NYE Park Exit Strategy

[juncker]

We’re familiar with how busy it is going to be around New Year’s Eve in the parks and we’re OK with that. We aren’t planning on getting that much done, just enjoying being part of WDW during that time. We have ADR’s already made. Cast will include me, DW, DD-20, DS-18, DS-15, and DS-13. We will have our own vehicle and will be staying in the SSR Treehouse Villas for the first time.

Our plan is to go to MK on 12/30 to watch the Midnight preview and then over to Epcot on 12/31 for their Midnight show. We aren’t going to rope drop either day, so we’ll be arriving to each park a bit late those days. We do have rope drops scheduled for later in the week to get any ‘required’ rides scheduled.

I realize that once the firework shows end shortly after midnight that it will be mayhem with people trying to get out of the parks and back to their rooms. Transportation is going to be jammed. I’m trying to figure out the best strategy to deal with this.

Our current plans would be:
• 12/30 MK – take the Bus to MK, watch the show from Main Street close to the entrance and make a dash for the bus as soon as it ends. If this is a good plan, does anyone have a recommended spot to watch?
• 12/31 Epcot – take the Bus to Epcot, watch the show from World Showcase (probably around Germany or Italy) and then wander around WS letting the crowds thin out. I’d expect to exit the park around 1:00 am when they close. Wander over to the bus at this time and deal with whatever line is there.

My youngest will be 13, so sticking around in the parks later is an option. We could adjust the MK schedule to stick around for EMH and get some rides in. We’ll have additional days at MK, so it certainly isn’t a priority, but I’d rather do that instead of waiting for an hour or two in a line for a bus. I wish we could just get a FP for the bus.

From what I’ve read on DISboards, the parking lots at the parks are crazy so I’m thinking that the bus is the best option for both days. Would it be possible on the 31st to park at either Boardwalk or Beach Club and enter/exit Epcot through the International Gateway and minimize traffic issues on the way out? We could certainly move our dinner reservations to one of those resorts if parking over there becomes an issue. Although it would be more walking, it seems feasible to me. Thoughts?

Does anyone have any experience with this? I’d love to hear any suggestions?

 

[MaxsDad]

After two NYE trips my best exit strategy is to not enter.
Of course that isn't what you asked so to answer some of your questions:

The buses will likely be insane, I think I waited 2 hours for a bus to PoP for our first NYE trip in 2004, and the crowds have gotten worse since then. We also didn't leave immediately after Illuminations and the crowds don't thin out much after midnight illuminations since it is NYE and most people are used to partying well into the night. I am also pretty sure you will NOT be able to park at one of the IG hotels.

Also, even though you don't plan on doing much, getting there late isn't the best idea, we were in Epcot for both NYE trips and the most recent one 2010-2011 was insane. It was packed by 11am and while I don't think Epcot hits capacity often I would be prepared for crazy crowds, especially if you plan on getting there late. The ADR is a good idea, it is a nice break. I have some pictures with the crowds at home, it really was crazy, and I don't think I will do NYE ever again.

good luck.

 

[WDW2012]

Totally agree with the above. I went once on NYE and would never do it again. Too crowded for my personal taste. When we went (and I can't remember what year it was), we arrived at Epcot around 9 am and they basically told us that if we wanted to stay until midnight we'd have to stay in the park the whole time as they were nearing capacity. At that point, I think MK was already at capacity. Good luck with your planning. If you don't mind feeling like you are in a sardine can, it should be a great time ;-)

One side note, we stayed at the Tree House Villas and absolutely loved it!! We couldn't use our pin there this time or else we'd be staying again.

 

[gator girl]

I would not be surprised if they were enforcing "this specific hotel guest only" parking at the Epcot resorts for NYE. They do that during F&W festival & NYE is more crowded than that. You might get a 3-hr pass to park at a resort around the immediate time of your ADR but I'd be very surprised if you are allowed to park there for the entire evening for park access. You're actually not supposed to do that even during less crowded times of year, much less on one of the peak attendance days.

Watching MK fireworks from near the train station & then making a run for the bus is a good plan, if you beat the crowds & get on the first bus or so. After that, I'd say to stay as late as necessary so the crowds die down.... probably at least 2 hours if not longer.

IDK. I'd almost be tempted to drive to Epcot. If you stay inside 90 minutes or so until the first "after fireworks" rush is cleared out, getting out of the parking lot in your car will surely be faster than waiting for the backlog at the bus stop to clear.

Also, don't wait until too late in the day to try to enter the park in case it is closed for capacity.... don't forget that everyone in there is wanting to stay for midnight so no one's leaving from about 6 pm on.

Caveat: This is all a guess because I've never been to the parks on NYE. I'm not crazy.

 

[Masonmj84]

Watching MK fireworks from near the train station & then making a run for the bus is a good plan, if you beat the crowds & get on the first bus or so. After that, I'd say to stay as late as necessary so the crowds die down.... probably at least 2 hours if not longer.

