New Years visit days before, during and after: Experiences/advice.

[dfb]

Upcoming trip to WDW 29 Dec - 8 Jan. Staying DVC at Saratoga Springs and Copper Creek. Never been during this time before. Plan on going to MK the 30th for the practice run Fireworks and also on the 31st. Obviously the crowds will be insane. I get that - but what experiences have you had: how were the crowds at the various parks the days before and after ie what time did they close entry to the parks NYE (if at all) and did it apply to guest staying at Disney resorts or non resort, APs,DVC, etc? IS MK very crowded during the day New Years day? Or the day after?

Are there any special perks during this time, ie free or special purchase button, pin, hat, cupcake or whatever like a "I was there kind of thing" on NYE or NYD at MK or other parks? Any special events, side shows, etc.

I've heard there is a DVC dinner at the contemporary NYE but no official word yet. I think it's a paid event. Any word on this or other events that may be available?

I obviously haven't looked at EasyWDW in a while since I was looking for a run down for crowd calendars and it seems they don't do that anymore. Any suggestions on best parks to attend during those days and/or recommendations for other crowd calendar websites? 29 Dec - 8 Jan.

Thanks for any info!

 

[robinb]

Upcoming trip to WDW 29 Dec - 8 Jan. Staying DVC at Saratoga Springs and Copper Creek. Never been during this time before. Plan on going to MK the 30th for the practice run Fireworks and also on the 31st. Obviously the crowds will be insane. I get that - but what experiences have you had: how were the crowds at the various parks the days before and after ie what time did they close entry to the parks NYE (if at all) and did it apply to guest staying at Disney resorts or non resort, APs,DVC, etc? IS MK very crowded during the day New Years day? Or the day after?

Are there any special perks during this time, ie free or special purchase button, pin, hat, cupcake or whatever like a "I was there kind of thing" on NYE or NYD at MK or other parks? Any special events, side shows, etc.

I've heard there is a DVC dinner at the contemporary NYE but no official word yet. I think it's a paid event. Any word on this or other events that may be available?

I obviously haven't looked at EasyWDW in a while since I was looking for a run down for crowd calendars and it seems they don't do that anymore. Any suggestions on best parks to attend during those days and/or recommendations for other crowd calendar websites? 29 Dec - 8 Jan.

Thanks for any info!

I go this week every year.

(1) The parks do close Christmas/NYE week to offsite guests. The MK parking lot will be closed every day sometime in the morning. Here is an explanation of how the parks close: http://www.wdwmagic.com/park-closing-phases.htm . I do not recall Disney resort guests *ever* being denied entrance, even over Y2K. That same website will post when a park closes. Last year the only park that closed that week was the MK and it closed around 11:45 am to some guests: http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...d-to-some-guests-due-to-reaching-capacity.htm

(2) Don't listen to people who tell you that you have to be in the park ALL DAY. We ALWAYS take a break during the day and we have NEVER been turned away at the park gate when we return.

(3) I will also be at the MK on Saturday. They have evening EMH until 2:00 am which is usually worthwhile. I would go elsewhere on NYE itself. We're going to Epcot but DHS is also nice. The fireworks will be the same at the MK on the 30th and 31st.

(4) Get dining ADRs for 12/30 and 12/31 NOW. It's worth it to be able to get away from the crowd for a while.

(5) New Year's Day is quiet in the morning because everyone is sleeping in. Folks who went home from Epcot after the first IlluniNations have an advantage.

(6) Everyone gets free plastic top hats and noisemakers (while supplies last). Plan to pick them up around 5:00 pm. There are also usually commemorative pins for sale.

(7) There are different special meals, http://allears.net/tp/nyeve.htm . The one is Epcot always looks interesting to me, but it's expensive!

(8) EasyWDW stopped doing a crowd calendar a while ago. Kenny the Pirate has one which is think is free.

 

[Gehrig1B]

I concur with robinb.

We visit this time every year as well. We will hop to the fireworks on the 30th and 31st to take advantage of smaller crowds at DHS and AK. We have never been "phased" out of a park due to capacity (we stay on site). Doing Epcot illuminations on the 30th and MK fireworks on the 31st (would not except we have a dessert party reservation securing a spot for NYE fireworks).

