What Park on Jan 1?

[mickey765]

We were planning on hitting AK on Dec 31, but not staying till close so we could do an early morning on the 1st. Thinking between MK and DHS to hopefully knock out most of the park with hopefully lower crowds but who knows... which park would you recommend? Planning on one day AK, two days MK, one day DHS, and then supposedly a day at Epcot but might switch to DHS or purchase a one day park hopper and hop to DHS after Epcot in the morning...

 

[GBRforWDW]

We were planning on hitting AK on Dec 30, but not staying till close so we could do an early morning on the 1st. Thinking between MK and DHS to hopefully knock out most of the park with hopefully lower crowds but who knows... which park would you recommend? Planning on one day AK, two days MK, one day DHS, and then supposedly a day at Epcot but might switch to DHS or purchase a one day park hopper and hop to DHS after Epcot in the morning...

Are you staying onsite and Will you be trying for any ADRs? Specifically ones in HS like Oga's or SciFi? If yes to both, since you're only doing 1 day at HS, I'd do that park later in the trip to give yourself a better shot at those ADRs. So I'd probably do MK on Jan 1, but if Epcot's holiday festival is still going on, that may be more exciting on Jan 1, or it would be to be, haha

Also, a 5 day park hopper is close to $100 cheaper than a 4 day 1 park per day and 1 day hopper, fyi... Due to the drastic price per day drop a 5 day offers vs 4 day.

 

[mickey765]

Are you staying onsite and Will you be trying for any ADRs? Specifically ones in HS like Oga's or SciFi? If yes to both, since you're only doing 1 day at HS, I'd do that park later in the trip to give yourself a better shot at those ADRs. So I'd probably do MK on Jan 1, but if Epcot's holiday festival is still going on, that may be more exciting on Jan 1, or it would be to be, haha

Also, a 5 day park hopper is close to $100 cheaper than a 4 day 1 park per day and 1 day hopper, fyi... Due to the drastic price per day drop a 5 day offers vs 4 day.

Is Oga's worth it? Would you recommend skipping Epcot to add an extra day to DHS, since my fam likes SW and aren't huge fans of Epcot (just Ratatouille).

I'm debating purchasing the hopper at all, but turns out the cost would be around $400 greater, so wondering if that's worth it for more flexibility, especially around these busy times? Could do a couple mornings of DHS/Epcot to try to get virtual queue then end the evening in MK or DHS to hit the headliners. Thoughts?

 

[robinb]

Dec 31st is NYE, not the 30th. In the past, Disney has shown the MK NYE fireworks on 12/30 and again on 12/31. They are spectacular and not to be missed! I would plan on the MK for 12/30 (stay late) and then AK on 12/31 (get home early) and DHS on 1/1. The early Epcot NYE show (at 7:00) is NOT the same as the midnight show. Most people stay out late on 12/31 so the park with be empty except for people with small children who went home early. I stayed out even when my DD was little as she slept well in her stroller.

 

[mickey765]

Dec 31st is NYE, not the 30th. In the past, Disney has shown the MK NYE fireworks on 12/30 and again on 12/31. They are spectacular and not to be missed! I would plan on the MK for 12/30 (stay late) and then AK on 12/31 (get home early) and DHS on 1/1. The early Epcot NYE show (at 7:00) is NOT the same as the midnight show. Most people stay out late on 12/31 so the park with be empty except for people with small children who went home early. I stayed out even when my DD was little as she slept well in her stroller.

sorry, meant the 31st! MK shouldn't close on the 30th, right? If we arrive later in the day (flight arrives in MCO around 1pm). Do you recommend DHS on the 1st as it should supposedly be less crowded? Would that day be ok if it is our only DHS day, or should we do DHS on the 2/3/4? (our other 3 days)

Thanks for the great advice, think I will add an extra day to see fireworks on 30th (if they happen) bc it's only an extra $100.

 

[GBRforWDW]

Is Oga's worth it? Would you recommend skipping Epcot to add an extra day to DHS, since my fam likes SW and aren't huge fans of Epcot (just Ratatouille).

I'm debating purchasing the hopper at all, but turns out the cost would be around $400 greater, so wondering if that's worth it for more flexibility, especially around these busy times? Could do a couple mornings of DHS/Epcot to try to get virtual queue then end the evening in MK or DHS to hit the headliners. Thoughts?

I personally don't use park hoppers, but with fireworks back and the wide variety of park hours, if your group thinks they'd like to PH to be in parks early and late for fireworks shows in other parks, I'm sure they'd be worth it. If I was with others that could handle park hopping and I was there for New Years, I'd go for it.

