NYE and after crowds?

[dbs1228]

Okay I have heard how crazy this time frame is for wdw - we are going to be at the world from Dec 26 - Jan 5th. We are staying the 1st 4 nights at THV then moving to BLT GV for 6 nights. Are all the parks crazy busy every day during this time period? How are they on New Years Day? We have AP's so I am okay with just going to the parks for an hour or 2 but my DD's are all bringing friends for this trip and I am sure they will want to do all the parks. Any hints, suggestions are appreciated. btw we usually go during Presidents week and never find it bad crowd wise since we get to the park at rope drop, leave mid afternoon and go back for fireworks later in the evening.

Thanks in advance

 

[jade1]

BLT was perfect for NYE preview the 30th. In your room in under 10 minutes. Same for NYE-if you want to do it again-just not sure if it will be full.
Otherwise do NYE at MK the 30th, then EPCOT for NYE-but you will not get home for quite a while after.

If you open parks that week you will still get a lot done by noon-but we head back for the afternoon to rest/swim etc. But the parks (esp MK) stay open so late-you can head back and do some more fun evenings. Mostly shows, parades (esp MK XMAS parade) fireworks, Os lights, snow on main etc.

 

[hakepb]

School does not start until the 7th for most, so that is still a busy holiday period, but it should improve some as the 7 day Christmas - New Years group leaves.
Since NYE is the single busiest day of the year, anything is an improvement.

 

[cvjw]

We were there the first week of January last year, and found the crowds quite manageable. There were lots of tour groups in the park, and the weather was down right frigid. This year, we are going for the same week, but I am expecting larger crowds. New Year's Day is later in the week, so I think more people will stay into the first week of January.

 

[iluveeyore]

We'll be there Jan 1-8 - better than being home in the snow, so don't care how cold or how busy - just hope it's manageable as DD is taking her best friend for her first visit to the parks.

 

[dbs1228]

Another question - if we go to the park MK or Epcot early on NYE and decide to leave for the afternoon (and they close do to capacity) can you get back in later? I heard people doing this but how do they know? By your ticket?

 

[vicki_c]

Another question - if we go to the park MK or Epcot early on NYE and decide to leave for the afternoon (and they close do to capacity) can you get back in later? I heard people doing this but how do they know? By your ticket?

There are 5 stages to closing. If you are staying at a Disney resort, you would not be closed out in in the earlier stages. If you absolutely have to be in the park on those days, safest bet is not to leave.

 

[jade1]

Another question - if we go to the park MK or Epcot early on NYE and decide to leave for the afternoon (and they close do to capacity) can you get back in later? I heard people doing this but how do they know? By your ticket?

Agree with PP, but we have gone to EPCOT the last 4 times for NYE around dinner time with no problem-however that was thru IG from BCV so maybe the front entrance is tougher. MK I can't say, but I'm sure its risky to get back in later-maybe later is OK like 8 or 9? Not sure though.

Also-if you are at BLT for NYE-worst case is watch from your balcony (if MK View), would be awesome as the fireworks are really spread around MK, almost hard to see them from inside actually.

 

[dbs1228]

Agree with PP, but we have gone to EPCOT the last 4 times for NYE around dinner time with no problem-however that was thru IG from BCV so maybe the front entrance is tougher. MK I can't say, but I'm sure its risky to get back in later-maybe later is OK like 8 or 9? Not sure though.

Also-if you are at BLT for NYE-worst case is watch from your balcony (if MK View), would be awesome as the fireworks are really spread around MK, almost hard to see them from inside actually.

Thanks for the tip - I think DH and I are planning on ringing in the New Year at TOWL and watch fireworks from there, I want to use the Grand villa as much as possible and get my points worth It is our DD's and their friends that will probably do a park and I think I would feel better if it was the MK knowing they are a quick walk back to the resort.

 

[drusba]

Christmas week crowds are the largest of the year, and the parks are extremely crowded all days during that week, and NYE is the most crowded day of the year. Street crowds in the evening at MK and World Showcase on NYE are so thick it becomes difficult to move from one place to another.

Also, it is wishful thinking to believe huge crowds suddenly disappear after NYE. The crowds remain huge for the first three to four days of Jan before they start to drop. Based on the dates you give, you should not go assuming there will be any "light" day.

The crowds will make Presidents week look almost like off season. However, strategy is similar if you want popular rides. Go early morning and you can get on a couple things with not much wait and get an extra ride by getting a fast pass. Make any dinner ressies when first allowed to do so.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree with drusba, and wanted to add that since NYE is on a Tuesday, I suspect many people there for NYE will hang around until the following weekend. We have found the holiday crowds disperse quickly if NYE is on a weekend, but not if it's in the middle of the week like that.

 

[jade1]

Thanks for the tip - I think DH and I are planning on ringing in the New Year at TOWL and watch fireworks from there, I want to use the Grand villa as much as possible and get my points worth It is our DD's and their friends that will probably do a park and I think I would feel better if it was the MK knowing they are a quick walk back to the resort.

Also keep in mind that MK is pretty dead on Jan 2 AM. If your at BLT you can hit the bed in 5 minutes after Fireworks from TOTWL (10 from the park) while everyone else has 1 to 3 hours to get to rooms. You should leave your room Jan 2 exactly 10 miniutes before opening (everyone else at least an hour before) and you wont believe how much you will get done by noon. Then 10 minutes back to BLT-with a FP or 2 for later of course. Cant put a price on that IMO.

 

[MinnieLee]

Pre joing DVC, we were there for two NYEs when our high school marching band was in the parade at MK. We were told to pick the park that you would like to spend NYE in (in our case EPCOT) and plan on staying the day. Once they reach capacity that was it - if we left there was NO guarantee we could get back in. EPCOT was packed but we had a fantastic time. We were also staying at ASM and the lines for the bus were LLOOOOOONG and we even hung out awhile for the "crowds to go down".