What does BW do for NYE?

[chris1gill]

Well, we've switched from our traditional Thanksgiving vacation to a new NYE vacation... we'll be staying at BW, do they offer anything special for that night?? I'm thinking I don't want to actually go into the jam packed parks!?

TIA!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We hung around the Boardwalk and then had dinner at Spoodles this past New Year's. Then we went over to EPCOT at around 8:30 P.M. We went over early in the morning and timed it so that we had fast passes for Mission Space at around 11:00 P.M. So many people are intent on getting good spots for the fireworks that we went to some places in the world showcase with little or no wait. We went back over to the International Gateway entrance to watch the fireworks and then escaped the crowds back to the BCV. At the Boardwalk there was a ton of activity from musicians to magicians. Everyone had a lot of fun there.

HBC

 

[Doctor P]

With due respect to HBC's experience, you should not count on being able to come and go from any of the parks on NYE. NYE 2001 we were at Epcot and they closed the gates (including the International Gateway) several times during the day and would not let people in, regardless of whether they had been in the park earlier in the day. They do tend to be freer about admissions through the International Gateway according to posts on this board, but be aware that if you leave a park you may not be able to get back in.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Doctor P: With all due respect to your experience as well. We originally planned on doing just what chris1gill describes and staying in the Boardwalk area for the whole night. But after talking extensively to some very nice CM's at the International Gateway that week and the people on the phone line that Disney sets up so that you can check on what level the parks are at for closure, we felt very comfortable with how we did things and it worked just fine. But you are very correct that it could always be the worse case scenario and you won't be able to get in. But since chris1gill is going to just stay at the Boardwalk anyway like we were, it was a bonus to be able to do what we did and how we did it.

We were also at Disney for New Year's 2002 but it poured so hard with rain that you could have done any park you wanted to. That year we did stay at the Boardwalk for the evening.

HBC

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I believe there is a dance party of sorts at Atlantic Dance Hall -- at least that is what www.disneyworld.com says.

 

[MickeyMagic]

We were at BWV this past NYE. We went to Epcot at about 10:00 a.m. and stayed a few hours. At about 2:00 p.m. we really wanted to go back to BWV for a swim. We talked to the CM at the International Gateway and he assured us that we would get back in. According to him, people were leaving EPCOT in droves because they could not eat as they had not made PS arrangements.

We went for our swim and returned about 4:00 for our 5:00 p.m. PS at France. We ate and stayed for the early Illuminations.

We went back to BWV where we met some others from our party. Since we had a toddler with us, we just stayed at BWV. They had a party on the Village Green (the lawn). There was a DJ and they handed out party hats. The kids enjoyed it, but the little one pooped out right before midnight.

We had a BW view and went back to our room about 11:45. We were able to see some of the fireworks from EPCOT and MGM from our balcony.

We enjoyed our vacation even though we were prepared for the worst -- going the busiest time of the year! We actually found we have hit worse times the week before Easter. I guess it might be all in what you're prepared for.

 

[PamOKW]

As it gets closer to NYE, Disney will announce plans for the night. In previous years, Atlantic Dance had various high ticket dinner dance events. One year they had the Frank Sinatra, Jr. orchestra.

This year BWV went for a more family oriented slant and dramatically cut the price at Atlantic Dance and offered an outdoor party, too. I haven't heard any reports from folks who attended. Depending upon how well it went over, they may do it again next year. Here's the description:

Disney's BoardWalk Resort hosts a free, all-ages New Year's Eve bash out on the Village Green. Enjoy party favors and a live DJ from 7:00 pm to 1:00 am, weather permitting. Down at Atlantic Dance Hall, say hello to 2004 with a memorable evening of food, champagne, party favors, and entertainment. From 8:00 pm to 2:00 am, dance 2003 away with music provided by both a DJ and The Big Idea band. Tickets go on sale December 31 at noon, and may be purchased at the door. Just $30 per person, not a penny more! You must be over 21 to join the party.

But, if you've never done the parks for NYE it really is something you should experience. The midnight fireworks are just spectacular. (Of course, as mentioned, weather plays a big part in the enjoyment of the evening. A warm night is a lot different than a wet, freezing cold one.)

 

[Cruelladeville]

Now, NYE 2002 had its own charms! How many of you can say that you wore a yellow poncho over your party finery, huh? It's just a memorable thing, you know?? I've never seen the fireworks in rain like that, either, and I usually go to Disney during the summer monsoons. Hey, when I was walking back to BWV over the bridge in 6 inches of water, I silently thanked God that it wasn't snow. And, seeing everyone's underwear and clothes hanging off the balconies was educational--which one of you wore the lacy orange bra with a very LARGE cup size?

 

[disneydawn6]

We arrived in Florida on NYE so we did not want to waste a ticket just to go into a park that night. We didn't arrive until 6:00 PM that night. We were staying at BWV and they gave out party hats and blowers and had a DJ on the green. They had Illuminations for the little ones at 7:00 PM at Epcot so we saw those as we were checking in... Then at the MK they had wishes fireworks at 8PM. After we checked in we went over to Fort Wilderness and watched the fireworks from the beach at 8PM and then ate at Trails end Buffet. Thought it would be really crowded since they don't take reservations but we only waited about 15 minutes to be seated. After dinner we walked outside and they were having the electrical water pagent, so we walked back to the beach and watched that too. Lots of campers had set up beautiful Christmas Displays, so after we watched the water pagent, we walked over to the the first loop in the campground and admired all the lights.

We asked the waitress who would have the best firework show and she suggested going back to BWV. So we went back and enjoyed the DJ and just before midnight the DJ suggested going to the end of the boardwalk to get a better view. Well we walked over to the bridge between the Board walk and the Swan (or maybe it was between the Swan and Yatch club.) But we were able to see the fireworks going off from both Epcot and Disney/MGM at the same time... It was a wonderful spot. We could also see the fireworks going off at Pleasure Island but they were alot farther away. After the fireworks the DJ started up again but we were tired and went to bed after that. We did see people going into Atlantic Dance but we didn't go, so can't tell you about that...
We had a great time, even though we didn't go into a park.... But this is the first time we've been on NYE so I don't know what it's like to be in a park...... We will diffenently go back again....
Hope this helps.