Watch Football Jan 1st or go to WDW???

[Herculez]

Trying to decide whether to stay home on January 1st (and watch football, parades, etc. on TV) or go over to WDW. If the parks are really crowded on the 1st, will probably stay home that day and go another day, but if most folks stay away from WDW on January 1st, then will plan to go on over to WDW (probably the Animal Kingdom) for the day.

Anyone know what the crowds are like at WDW parks on January 1st???? Seems like attendance should be down due to New Year's eve the night before (and lots Football games and other stuff to watch on on TV Jan 1), but have never been to WDW on Jan 1, so don't know.

Anyone been there on January 1......what's your advice?

 

[Lewski709]

Gee.........I don't think there is much of a decision for me.....WDW all the way. The parks are SLOW for the reasons you stated! People are sleeping in and getting ready to leave the area to go back home if they are there for WDW/NYE, not to mention NY party's and football.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

My choice would be WDW, without a doubt.... But then again I am not much of a professional football fan.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

I am a huge professional and college football fan and would still choose WDW with my family over football......

 

[Connears]

Was there last Jan1 and will be there again this year. Do BOTH! We had breakfast at 1900PF and then I went to MK and Epcot while DH and DS went to US. Parks are very managable and at 3:30, I hit OKW for some football time! This year, I think we'll do ESPN for late lunch early dinner to catch some pigskin. Its the best of both worlds.
Connears

 

[Bill From PA]

Last Nov. we were at WDW for 8 days spanning 2 Saturdays, and Penn State actually fielded a team, so I had it both ways, Park Hopping early and football at the ESPN Club afterwards. I've usually sucked the juice out of the EE park by 1 pm or so and am ready for some Spiritus Fermenti by then anyway.

Bill From PA

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I was at WDW staying at the Poly back in 1980 when the miracle on ice happened in Lake Placid. To this day I kick myself for thinking that the USA didn't have a chance to beat Sweeden for the gold medal. I didn't watch the game but have gone to the parks a hundred times since. I say it depends on the game. If it is really important to you, watch the game by all means. You can always to to the park.

HBC

 

[AllTheWorldsAStage]

FOOTBALL! ...and then some time at the park in the afternoon or evening.

Here's the plan of action. You want to make sure you see a good game, so the best time to watch is early in the day since there are 3 games going on at once.

The Rose Bowl (4:30) and Orange Bowl (8:30) will probably have higher profile teams playing, but you run the risk of "wasting time" if either game isn't competitive. There aren't any other games going on during that time.

You need to find a place that will be showing the Outback Bowl, Gator Bowl, and Capital One Bowl at the same time. I'm sure at least one of those games won't be a blow out. (Too bad they moved the Cotton Bowl to January 2 this year...we could have had a fourth early game to watch!)

If you want to visit the parks at some point during the day, do it during either the Rose Bowl (4:30 kickoff) or the Orange Bowl (8:30 kickoff). Watch the game you prefer, and visit a park during the other.

It's kind of like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup...two great things that go great together! Football and WDW! Why not do both!!!

 

[cigar95]

Football, no question.

Bowl games are special - WDW will be basically the same when the weekend comes. (Just don't miss the Sugar Bowl because you're riding R&R Coaster.)

 

[swilphil]

I don't think AK will be too crowded on NY Day. If you must have some football, you could do MGM or Epcot and then head to ESPN on the Boardwalk for a break, as Bill from PA so eloquently said.

 

[Grumpy37]

I'd watch the games from the ESPN Zone at the Boardwalk and save the parks for the next day.