We went to Oga's in Disneyland last month. I believe they're identical. It was a fun and unique experience. We're not alcohol drinkers, but there were plenty of drink options to try. We also got the provisions, which is a petri dish of flavorful jello, essentially. It's fancy, but tastes really good. We also got an order of Batuu Bits. Those were basically glorified chips, but had some good flavoring. It's a really neat little restaurant and since you're all star wars fans, it's definitely worth checking out.

I also had lunch at Docking Bay 7. It's a quick service spot with several lunch options. Definitely check that place out. It's very cool inside and the food is really good.

 

[mickey765]

I personally don't use park hoppers, but with fireworks back and the wide variety of park hours, if your group thinks they'd like to PH to be in parks early and late for fireworks shows in other parks, I'm sure they'd be worth it. If I was with others that could handle park hopping and I was there for New Years, I'd go for it.

We went to Oga's in Disneyland last month. I believe they're identical. It was a fun and unique experience. We're not alcohol drinkers, but there were plenty of drink options to try. We also got the provisions, which is a petri dish of flavorful jello, essentially. It's fancy, but tastes really good. We also got an order of Batuu Bits. Those were basically glorified chips, but had some good flavoring. It's a really neat little restaurant and since you're all star wars fans, it's definitely worth checking out.

I also had lunch at Docking Bay 7. It's a quick service spot with several lunch options. Definitely check that place out. It's very cool inside and the food is really good.

Thank you! I'll definitely think about Oga's... not sure if I want the pressure of trying to get a reservation though... LOL

Honestly I don't really think my family could handle park hoppers and it's still cheaper to add an extra day (6 days) then do 5 days park hoppers...

So here's my plan so far - is one day at DHS enough??

30 - evening at MK
31 - AK
1 - DHS
2 - MK
3 - Epcot
4 - MK
5 - leave

Seems like a lot of MK, hence why I'm skeptical but I don't think we'd get much done on the 30th ride-wise. Bummer about these park reservations, as it is difficult to be flexible about these things. Should I sub a MK day or the Epcot day with DHS? Was planning on doing mostly mornings and evenings in the parks with midday breaks bc of crowds...

 

[GBRforWDW]

Thank you! I'll definitely think about Oga's... not sure if I want the pressure of trying to get a reservation though... LOL

Honestly I don't really think my family could handle park hoppers and it's still cheaper to add an extra day (6 days) then do 5 days park hoppers...

So here's my plan so far - is one day at DHS enough??

30 - evening at MK
31 - AK
1 - DHS
2 - MK
3 - Epcot
4 - MK
5 - leave

Seems like a lot of MK, hence why I'm skeptical but I don't think we'd get much done on the 30th ride-wise. Bummer about these park reservations, as it is difficult to be flexible about these things. Should I sub a MK day or the Epcot day with DHS? Was planning on doing mostly mornings and evenings in the parks with midday breaks bc of crowds...

I think the DHS and Epcot days are fine. Around Christmas time, DHS will probably be back to high crowd levels every day, while Epcot would be busier on the weekends and less so on week days, so going to Epcot on a Monday would be best.

MK 3 times, well 2.5 times will be fun. On the 30th, just go with a short list of things you might want to do before the fireworks and stick to the list. Should be a fun time.

 

[robinb]

Thank you! I'll definitely think about Oga's... not sure if I want the pressure of trying to get a reservation though... LOL

Honestly I don't really think my family could handle park hoppers and it's still cheaper to add an extra day (6 days) then do 5 days park hoppers...

So here's my plan so far - is one day at DHS enough??

30 - evening at MK
31 - AK
1 - DHS
2 - MK
3 - Epcot
4 - MK
5 - leave

Seems like a lot of MK, hence why I'm skeptical but I don't think we'd get much done on the 30th ride-wise. Bummer about these park reservations, as it is difficult to be flexible about these things. Should I sub a MK day or the Epcot day with DHS? Was planning on doing mostly mornings and evenings in the parks with midday breaks bc of crowds...

If you have a park reservation for the MK on 12/30 you won’t have to worry about getting in. It cannot close to you. Plan to do nothing on 12/30 except the fireworks. It will be super duper busy. Just come into the park and enjoy the fireworks.

What is the makeup of your family? MK is my happy place, so 2 1/2 days would be best for us. Only you know if a single MK day is OK.

edited: I did nearly 20 years at WDW for NYE until my DD went to college and we changed back to May/October.