Surviving New Years Eve at EPCOT....how!?

[roxysmum123]

Experienced Disney holiday go-ers....what are your best recommendations for surviving New Years Eve at EPCOT? How early do we need to get there? Does it close to capacity? Would we be best getting a room at one of the EPCOT area resorts?

"Don't do it!" isn't the solution for us - this is our one opportunity to do Disney for the holidays and we're going to do them right!

 

[minniegirl19]

it is very very busy but a TON of fun. it never closes at capacity (at least the past few years it hasn't) so don't worry about that. If you can afford an Epcot resort I would 100% recommend just because the past 3 years I've waited until 330am for a bus after the park closed at 1am lol. that way you can just walk to your resort after the fireworks are over.

I would also base your day off of that.

If you stay at an Epcot resort: Arrive at rope drop, ride FEA or Soarin or TT (whichever you prefer not sure if you can get more then one in without a long line) and figment/nemo and your 3 FP rides. Maybe eat lunch in the countries then back to the room for a break from the crowds. Arrive back around 5pm for holiday illuminations and for the NYE activities.

If you don't stay at an Epcot resort: SLEEP IN. then go and plan on riding your 3 FP rides and just enjoy world showcase and the NYE activites. If you head to TT and do single rider after the fireworks at midnight there is never a line (thats what we do before going back to the resort)

Have fun!

 

[FelisLachesis]

minniegirl is right. I've only done MK on NYE, which is probably the only place more crowded than EP (ok, maybe Times Square in NYC, but I digress)

Because of Epcot's size, and that it's not the most popular park (that would go to MK), it rarely closes to capacity.

It will be more crowded than normal, it's going to be crazy. So take @minniegirl19 's suggestions on how to get around.

The one thing I keep saying when going to Disney during the holidays, you have to pack extra patience in with your day. There's more people, the lines for everything are longer, the sea of people is that much bigger. It's doable, but it will take time.

 

[soniam]

Patience. Enjoy the scenery. Maybe something to sit on while staking out your spot for Illuminations. We bought some foam cushions at The Seas. Get an ADR if you don't want to wait long for food.

 

[Disneylover99]

We were there last NYE. We stayed at POFQ and bused it to Epcot at about 8pm. We relaxed and slept in that day. We had an awesome time just walking around World showcase. Fireworks were amazing! We hung back and left at about 1:30am after most of the crowds had left. Caught a bus quickly and we were back at the resort st around 2am.

Grab food or use the washroom when lines are minimal, even if you're not hungry yet or don't really have to pee, because if you wait, it might be too late.