NYE situation at MK - crowd level 2024

[PlutoNotPlanet]

Hi there, I wonder what the crowd level was on December 31th 2024 at Magic Kingdom as I am planing for NYE this year.

I am aware that there are 2 Fantasy in the Sky firework shows on both 30th and 31th. I’ve seen people suggesting entering the park before 10AM. I’ve seen an old myth of who gets to enter when park almost reaches capacity. I’ve seen posts saying guests might be restricted to certain areas in MK when it really reaches capacity…

I am thinking about leaving for lunch or dinner and re-entering.
Any first hand information around
1. When did MK reach capacity on 12/31/2024?
2. Were guests be able to enter MK in the afternoon? What about the evening?
3. While in the park, how long was the wait for Quick Service for dinner?
4. Were guests restricted to the land they were staying then? Or any traffic control that limited guest to walk to certain areas?
5. In order to watch the 11:50pm firework, when should guests start standing for a position with good (not best) view?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Disneylover99]

Hi there, I wonder what the crowd level was on December 31th 2024 at Magic Kingdom as I am planing for NYE this year.

I am aware that there are 2 Fantasy in the Sky firework shows on both 30th and 31th. I’ve seen people suggesting entering the park before 10AM. I’ve seen an old myth of who gets to enter when park almost reaches capacity. I’ve seen posts saying guests might be restricted to certain areas in MK when it really reaches capacity…

I am thinking about leaving for lunch or dinner and re-entering.
Any first hand information around
1. When did MK reach capacity on 12/31/2024?
2. Were guests be able to enter MK in the afternoon? What about the evening?
3. While in the park, how long was the wait for Quick Service for dinner?
4. Were guests restricted to the land they were staying then? Or any traffic control that limited guest to walk to certain areas?
5. In order to watch the 11:50pm firework, when should guests start standing for a position with good (not best) view?

Thanks in advance!

MK did not reach capacity last New Year’s Eve. Ticket restrictions (since 2020) have meant those with tickets (purchased well ahead of time) have not had to worry as much about the potential of capacity issues like in the past.

A few weeks ago, they sold out of one day tickets to the MK on Dec. 31st and one day park hopper tickets are no longer available to purchase either. Of course, anything is possible, but these limits make it unlikely there will be capacity issues this year as well.

It will still be really crowded though. I just recommend eating quick service at off times. It’s dinner by 4pm for us and snacks later. It’s way too stressful trying to find a table during peak dinner hours.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Speaking of NYE, I notice the schedule this year has the first MK "Fantasy in the Sky" showing both nights at 7:30pm. It's been 6:30pm in the past. I think I like the later time better, 6:30pm sometimes made for some harder dinner timing decisions for us.

 

[Narcoossee11]

The biggest issue with NYE is :

People stay in park and don't leave since the 'event' is midnight. Some will leave after 1st fireworks but not many.
There are people, families camping out (literally) on every patch of grass, every sidewalk is packed. Kids asleep EVERYWHERE.
You really can not move.
Ride have huge waits. Quick service also.
You take a step forward when the person in front of you moves forward, person behind you does the same.

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

It’s way too stressful trying to find a table during peak dinner hours.

I can imagine that. The 60 day dining reservation window just opened up, and some already book up.

the schedule this year has the first MK "Fantasy in the Sky" showing both nights at 7:30pm. It's been 6:30pm in the past. I think I like the later time better, 6:30pm sometimes made for some harder dinner timing decisions for us.

Yes, I also see that. I did change some plans accordingly. I wonder if it has anything to do with the Starlight night parade.

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

MK did not reach capacity last New Year’s Eve. Ticket restrictions (since 2020) have meant those with tickets (purchased well ahead of time) have not had to worry as much about the potential of capacity issues like in the past.

A few weeks ago, they sold out of one day tickets to the MK on Dec. 31st and one day park hopper tickets are no longer available to purchase either. Of course, anything is possible, but these limits make it unlikely there will be capacity issues this year as well.

Thank you! These are really helpful!

People stay in park and don't leave since the 'event' is midnight. Some will leave after 1st fireworks but not many.

This dilemma is essentially why I am debating whether to stay there or re-enter. I'd love to wait outside the park. But the fear is that I won't be able to re-enter. Waiting there having nothing to do (as the wait time for rides is insane) sounds awful.

An ideal itinerary would be enjoy the park a bit during the day, take a break outside in the evening, and return around 10-ish.