Please share your best New Years Eve advice

[momto2]

We are going to wdw 12-30 to 1-5. We have no idea what to expect for NYE, except of course the crowds Are there events on December 30? If you do MK on NYE, what time do you get to the parks? Do you stay all day and not leave? What is doable with the large crowds? Is it worth being in the park at midnight? Can we get in to MK after midnight before it closes for the night?

Thanks for any and all help. We need it>

 

[AJKMOM]

The best advice would be "Don't Go" .

It is one of the busiest nights of the year. You need to pick a park, get there early, and plan on staying the entire day if you want to stay until midnight. I think AK is the only park not open 'til midnight. MK usually is the first park to close to new admissions. I have actually heard that EPCOT is very nice on NYE. I have never been on NYE, but we did go once to MGM on New Years Day, and it was great in the morning, more crowded later. I'm sure they celebrate at midnight, not sure what else goes on.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Having been in both Epcot and the Magic Kingdom for NYE I would say that either is a good choice, but the choice depends on what you want. Because of it's size the MK will be the most crowded, so I you choose that park arrive early. Epcot is "slightly" less crowded ( a relative term on NYE ) but with more of a party atmosphere. I did notice a fair amount of drinking and smoking in the world showcase area during that time, so I might not suggest it for children.

You might want to make your selection soon, as you need to make your dining reservations NOW ! Unless you want to wait in loonngg counter service lines and search for open tables it really pays off to have a lunch and dinner reservation booked soon. My personal experience - arriving for my family's lunch reservation at Garden Grill on Wednesday 12/31/2003. As I walked up to checkin a gentlemen asked when the next available reservation was. The cast members reply - "next Tuesday (!)". I have to admit I felt a little smug about all my planning at that moment.

Good Luck. It will be incredibly crowded, but you can still have a fantastic time with a little planning. Don't expect to do many rides - just relax and enjoy all that is going on around you. You won't be disappointed.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

The past few New Years Eve's when my family & I were at WDW we did not go to any parks that day because we knew it would a mad house. Since we were staying at the Contemporary we did not mind, plus having a Magic Kingdom view was great because we got to see fireworks from all around. That's what we like to do, where others like to be at the parks & that is why each family is different.

 

[momto2]

I guess it will be a day of people watching, eating (yes I do have ADR for 5:00 at CP) and standing in some lines. It just sounds like such a long day. Does it clear out much after midnight?

 

[luvmy2sams]

DH and I rang in 2005 in the Magic Kingdom. We knew we wanted to be in the MK (after originally planning for EPCOT), and we were dreading the long day a little bit. It ended up being one of our favorite days of the trip! We arrived shortly after park opening and left after the midnight fireworks. Disney handled the crowds very well, and we were actually back in our room (after viewing the fireworks from in front of the Minnie & Mickey topiaries) at the WL by around 1am. The crowd level was unbelievable, but it was so much fun! We hit all of our favorites and passed on anything with outrageous wait times.

Use fastpass, make those ADRs, and enjoy! Don't forget to pick up party hats and noisemakers when they start handing them out.

 

[DisneyaHolic23]

My DH and I have been three times on NYE; the first two times we went to Epcot, and had a great time, but really didn't like having to go for opening, and stay until midnight to protect ourselves from being "locked out".

Last year we didn't go to a park at all. We resort-hopped, enjoying the holiday decorations. We had a great dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse, and then went to Jellyrolls for the evening. We had a BLAST!! It was the best decision we ever made! If we ever go back for NYE, we will repeat this plan!

 

[momto2]

My DH and I have been three times on NYE; the first two times we went to Epcot, and had a great time, but really didn't like having to go for opening, and stay until midnight to protect ourselves from being "locked out".

Last year we didn't go to a park at all. We resort-hopped, enjoying the holiday decorations. We had a great dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse, and then went to Jellyrolls for the evening. We had a BLAST!! It was the best decision we ever made! If we ever go back for NYE, we will repeat this plan!

Sounds great but I think my kids will want to be in a park, YIKES!

 

[Tiffer]

Did NYE 04 in MGM...LOVED it and are doing it again this year!