Suggestions for NYE at OKW?

[scootersmom]

We will be at OKW for New Year's Eve this year. Any suggestions on things to do or see at this time of year? It will be our first time at OKW and we've never been at WDW during a holiday season. Are the park hours extended, special activities going on?
We normally stay home and have our own little celebration with our DS9, our adult kids and grandkids.

It will be myself, DH, and DS9 from Dec. 29th-Jan3rd and my parents will be joining us for Jan. 1st and 2nd.

I'm assuming it's a very busy time, since I was able to get most of the nights on points, but ended up paying cash for Dec. 31st.

 

[Doctor P]

You are in for a great time! We spent December 27-January 3 at OKW this past year. We went to Epcot for the day. We arrived at Epcot at about 8:30 am (the park officially opened at 9:00 am) and left after the fireworks at about 12:30 am. We were back at OKW, via bus, and in our beds by 1:15 am. It was a VERY long day, but exceedingly enjoyable. There was a live band in Future World just outside of MouseEars, a DJ that abutted the band area by MouseEars, a video dance party in Japan, live bands in the American Garden Theater, and a laser dance party in Italy. There were people of all ages there all night. There was a "Family show" of Illuminations at 7:30 pm and a full version of Illuminations timed to end with a huge fireworks show at midnight. The crowds were heavy but not bothersome. You will need to get priority seatings if you want to go to any of the sit down restaurants. Lines at the counter services venues were fairly long all day, but still manageable. Have a great trip!

 

[PamOKW]

NYE is probably the busiest day at WDW. If you plan on going to one of the parks, pick one and get there in the morning. You may be able to leave and come back later or you may need to stay in the park if you want to be there for midnight. The parks (except AK) will be open until 1:00 a.m. with spectacular fireworks at midnight. MGM usually has some "name" musical entertainment and Epcot has all kinds of musical and other entertainment happening throughout the park. It's a big party. The size of crowds will depend a lot on the weather. If it's cold and rainy the size may not be as large as on a beautiful day. Weather is also unpredictable. Bring along preparations for it being very cold at night (20-30). It might not get cold, but it has many times in the past. CG, GF, Atlantic Dance and PI all usually have special high-price events on NYE. The days leading up NYE will also be extremely busy with the possibility of parks closing to guests.

The very wise Doctor P was posting at the same time. He is absolutely correct....in my book WDW is the place to be for Christmas/NYE despite iffy weather and crowds. Have a great time.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just curious-I'd also like to hear any reports from people at WDW for NYE who choose not to go to the parks. Maybe just get a bottle of champagne and stay in? Or is it unthinkable to be at WDW without the parks on NYE?

 

[robinb]

I have done NYE at WDW twice, but we stayed at BWV. I will be at BCV this year . We always get to Epcot (our NYE park of choice) when it opens. We hang around for the morning and do some things before the crowd gets too much. Then, we go back to our resort to relax. We even swim if the weather is warm enough. Since we're at Epcot resorts we don't have to worry about bus service, but I assume that the busses run all day even after the parks are "closed". BTW, the MK did close on 12/31/01. We re-enter Epcot around 6:00 or 7:00 and head to dinner then stake out a good place for the fireworks. We have never had a problem re-entering Epcot, even on 12/31/99.

I would also recommend that you make your dinner reservations exactly 120 days in advance of 12/31 at the park of your choice. One less thing to worry about .

 

[PamOKW]

Or is it unthinkable to be at WDW without the parks on NYE?

I'd have a hard time doing it. Realistically though, if crowds aren't your thing or if they become too much, you can either stay in for a private party and head outside at midnight to see fireworks (I think every resort can see something on NYE, and everything sounds like it is under aerial attack) or you could watch from somewhere like the Boardwalk.

 

[scootersmom]

Thanks for the great suggestions.
It sounds like EPCOT is the place to be for NYE then.
DH and I love it, but DS9 is prone to meltdown there, or was two years ago, last time we were there. Wonder if he'd do better this time, being a little older. Anyone else have that problem with kids at EPCOT and any advice to avoid it? We usually take a break from the parks in the afternoon to nap or swim, weather permitting, but might not want to take the chance of the park closing and not being able to get back in.

PamOKW-- Thanks for the reminder about the winter weather. Lived in Orlando for about 5 years and I do remember how unpredictable it can be.

I chuckle to myself everytime I think of this. We were living in Orlando when WDW opened. My sister wanted to go and I said 'Oh, just wait till they're done with it'. She said 'They'll never be done with it'. How true, how true, and aren't we all glad!

 

[Regina]

I'll be there too!!! Still deciding between Epcot (which we did for the Millennium) or MGM. We did MK a few years ago. It was fine when the kids were younger, but we need a more adult celebration (ie: margarita. )

We arrived in the morning, and left for an afternoon rest. We had the OKW bus to ourselves. Most everyone was petrified to leave thinking that they wouldn't be allowed back in.

As others have said, make those PS's, and be prepared to pay a premium as they will have a special holiday menu in place. It's still worth it.

I can't wait!

 

[PamOKW]

I tend to obsess a little about the weather. My first Christmas trip I figured it wouldn't get colder than needing a light jacket at night. Big surprise when I was scraping frost off the windshield Christmas morning! I had worn a heavy jacket to the airport but my poor dad was frozen in his golf jacket. Got him some sweatshirt layers but I think he was frozen the whole week. It was some unusual cold spell that even had them wrapping the palms in burlap with blowers of hot air. My next Christmas trip was like summer with the originally planned light jacket on only some nights.

I don't think you'll have to stay in the parks the whole day. It's just best to get "in" and then check as you leave that they'll be readmitting folks rather than just appear at the gate at 6:00 p.m. and not be able to get in. I'd also recommend sticking with the bus on NYE. They can take roads not open to the public and you don't have to deal with folks on the road who may have been drinking and are on unfamiliar roads.