What is your Favorite thing to do on New Year's Eve at WDW?

[Nee Nee and Biddy]

We are going to be at WDW on New Year's Eve. Right now I'm thinking that we will spend the day at Epcot, but I was wondering if anyone had any good suggestions. What does your family like to do on that day at WDW? Are the crowds horrible? Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[JulieWent]

We like to stay on-site and just hang out at our resort. There is so much going on that you feel absolutely surrounded just being there. Last year, we stayed at the Poly, went over to Chef Mickey's for dinner (which was great! -- but get your PS early), and then spent the evening on the shore at the Poly enjoying the company. We're not late night people, so we watched the midnight MK fireworks from our balcony. It was wonderful. We have watched part of Illuminations from a balcony at the Swan on a previous NYE, also. The BoardWalk was a great place to hang out. We have an 8 year old son, so being in the parks all day -- from early morning until midnight -- just doesn't suit us. But we love being at the resorts.

Julie

 

[Nee Nee and Biddy]

Thanks for the reply, Julie. We are trying to decide between the Poly and AKL right now...being able to see the fireworks at night from the beach at the Poly may help us make our decision!

 

[Connears]

NYE 2002-2003 we started day at MGM(very manageable) then hit Epcot around 4:30pm-very crowded(they pass out hats and noisemakers around 6pm); we had PS at Teppanyaki(had to still wait for almost an hour) and when we got out it was pouring. We were up to our ankles in water! They were still set up for outdoor music etc, but we headed back to BWV to dry off(DH got car from MGM) and they had clowns and jugglers in the resort to entertain us. Headed back to OKW and watched fireworks from our porch. Last year, we went to MGM all day and it was great! Crowds started in earnest around 3pm, but prior to that we toured most of the major stuff. Had PS at Brown Derby (great!) then watched the last Fantasmic. Decided to beat the crowds back to Swan and got to our room around 11:45 and watched the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks at MGM from our room(they are amazing) then got to see the final Epcot fireworks from Swan Boat launch. MK was closed to all guests by 10am that day. We enjoyed both of these parks..very festive!
Connears

 

[JulieWent]

Oh! Definitely. I have stayed at both AKL and Poly. AKL is spectacular and lovely, but for NYE, Poly is the ticket. If you want to do something like 'Ohana's or dinner at California Grill or Chef Mickey's, you don't have to mess with taking the car. Just hop on the monorail. They pipe in the music from all the fireworks displays on NYE, so you get the "full effect." It was warm enough this past NYE to swim (not late in the evening, but all day long), so my DS, who loves that volcano pool, got to enjoy it. It's just too easy. AKL is pretty far out from everything that is happening to be convenient for NYE celebrations. Once again, it's a beautiful resort. It's just that you don't have the convenience of being close to anything. During the NY celebrations, when the crowds are at their peak, being close means something.

Julie