New Year's Trip - What Should I Know??

[Disneylover99]

That’s true they can buy them. But do they buy them? It’s basically $500 more and you get 16 days more a year that you wouldn’t get otherwise. That’s the same price as the lowest tier. Then there is the myth that this time is so bad blah blah but that’s not true. Anyways most of the locals are not there because they don’t really buy the highest tier one

I’d guess, most Florida residents aren’t going to buy an Incredipass, unless they’re vloggers or really love to be there over the holidays, but still, the option is there.

I think it’s more likely that locals buy a one day ticket to Epcot New Years Eve. A ticket will cost them just over $200, so they’re going to save between $300-$800 (depending on what type of Florida AP they have) over buying the Incredipass.

 

[ZYX2008]

We've gone that week twice in the last 3 years. It takes a little more planning - we make sure to book dinner plans for the 31st and the 1st and book our lightening lanes in advance. I made the mistake of not buying FOP lightening lanes ahead of time last year and nothing was available the entire week once we arrived. But I find the crowd to be festive and friendly. I have all five of us pick one thing they want to do at whatever park we are going to that day whether it is a ride, a show or a treat, and we make sure we do those items and then we treat everything else as a bonus for the day. We stay at the Poly and spend NYE at the Poly beach party. I love the trip because we get lots of family time and enjoy the resort.

 

[Disneylover99]

We've gone that week twice in the last 3 years. It takes a little more planning - we make sure to book dinner plans for the 31st and the 1st and book our lightening lanes in advance. I made the mistake of not buying FOP lightening lanes ahead of time last year and nothing was available the entire week once we arrived. But I find the crowd to be festive and friendly. I have all five of us pick one thing they want to do at whatever park we are going to that day whether it is a ride, a show or a treat, and we make sure we do those items and then we treat everything else as a bonus for the day. We stay at the Poly and spend NYE at the Poly beach party. I love the trip because we get lots of family time and enjoy the resort.

Yes! I have to agree. Despite the crowds, we find people way more friendlier than usual over the holidays. And like you, we don’t try to do too much. Pick a few things to do. And everything else is gravy.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

I’d guess, most Florida residents aren’t going to buy an Incredipass, unless they’re vloggers or really love to be there over the holidays, but still, the option is there.

I think it’s more likely that locals buy a one day ticket to Epcot New Years Eve. A ticket will cost them just over $200, so they’re going to save between $300-$800 (depending on what type of Florida AP they have) over buying the Incredipass.

Yea but the annual pass holders also know all the tricks like where to go to see the fireworks without going into the parks

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Yes! I have to agree. Despite the crowds, we find people way more friendlier than usual over the holidays. And like you, we don’t try to do too much. Pick a few things to do. And everything else is gravy.

Yea much more friendlier. Like everyone is aware like ok we are here during Disney during a busy time and that is ok. It’s better than booking a random weekend and it ends up being the first day of fall in the 70’s and every single local converges onto the parks and surprised its packed

 

[Disneylover99]

Yea but the annual pass holders also know all the tricks like where to go to see the fireworks without going into the parks

Well, sure. I’m just saying, if locals do want to party in Epcot, they can do it for substantially cheaper with a one day ticket over buying the Incredipass.

I see a lot of groups of young adults in Epcot on New Years Eve. I could be wrong, but I imagine many of them are locals. It certainly is a vibe with all the dance parties going on.

And I use the term locals loosely. I should be saying Floridians. Last time we were there, we met a group from Jacksonville who come down to Epcot for New Year’s Eve every year.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Well, sure. I’m just saying, if locals do want to party in Epcot, they can do it for substantially cheaper with a one day ticket over buying the Incredipass.

I see a lot of groups of young adults in Epcot on New Years Eve. I could be wrong, but I imagine many of them are locals. It certainly is a vibe with all the dance parties going on.

And I use the term locals loosely. I should be saying Floridians. Last time we were there, we met a group from Jacksonville who come down to Epcot for New Year’s Eve every year.

That’s true and tbh $200 for New Year’s Eve tickets somewhere isn’t crazy expensive in this day and age. Many many places charge more and you don’t get one of the best fireworks displays in America.

But the locals than can’t go to Epcot all year round, it’s still cheaper to buy the lower tier and then a one day pass to Epcot so that is a possibility also if a local wants to really be there and still have an annual pass.

