Tips for spending New Year's Eve at WDW

[Demi_8]

If anyone has any ideas on planning the perfect New Years Eve at WDW, I'd love to hear them. We'd love to be at MK for the fireworks to ring in the New Year, but in reading everything I've been able to get my hands on, it seems we would have to be at MK for magic morning hour by 7:00 a.m. and not leave until after the fireworks. That's 17 plus hours! Are we going to last that long? Expect that we would be doing mostly low key stuff and not so much rides due to lengthy wait times. Ideally, it would be great to leave for a couple of hours to take a nap but would risk not getting back in as I hear it can close due to max capacity by mid-morning (risky too if we have our ADR at MK). If you have spent New Year's Eve in MK, did you regret it because it was way too crowded to enjoy it? The alternative is to spend it at Epcot but I'm thinking that the fireworks show at MK will be better. Any thoughts appreciated as we plan that magical evening.

 

[amlynn5]

A couple years we had a room at the Poly and could see the fireworks from the beach/room. It was wonderful and could celebrate in private. You could see about dinner reservations for California Grill or Narcossee's (sp.) but they are probably already booked and you would be having a late dinner!

You might be able to just sit outside on the beach at one of the MK resorts? I'm not sure though.

 

[i*heart*minniemouse]

Epcot midnight fireworks are AMAZING!! Best I have ever seen.

 

[OhanaBreadPudding]

We went to a hard ticket event for NYE at PI about 6 years ago but we have never been to the fireworks for NYE outside of that.

BUT, we were there for July 4th and we watched them from the beach at the Poly. It was amazing. We spent the day at Blizzard Beach (summer time) and we went to the Poly much later. We ate and relaxed on the beach and we had a great spot to see them all.

 

[WoodynBuzz]

Decide on which park you want to spend the day at and get there early. Most parks reach capacity pretty quick. My DW and I chose HS back in 2008 and thoroughly enjoyed the fireworks display, the countdown, music, etc. This was also while the park was going through the change of MGM to HS, so that added to the mystique for us!!!

 

[ibelieveinmagic]

We love nye at Epcot, they let you bring blankets and we set up a "home base' and take naps, relax ,whatever,alot of people do this -for instance the grassy area between morrocco and france is where we set our blankets i bring them from home just for this reason. Be aware, it gets vey very crazy around 6ish; they pass out hats and horns and everyone is blowing them, it gets vey loud ,also at epcot there is alot of drinking so you would have to be prepared for this and there are music jumotrons -stations set up at various places throughout the park with dancing,: it is a giant party! the fireworks are awesome, each country does there own and gives you a new years greeting in there language, then close to midnight america says it's our turn now and puts on an awesome firework display!! people from al over the world saying happy new year!! we love it !! Maybe not for everyone as it is very crazy but hey its new years! i told dh i can never watch that boring ball drop again on tv after this ha ha!

 

[ibelieveinmagic]

one tip ,we stay back and let the park empty a bit, had pastries and coffee in france, as long as your staying on site,you should be alright for getting back to your room, we have also staid at the dolphin so we could just walk back to our room this was fun as everone was shouting :"happy new year" on the walk back!

 

[LovesTimone]

I just have to chime in here. What is your party size? small children? My suggestion would be to stay at MK or DHS... Epcot is not a good choice for a family


I have been to WDW and celebrated New years Eve a couple of times at MK and Epcot in past years and had a really great time but ..... The last time was 2011/2012 at Epcot, It was just DH and I - It started out okay.We had spent the morning at DHS then went back to POFQ to rest and then headed for Epcot.We had no problem getting into the park we went over about 4:00pm. We road a couple of rides without much of a wait time, so we decide to start over to Worldshow case about 6:00, we had ADR's at 8:00 at Chef's. This is were it started to get crazy, We tried to get a adult beverage and waited 45 min for a drink... I know - I know it disney and new years eve... but there was one poor cast member trying to wait on 2 or 3 people at a time, while waiting we noticed some people had started a bit early and where passed out on the grass, We finally made it to our ADR's and there was quite a wait of about 45 mins, so we were seated at 8:45, , we were lucky and got a seat on the fountain side, very nice. The food was very good, service was good, and no problem getting a adult beverage., After dinner we headed back out again, They had the dance party areas all set up, but you could not get to then for all the strollers and unattended children, running around. The poor cast member were trying to find lost parents deal with the strollers and people completely out of their mind completely blind drunk, some people were so in the bag, that they could not even stand up, much less care for their own children, We saw 2 women fall down and knock down a small child and they started laughing. The poor kid was crying and screaming. People were vomitting in the bathrooms and over the railing, DH and I decided to leave, we took our chance and went by Cali grill, and got lucky we were able to get a place at the bar , in time for fireworks and some appetizers and nice glass of wine.

I know that this was only once but ... for us, but it is the last time we try for the parks on New years Eve... The next day the parks are not crowded at all... I wonder why.

 

[luvmy2sams]

We've done NYE in the MK three times, and we enjoyed each time. It was definitely wall-to-wall people by around 11:00am, but you know that going in and hopefully have the attitude to just go with the flow. We plan to get to the parks no later than 9am, and we schedule ADRs for lunch around 12pm and dinner around 8pm. We've always hit the big rides before the crowds appear, and then we go with the flow of the rest of the night. People start staking out spots for the parades and fireworks in the late afternoon, but we've always found spots in the hub (near the Partners statue) after our dinner ADR and have been able to sit down and hang out until the midnight show. It really is a festive atmosphere and is worth doing at least once.

