New Year's trip---Where would you stay?

[hisgal2]

I'm a New Year's baby.....and on January 1, 2020 I'll be turning 40. I want to be in Magic Kingdom on my birthday....it's my dream. I know NYE is absolutely ridiculous in Disney and I have NO desire to be in any of the parks for that evening. My plan is to arrive to Disney NYE and to stay on property about 10 days....no split stays. We stayed at Coronado Springs last year and enjoyed it there.

Some details.......I don't want to spend a crazy amount of money on the trip, but at the same time, I don't want to be super cheap about it either (I know NYE will be expensive, but I also know that typically the week after New Year's is somewhat of a slower time). We really liked that the shuttles for Coronado Springs weren't shared with any other resorts and how quickly we got to the parks from there and honestly, we don't spend much time at the resorts anyways. It'll be myself, my hubby, my daughter who will be 12, my son who will be 11, and my mother in law. The MIL won't be staying in our room UNLESS we would get some sort of a suite (I'm open to that also). I don't know much about those, so give me details if that's something I should consider. There is a possibility that my husband's brother and his family (wife and 2 kids who would be 11 and 16) would join us, but they wouldn't need to be at the same resort.

SO-----give me some thoughts!...where would you stay and why?

 

[momofkids]

Based on your transportation preferences, probably AKL or back to CSR. A suite at AofA might also be an option. It is a bit nicer than the All Stars.

 

[Nancyg56]

The week after New Years Day is still a busy week. A lot of schools do not return back until after the weekend after. I think that you liked CSR, so I would consider that one, but I am not sure how any construction will impact you.

I agree that AKL is a good option based on travel preferences. It is a distance from some parks but does not typically share with any other resort.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The week after New Year's is also marathon

 

[LovesTimone]

If you want to stay all in one room, AoA is really cute, we have stayed in a family suite, 2 bathrooms, 2 TV's, and but someone will have to double up, on the pull out couch. We found the food court really overall pretty good, the pool areas are done really well. They do not share a bus with any other resort.

POR and POFQ might be a good fit, POR is what we call our home resort, it just beautiful... the grounds are so well done, and the rooms are so cute. You can walk between to resorts about 5 to 10 minutes depending on where you are staying at the resort. So for a 10 day stay it gives you 2 food courts both very good and both have some really different options. There is a boat ride to Disney Springs which is really nice and relaxing. At times they do share buses, but they are so close together you don't really notice it.

CBR is another good choice, the pool is pirate themed so who doesn't love that....The food court is large and easy to get in and out off. They do not share buses with other resorts, but at times, I think at times they do swing in and out at one of the water parks,( anyone confirmation on this?) Everything is well done and really has that island feel to it.

You could also think about renting points for a DVC from David's DVC rentals, they are thought highly of here on the DIS and have a good reputation. Our friends rent from David's every time they visit and have high praise for them. Last year they came during the week of Christmas and stayed 8 nights, and stayed in a 2 bedroom DVC at Saratoga Springs and were absolutely delighted with the room, their family has older kids, high school and college and they said it was nice for them to be together but have space to move around.

As far as New Years eve the parks will be packed, so do plan on going in and staying the park. I'm a local and a AP holder and we love spending New Years Eve with Mickey and the Gang.
The fireworks will be wonderful in all the parks, so you do have some choices. For New Years Eve's, we trade off each year, MK one year the next Epcot, we have spent 2 at Hollywood studios but that was when the Osborne Christmas lights were in the park, so sad they are gone. If you want to splurge you might want to think about maybe doing the dessert party, which would be a fun way to spend your birthday and ring in the new year.

Peace, Love and Pixie Dust

 

[Shellyb84]

Any particular reason you're opposed to a split stay? 10 nights is long enough to have a nice split. I tend to stick with what I know and love, unless I'm doing a split or a short trip, then I like to try new places. So for a ten day trip with no split, I would return to CSR.

 

[Eastern]

If you don't want to be 'super cheap' then you can rule out the values. If you don't want to spend a lot, rule out all the deluxes. That leaves you with my favorite mod, POFQ. They have their own buses, small resort, boat to DS, and convenient food court.

And I know you don't want a split stay but 10 days is a long time and the week after NYE when prices come down would be a good time to find a deluxe with a discount.

 

[hisgal2]

Thank you all soo much for your responses! I have alot of options to think about and new things to educate myself on.

