New Year's Eve

[MinnieFan]

We will be at WDW from 12/26 - 1/1. We've never been there during the holiday break before, so we are very excited!

What's your experienced opinion about the best way to spend New Year's Eve at WDW? It will be DH, me, DS age 14 and DD age 7.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[esulerzy]

I went solo this past NYE but was hesitant to go to a park that day due to the crowds. Instead, I got a ticket to Cirque de Soleil for the 9 pm show. They provided special programs (signed by the performers) and glow sticks - which we used during the final number. Once out of the show - I had only a short wait and saw the fireworks at Pleasure Island (didn't have to buy a ticket to get in since the show was in the same location). Headed straight for a bus and was back in the room within 10 minutes. Worked great.

 

[kpk89]

If you want to go to a park, get there early in the day and don't leave! We made the mistake of leaving Epcot on NYE -- we were with a large group of family, and just a few of us wanted to come back for the NYE festivities. Well we got our hands stamped and went back for a swim and meal, but when we came back to Epcot we were turned away because the park was at capacity.

It looked like they were having concerts, special entertainment, etc.

 

[WDSearcher]

I'm sure you already know this, but 12/26-1/1 is the busiest week of the year at WDW. Please plan for massive crowds!!

 

[dvc guy]

We are making our 7th( in a row)Christmas trip this year . NYE will be packed, last year we went to Epcot at about noon and some of the fast passes were gone for the day or for 8/9 PM. The place was packed, lots of extra music. We never made it to midnight DS 8 got sick at about 9 PM, when we were having dinner so we had to leave.
The key to going over the holiday season is planning, and take it slow. Make your PS at the 90 day mark, enjoy all the special holiday stuff and just realize that you will NOT be able to see everthing.

A lot of people skip the parks all together and go to the Boardwak on NYE, you can see firework from EPCOT and MGM and they have lots of stuff going on. Parks hours will be very long, with MK staying open till midnight. If the DD 7 can handle it, MK starts to clear out about 10 PM after the last parade and fireworks, and you have a good shot a the "A" rides without to much of a line. Last year DD 12, DS8 and I opened the park at 8 AM( DW joined us at noon) and stayed till 11 PM. While it was a lot of fun I would not suggest it as we were all shot the next day.
Any questions ??
Enjoy nothing better than WDW at Christmas

 

[MinnieFan]

Thanks for your tips!

 

[CarolynU]

I Like MGM NYE, because the crowds seem a little more spread out, and you have The Osbourne Lights which are amazing. There is also lots of extra stuff like bands and discos, and a seventies indoor disco which is good if it is freezing outside. It gives you a chance to warm up a bit before heading back outside again!

 

[PiRSquared]

We went in 2003. We went to Epcot. We stay off site in a time share, so we knew we had to get there early. We got there when the part opened and immediately went to Mission Space for fast passes. They were for 2:00 pm. (I think it was EMH for guests, so I guess they took them all.) We had PS for in Canada around 2:30. Our waitress said they were at a closing level of 2. Around 7 we got stuck (literally couldn't walk an in or two any direction) for about 30 minutes in the countries. Eventually some CM's cleared the problem and we were off. It was crowded, but with planning we did a lot. We loved getting our Disney hats and horns for midnight. We watched the fireworks for midnight and left. There were LOTS of parties going in the the countries, but we aren't pary people. All in all it was fun, but it takes careful planning. We will be back again this year, yea!!!!

 

[swatts1]

We've been 3 times for NYE. It is really crowded. The key is not to feel like you must do every single ride. The decorations are simply gorgeous. If you can, visit every resort. We always went to MGM for NYE. Our kids were teens and they liked the bands that played there, and we love the Osbourne lights. We always stay at SOG and were able to leave and return to MGM. This includes 1999/2000. We got the MGM early in the day, returned to SOG for a swim and nap, and then went back to the park. Make PS for lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner. Better to have them and not use them. You will be glad for a place to sit down and a bathroom to use!!!! Its been a few years, but we had lots of fun. Just try and keep the time of year in perspective. If you haven't been to WDW lately and want to do every thing there is to do, then you'd be better off to go another time of the year.

 

[riu girl]

dvc guy (or anyone else):

Can you please tell me what sort of activities may be happening at the boardwalk area on NYE?? There will be me, DD8 and DS5 and we have never been to the boardwalk area.

Thank you
Suzy V.

 

[IwasatWDWforamonth]

I highly recomend EPCOT, although getting in and or out of world showcase after 7-8pm is next to impossible.
Last year they did the MK new year fireworks the night before so we got to see both MK and epcots fireworks.
Epcot has lots of places to rest in the grass, and the living seas is a great place to veg out, while waiting for the nighttime partys
Hope you have an excellent time wherever you choose!