The week after includes Marathon week so you will see runners everywhere. The parks will stay crowded but the 31st is a madhouse. Our best experience on NYE was at DHS as far as crowds go. And yes, New Years' Day morning the parks are almost empty!

I strongly suggest you wait after the fireworks for the crowds to disseminate as it is an absolute mess waiting for transport immediately after NYE fireworks. It took us 2 hours to get back to Wilderness Lodge from Epcot last year. We should hav e just stayed in the park and enjoyed it while everyone else was leaving. I hope you are at Copper Creek that night? Easy access from MK by boat...

 

[robinb]

DHS has evening EMH on 12/31. We'll sometimes go there from NYE at Epcot.

I don't know much about your family, OP, but my teen LOVE Epcot because of the multiple dance parties in the World Showcase.

 

[Wish Upon A Starbucks]

DHS has evening EMH on 12/31. We'll sometimes go there from NYE at Epcot.

I don't know much about your family, OP, but my teen LOVE Epcot because of the multiple dance parties in the World Showcase.

Where did you see EMH at HS on 12/31, I don’t see that in the app. What time are those?

 

[Jack!]

I go this week every year.

(1) The parks do close Christmas/NYE week to offsite guests. The MK parking lot will be closed every day sometime in the morning. Here is an explanation of how the parks close: http://www.wdwmagic.com/park-closing-phases.htm . I do not recall Disney resort guests *ever* being denied entrance, even over Y2K. That same website will post when a park closes. Last year the only park that closed that week was the MK and it closed around 11:45 am to some guests: http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...d-to-some-guests-due-to-reaching-capacity.htm

(2) Don't listen to people who tell you that you have to be in the park ALL DAY. We ALWAYS take a break during the day and we have NEVER been turned away at the park gate when we return.

(3) I will also be at the MK on Saturday. They have evening EMH until 2:00 am which is usually worthwhile. I would go elsewhere on NYE itself. We're going to Epcot but DHS is also nice. The fireworks will be the same at the MK on the 30th and 31st.

(4) Get dining ADRs for 12/30 and 12/31 NOW. It's worth it to be able to get away from the crowd for a while.

(5) New Year's Day is quiet in the morning because everyone is sleeping in. Folks who went home from Epcot after the first IlluniNations have an advantage.

(6) Everyone gets free plastic top hats and noisemakers (while supplies last). Plan to pick them up around 5:00 pm. There are also usually commemorative pins for sale.

(7) There are different special meals, http://allears.net/tp/nyeve.htm . The one is Epcot always looks interesting to me, but it's expensive!

(8) EasyWDW stopped doing a crowd calendar a while ago. Kenny the Pirate has one which is think is free.

This is really reassuring to hear, thanks.

We're planning on going to Aquatica on the 30th and then heading into MK at about 6/7pm for the fireworks that evening (so that we can do Epcot on NYE). So we should have no problems getting in at that time? We're staying on site.

 

[dfb]

I go this week every year.

(1) The parks do close Christmas/NYE week to offsite guests. The MK parking lot will be closed every day sometime in the morning. Here is an explanation of how the parks close: http://www.wdwmagic.com/park-closing-phases.htm . I do not recall Disney resort guests *ever* being denied entrance, even over Y2K. That same website will post when a park closes. Last year the only park that closed that week was the MK and it closed around 11:45 am to some guests: http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...d-to-some-guests-due-to-reaching-capacity.htm

(2) Don't listen to people who tell you that you have to be in the park ALL DAY. We ALWAYS take a break during the day and we have NEVER been turned away at the park gate when we return.

(3) I will also be at the MK on Saturday. They have evening EMH until 2:00 am which is usually worthwhile. I would go elsewhere on NYE itself. We're going to Epcot but DHS is also nice. The fireworks will be the same at the MK on the 30th and 31st.

(4) Get dining ADRs for 12/30 and 12/31 NOW. It's worth it to be able to get away from the crowd for a while.

(5) New Year's Day is quiet in the morning because everyone is sleeping in. Folks who went home from Epcot after the first IlluniNations have an advantage.

