NYE - Which Park?

[tndisney5]

I am starting to plan our NYE visit. We do not park hop. We have done one NYE visit in the past and visited HS before it was all crazy and under construction. We loved our day/night there, would love to do a repeat but with all the closures and construction thinking it might not sustain us all day.

Opinions...

Do HS - leave in afternoon (is there a chance it would close due to capacity?), return for dinner and nighttime activities

Choose another park for NYE - Looking for opinions here - We have 3 children ages 7-10.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Do HS - leave in afternoon (is there a chance it would close due to capacity?), return for dinner and nighttime activities

Good idea here but I don't know if I would eat at Hollywood for Dinner. If you won't be in the parks maybe try a cool resort restaurant you've never been to. Animal Kingdom Lodge has Boma and Sanaa (get there before sunset), Geysar Point at Wilderness Lodge is a cool place, Flying Fish for something more upscale, anything at SWan & Dolphin if you're not on the DDP.

 

[Accident]

Last year Hollywood did not run a special NYE fireworks, it was the same star wars one offered nightly.

MK has fireworks on 2 nights for NYE so you can go the 30th or 31st. i believe they also do a smaller show earlier in the night on the 31st for families that can't be out until midnight (and the 2 hours to get out of there after).

Epcot seems to be the favorite for 31st but that might be the beer talking. It does turn into kind of a street party that night.

To be honest, you wont' really know the options you have until it's closer but MK for 2 nights and epcot on the 31st should happen. The question is if they will offer anything elsewhere and what other parties they might thrown that may interest you as well.

 

[CAS239]

Mk on the 30th, Epcot on the 31st

 

[kniquy]

A couple of years ago we arrived on NYE and went to Epcot late afternoon (3ish)–this was a trip with our 9 yo twin boys. We made our fast passes and didn’t expect to ride anything else, knowing it was going to be busy. There were long lines and we really didn’t want to wait an hour for any rides so we were just happy with our 3 FP selections. We had another full day planned at Epcot so no pressure to hit everything. I think just the size of Epcot does help with having more manageable crowds even on an insanely busy day. Towards the later evening (10pm) the world showcase was jammed pack because everyone was staking their spot for the fireworks. That was the only time it was difficult to move around. We just stayed in future world, which was becoming pretty desolate by that time. This was our arrival day and after being up since 4am we actually opted to leave the park around 11:45. At that point I couldn’t fathom dealing with the mob of people leaving. If I were to do it again I would probably choose epcot.


If you are considering going – book dining reservations as soon as they open. I had planned this trip only 2 months out, so needless to say despite the phone calls there were no open reservations. I did luck out stalking the reservation page and got garden grill for 9pm – it was a welcomed break from all the people.

 

[HopperFan]

DHS didn't do anything but it was great for us to take the bus out of there after our night at Epcot. I would do Epcot, less people than MK, all kinds of dance parties that kids were having a blast in, Illuminations early, then another Illuminations followed by a goosebump firework display. We expected a cluster and only were checking off a bucket list but it was awesome and plan to return.

 

[tndisney5]

Hummmm...maybe Epcot then! Does anyone know, typically, when the first viewing of Illumnations will be? We would book our FP early. I do not think MK is good for NYE for us...too many people! Then again, it is NYE at DW!

 

[DVC_Dad_Canada]

We've done NYE twice, and went to Animal Kingdom. It wasn't crowded at all, because there were no fireworks. This year with Pandora it will probably be a lot busier.

With kids that age I'd suggest going in the afternoon, but it might be pushing it to expect kids of that age to stay up for midnight.

 

[tndisney5]

We've done NYE twice, and went to Animal Kingdom. It wasn't crowded at all, because there were no fireworks. This year with Pandora it will probably be a lot busier.

Yeah, that is what we are thinking as well. AK would be a nice quiet option, sans fireworks, but with the Pandora craze we may nix it from our trip altogether LOL

 

[CAS239]

Hummmm...maybe Epcot then! Does anyone know, typically, when the first viewing of Illumnations will be? We would book our FP early. I do not think MK is good for NYE for us...too many people! Then again, it is NYE at DW!

