Staying "home" on New Year's Eve

[skorpie]

We will be at VWL this coming New Years. I've read that the parks are VERY crowded. Has anyone just stayed at their hotel to enjoy the evening? We'd like to do something a little special but DH hates the crowds and I know he'll go crazy if I drag him to a park. Any thoughts? I've heard the Hoop De Doo would be nice, but it might be a little late to get a ressie. For this trip it will be myself, DH and DD (11). Thanks

 

[Doctor P]

We were there on New Year's Eve 2001/New Year's Day 2002. Yes, Epcot was crowded but it was incredibly enjoyable and magical. I would not avoid the parks because of the crowds, but I also would have reasonable expectations and plan ahead. I would call on Hoop Dee Doo if you want to go. I wouldn't be surprised if you were able to get in for one of the shows this far out (even though reservations can be made two years in advance).

 

[GCM13]

We stayed at VWL this past New Year's Eve. We went to the MK around 11 am and planning on staying until midnight since we heard the parks get to capacity by the afternoon. It was very crowded. We didn't ride a whole lot. Just got fast passes and did what we could. We ended up leaving at 7 pm. It was just too hard to stick around until midnight with three little kids. We were so tired that we ended up going to bed before midnight (aren't we boring?). The fireworks woke me up. They had fireworks at our resort and also I could see them through the trees at Fort Wilderness. Wish I would have stayed up! To answer your question about staying at the resort, I'm not sure if they had anything special going on. I'm sure they did, we just didn't check. If your DH hates crowds, then he probably won't have a lot of fun at the parks on NYE. It is worth being there and seeing the activities and crowds even for a short time.

 

[kem330]

Ditto to Dr P's remarks (in fact we, by chance, bumped into him there that night!) Epcot can handle the crowds as it is the largest park- there is so much going on, it is a really festive way to bring in the New Year. The fireworks after illuminations are spectacular!

 

[aero99]

I was in MK during 2001/2002 for almost the whole day (opening till 10:30pm). The only reason we left was because we had a boat reserved to watch the fireworks in. My fiancee really doesn't like crowds but we did fine that day. It really comes down to planning. We got there, did tomorrowland right away. We then followed the plan in the unoffical guide book although we skipped fantasy land. In the afternoon we had fun going to toon town, COP, the railroad, the time keeper, exploring the stores, and riding rides we had already been on (but this time we had fast passes). Plan and make reservations for nice sit down meals. I highly recommend Cinderella's castle around the first fireworks time. The view is incredible. If things become too much, you can always leave. But be sure to give it a try, it was a lot of fun for us.

Melissa

 

[Caskbill]

We've done NYE at Epcot 3-times now and plan on making it a regular from now on. We just love it.

We've only done Epcot so far as there is lots of room so the crowds, while large, aren't overwhelming.

Some suggestions: 1. Do not plan on doing any of the rides. The lines can get horrible. For example, Test Track lines on NYE got up to 3-hours, and all the FP tickets were gone by about noon.

2. Make PS ressies for the restaurant of your choice well ahead of your trip. Even with the PS you will still get some short waits up to 30 minutes since the restaurants are running at maximum capacity and some guests will 'linger' at the tables. This past December as we were waiting for our table, we were amazed at how many 'walk-ups' were coming in and thought they could get a table. The hostess had to politely tell all of them they were fully booked for the remainder of the day.

3. Bring warm clothing. At 10:00 am with the sun shining, it can be fairly warm. Then when evening comes, it can cool down. But by 1:00 AM it can be downright cold. Wear long pants and check the weather reports.

4: Take Disney transportation. The lines for cars can back up tremendously. (As a side note, after the midnight festivities, we leisurely stroll around so that by the time we get to the bus stops, the majority of the crowd has already left)

5. Have a great time.

 

[dudlee930]

we stayed in WDW for news years 1999-2000 and had a great time,if disney can handle that new years they can handle anything. this year we will be home from dec.19 till jan.3 can not wait.i love epcot on nye,we usually eat at rose and crown and watch fireworks. Derindainkbounc

 

[SINK]

Initially our family planned to do NYE at MGM (2001/2002), but finding out that WDW imposed their Tier 3 plan (which restricts MK and Epcot to only resort guests), we decided to head over to MK at 10PM. I thought the crowds prior to NYE were bad enogh, nothing compared to standing on Main Street in MK at 11:30PM on NYE. It was wall to wall people. However, I would not think twice about spending another NYE at WDW. The fireworks were magnificient at MK. The atmosphere was just fantasmic! I think our family will do NYE at Epcot in 2003/2004 (based upon what I've read on this post).