(6) Everyone gets free plastic top hats and noisemakers (while supplies last). Plan to pick them up around 5:00 pm. There are also usually commemorative pins for sale.

(7) There are different special meals, http://allears.net/tp/nyeve.htm . The one is Epcot always looks interesting to me, but it's expensive!

(8) EasyWDW stopped doing a crowd calendar a while ago. Kenny the Pirate has one which is think is free.

Very helpful thanks! Will give those sites a look.

 

[Gehrig1B]

We have never had trouble park hopping on NYE... We stay on site. Our plan is to have a 5:00 dinner at Ohana and then enter MK around 7:30.

 

[dfb]

I concur with robinb.

We visit this time every year as well. We will hop to the fireworks on the 30th and 31st to take advantage of smaller crowds at DHS and AK. We have never been "phased" out of a park due to capacity (we stay on site). Doing Epcot illuminations on the 30th and MK fireworks on the 31st (would not except we have a dessert party reservation securing a spot for NYE fireworks).

The week after includes Marathon week so you will see runners everywhere. The parks will stay crowded but the 31st is a madhouse. Our best experience on NYE was at DHS as far as crowds go. And yes, New Years' Day morning the parks are almost empty!

I strongly suggest you wait after the fireworks for the crowds to disseminate as it is an absolute mess waiting for transport immediately after NYE fireworks. It took us 2 hours to get back to Wilderness Lodge from Epcot last year. We should hav e just stayed in the park and enjoyed it while everyone else was leaving. I hope you are at Copper Creek that night? Easy access from MK by boat...

Thanks for the info!!

Unfortunately we are not at Copper Creek NYEE or NYE but we always wait out the crowds in the park. We've had some of our best times then - making a family run on the ice cream shop or bakery, sword fights with custodial CMs( pirate swords against CM broomsticks) and numerous out of the norm photos!!

 

[Wish Upon A Starbucks]

Does anyone know about the 12/30 and 12/31 fireworks at MK? Are there a lot of projections with this show? I’m trying to figure out if it matters where we watch these (directly in front of the castle or somewhere else that may be slightly less crowded).

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

I go this week every year.

(1) The parks do close Christmas/NYE week to offsite guests. The MK parking lot will be closed every day sometime in the morning. Here is an explanation of how the parks close: http://www.wdwmagic.com/park-closing-phases.htm . I do not recall Disney resort guests *ever* being denied entrance, even over Y2K. That same website will post when a park closes. Last year the only park that closed that week was the MK and it closed around 11:45 am to some guests: http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...d-to-some-guests-due-to-reaching-capacity.htm

(2) Don't listen to people who tell you that you have to be in the park ALL DAY. We ALWAYS take a break during the day and we have NEVER been turned away at the park gate when we return.

(3) I will also be at the MK on Saturday. They have evening EMH until 2:00 am which is usually worthwhile. I would go elsewhere on NYE itself. We're going to Epcot but DHS is also nice. The fireworks will be the same at the MK on the 30th and 31st.

(4) Get dining ADRs for 12/30 and 12/31 NOW. It's worth it to be able to get away from the crowd for a while.

(5) New Year's Day is quiet in the morning because everyone is sleeping in. Folks who went home from Epcot after the first IlluniNations have an advantage.

(6) Everyone gets free plastic top hats and noisemakers (while supplies last). Plan to pick them up around 5:00 pm. There are also usually commemorative pins for sale.

(7) There are different special meals, http://allears.net/tp/nyeve.htm . The one is Epcot always looks interesting to me, but it's expensive!

(8) EasyWDW stopped doing a crowd calendar a while ago. Kenny the Pirate has one which is think is free.

We have an ADR at La Hacienda de San Angel for their NYE dining event in EPCOT which starts at 9:30pm. Do you think it’s realistic to arrive at EPCOT at 7:30pm ? We are staying at The Yacht Club and plan on walking from the hotel.​

 

[robinb]

We have an ADR at La Hacienda de San Angel for their NYE dining event in EPCOT which starts at 9:30pm. Do you think it’s realistic to arrive at EPCOT at 7:30pm ? We are staying at The Yacht Club and plan on walking from the hotel.​

Sure, but you may miss out on the hats and noisemakers.

