What about right AFTER New Years?

[Jackie H.]

We will be there Dec 30-Jan 6. The hotel rates drop dramatically on Jan 2nd, which usually means the crowds do also. But, with New Years Day on Thursday, what can we expect from then on? (as far as crowds go). What will Friday 1/2 be like?

I am having a really hard time figuring out which park to do when!

We start our stay at the Dolphin. No park on 12/30 (arriving so late - it is a waste of tickets). Then we plan to do EPCOT on 12/31 and MGM on 1/1. This part I think makes sense with where we are staying.

Then on 1/2 we move to the Poly. I was thinking MK on 1/2 (a Friday) because it has always been our unwritten rule to avoid MK on Saturday.... BUT! Will it still be crowded? If we stick with this plan we can hit AK on Saturday and go back to EPCOT on Sat afternoon/evening. THat will give us Sunday and Monday to re-hit parks that I hope are very uncrowded by then. (Tuesday will be mostly a travel day).

What say you NY day veterans?

 

[2tinksmom]

I was wondering the same thing! We arrive 12/30 and leave 1/5. On 12/30 we're going to try and make the parade at MK and then hop over to EPCOT for the candlelight processional. We will also be at EPCOT for NYE. MK on 1/1 and 1/3, AK and EPCOT on 1/2 and MGM on 1/4. I figured the crowds would be bad, so we just went with favorites and will hope for the best. I also have PS for every day so our plans won't be changin'.

 

[winniedapooh]

I am interested in what others think as well. We arrive 12/25 and leave 1/5. I know crowds will be bad Christmas week-I am trying not to panic too much, lol.....but what about after the 1st. What do others think?

 

[Bimmy56]

We have been there over NYE for the past 2 years, and there is no doubt that the crowds diminish after 12/31. It is still crowded, but much more do-able. Although the hotels are still full, it seems as if there are less local people there. I think that your plan to still avoid MK on Saturday is still a good one though. We try never to go on a Saturday!!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Call me crazy, but we are breaking all the rules and visiting MK on Saturday 1/3. We have a plan though. DH and I are doing a parents only trip this time around and we fly into Orlando at about 11pm on 1/2. We're going to stay the night at the airport and hopefully be arriving at the GF by 8am. Drop the luggage, grab our room keys and head right into the MK for a few hours. Back to the GF for lunch and to check on our room status. Return to the MK in the afternoon, early dinner at the castle, skip the 8pm Spectro and do any rides that we missed. See Wishes at 9pm and the 10pm Spectro. MK is due to close at midnight, so we will probably have time for a few more rides.

This is the only commando day we have planned. The other 3 days of our trip are set aside for seeing Epcot and relaxing.

 

[funhouse8]

2tinksmom-
great minds think alike.

On 12/30 we're going to try and make the parade at MK and then hop over to EPCOT for the candlelight processional.

We have the same plan. Where are you eating for the cp. Did you make ressies. We are eating at San Angel then going to the 8:15 show. Maybe we will see you there. Gina

 

[PamOKW]

More people may stay on because of the weekend but a majority of the crowd will disappear as of 1/1. The massive crowds include folks who are in the area for various football Bowl games and parades (groups with teams and bands). These people all leave right away. I think your plan sounds like it will work just fine.

 

[2tinksmom]

Gina,
Yikes!! We don't have a CP dinner package. We were just going to try and "wing" it. Hopefully, we'll get in to see the CP. If not, a good reason to come back again during Christmas!! When we first made plans, we didn't know when we would be flying in. My DH thinks we can leave early that morning now, but it could change . Hopefully, if plans go my way, we'll be in Orlando by 9:00 am!!

 

[drp4video]

We will be there 12/3- to 1/5 as well. Spur of the moment trip. I also have been interested in what the crowds will be like after the 5th. We are still trying to decide on MGM or Epcot for NY's. DO they do anything special at either park? Are the rides open until 1 am too? Any info will help us decide. THanks.

 

[drp4video]

Oops. that was supposed to say 12/30 to 1/5. Staying in DTD two nights, then on to the Pop Century.

 

[Alice42]

Hello,
We were there from 1/1/03-1/8/03 and the crowds were pretty high when we arrived, then towards the end of our trip it was REALLY empty. What a difference a few days make!
Even if it is really crowded, you will still enjoy yourself! You will be at WDW, after all!
In case anyone is interested, it was about 75-80 degreees during the day the first few days of our trip, then it went down to the 50-60's during the day. No rain, if I remember correctly!

Have a great time everyone! We will be there Jan. 14th!