How good of a viewing spot is somewhere near the train station this time of the year?

I'd read somewhere that a lot of Christmas decorations get in your way (e.g., Christmas tree, hanging wreaths, etc.) and that getting a spot farther down on Main Street is almost a necessity for getting a good view of the show. So I'm wondering how much show quality you'd be sacrificing in an effort to beat the crowds.

 

[yulilin3]

We went to Epcot last NYE and it was awesome!! There's a great party atmosphere, 4 different parties (1st by the Fountain of Nations 2nd in China with a cool fire breathing dragon 3rd in Italy with lasers and techno music and 4th in the American Gardens Theater in the American Adventure with a live band and dj) They showed Illuminations once around 8pm I think and then at 11:40pm with a special tag for NYE from each country around world showcase.
Leaving the party after midnight is another story...my husband was working at DHS so we waited for him to pick us up after his shift (his shift was until 1:30am) there were still sea of people leaving and Disney security and Orange County police directing and diverting traffic all over property.
So I would recommend taking your own car, that way at least you're seated in your car while you drive out and don't have to deal with so many people cramming into the busses.
For MK, are you interested in just the fireworks or the Magic the Memories and You that preceeds them? If you just want to watch the fireworks you would have a good view from the train station area and then leave quickly as to beat people out, either by your own car or bus.

 

[gator girl]

How good of a viewing spot is somewhere near the train station this time of the year?

I'd read somewhere that a lot of Christmas decorations get in your way (e.g., Christmas tree, hanging wreaths, etc.) and that getting a spot farther down on Main Street is almost a necessity for getting a good view of the show. So I'm wondering how much show quality you'd be sacrificing in an effort to beat the crowds.

Yeah, there will be stuff in your way probably unless you are up on the train station 2nd floor - I would assume that the wreaths, etc. would then be below your line of sight for the firework blasts. Even then, the tree will probably block some of it. Also, that area is filled up well before the fireworks so you'd have to put a lot of time into holding your place. Unfortunately, if you're down Main Street towards the Hub you're not going to make the first couple of buses because you're going to be in the bulk of the crowd exiting.

There's not really a good answer, except "stay as late as you need in order to let most people leave before you". And on NYE, that could be hours. If your kids are up for it & the park is still open & you're not getting up early the next day, why not? The only problem you then have is whether or not Epcot will be in a stage closure by the time you get there on NYE.

 

[juncker]

Thank for all the replies.

I can appreciate all the recommendations to just stay away, however we've done many WDW trips and have heard numerous reviews on NYE and have never experienced it. We want to try it once.

I think that we will end up driving to Epcot on NYE to avoid the bus lines. It's a good point that at least we'll be sitting in our vehicle and not standing in a line just to end up standing on a bus. I'm also starting to think about spending a couple hours in MK after the show and sleep in late the next day.

Again, thanks for the input. I can't wait until it is time!

 

[GraceMonica]

I will be in the world this year for NYE!

I have not a clue what we're doing the 30th, but I know on NYE we are doing DHS! Im prepared to be uncomfortable. Im prepared to be tired.

Im planning on getting to the parks as soon as they open...it will be a super long day, but I wouldn't mind bailing out early and missing the fireworks! (For really any of the days im there)

The only reason im going during that week is so I can see disney dressed up for christmas! I work at a christmas shop, and there is no way they would ever let me off before that to take a vacation!

For that whole week my family plans on entering a park around rope drop (possibly a little bit after) and then take it real easy during the day. We enjoy people watching...and I know I will be getting a lot of that in on this trip!

We have one ADR planned at a resort (Ohana) and I let my family know that there is a chance we can't get back into the park after. (I think we're doing epcot that day) They don't mind as long as we're in disney world! If we do get shut out of a park, it will give us a chance to explore some resorts! Plus, theres always downtown disney!

ETA im not staying onsite, but if I were, I wouldn't take the buses. Id rather take a car. As others have said, its about comfort. Id rather be stuck in line waiting to get out of the parking lot in the comfort of my own vehicle rather than stuck standing in line waiting for a bus then stuck on a bus with a bunch of tired and cranky strangers.

Ive watched fireworks by the train station and the view isn't all that great. But if you don't mind an obstructed view it would probably be your best choice for getting out of there asap.

If you do drive on NYE, I would stick around in the park for a while just so most of the crowds are waiting for the buses, and then go to your car. (I've never been during NYE, but this is how I would do it if I was in epcot that day!)

Whatever you do end up doing...have fun! I know i'll have to make the best of it...because it's gunna be crowded!

 

[jamuth]

We went a few years ago and MK closed by nightfall. So we ended up going to HS. We did the park then when it got close to midnight we sat right outside the gate of HS. It was great. Could see HS fireworks perfectly and could see Epcot at the same time. We drove. But the rush to the trams were big.