New Years trip, need advice

[momz]

This is the best place to go for tips on traveling to WDW. We have been in the past, but it's been several years since our last trip.

We will be there Dec. 27-Jan 2. We are staying at Pop, we have base tickets (not hoppers) and the quick service Dining plan. Our kids are 17 and 15.

Another important issue for us is that I have multiple sclerosis which causes a number of problems, although I am still able to work full time. I walk pretty well, but sometimes I need a cane when I am tired or hot. So, I plan on using my cane while touring.

I am wondering what factors do you consider when choosing to your park for the day? Do you recommend we plan ahead for what park/what day, or do you think we can decide this on the fly? Do you think extra magic hours should be considered when choosing what park/what day and if so, should we go to extra magic hours, or avoid the extra magic hours park? Basically, do extra magic hours mean that particular park will be busier throughout the day?

Do you think we will need a touring plan, or is being spontaneous doable over this holiday?

How difficult will it be to use our quick service plan during high crowd volume days? Will our teenagers be able to purchase their meals using their magic bands, or do meals need to be purchased using an adult's magic band?

Where shall we go on New Year's eve? I'm thinking maybe Epcot because it's bigger, but what advice can you give?

 

[rwdavis2]

You're going to need some type of plan over the holidays. If nothing more than which park each day, make rope drop, and to make FP+ reservations. Morning EMH generally means that park will be busier as the day goes on. Not sure about dining. Might it just be easier to skip a dining plan and pay out of pocket? Dining plans aren't designed to save money and the quick service one is generally the worst of the 3.

 

[Alesia]

First of all, I strongly recommended upgrading to park hoppers. I would never even consider going that week with just base tickets.

You definitely need to have a plan, not just for what days you're going to which parks, but you should have a touring plan as well. Wait times will be incredible, so make sure you understand how to use fastpasses effectively.

If you really don't want to get park hoppers, the best general plan is to go to the park that had EMH the day before. But keep in mind that MK will have EMH every morning during your trip.

Your kids can use their magic bands at restaurants.

Are you sure the dining plan will work for you. We always spend less by paying out of pocket.

Try to eat at off-peak times.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

You’re covering a lot of ground here, but I’ll touch on the “spontaneous” part. I am not an over-planner and we leave plenty of open time in our WDW travels for free time / whatever we feel like touring.

BUT, and with all hyperbole aside, I would not recommend being “spontaneous” over that date range. I generally don’t like telling people what they should do with their vacation, but my strong recommendation is that you at least need to have some semblance of a plan - even if it’s a partial day plan. Everything is going to be crowded. Quick service lines will be longer than you can imagine. I would not underestimate the need for having some goal/plan for the day during this time period.

MK does special New Years fireworks on both 12/30 and 12/31 (two shows, 6:30PM and 11:50PM last year).

Epcot does their fireworks on 12/31 only.

Build a plan around the parks/rides you want to do, book your FPs, pack your patience, and have fun.

Despite what may sound like a negative tone above, we did 12/30-1/3 this past year and had a blast. If I were to look at what all we got accomplished, it’s probably not that impressive... but we were fine with that going in.

Happy planning.

 

[Tksolomom]

I would do MK on the 30th and I picot on the 31st. The parks will be very crowded, so I would definitely not wing it, but book your FP ahead of time. As others have said, your sons can use the credits as they are linked to the Magic Bands. Have a great trip but plan on waiting.

 

[Cait]

As others said, do not wing it, and I highly recommend Epcot on New Years Eve. I've done it once, and I'll admit it was hard on my husband and I when we were only ~25. BUT we didn't plan; if I were to ever do it again, I'd recommend fastpasses and ADR's spread throughout the day. Even if you are only going in for a drink and/or a snack, an ADR will give you a set amount of time to sit down and relax.

 

[Disneylover99]

We do that timeframe without ADR’s and we love it. The key to quick service meals is to eat at off hours. Many places open for lunch a bit earlier than usual, maybe 10:30am. That’s when we eat. You’ve got to try to stay ahead of the crowds. Eat dinner in the parks before 4pm or after 8pm. The great thing about the quick service plan is that you can be flexible and grab a meal or two here or there and share it.

Hoppers are nice but I don’t think they’re necessary that time of year. We find we use them less during Christmas week because travelling to and from parks during that timeframe can put you into traffic. You definitely do need to plan your park days though. Make fp’s at the very least.

Epcot is a blast New Year’s Eve! It’s packed, but amazing! CM’s make paths for you to walk around WS, so it’s manageable.