The week after New Years Day is still a busy week. A lot of schools do not return back until after the weekend after. I think that you liked CSR, so I would consider that one, but I am not sure how any construction will impact you.

I agree that AKL is a good option based on travel preferences. It is a distance from some parks but does not typically share with any other resort.

We don't care much about construction. Honestly, we probably won't be at the resort much at all. I'm keeping CSR on my list, but wanted to see what my other options would be. CSR would need to be a 2 bedroom booking and with us not arriving until 12/31, the chances of getting rooms next to each other are extremely slim.

The week after New Year's is also marathon

Yes! We want to do the 5k as a family! That is a pro for us!

If you want to stay all in one room, AoA is really cute, we have stayed in a family suite, 2 bathrooms, 2 TV's, and but someone will have to double up, on the pull out couch. We found the food court really overall pretty good, the pool areas are done really well. They do not share a bus with any other resort.

POR and POFQ might be a good fit, POR is what we call our home resort, it just beautiful... the grounds are so well done, and the rooms are so cute. You can walk between to resorts about 5 to 10 minutes depending on where you are staying at the resort. So for a 10 day stay it gives you 2 food courts both very good and both have some really different options. There is a boat ride to Disney Springs which is really nice and relaxing. At times they do share buses, but they are so close together you don't really notice it.

CBR is another good choice, the pool is pirate themed so who doesn't love that....The food court is large and easy to get in and out off. They do not share buses with other resorts, but at times, I think at times they do swing in and out at one of the water parks,( anyone confirmation on this?) Everything is well done and really has that island feel to it.

You could also think about renting points for a DVC from David's DVC rentals, they are thought highly of here on the DIS and have a good reputation. Our friends rent from David's every time they visit and have high praise for them. Last year they came during the week of Christmas and stayed 8 nights, and stayed in a 2 bedroom DVC at Saratoga Springs and were absolutely delighted with the room, their family has older kids, high school and college and they said it was nice for them to be together but have space to move around.

As far as New Years eve the parks will be packed, so do plan on going in and staying the park. I'm a local and a AP holder and we love spending New Years Eve with Mickey and the Gang.
The fireworks will be wonderful in all the parks, so you do have some choices. For New Years Eve's, we trade off each year, MK one year the next Epcot, we have spent 2 at Hollywood studios but that was when the Osborne Christmas lights were in the park, so sad they are gone. If you want to splurge you might want to think about maybe doing the dessert party, which would be a fun way to spend your birthday and ring in the new year.

Peace, Love and Pixie Dust

Thanks for your thoughts and information. Renting DVC points is kind of scary to me because I don't know much about it. I will need to learn more about it.

I have ZERO plans on going into any parks on 12/31. I know they are packed and hit capacity. I won't enjoy myself at all with that many people. I did consider trying to get the last dinner reservation of the night for Ohana in hopes of catching the fireworks from either the restaurant or the resort, but I think I read somewhere that the resort won't allow people who aren't staying there to watch the fireworks and I'm concerned about trying to get back to wherever we are staying from the Poly after the fireworks. I'm sure the monorail would be crazy and the shuttles even worse. Getting from the Poly to MK on the monorail wouldn't be bad, but getting onto shuttles and back to another resort would be a nightmare, I think. Honestly, I'm happy to watch the fireworks online or on TV.

Any particular reason you're opposed to a split stay? 10 nights is long enough to have a nice split. I tend to stick with what I know and love, unless I'm doing a split or a short trip, then I like to try new places. So for a ten day trip with no split, I would return to CSR.

Honestly, I just don't want to have to deal with packing everything up to change rooms and I've read some nightmare stories of people's magic bands and fast passes being lost because of a split stay. It's just a headache I'm not willing to deal with. We really did love CSR....even tho we were barely at the resort last time we were there. We are people who are at parks before opening and stay until closing. I schedule ourselves so that we do like 2 park days back to back and then have a rest day at Disney Springs or something, etc.

If you don't want to be 'super cheap' then you can rule out the values. If you don't want to spend a lot, rule out all the deluxes. That leaves you with my favorite mod, POFQ. They have their own buses, small resort, boat to DS, and convenient food court.

And I know you don't want a split stay but 10 days is a long time and the week after NYE when prices come down would be a good time to find a deluxe with a discount.

I've heard really great things about POFQ. A friend was there last year. I'm going to pick her brain about it this week.