 

[robinb]

Does anyone know about the 12/30 and 12/31 fireworks at MK? Are there a lot of projections with this show? I’m trying to figure out if it matters where we watch these (directly in front of the castle or somewhere else that may be slightly less crowded).

The fireworks are on MDX right now. I think they are scheduled to start at 11:50 and the countdown. There are NO projections as this is the "old school" pre-wishes Fantasy in the Sky fireworks. Nevertheless, it is VERY important to be somewhere between the train station and the castle to see the full effect of the fireworks the ending fireworks go on a LONG time. I don't want to spoil them here, you can PM me if you're truly interested why you need to be there. Epcot fireworks are at 11:40, with the countdown at the end.

 

[Wish Upon A Starbucks]

The fireworks are on MDX right now. I think they are scheduled to start at 11:50 and the countdown. There are NO projections as this is the "old school" pre-wishes Fantasy in the Sky fireworks. Nevertheless, it is VERY important to be somewhere between the train station and the castle to see the full effect of the fireworks the ending fireworks go on a LONG time. I don't want to spoil them here, you can PM me if you're truly interested why you need to be there. Epcot fireworks are at 11:40, with the countdown at the end.

Thank you, this is super helpful. We were thinking of watching behind the castle but it sounds like we would be missing out to do that. Do you have any idea how early we would need to get situated on Main Street? Not specifically to be in the hub but anywhere along that Main Street path? And thanks for no spoilers!

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Sure, but you may miss out on the hats and noisemakers.

Mmmmm good point. Do you have any idea what time they start giving them out ? We may pop in earlier and get some and then go back at 7:30pm. This is of course assuming that La Hacienda doesn’t give any out, which given the amount they are charging per head, they really ought to !!

 

[brave321]

Anyone know when they typically release the entertainment schedule for NYE? I know things can vary year to year, so I'm wondering when they'll actually post it online?

 

[Gehrig1B]

Where did you see EMH at HS on 12/31, I don’t see that in the app. What time are those?

I have not recently seen EMH at HS on NYE. They do have extended hours to midnight.

 

[robinb]

I have not recently seen EMH at HS on NYE. They do have extended hours to midnight.

EMH changes that week all the time. For instance, the MK will have morning EMH every single day but it's no listed yet. DHS has always have evening EMH after the midnight fireworks until 2:00 or 3:00 am. It may not show yet but I will be shocked if they don't release evening EMH in the future.

 

[robinb]

Mmmmm good point. Do you have any idea what time they start giving them out ? We may pop in earlier and get some and then go back at 7:30pm. This is of course assuming that La Hacienda doesn’t give any out, which given the amount they are charging per head, they really ought to !!

I'm not sure. I want to say 4:30, maybe. The La Hacienda meal looks wonderful! They may provide hats and noisemakers. Is there a review from last year? You will be very happy to be out of the crowd, but you will also miss the dance parties. Maybe plan to go into the park sooner and do the circuit of dance parties on the may to Mexico? Many of the counties will be celebrating at 6:00 pm. We have a reservation at Coral Reef at 7:00.

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

I'm not sure. I want to say 4:30, maybe. The La Hacienda meal looks wonderful! They may provide hats and noisemakers. Is there a review from last year? You will be very happy to be out of the crowd, but you will also miss the dance parties. Maybe plan to go into the park sooner and do the circuit of dance parties on the may to Mexico? Many of the counties will be celebrating at 6:00 pm. We have a reservation at Coral Reef at 7:00.

We did NYE a good few years back when the kids were smaller ( I think even earlier than the very old pic in my signature! ) and certainly enjoyed the dance parties. This time there are 18 of us including my family, my mum who is 80, my aunt and uncle (82 & 84) and nieces, nephews and great nephew who is only 2. I figured La Hacienda would be a great place to experience EPCOT NYE and allow those who want to go out into World Showcase a chance to go and allow the more senior relatives a great place to sit out of the crowd. As the “kids” are all aged between 19 to 29 I’m sure they will want to go out into the party