New Years Trip 2015 - Tips!

[DisneyFairyTale2012]

Hi all,

I'm new to the DIS boards, well new to posting. I was wondering if anyone has any tips for the holiday season at Disney World this year? Its just me and my hubby, we are going to celebrate our 3 year DFTW anniversary and New Years! We will be traveling from December 29th to January 6th. Here are our plans:
December 29th - Arriving early afternoon, no big plans just dinner
December 30th - Magic Kingdom
December 31st - Epcot
January 1st - Disney Springs
January 2nd - Hollywood Studios
January 3rd - Animal Kingdom
January 4th - Epcot
January 5th - Magic Kingdom
January 6th - Leaving early afternoon, no big plans just packing.

I'm a big time planner and have all our ADRs and FP+ selections made. I was just curious if anyone has traveled during this time without kids and if you have any thoughts, strategies, or tips?

Thanks so much!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

For Epcot plan to spend the WHOLE day there. The park will be crowded and at time be at capacity and people will be turned away

 

[MickeyWaffles]

We have traveled during this time without kids (12/30 and on) and will be there during the later part of this time with a child in tow!

Here are some thoughts:

1. 12/30 MK and 12/31 EPCOT are a great bet. Will be bonkers bananas busy but SO festive. 12/30 was our arrival day last time and being able to see MK's NYE fireworks on 12/30 and EPCOT's NYE fireworks on NYE is truly special. I think it's the best way to do it. Also, not sure if it was a fluke, but last time, after the EPCOT NYE fireworks, we walked on to the headliners. It was so bizarre. The park as crowded as I've ever seen it and it was a mad rush for the exit after midnight. We walked on Test Track, Mission Space and Soarin. I'd hang around a bit after the fireworks and see how the standby lines are (don't go by the time, take a look at them). Also gives the park a chance to clear out. In our case, the times hadn't been adjusted, and that's why I think no one was getting in line! Again, could have been a fluke. Was so worth it for us because Soarin had been at bonkers wait times all day, no surprise.

2. We arrived at EPCOT early afternoon and had no troubles getting in. We spent the afternoon meandering through World Showcase, ate at Le Cellier, then rode the headliners after the fireworks (again, not sure if that was a fluke, we hadn't ever done that on NYE before, but then again never tried!) There is still a risk to not getting there in the morning, but we have not run into any issues getting into EPCOT.

3. Warning: Last time, on 12/30, lots of people in MK were cranky. People with strollers were really really struggling around the walkways on MS. I felt pretty bad for them because they were hitting people with the strollers, people were getting mad, and really it wasn't their fault because people behind them were pushing, etc. Cast members were doing an amazing job keeping traffic moving though. Lots of people very overwhelmed by the crowd. Because we over prepared ourselves for the crowds, we managed just fine. EPCOT's crowd on NYE was in great spirits. More room to move there, even when it's wall to wall.

You will have the best time! NYE and early Jan. is my very favorite time to go. If DD wasn't so little we would do NYE in a heartbeat! Instead we're opting toward the middle/end of the following week since the whole midnight thing wouldn't work for her.

Good luck!

 

[DisneyFairyTale2012]

We have traveled during this time without kids (12/30 and on) and will be there during the later part of this time with a child in tow!

Here are some thoughts:

1. 12/30 MK and 12/31 EPCOT are a great bet. Will be bonkers bananas busy but SO festive. 12/30 was our arrival day last time and being able to see MK's NYE fireworks on 12/30 and EPCOT's NYE fireworks on NYE is truly special. I think it's the best way to do it. Also, not sure if it was a fluke, but last time, after the EPCOT NYE fireworks, we walked on to the headliners. It was so bizarre. The park as crowded as I've ever seen it and it was a mad rush for the exit after midnight. We walked on Test Track, Mission Space and Soarin. I'd hang around a bit after the fireworks and see how the standby lines are (don't go by the time, take a look at them). Also gives the park a chance to clear out. In our case, the times hadn't been adjusted, and that's why I think no one was getting in line! Again, could have been a fluke. Was so worth it for us because Soarin had been at bonkers wait times all day, no surprise.

2. We arrived at EPCOT early afternoon and had no troubles getting in. We spent the afternoon meandering through World Showcase, ate at Le Cellier, then rode the headliners after the fireworks (again, not sure if that was a fluke, we hadn't ever done that on NYE before, but then again never tried!) There is still a risk to not getting there in the morning, but we have not run into any issues getting into EPCOT.

3. Warning: Last time, on 12/30, lots of people in MK were cranky. People with strollers were really really struggling around the walkways on MS. I felt pretty bad for them because they were hitting people with the strollers, people were getting mad, and really it wasn't their fault because people behind them were pushing, etc. Cast members were doing an amazing job keeping traffic moving though. Lots of people very overwhelmed by the crowd. Because we over prepared ourselves for the crowds, we managed just fine. EPCOT's crowd on NYE was in great spirits. More room to move there, even when it's wall to wall.

You will have the best time! NYE and early Jan. is my very favorite time to go. If DD wasn't so little we would do NYE in a heartbeat! Instead we're opting toward the middle/end of the following week since the whole midnight thing wouldn't work for her.

Good luck!

Thanks so much. This is very helpful, we are so excited to celebrate our first New Years at Disney!