They don't do the regular Illuminations (from what I remember). When we went to bring in 2016 first firework show was at 6pm then you have the NYE fireworks starting around 11:50

 

[tndisney5]

They don't do the regular Illuminations (from what I remember). When we went to bring in 2016 first firework show was at 6pm then you have the NYE fireworks starting around 11:50

Ah, got it. I was confused about what was happening twice!

 

[nonzerosum]

We did NYE in 2015 with 2 kids similar in age to OPs. As per the awesome advice I got here, we did MK on Dec 30 and Epcot Dec 31. I would absolutely do it that way again. We were very prepared (and prepared our kids) for crowds like we'd never seen, so I think that helped with my expectations. We arrived early afternoon and had dinner at San Angel. We poked around WS for a few hours taking in the entertainment, dance parties, etc. It was amazing to see the variety of entertainment. I can't totally recall, but I think we staked out our fireworks spot at around 9:30 (near the Port of Call gift shop). The fireworks were beyond what I imagined. Absolutely breathtaking!!!! We would all love to go again at NYE. We were prepared to have a very long trek home to POR at the end of the night, but we were back to our room at 12:35!!! I'm not gonna lie, the people were wall to wall leaving Epcot, but the CMs were awesome in directing people, keeping them moving, and utilizing backstage areas to exit. DH and I had a death grips on kids' hands and I was a bit panicked thinking what would happen if we got separated, but we exited the park so quickly I was amazed. There were so many busses waiting that we literally walked on, and about 90 seconds later the bus was full and departed. The bus driver utilized back roads to get back to POR and by 12:30 we were getting off the bus at the resort. It was actually much faster and more efficient than a regular night. Perhaps we just got lucky leaving, but I was so pleased with how quickly and efficiently the crowds moved. We loved NYE at Epcot and hope to go again someday.

 

[tndisney5]

We did NYE in 2015 with 2 kids similar in age to OPs. As per the awesome advice I got here, we did MK on Dec 30 and Epcot Dec 31. I would absolutely do it that way again. We were very prepared (and prepared our kids) for crowds like we'd never seen, so I think that helped with my expectations. We arrived early afternoon and had dinner at San Angel. We poked around WS for a few hours taking in the entertainment, dance parties, etc. It was amazing to see the variety of entertainment. I can't totally recall, but I think we staked out our fireworks spot at around 9:30 (near the Port of Call gift shop). The fireworks were beyond what I imagined. Absolutely breathtaking!!!! We would all love to go again at NYE. We were prepared to have a very long trek home to POR at the end of the night, but we were back to our room at 12:35!!! I'm not gonna lie, the people were wall to wall leaving Epcot, but the CMs were awesome in directing people, keeping them moving, and utilizing backstage areas to exit. DH and I had a death grips on kids' hands and I was a bit panicked thinking what would happen if we got separated, but we exited the park so quickly I was amazed. There were so many busses waiting that we literally walked on, and about 90 seconds later the bus was full and departed. The bus driver utilized back roads to get back to POR and by 12:30 we were getting off the bus at the resort. It was actually much faster and more efficient than a regular night. Perhaps we just got lucky leaving, but I was so pleased with how quickly and efficiently the crowds moved. We loved NYE at Epcot and hope to go again someday.

Thank you! This is helpful. I was mostly afraid Epcot would be geared more towards adults and our kids would have no fun, but this gives me hope.

 

[tndisney5]

So anyone have suggestions for a good park New Year's Day? Last time we did AK and it was so nice - not too crowded. That was back in 2013 so no Pandora craze. We will have a 4 day base park ticket - no hopper.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

Go to MK on the 30th and EPCOT on the 31st. You can see both NYE shows then. The fireworks finale in EPCOT can't be beat in my opinion. The MK one is cool, but the EPCOT finale always scares me, but I love it!!!

