Possibly no re-entry

[Pinboys]

We are making last minute reservations...trying to...for a NYE dinner at EPCOT and everything is booked. Kinda figured that, so we aren't upset. Another option is eating outside of the park. However, our concern is able to get back in to the park after dinner. Is it possible we may be denied re-entry? We will be staying at Shades of Green and we will have a park hopper ticket. What do you all think?

 

[CarolMN]

Yes, it is possible. Believe resort guests arriving via Disney transportation are the last to be denied, but if the park approaches "legal" capacity, everyone will be denied entry even if they are returning, park hopping or have a dinner reservation.

My advice is to keep trying for a reservation - assume you are very flexible. Have you tried making lunch your big meal for the day, filling in with counter service and snacks? If not, perhaps you could do that as a back up while you keep trying for soemthing closer to your preferred time.

Good luck!

 

[cjb71870]

Depending on your dinner time, it is very highly possible you will be denied.

 

[HayGan]

I wouldn't chance it. I would just keep trying fo something. Otherwise a nice meal at a good CS restaurant like Tangerine Cafe might be nice.

 

[susieq76]

Two years ago we managed to get reservations at the special tent they open up by America on NYE- we got these ressies about 5 days before. It was a buffet dinner (actually very, very good), there was dancing & a band. Lots of fun. Our party had decided they did not want to dine at our PS'd location & this worked nicely. Maybe call & ask about that?

 

[mickaholic4077]

On NYE 2003 into 2004,my mother and I entered Epcot at 7:30 via the International Gateway with no problems.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Agree, I would not chance leaving and returning. The odds of re-entering are pure by luck.
We were in Epcot last NYE.
ALL restaurants were booked. At Guest Services there was a constant, long line of guests looking for sit down, despite there being signage and CMs going down the line telling guests nothing was available.
Now -- we never saw a CM tell guests there was a walk up only buffet offering what looked like good food and very nice surroundings in the old Millenium Village.
Once we saw that we were kinda disappinted we had already eaten!
I don't know why it was not announced and with no signage anywhere but that area. But that made it very easy to walk around in, although it was busy.
I would not promise they will offer that again. But keep it in mind in case you try Epcot on NYE and are wanting a decent buffet. I don't recall the price or what was being served. That is the area they hold banquets and meetings. So they are well equipped for large parties and gatherings.
The Odyssey building held a brief private party and nothing was being offered there.

Oh -- and the line for Soarin' -- FOUR hour wait!!

 

[FantasmicDreams]

Try a late lunch. Those are usually easier to get. Or just try a counter service place in the WS. Tangerine Cafe is great, and the place in Japan is great also.

 

[Terk-1]

When I went NYE 1997, all 3 parks (AK was not open yet) maxed their capacity by 10am that day. For fire and safety reasons, they could not allow any more guests in to the park, until enough guests left the park. When I made my original reservations, the CM forewarned me about this and told me to pick a park, make adr's for lunch & dinner way ahead of time, bring what I'd need to the park, get there right when it opened and not to plan on leaving, since there was an excellent chance I would not get back in. Again for safety and fire reasons, it does not matter if you have a park hopper or had your hand stamped, once the park hits it's capacity, they can't let any more people in. Around 11pm, I was near the stage at Disney Studios (near the hat) waiting for Kevin Bacon & his brother to perform. Panned my camcorder around the crowds and all you saw was a sea of heads in every direction, including all the way down the main street. After the fireworks at midnight, took over an hour & a half to get back to my resort.

 

[elastigirl]

It is possible you will be denied. I believe Epcot can hold the most guests, but I know in 2000, in the evening, it was at capacity and people were ending up at MGM instead.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

There is a high chance you will not get back in EPCOT. NYE is very popular there and I would not risk it if you have your heart set on being there for the evening. Infact I would say this would be true for all of the parks, go and stay, if a TS meal is not available there are plenty of good counter locations in EPCOT and a wide variety at that. I've heard of the buffet before, they also did this at MK during the peak season this year and it had a nominal price, I think it was $19 or so and was located in the Tomorrowland Noodle Station area. Just an idea. You could sample around the world and celebrate that way. Have fun whatever your choice.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Last year I was working Epcot Front Gate on December 31. When I was at theexit gates I was told to warn all guests who were leaving that they might not be allowed back in when they returned.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

I have been in Epcot the last three years on New Years and have come and gone repeatedly night and day and it never even got close to closing. We went in through the international gateway. I would never stay in a park all day to see the fireworks. Just isn't worth fighting the crowds so we have been very happy to come and go to the BCV's from Epcot