NYE 2017

[MaxineDisney]

Hi
My 15 yr old DD and I are planning a short trip for New Years. Our schedule is

12/29 Epcot
12/30 Blizzard Beach, DSprings (dinner at Rainforest Cafe)
12/31 MK have ressie for BOG 2:05 pm

I know the crowds will be absolutely crazy and was wondering if anyone could give some advice on touring at the busiest time of the year. We have not made reservations yet but most likely will stay at POP. Also, how long do you think it would take to walk from Haunted Mansion to Plaza Ice Cream around 11am on NYE?

thanks,
Maxine

 

[csjordan]

We have gone to Epcot for NYE the past 2 years, and will be there again this year. Doing MK on 12/30, to see their NYE fireworks and Epcot on 12/31. We took the bus to Epcot last NYE around 8:30 am and the cars lined down the highway going to MK. Be there before park opening, is my biggest suggestion and be prepared to stay in MK. I believe the park closed to capacity, not totally, but, yes, the crowds will probably be massive.

 

[CAS239]

STRONGLY recommend doing MK on the 30th and then Epcot on the 31st. MK shoots off their nye fireworks on the 30th and 31st, so this way you can see MK and Epcots nye fireworks.

It's also great because MK on nye will be a nightmare. You're looking at phased closures, a nightmare to leave and long lines in the morning to get in. Meanwhile, this past nye, Epcot was a breeze to get in

I also enjoyed Epcots nye fireworks more than MK

 

[MaxineDisney]

Thanks for responding. We are planning to arrive at both parks 30 min before EMH begins and stay the entire day. I know we have the stamina from a recent vacation elsewhere. We do not want to be at Epcot that NYE as I have heard stories of crowds equal to that at MK combined with booze trying to get to the bus stops late at night. We are looking for a more "family friendly" holiday. We are actually hoping to do a ride or two after the fireworks so we will not be caught in the huge exodus after fireworks. Working on a possible itinerary now and would appreciate any advice. Also plan to see the Electrical Water Pageant on the 30th if anyone has advice about that.

 

[Keels]

I would be prepared to wait in very long lines or not be able to do a whole lot after you finish your lunch at BoG unless you schedule your FP+s for that day after lunch.

 

[MaxineDisney]

Currently the EMH are listed as 8-9 am but we are hoping they are moved to 7-8. Planning to do a lot in the morning and when the park fills (maybe around 11am?) start doing things that hold a lot of people like Hall of Presidents. Keep the advice coming!

 

[CAS239]

Thanks for responding. We are planning to arrive at both parks 30 min before EMH begins and stay the entire day. I know we have the stamina from a recent vacation elsewhere. We do not want to be at Epcot that NYE as I have heard stories of crowds equal to that at MK combined with booze trying to get to the bus stops late at night. We are looking for a more "family friendly" holiday. We are actually hoping to do a ride or two after the fireworks so we will not be caught in the huge exodus after fireworks. Working on a possible itinerary now and would appreciate any advice. Also plan to see the Electrical Water Pageant on the 30th if anyone has advice about that.

Crowds will feel MUCH heavier at MK than at Epcot. And the park closes at midnight so the rides won't be open after the fireworks.

Advice I would give if you want to do MK on nye..get there early to avoid waiting 30+ min to get into the parking lot, plan out FP's in the afternoon as you'll see insane wait times, take some breaks in the park to eat and relax, and stay patient when leaving the park with that crowd lol.

 

[MaxineDisney]

We are planning to stay on property and take Disney bus from Pop Century so no worries about parking. Current closing time is listed at midnight for MK but last year was 2am so I am hoping that will change. Planning to do lots of rides during EMH and until about 11 am, by which I am expecting park to be jammed. Then ice cream around 11am at Plaza, Hall of Presidents, maybe Country Bear Jamboree, Lunch at 2, then 3:00 Parade. After parade will try Tom Sawyer's Island, plus Tiki room and other shows that hold a bunch of people but still planning about an hour wait for each.

 

[BarbieGal457]

We did MK on NYE 2014 and I second a lot of the advice here - get there as early as you possibly can, and besides ADRs and your FPs, go with the flow! We got very lucky and got to MK around 815ish, and did not leave until I think 3-330ish the next morning. We had a dinner ADR and I would suggest picking one up if you can, and for the love of Disney try to avoid ADRs on Main St near dinnertime - it was brutal! It looked like the final scenes in Titanic, with just crushes of people trying to move. That said...