The young adults can be from wherever who bought a one day pass and all split a hotel room idk. $200 isn’t a ridiculously expensive amount of money for a ticket for a family though it adds up faster.

Florida is also big so I think locals should be people who can drive home after midnight New Year’s Eve and don’t need a hotel room. Jax is close enough for a day trip but not spur of the moment oh it’s Friday let’s pop into MK kind of thing.

 

[Disneylover99]

That’s true and tbh $200 for New Year’s Eve tickets somewhere isn’t crazy expensive in this day and age. Many many places charge more and you don’t get one of the best fireworks displays in America.

Exactly.

The group I talked to from Jacksonville get a room at one of the AllStars for the night. They leave their car there and hop on a bus to Epcot. Then they can relax, have a few drinks and sleep in/swim the next day before heading home. Sounds super fun to me.
I’d totally do that every year if I lived in Florida.

 

[bama_ed]

We check in on Monday, December 29 and check out on Sunday, January 4. We have some time, but I'm starting to think planning strategies to try to make the most of our time (family of 5, 2 college, 1 junior in hs).

Hey, @mickeyfan0805 , which resort will you be at during your New-Years-time stay? That would help us advise you (proximity to specific theme parks).

Bama Ed

PS - we want a little bit more info to help make you into a 'master planner' in the eyes of your family.

PPS -

 

[shanelle3]

We’re going to be at the parks over NYE. We’re thinking MK on 12/30 and either HS or EP on 12/31.

My bug fear is getting stuck or bottlenecked somewhere.

How bad are MK crowds on 12/30? Does Disney do the thing where they trap you in a single land?

If we want to ride rides more than see Fireworks, is it better to be in HS?

Any general recommendations?

 

[Disneylover99]

We’re going to be at the parks over NYE. We’re thinking MK on 12/30 and either HS or EP on 12/31.

My bug fear is getting stuck or bottlenecked somewhere.

How bad are MK crowds on 12/30? Does Disney do the thing where they trap you in a single land?

If we want to ride rides more than see Fireworks, is it better to be in HS?

Any general recommendations?

I know crowds are thick on the 30th at the MK in Frontierland near the Country Bear Jamboree. There’s a popular, high energy DJ dance party in the evening that draws in huge throngs of people. You might want to avoid that area.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We’re going to be at the parks over NYE. We’re thinking MK on 12/30 and either HS or EP on 12/31.

My bug fear is getting stuck or bottlenecked somewhere.

How bad are MK crowds on 12/30? Does Disney do the thing where they trap you in a single land?

If we want to ride rides more than see Fireworks, is it better to be in HS?

Any general recommendations?

My general recommendation is to pack your patience, have a flexible plan and attitude, and have fun. Don't let the Internet scare you about NYE. It's a unique couple of days and crowds can ebb and flow in unpredictable and unique ways. You're not really going to "get stuck" anywhere, but you can experience bottlenecks as the evening goes on. But even then, what can be a bottleneck at one point in the evening can quickly get solved by CMs implementing traffic direction (mainly Epcot, some spots in MK), so things can change quickly.

I've never done DHS so can't specifically comment, but it's not going to have nearly the crowd level as MK or Epcot. If this were me, unless you're just totally crowd averse, I'd have trouble staying away from Epcot.

Have fun!

 

[ngl]

We are DVC, AP, and FL residents (live about 1.5 hrs away) and did NYE at EPCOT last year for the first time since 1999! (We were there when it turned 2000 and wondering if Y2K was really going to happen!) Our kids are now teens (16 & 14) so they can stay up late. We had a great day!

Spent day at HS and took Skyliner over to EP about 7pm I think. Had an amazing dinner at Teppan Edo (one of our favorites) and came out to all the DJs playing in different areas. It was super festive and fun!

We booked Lightning Lane single pass for Cosmic Rewind for 11pm-midnight (they do not book after) but confirmed with them that we could go in after fireworks were over. As soon as the fireworks ended (we were standing in front of the main walkway towards Intl showcase behind Spaceship Earth if that makes sense) we went to Cosmic Rewind and it was our official start to 2025! It was crowded but honestly, I did not feel it was crazy. The DJs in the different areas were so fun. By the time we got out of Cosmic Rewind (park closes at 1am) we went up to the monorail and was not crowded either. I think most people leave right after fireworks end so if you stay until 1am it is worth it.

Highly recommend!