New Years Eve

[On the Lake]

We're going to be at WDW this New Years Eve and I was wondering what have you done in the past on NYE?

Would you recommend a specific park, restaurant or event?

Can you park hop? How early do you have to go to the parks?

 

[caskar]

We went to EPCOT. I have never seen it so crowded. BUT it was great! We have been there many times around the 4th of July and the summer months, but New Year's Eve was a treat. The parties going on at many of the country was neat. Japan was packed with people with huge screens set up with a broadcast transmission from other parties and concerts going on around the world. I never got to China but things were happening over there too. Just one big party! The fireworks -- they may not be as beautiful as Wishes or a spread out as Magic Kingdom on the 4th, but so much more powerful - all going off over the lagoon. After Illuminations, the spotlights go around the world using time zones as the order. Each country had music and fireworks that represented that country. Then the finally when it came to the United States. WOW! We were impressed. Amazed!

 

[On the Lake]

Thanks for the reply. Is Epcot and MGM more geared to adults or would kids under 10 enjoy the atmosphere too?

 

[caskar]

My daughters were young 10 and 13 at the time. I didn't allow them to leave my side but it is still Disney. The crowds seemed to be mainly adults but I didn't notice any out of control patrons. It was packed but we walked the the masses without a problem. People seemed to be having a really good time. We had a group a young adults from some country in Europe. Though they seemed to have been drinking they were very polite and just enjoying the moment.

My children were fasinated by all the excitement.

I didn't go to MGM so I don't know how that would be.

 

[Luv2Roam]

We were in MK last NYE. (And Epcot NY Day.)
What a difference a day makes.
MK was crowded and crazy as you would expect for NYE.
Even though NYD was a Saturday, Epcot looked like a slow Sunday.
Guests can park hop. But most will tell you if you leave a park you are taking a risk of not being able to re-enter. It may not happen. It's just a risk. So most stay put because of that.

 

[On the Lake]

Was there anything special going on NYE at MK?

Any special shows or events? Did you just enjoy the park or did you make any PS for the evening?

Also, What time did you go to the park?

 

[On the Lake]

Bumping

 

[kimbamickey]

I was at Disney for NYE this past year (my first time during the holidays at Disney). I had a truly fabulous time. Now, I did not go to MK. I heard, though, that it was packed. I went to EPCOT. EPCOT was crowded, but it was not as bad as I had expected it to be. The were a couple 'traffic jams' going through the countries in the late afternoon/early evening, but that was mostly due to people stopping to grab a hat (they hand out party hats) or to see something like the Mariachi band in Mexico. The evening festivities were spread out all over the park, so that helped spread out the crowds as well. I think your kids would have a lot of fun in EPCOT. I saw a lot of young children there. However, they do serve alcohol in EPCOT, and since I am 24 that worked out fine for me , but some would prefer to not have to deal with that. I only saw one out-of-control guy, and the CMs took care of him. Otherwise people for the most part seemed to be 'happy,' but not obnoxious or out-of-control. The entertainment was great. They had bands and deejays set up all over the park. We made a ps for Le Cellier Steakhouse in Canada, which was fantastic. I think it was the best New Year's that I have ever had. I hope that helps.

 

[TomD]

We were there this past yr. We went to Animal Kingdom and had the park to ourselves for the day.
CM's were commenting on how slow it was.