 

[kniquy]

With kids that age I'd suggest going in the afternoon,

I agree with this too - as i noted before we were up at 4am to catch our plane. We arrived at our resort around 10am, our room was ready so we relaxed a bit, grabbed lunch, checked out the resort and made our way to Epcot between 3-4pm. This gave us plenty of time without feeling too drained from being at the park all day and trying to make it to midnight

I was mostly afraid Epcot would be geared more towards adults and our kids would have no fun,

My kids had so much fun. I forget about what time but they were handing out hats and noise makers, the boys loved those.

good park New Year's Day

We did new years day at animal kingdom, now with pandora open that may change things. I think most parks will be busy, you really can't avoid crowds when traveling that time of year. Just put the expectations that you will encounter many people so relax and just enjoy yourself.

 

[Anniefrances]

Mk on the 30th, Epcot on the 31st

I second this!

 

[HopperFan]

They don't do the regular Illuminations (from what I remember). When we went to bring in 2016 first firework show was at 6pm then you have the NYE fireworks starting around 11:50

Ah, got it. I was confused about what was happening twice!

Yes pretty sure first was 6 pm, then second was right before NYE ones. It takes them that long to reload the stuff out there so they couldn't shoot at normal time and be ready for midnight too.

This was last year ....

Epcot

December 31, 2016

Future World: 8:00 am - 1:00 am

World Showcase: 9:00 am - 1:00 am

• 6:00 pm: IllumiNations with a Holiday Finale
• 11:40pm: IllumiNations with a countdown and fireworks salute to the New Year
• Party hats and horns will be distributed from 4:00 while supplies last - Future World West Disney Performing Arts Stage, Future World East Wonders of Life Pavilion, World Showcase The American Adventure by Joffrey's Coffee
• DJ and light show at Future World Fountain Stage: 7pm-1am
• Flame effects and a smoke-billowing dragon in China pavilion: 7pm-1am
• Blast to the past with British Invasion in United Kingdom pavilion
• Euro-pop DJ and lasers in Italy pavilion: 7pm-1am
• Entertainment in America Gardens Theater: 2-6pm, 7-7:20pm, 8-8:50pm, 9:30-10:05pm, 10:45-11:35pm, 12:40-1:00am
• a Latin band and DJ on the America Gardens Stage: 7:20-8pm, 8:50-9:30pm, 10:05-10:45pm, 12:05-12:40am
• a "Silent Groove" party in the Japan pavilion: 7pm-1am

A few Epcot attractions will have different operating hours than the rest of the park on 12/31/16:

Colortopia - open 8:00am-7:00pm

Frozen Ever After - open 8:00am-1:00am

Agent P World Showcase Adventure - open 9:30am-3:00pm

Turtle Talk with Crush - open 9:00am-11:40pm

Universe of Energy - open 8:00am-11:00pm



New Year's Eve at Epcot World ShowPlace 2016 - all-you-care-to-eat family night with photo ops, fun vignettes for posing and Disney music playing in the background. Seatings from 3-9pm. Cost is $72.90 for adults and $44.38 for children (ages 3-9). Afterwards, head out to watch the holiday version of IllumiNations.



Monsieur Paul New Year's Eve Dinner 2016 - Six seatings are available for the four-course classic French meal, priced at $110.81 per person (plus tax and gratuity). These seatings will be at 11:45am, 12:00, 2:15, 2:45, 5:45, and 6:15pm. There will also be a late-night four-course premiere dining event will take place with two seatings from 8:45 to 9:45pm for $305.03 per person (plus tax and gratuity). At the late-night seatings, an enhanced French menu will be served.

 

[tndisney5]

Soooo...leaning more towards Ecpot on the 31st. We like to get to the park at opening, but this could make for a LOOOOONNNNGGG day. Anyone have advice on a touring plan for NYE at Epcot? If we leave early afternoon and return would be most likely be closed to capacity?