I'm not opposed to spending extra monies on a deluxe for a couple of nights in order to stay there when the prices are discounted later. I'm picking up extra hours at work to put money away for this trip and my kids and I are also making things to sell to make extra money. So, hopefully, I'll have a bunch of money saved up to not really care about staying in a deluxe or something.

 

[LovesTimone]

Thanks for your thoughts and information. Renting DVC points is kind of scary to me because I don't know much about it. I will need to learn more about it.

I have ZERO plans on going into any parks on 12/31. I know they are packed and hit capacity. I won't enjoy myself at all with that many people. I did consider trying to get the last dinner reservation of the night for Ohana in hopes of catching the fireworks from either the restaurant or the resort, but I think I read somewhere that the resort won't allow people who aren't staying there to watch the fireworks and I'm concerned about trying to get back to wherever we are staying from the Poly after the fireworks. I'm sure the monorail would be crazy and the shuttles even worse. Getting from the Poly to MK on the monorail wouldn't be bad, but getting onto shuttles and back to another resort would be a nightmare, I think. Honestly, I'm happy to watch the fireworks online or on TV.

I'm sorta like you not wanting to deal with the crowds on New Years Eve, but standing in MK as the fireworks ring in the new year is absolutely amazing. I have to say we have done it a few times, and it is so worth it. In previous years they have done 2 fire works shows, one around 8 or 9 then again at Midnight.... so... what we do if we choose MK, for New Years eve... we might try to get ADR's for somewhere, or eat QS when the 1st fireworks show starts to avoid the crowds, standing on main street, a lot of guest with smaller kiddos will leave after the earlier fireworks show, it does free up some room in the parks, not that it empties out but there is some room. Just think turning 40 with fireworks, parades, and thousand of your closest friends.... It would be memorable and worth it for me. I would get a fun T-shirt and wear into the parks...

We have done Epcot a few times too and after the last go round on new years, 2016... I don't know if we will try it again for a while.... There was way to much "nonsense" meaning way too many people having way to many adult beverages, with small kids in tow.... just not cool.... and tons on college aged groups bombed out of there mind, making out and pulling off their clothing like they were at a frat party including vomiting over the railing and passed out in the restrooms.... just not cool.... I understand that its new years and your shaking off the old and looking forward to a new and fresh start with the new year.. Its a time to party but it was just too much... The poor cast members trying to deal with all of the non-sense was just terrible.

This is one thing that I think that Disney needs to address, especially during festivals, and special holidays. With F&W starting in a few weeks, I hope that there will be some changes in the way they address the adult beverage portion of the festival. We are AP holders and go every weekend to taste our way around the world showcase. There are some amazing things to try and enjoy, for us we are hoping they put in a drink only line ( with someone checking ID's) and a food and drink line so that people that are there to try new foods or old favorites can actually try them.

Another thought with Pandora and AK with some night festivities it might be more laid back.... Hmmmm something to think about....

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

We stay at Beach Club. We like being close to EPCOT.

In past years, the idea of walking out of the park and not having to rely on any transportation was a huge benefit. Now we skip the parks all together and go to the Yacht Club boat dock to watch the fireworks.

 

[hisgal2]

I'm sorta like you not wanting to deal with the crowds on New Years Eve, but standing in MK as the fireworks ring in the new year is absolutely amazing. I have to say we have done it a few times, and it is so worth it. In previous years they have done 2 fire works shows, one around 8 or 9 then again at Midnight.... so... what we do if we choose MK, for New Years eve... we might try to get ADR's for somewhere, or eat QS when the 1st fireworks show starts to avoid the crowds, standing on main street, a lot of guest with smaller kiddos will leave after the earlier fireworks show, it does free up some room in the parks, not that it empties out but there is some room. Just think turning 40 with fireworks, parades, and thousand of your closest friends.... It would be memorable and worth it for me. I would get a fun T-shirt and wear into the parks...

Having 2 fireworks shows would make things MUCH easier.....I still don't think I'd want to be in there with the crowds tho. I know my limits and dealing with people's inconsiderateness isn't a talent I possess.....dealing with ALOT of people's inconsiderateness would probably drive me over the breaking point. BUT.....if we could be somewhere where we could see the fireworks, I'd be ok with that.

We stay at Beach Club. We like being close to EPCOT.

In past years, the idea of walking out of the park and not having to rely on any transportation was a huge benefit. Now we skip the parks all together and go to the Yacht Club boat dock to watch the fireworks.

