NYE 2014 trying to decide on plans

[mudman]

Trying to decide what to do.

Hoop De Doo Review 8:30 seating w/fireworks on the FW beach to avoid the crowds. How are the views here and Is the HDDR fun for teens?
-Or-
Bear the crowds all day at MK with a ADR break at 5:25 (Liberty Tree Tavern)


What would you do? I have teenagers. It's prob our last Disney Trip as a family before the college years. The idea of the HUGE crowds and long day scare me but I want it to be memorable evening.

 

[emeraldmom]

I have never been to the HDDR, so I can't advise you there. I have stayed at FW several times. We have sometimes watched the fireworks from the beach, usually on our arrival day when we don't go to a park, or on a down day. The view really isn't that great. You are way off to the side, and there is a island in the way. So you are only going to be able to see some of the fireworks. I don't think it is what you would want for NYE.

We are tentatively planning a trip for Christmas and New Years this year. If we pull the trip off, we will be in MK NYE. I've been before, crowds are awful, but we'll deal with it.

Here's another option for you. MK does a full rehearsal for NYE the night before, on Dec 30. You could always do that in MK, then on NYE maybe do Epcot or something.

 

[mudman]

I have never been to the HDDR, so I can't advise you there. I have stayed at FW several times. We have sometimes watched the fireworks from the beach, usually on our arrival day when we don't go to a park, or on a down day. The view really isn't that great. You are way off to the side, and there is a island in the way. So you are only going to be able to see some of the fireworks. I don't think it is what you would want for NYE.

We are tentatively planning a trip for Christmas and New Years this year. If we pull the trip off, we will be in MK NYE. I've been before, crowds are awful, but we'll deal with it.

Here's another option for you. MK does a full rehearsal for NYE the night before, on Dec 30. You could always do that in MK, then on NYE maybe do Epcot or something.

Thank you... That's what I was afraid of with not getting a decent enough view of the Fireworks.

 

[tndisney5]

Trying to decide what to do.

Hoop De Doo Review 8:30 seating w/fireworks on the FW beach to avoid the crowds. How are the views here and Is the HDDR fun for teens?
-Or-
Bear the crowds all day at MK with a ADR break at 5:25 (Liberty Tree Tavern)


What would you do? I have teenagers. It's prob our last Disney Trip as a family before the college years. The idea of the HUGE crowds and long day scare me but I want it to be memorable evening.

I can not advise on HDDR as we have never done this before.

I just wanted to throw out DHS if you are not dead set on MK. Weactually did NYE 2012 at DHS and it was really a great day. We were there from 9-9:30 (did not stay for fireworks due to young children). We rode every ride we wanted to and also saw a few of the shows as well. Lots of food and drink carts throughout the park and live band as well.

The whole park was easy to navigate and never felt super crowded...We opted not to do MK and were glad. Crowds were terrible, we heard, and it closed to max. capacity by 11am. If you do MK just be prepared for lots of people.

 

[andyman8]

Mudman, I'm in a similar boat! Trying to figure out what to do for NYE with an older group (teens) and we're going to be with another family so we'll be a bit large.

Not to hijack the thread but we were considering the fireworks dessert party at MK. We loved the regular Wishes one and it's my understanding that the one for the NYE fireworks is only $35 or so. Has anyone done it? I'm assuming they don't serve wine. What's the difference between that one and the two-hour Holiday Wishes party they do earlier in the evening (it's much more expensive)?

 

[karenklo]

We are doing NYE at AK during the day. We were there last NYE too and had a great day! WE then have a late dinner ressie at Ohana and will watch the MK fireworks from across the lagoon. We will do the pre NYE fireworks on 12/30 in the MK as that worked pretty well last year. See you all there!!

 

[wickersham]

We did DHS for NYE2013 with our 3 teen DDs. Stayed all day through the very fun concert and fireworks. I probably wouldn't stay all day again but the evening was fun and included a delicious dinner at the Brown Derby. We didn't leave the park as we had heard it may be difficult to get back in if the crowd was too large. We also saw Fantasmic that night and enjoyed the special fireworks which only happen that night at DHS.

We encountered many ride closures during the trip, especially at MK. I can't help but think the parks being open so many hours during the holidays mean more breakdowns than usual.

 

[ChrisMM]

Mudman, I'm in a similar boat! Trying to figure out what to do for NYE with an older group (teens) and we're going to be with another family so we'll be a bit large.

Not to hijack the thread but we were considering the fireworks dessert party at MK. We loved the regular Wishes one and it's my understanding that the one for the NYE fireworks is only $35 or so. Has anyone done it? I'm assuming they don't serve wine. What's the difference between that one and the two-hour Holiday Wishes party they do earlier in the evening (it's much more expensive)?

Andyman,

I am doing the NYE Fireworks Dessert Party this year and it cost us $50.05. If you call to book it, make sure you ask them to search by venue, not just search the dessert party. It took quite a while and a lot of back and forth before the CM on the phone found the 11:10 dessert party and was able to book it for us. There is no wine served.

 

[andyman8]

Andyman,

I am doing the NYE Fireworks Dessert Party this year and it cost us $50.05. If you call to book it, make sure you ask them to search by venue, not just search the dessert party. It took quite a while and a lot of back and forth before the CM on the phone found the 11:10 dessert party and was able to book it for us. There is no wine served.

Woh! Well, I'll see if anything is left! Thanks for the advice!

 

[andyman8]

Looks like the party is already full. Too bad.

 

[mudman]

Looks like the party is already full. Too bad.

Yes, I would have loved that too. Good luck with your plans.

 

[mudman]

Just picked up an ADR at O'Hana's at 9:20 for NYE.
So relieved now I have a back up plan to the crowds and can get on Poly Beach legitimately.
WooHoo