NYE Illuminations

[DizFan13]

I'm looking for advice on how to make the best of an iffy situation. DH and I will be in EPCOT on NYE. When we made dining reservations a few months ago, we weren't thinking clearly about the time we'd need to secure an Illuminations viewing spot; we made a reservation for Coral Reef at 9:25, and planned to get a FP for the show. I realize now that even if we had a FP, the timing would be a little rough (quick dinner, I guess), but at 60+5, no FP, so now I'm worried.

Is there a chance we can still walk around the showcase and find a spot to watch the show? Should we cancel our dinner res and camp a place earlier on?

We've been in EPCOT on NYE before, but we were at the party and didn't watch any nighttime entertainment. I know how crazy the crowds will be, and I can't imagine finding walking room much less viewing room for the show.

 

[AngiTN]

With Illuminations being in the round we didn't find it necessary to stake a spot out in advance. We walked up with less than 30 min to go and watched on the bridge to the Outpost

 

[Lesley Wake]

I'm looking for advice on how to make the best of an iffy situation. DH and I will be in EPCOT on NYE. When we made dining reservations a few months ago, we weren't thinking clearly about the time we'd need to secure an Illuminations viewing spot; we made a reservation for Coral Reef at 9:25, and planned to get a FP for the show. I realize now that even if we had a FP, the timing would be a little rough (quick dinner, I guess), but at 60+5, no FP, so now I'm worried.

Is there a chance we can still walk around the showcase and find a spot to watch the show? Should we cancel our dinner res and camp a place earlier on?

We've been in EPCOT on NYE before, but we were at the party and didn't watch any nighttime entertainment. I know how crazy the crowds will be, and I can't imagine finding walking room much less viewing room for the show.

I also don't think they have FPs for the midnight Illuminations, just the earlier show which doesn't include the special NYE fireworks.

 

[LizGirl]

We got a spot when we noticed things filling up, probably 20 or so minutes before midnight.

 

[DVC4US]

With Illuminations being in the round we didn't find it necessary to stake a spot out in advance. We walked up with less than 30 min to go and watched on the bridge to the Outpost

Same here - we just grabbed a table in Italy when one opened up and had drinks while listening to the DJ. Then about 20 minutes before fireworks we got a champagne and lined up behind all the people who had sat on the pavement for 3 hours.

This year we are staying at BWV so planning on waiting until about 9-10pm before even heading into the park, grabbing a drink, and watching where ever we find a spot.

 

[Gehrig1B]

I am with the others. We have never camped out in advance. Enjoy the atmosphere and find a place 20-30 minutes before to stand and take in the pyrotechnics...

 

[TwinkleKS]

We stood where we found a spot at the last minute and pretty much saw everything. The kids missed some because of adults blocking a little bit of the Illuminations part (and while they aren't tall, I can't hold them on my shoulders anymore). They do keep the walkways only for people moving, so you can get from one place to another at a decent pace ... it may be wall to wall people, but the wall is constantly moving

 

[Bete]

Same here - we just grabbed a table in Italy when one opened up and had drinks while listening to the DJ. Then about 20 minutes before fireworks we got a champagne and lined up behind all the people who had sat on the pavement for 3 hours.

This year we are staying at BWV so planning on waiting until about 9-10pm before even heading into the park, grabbing a drink, and watching where ever we find a spot.

Just in case: I believe the International Gateway will be closed. I'm not sure if you can even walk over. Do some checking about this.

 

[Gehrig1B]

Just in case: I believe the International Gateway will be closed. I'm not sure if you can even walk over. Do some checking about this.

Is this related to the construction? I believe Disney confirmed the boats ONLY will affected, not the IG entrance. Several sources have confirmed the IG will remain open.

 

[AquaDame]

This year we are staying at BWV so planning on waiting until about 9-10pm before even heading into the park, grabbing a drink, and watching where ever we find a spot.

I was considering the same - we're at the Dolphin. Is getting back in to Epcot not a big deal that night? (I've heard before that MK gets "full" and Im also worried about having to leave for some reason and not being able to get back in on the 30th...)