Length of transportation is one of the huge deciding factors of not wanting to be in MK on NYE (other than the sheer number of people). At this point, I think we are leaning towards going staying at CSR because they have the junior suites available. I think it would just be wayyyyyy too late by the time we'd get back there to be able to get enough rest to be in MK for opening the following day. While I would LOVE to watch the fireworks in person, I'm totally ok with watching them streaming....or if Disney has it playing on their TVs..... and then being bright eyed and bushy tailed for Jan 1.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Having 2 fireworks shows would make things MUCH easier.....I still don't think I'd want to be in there with the crowds tho. I know my limits and dealing with people's inconsiderateness isn't a talent I possess.....dealing with ALOT of people's inconsiderateness would probably drive me over the breaking point. BUT.....if we could be somewhere where we could see the fireworks, I'd be ok with that.



Length of transportation is one of the huge deciding factors of not wanting to be in MK on NYE (other than the sheer number of people). At this point, I think we are leaning towards going staying at CSR because they have the junior suites available. I think it would just be wayyyyyy too late by the time we'd get back there to be able to get enough rest to be in MK for opening the following day. While I would LOVE to watch the fireworks in person, I'm totally ok with watching them streaming....or if Disney has it playing on their TVs..... and then being bright eyed and bushy tailed for Jan 1.

I will say - if you think you're going to stay at the resort, then the amenities, planned celebrations, etc. come into factor.

Two years ago we were staying at POFQ and went to EPCOT for NYE. We did everything by the book—enjoyed dinner at Teppan Edo and left two hours to find a spot. However, my mom wasn't feeling it. Her knee had been bothering her (it had locked up a month or two prior and she had fallen) so standing a while, rather than walking, was aggravating it. Plus, we felt uneasy. It was right after the Paris attacks and although we always feel safe in Disney, something didn't feel "right". Obviously it was all in our heads, but between my mom's knee and the big crowds making us feel uneasy, we left. We went back to POFQ, where they had a huge screen projecting the countdown from NYC. They handed out noisemakers and sold beverages.

I think CSR could be fun. They have a quite a few bars, thanks to it being a convention center. Do keep in mind that there may be conventions going on. In the past (a while ago—not sure if this is still the case) Disney used to hold the All American game. Huge football recruits would swarm the hotel around 1/30. I think the crowds could be a bit more boisterous at CSR. Plus, they have that awesome seating area outside the lobby/food court. Grab a drink and go sit.

The idea of celebrating in a junior suite sounds great. I think you have a great plan. Don't let the fear of missing out keep you from getting up early on Jan 1st.

 

[hisgal2]

I will say - if you think you're going to stay at the resort, then the amenities, planned celebrations, etc. come into factor.

Two years ago we were staying at POFQ and went to EPCOT for NYE. We did everything by the book—enjoyed dinner at Teppan Edo and left two hours to find a spot. However, my mom wasn't feeling it. Her knee had been bothering her (it had locked up a month or two prior and she had fallen) so standing a while, rather than walking, was aggravating it. Plus, we felt uneasy. It was right after the Paris attacks and although we always feel safe in Disney, something didn't feel "right". Obviously it was all in our heads, but between my mom's knee and the big crowds making us feel uneasy, we left. We went back to POFQ, where they had a huge screen projecting the countdown from NYC. They handed out noisemakers and sold beverages.

I think CSR could be fun. They have a quite a few bars, thanks to it being a convention center. Do keep in mind that there may be conventions going on. In the past (a while ago—not sure if this is still the case) Disney used to hold the All American game. Huge football recruits would swarm the hotel around 1/30. I think the crowds could be a bit more boisterous at CSR. Plus, they have that awesome seating area outside the lobby/food court. Grab a drink and go sit.

The idea of celebrating in a junior suite sounds great. I think you have a great plan. Don't let the fear of missing out keep you from getting up early on Jan 1st.

We really liked CSR when we were there last year. I requested a room that was not on ground level to avoid hearing alot of people walking past our door. It worked out nicely. I know they are refurbing that resort, so I'm kind of sitting back and watching what they end up doing with certain rooms. They used to have what they called business class rooms which included a continental type of breakfast as well as snacks in the evening for something like an extra ~$30/night. With 5 of us, that'd totally be worth it so I don't have to take breakfast food with us. But, they actually knocked down the building that had all those rooms with this refurb, so I'm just kind of hoping they bring those back somehow.

I really like the idea of seeing what the resort will do for NYE. I'd much rather do something like you mentioned instead of being at any of the parks. Thanks for mentioning that.