We had a great time! We ended up using 6 FPs and overall we saw a LOT! Our strategy was to not have much of one besides eating and FPs, so if we saw a line for something was short we got right in it. Even if we didn't think we felt like seeing it, we did, because it got us off our feet, into a seat, and passing time. As much as I love MK, that day ended up having periods where it felt very long, just because we knew we basically couldn't leave. When you see crowds, you zig where they zag. We would turn right around and find something else to do and it worked out great! We had a fantastic time with only minimal crowd issues. Also, bring a hoodie just in case! It was very damp that day, mid-60s, and drizzled...I went home with a new WDW hoodie hahaha

 

[BarbieGal457]

Also, we watched the midnight fireworks from the bridge in New Fantasyland and it was a great idea. We were surrounded by them, and we got there maybe 15-20 minutes prior and still got a fantastic viewing spot. Much less crowded than Main St!!!!

 

[MaxineDisney]

Doing the Quick Service dining plan and thinking of eating at Cosmic Rays at about 8pm after the regular dinner hour. I like the Fantasyland Bridge idea. What did you use FP for and what times? Thanks!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Thanks for responding. We are planning to arrive at both parks 30 min before EMH begins and stay the entire day. I know we have the stamina from a recent vacation elsewhere. We do not want to be at Epcot that NYE as I have heard stories of crowds equal to that at MK combined with booze trying to get to the bus stops late at night. We are looking for a more "family friendly" holiday. We are actually hoping to do a ride or two after the fireworks so we will not be caught in the huge exodus after fireworks. Working on a possible itinerary now and would appreciate any advice. Also plan to see the Electrical Water Pageant on the 30th if anyone has advice about that.

Meh, you ask 100 people about their experiences at Epcot on NYE and 99 will tell you that they had an awesome time while 1 will tell you about drunks or other jerks. If you are making plans because some people told you that they had a bad experience and you therefore do not believe Epcot to be family friendly on NYE, you are totally missing the boat. Been there, done that, without drinking, with my teenaged children and wife - had an awesome time - didn't see any sign of obnoxious drunks anywhere that I went.

 

[tink too]

We're going to MK on the 30th and Epcot on the 31st this year. We've been to WDW at this time of year before so know what to expect crowds wise. However, we were limiting ADR's this trip. Would it be best to try for say a sit down breakfast and dinner on those days to try to escape the crowds and rest a little?

 

[CinderellaElla]

When I know I am going during a very, very busy time I make sure that I get my FPs and any reservations asap. Then we just go into the park knowing that it's going to be crazy and that we will be waiting in long lines for rides without a FP. Sometimes we just go to the shops or we get a snack and people watch for a while Perspective is plays a huge part when you go during really busy times. Either way, it's DISNEY

 

[rickym]

Doing the Quick Service dining plan and thinking of eating at Cosmic Rays at about 8pm after the regular dinner hour. I like the Fantasyland Bridge idea. What did you use FP for and what times? Thanks!

We were at the MK last year for NYE, and barely got a little spot in the back corner close to the FrontierLand path and we got our spot almost 8 hrs early. It was completely full everywhere. If you wait til after 8 no way you will get a decent spot anywhere in the main area in front of the castle. You also couldn't stand on the bridges. Lots of cast members moving people off them.

 

[Keels]

Doing the Quick Service dining plan and thinking of eating at Cosmic Rays at about 8pm after the regular dinner hour. I like the Fantasyland Bridge idea. What did you use FP for and what times? Thanks!

At 8 p.m., you'll see lines at PeopleMover at 30+ minutes. That's how crazy busy packed MK is on NYE.

It will easily take you almost an hour to get food at a QS restaurant, especially Cosmic Rays. And good luck finding a seat to eat once you do get food.

There is NO WAY I'd do NYE at any Disney park without a reservation to sit down to eat ANY meal after Noon. I've done NYE the past five (soon to be six) years across MK, DHS and Epcot.

When I say you have to have a plan to tackle MK on NYE, I mean it. You can't just plan the morning early and then go for "large-loading" things in the afternoon-evening. Like I said, PeopleMover will be a minimum of 30 minutes. You're going to wait the same, if not longer, for COP and HoP. Even Stitch was at an hour wait this past year.

Also, for fireworks? You better be ready to stake out a spot 5-6 hours early and your entire party will need to be willing to sit there to wait.

 

[MaxineDisney]

Thank you for the advice. In that case I think I will be booking FP for the evening rides/shows. I first thought I would use the 3 FP in the morning and then try to get others for the evening, but maybe that is not a good idea? We don't need to have a fabulous spot for fireworks, we are fine to watch them from wherever we wind up. Planning to be at the Poly for the Electrical Water pageant on the 30th and might stay to watch fireworks from outside the park that night.

 

[MaxineDisney]

Just about done with my preliminary itinerary and will post in a separate thread.