 

[Gehrig1B]

Is getting back in to Epcot not a big deal that night? (I've heard before that MK gets "full" and Im also worried about having to leave for some reason and not being able to get back in on the 30th...)

Nothing to worry about... Epcot has not had a capacity closure in a decade and never a phase 4 to my knowledge.

 

[DVC4US]

Just in case: I believe the International Gateway will be closed. I'm not sure if you can even walk over. Do some checking about this.

Where have you seen that IG will be closed? I agree with @Gehrig1B - the only thing I have seen is that the boats might be affected which doesn't bother us. It would highly surprise me if Disney closes the IG gate especially at Christmas & New Years.

Here is the thread where this was discussed - it is the boats that will be affected and the IG gate will be open. Also, it is from Nov 27 - Dec 17.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/international-a-gateway-to-close-11-27-to-12-17.3711586/

 

[AngiTN]

Just in case: I believe the International Gateway will be closed. I'm not sure if you can even walk over. Do some checking about this.

Bad/rumors floating out there. It's not going to be closed, not the gate itself.

 

[AngiTN]

I was considering the same - we're at the Dolphin. Is getting back in to Epcot not a big deal that night? (I've heard before that MK gets "full" and Im also worried about having to leave for some reason and not being able to get back in on the 30th...)

Not only will you not have any problems getting in to Epcot there's no problems getting in to MK either, unless you want to walk up and buy a ticket at the gate, are not staying on site and don't have an ADR

 

[DizFan13]

Thank you so much, all. I feel much better.

 

[AJT607]

Last year on New Year's Eve, we went to Epcot mid-afternoon to ride a few rides, then popped back into the park around 8pm to walk around and enjoy all of the unique entertainment, and then headed back into the park again around 11:15pm. We were staying at BWV and we were very thankful for the IG entrance. The lines to get in were never crowded, and it allowed us to enjoy each of the unique elements of Epcot on NYE without being overwhelmed by the crowds for hours on end.

 

[TwinkleKS]

I should add ... whatever you do ... DON'T DRIVE to Epcot on NYE ... Ride a bus ... ride the monorail ... or best yet stay at an Epcot hotel. We made the mistake of taking the car for NYE 2018. We were staying at CBR ... it took well over an hour to get parked (maybe two hours ... that part is fuzzy). Then we were parked in the exact wrong spot in the parking lot and were literally boxed in and among the very last cars to leave at like 3:30 AM or so. I know not everyone's experience is quite that bad when it comes to driving, but we somehow ended up in a row that got boxed in and literally could not move.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

I should add ... whatever you do ... DON'T DRIVE to Epcot on NYE ... Ride a bus ... ride the monorail ... or best yet stay at an Epcot hotel. We made the mistake of taking the car for NYE 2018. We were staying at CBR ... it took well over an hour to get parked (maybe two hours ... that part is fuzzy). Then we were parked in the exact wrong spot in the parking lot and were literally boxed in and among the very last cars to leave at like 3:30 AM or so. I know not everyone's experience is quite that bad when it comes to driving, but we somehow ended up in a row that got boxed in and literally could not move.

That is CRAZY. Thanks for the info. I wouldn't think they would allow people to park other cars in. I bet that was a mistake. We will take the bus.

 

[TwinkleKS]

That is CRAZY. Thanks for the info. I wouldn't think they would allow people to park other cars in. I bet that was a mistake. We will take the bus.

They weren't like officially blocking us in ... but the way that traffic was moving we were up at the front and couldn't get out into any of the lines that were actually moving. It was kind of like if you picked the slow line at the grocery store and once you got in it, you couldn't get out.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I should add ... whatever you do ... DON'T DRIVE to Epcot on NYE ... Ride a bus ... ride the monorail ... or best yet stay at an Epcot hotel. We made the mistake of taking the car for NYE 2018. We were staying at CBR ... it took well over an hour to get parked (maybe two hours ... that part is fuzzy). Then we were parked in the exact wrong spot in the parking lot and were literally boxed in and among the very last cars to leave at like 3:30 AM or so. I know not everyone's experience is quite that bad when it comes to driving, but we somehow ended up in a row that got boxed in and literally could not move.

Yep, you don’t want to drive to Epcot on NYE. 1:56PM 12/31/2017.