Having said that....for the last two years we've hit MK around 8am, gone on our favorite rides, had an ADR lunch, and then headed back to our resort to watch the fireworks from the beach. This year we're not even entering the park. The perfect NYE for us has changed from being in the middle of the celebration to building sandcastles on the beach, watching our kids swim in the pool, and toasting the new year from lounge chairs.

You can have a great time at any location on property as long as you're aware that it will be CROWDED. Have fun!

 

[fdecker]

I suppose it will come down to which park you like best, but MK and DHS will probably close its doors to new guests by 10 or 11am. So you have to be there by then and spend the day. Those parks are small compared to Epcot so they funnel guests from the closed parks to Epcot throughout the day. There will be more people than you can possibly imagine. Before fireworks time, you probably won't be able to move no matter where you are in any of the parks. Just find a spot and sit there for a couple of hours.

Epcot has the best show. They do one for the kids early and another at midnight. It is most likely beyond anything you've ever seen and better than MK. I liked that we could dance by the big screens and have a rockin' eve type event and then find a spot that at least one of use could hold while others needed to stretch their legs. We had a great viewing spot near France. The fireworks shoot off from the water and then all around you from all the buildings. It was like being in the center of an explosion but wanting to go to the light I am a grown man and I was so overwhelmed by it tears started streaming down my face.

 

[KYfriedPanda]

We were told that since our entire group loves Jellyrolls that we should do New Years there... I assume you can see the fireworks outside of the bar... Anyone out there that can confirm that, or offer an altering opinion?

 

[ohsnapxitsamanda]

Keep in mind the NYE is THE BUSIEST day of the year for WDW. So the parks will be extremely crowded. I've been both a guest in the parks on NYE, and a CM, and it's crazy. The year that I was a guest in the park, we went to Epcot, and we didn't make it until midnight because it was so crowded. Epcot does do 2 firework shows, one around 7pm and the one at midnight, so you don't have to stay there all day.

And yes, MK will close early. This past NYE, the park opened at 9am and by noon it was at capacity. So if you're dead-set on going to MK, you will have to be there extremely early and stay all day. Because if you leave, you won't be able to get back in.

 

[Nikita1]

Thanks for the tip.

 

[GraceMonica]

Im so nervous about this. I think we're spending NYE in DHS and I have a feeling someone in my family will ruin it for me. There will be 12 of us total and that just spells disaster. My family doesn't understand how intensely crowded everything will be. Or the fact that we have to get up and going early. Ugh. Just thinking about it makes me wish it were a solo trip!

DHS is my favorite park, so hopefully that will keep me in a good mood!

 

[fdecker]

DHS is my favorite park too. Maybe it is from having worked in the entertainment industry in LA. I used to go to the Disney lot often. It reminds me of a fantasy of what Hollywood is. I think people are so busy going to the "attractions" they have no idea how much fun it is to interact with the streetmosphere actors, who in my mind, are one of the greatest attractions at DHS.

As for your situation, 12 people isn't a family, it's a tour group I wonder if you couldn't arrange for everyone to split into smaller groups or even do their own thing and connect at certain points in the day like for meals or shows where a group isn't a problem. Achieve a balance of togetherness and sanity

 

[baldy6060]

I'm hoping to go back to the World Dec 31-Jan 5. I've never been that time of year. Any and all tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. The main thing I would like to know is what cheap or free way can we spend the 31st and 1st. We want to avoid the parks those days most likely. Do the resorts do anything special? I'm thinking of staying in a value or moderate resort. I'll be with wife and 2 kids ages 12 and 15. Also, will any resort or park still have holiday decor up? If we spend 4 days in the parks, which parks should we go on which days? We want to go to all but HS this time. Thank you all!

 

[baseballmickey]

Did NYE at MK 2010. (Shameless plug for TR, link below)

Park was crowded, and especially Main Street and the Castle Forecourt late in the afternoon, early in the evening. We moved to Fantasyland and watched the fireworks from there. It was amazing.

If you choose MK, and want the prime front of castle viewing, be prepared to stake your claim to your spot early and wait. Consider Fantasyland as an alternative. Any spot with a 360 degree view of the sky is good since the fireworks are all around. so try for being out away from buildings or large trees.

We found out the next day while at EPCOT (which was pretty dead on the 1st) that MK does their NYE fireworks on the 30th as well. So, if you choose a different park for NYE, MK on the 30th will allow you to see those fireworks too!

Not sure if EPCOT or DHS rehearses their fireworks on the 30th or not.

 

[GraceMonica]

As for your situation, 12 people isn't a family, it's a tour group I wonder if you couldn't arrange for everyone to split into smaller groups or even do their own thing and connect at certain points in the day like for meals or shows where a group isn't a problem. Achieve a balance of togetherness and sanity

I am definitely trying to not tour with the bulk of them. Its going to be me, my parents, my younger sister and her bff (ill probably stay with those two), my grandparents, my aunt and uncle and their two kids and my cousin (its her "13th birthday" trip)

I planned a dinner at ohana for my family (my parents, sister and bff) for the last friday of the year and my mom just happened to mention it to my grandma saying "let us know if you want to come." When I found out...I said Nooo! Not happening. (Im paying for this dinner...and im not going to change ressies for them!)

I hope if we still decide on keeping DHS for NYE, they wont be butt hurt if I go off and tour with out them and meet with them for dinner...

I feel like my day will be spent people watching and going on the great movie ride (of course, by choice! I love that ride!) But probably mostly people watching due to the crowds. (Ill be there 12/27-1/24 so I have all the time know the world to do awesome rides!)