world/