Thanks all.

 

[gayleBWV]

Just to add on to Caskbill's point #3-Make sure you check the forcast for Orlando before you go. We were there 12/31/2000, when it was in the 20's at 7:00 am when we were waiting for the bus. Since we were from Illinois, and I had checked the forcast we had winter coats, hats, etc, and needed them all day. Even though the sun came out, it still didn't get above 40 that day I don't think. I can't tell you how many people we saw in sweatshirts or light jackets, and one woman at 10:00 pm waiting for the fireworks in capri pants and a light jacket-they had to be miserable. (She finally either left or went somewhere inside.) While you can buy sweatshirts and gloves at Disney, they aren't really prepared with heavy winter wear. The day before at MGM the clerks couldnt' keep the sweatshirts on the shelves-there were lines of people buying. So-my advice-even though its Florida, it can get cold--PLAN AHEAD. We're going back this NYE, hoping to not freeze our you-know-whats off.

PS-We had a great time in spite of the weather, and crowds. We spent all day at MK, and rode many things multiple times by using FP. We also had PS's for all three meals, and were VERY happy, since they were turning away people. Gayle

 

[dianeschlicht]

WE were there for the ultimate NYE celebration, 1999/2000!
We went to Epcot, and it was Sardine City!!! What a great time and experience though. I would not have traded it for the world! I think you will really miss out if you don't experience it at least once.

 

[Regina]

I was also at Epcot for the Millennium. It seemed as if everyone was crammed around the lagoon. We stayed on the Future World side and had a great time. They had a DJ and some boy band that I never heard of then or since.

The most magical moment were the fireworks. They seemed endless. I glanced around and realized that, in the distance, I could see the fireworks from the other parks and Pleasure Island. It was an unforgettable experience.

We're going again this year. Haven't decided between MGM or Epcot (We've done the MK before).

Whatever you decide to do, try to be someplace where you can enjoy the fireworks. It will be well worth it.

 

[BCV23]

We, too, were there for 1999-2000. We planned a non-park day although my oldest son ran over to the MK that morning to get his hand-stamped in case he wanted to go back later. The guys golfed and had lunch at the clubhouse. My DD and I shopped at the Marketplace and had lunch at RFC which she really wanted to try. Beach and pool at the Poly occupied the rest of the afternoon. For dinner we did Hoop de Doo which wasn't even full!!
I had made my reservations a couple of years ahead! We were at the earliest show, though, I think. We watched some TV coverage of fireworks around the world. Around 11:45, we strolled out to the beach at the Polyand put down our blankets. We shared a bottle of Dom Perignon at the stroke of midnight and enjoyed the fireworks. I had purchased champagne flutes on Main St. with the date and our names etched in. It was a peaceful and special New Year's eve for my family and I don't regret not doing the parks.

 

[RamVA]

Our WDW vacations have always been peak-summertime--I didn't think anything could top summer crowds. I Was Wrong! New Year's Eve at Epcot (my first ever holiday experience at the world) was wall- to- wall people!

However, that being said, let me tell you that it was the most wonderful, memorable New Year's Eve I have ever spent--and I'm no spring chicken--so that's a lot of New Year's Eves!! Yes it was crowded, and I didn't do any rides (kids did some at MGM where they went first), and it was cold, but I was fairly prepared for that. It was festive, and exciting, and we had dinner at the Rose and Crown Pub where we watched the fireworks--fireworks that were absolutely beyond compare!!! I was told they were even more awesome than the fireworks for the milennium celebration! If at all possible, I plan on going back every year to celebrate!!

 

[nisiemouse]

We used this as an off night from the parks. I just didn't want to have my 3 yr old in the crowds. If dh would be miserable I would do something different that night. We wound up seeing the fireworks from our room at the dolphin. Have a great time and do bring lots of layers. NYE was fine this year but it got very cold later that week. Have a great time. We are going Thanksgiving this year but I would love to go NYE again the year after.

 

[skorpie]

Thanks to all who responded to my question.I've been away from these boards for the week, my daughter's getting married and we're going crazy! Anyway, tell me if I understand. If I can get a PS ressie at ,let's say, Rose and Crown, could we avoid Epcot until closer to the time of the ressie and stilll get into Epcot, or do we need to stay there all day for fear of Disney closing the parks due to capacity?