Tell me about New Years at WDW?

[foofanella]

We are planning a trip to Disney for 12/31 - 1/3 - we're already going to be in FL for the holidays...we were able to get 1br at vwl/. Now I just need to know what to plan for.

Are there special dinners? Events? I will be with dd (4) and DS (2).

Thanks!

 

[PamOKW]

New Year's Eve itself is jammed pack from open to midnight -- the parks will stay open until 1:00 or 2:00 a.m. If you want to have a sit down meal that night, be sure to make your PS well in advance. At midnight, all the parks (except AK) will shoot off super spectacular fireworks. They also hand out hats and noisemakers. You'll want to get into your park of choice early in the day and then check before you leave whether you'll be able to get back in. Weather plays a big part in how large the crowd can get. Considering it that it's a Friday -- most of Florida may arrive in the evening to celebrate NYE.

Weather can be very tricky -- it can be warm or it can be frigid. Throw in some layers, especially gloves and a hat, and hope you won't need them. Since the holiday continues through the weekend the crowds may not drop as dramatically as some years. However, there should be a marked difference from 12/31 to 1/1.

The GF Ballroom and the CG hold special high ticket events. Atlantic Dance used to be expensive but last year they went for a family friendly evening that was reasonably priced. Keep your eye out from October on to see what they plan for this year.

It's well worth experiencing once and deciding if you love it or hate it -- I kinda love it.

 

[jade1]

We were there last year and the best advice I can give is not for NY eve, but the next morning. Take a boat early to MK-there is hardly anyone there. We did 7 main attractions from 7:15AM to 9:30AM, and left for EPCOT and it was not busy all morning either.
What a nice change from the rest of the week.

 

[MarkRG]

Of course the fireworks shows in both parks are enhanced for NYE too. Saw a special on Epcot once and they mentioned in passing they have 2 barges they bring out just for that night and July 4th that they call the Armageddon barges. You get the idea.

 

[dallastxcpa]

If you don't mind having an in room sitter, here is my suggestion. Take your children to a park during the day, have a nice dinner and then have the in room sitter watch them for the evening.

Buy tickets to the Pleasure Island party. It is 21 and up only for New Years Eve. My husband and I went last year and it was so much fun. We saw Blondie on stage and in MHO this was better than being in times square. They have a champagne toast, dessert, and finger foods.

I have a seven year old and even she gets tired. I saw so many small children out last year that were just sooooo tired. They were cranky and crying. We have used some of the Disney drop in care and they are fabulous. Maybe they are open late for the evening.

 

[rocketriter]

I agree that with certain kids of certain ages it can be best to leave them in the room with a babysitter before midnight. However, as a kid who had exactly that experience umpteen years ago myself, I can tell you that you should warn your children about the fireworks. Even if your sitter gets the kids to sleep before midnight, the extra blasts might awaken and disturb them if they're not prepared.

 

[Beast fan]

If you want to see the fireworks with your children.... and since you are staying at VWL..... why not try what we did. After our Luau dinner, we timed it PERFECTLY (by luck) so that we got on the boat that goes from MK to VWL about 5 or 10 minutes before the fireworks. We were warned that the boat wouldn't be leaving until after the fireworks were over. IT WAS WONDERFUL! Fireworks booming all over the place. Everywhere you turned your head....more fireworks! A side benefit was that we were back at VWL about 10 minutes after the fireworks ended!

Have Fun!

Dave

 

[bridegirl]

Not sure if you're looking to break the bank, but we have gone twice to the CA Grill hard ticket event for NYE.

We went for 99/00 NYE and then this last year 03/04 NYE and it is BEYOND!!!!

It is very expensive, but so worth it!

Food stations, drinks, toasting glasses, photo albums, dancing and photos with mickey and minnie, noisemakers and NYE decoartions, real casino games with dealers and prizes (they give you play money to use - not your own real money), mounds of caviar, lobster, everything you can think of.

And THE BEST VIEW for the super amazing perimeter fireworks that they shoot all from locations all around the water.

Susy