What to do on NYE w/Family?

[BelleBeast]

We are going for the first time for New Years Eve/Day? I'm taking DD15, DD13,and DS 11.

Any ideas away from the parks??

Thank you.

BelleBeast

 

[jcriket]

I've never been to a park on NYE, (We're seasonal PH, it's a block out date. ) but I've always wanted to be at MGM, even though the crowds would be over the top. After watching the ABC's NYE special, from Walt Disney. The Fireworks went on about 5-10 mins. longer than the other parks, and they weren't typical, as were Illuminations, and Wishes.

 

[BelleBeast]

I didn't realize that the fireworks would be the same at the parks.

I would think it w ould be a different occasion!!

tHANKS.

 

[jaysue]

MGM is the least busy (but still very busy) on NYE

How about a walkabout on the Boardwalk - dinner/snack service, ride on a surrey bike, look at the top of the Epcot fireworks - walk around - enjoy the boardwalk entertainers - maybe go for a mini-golf game as well

Another idea is get the teens into bed promptly and try and get to a park early am on New Years Day - the MK for example is very very quiet in the early morning on NYD

Cheers
jaysue

 

[Smooshdog]

I was at MGM on Dec 31 2004 and it was GREAT! The park was packed all day long, and slammed at night. They give out plastic top hats (too small for my big head) but they were cool and the fireworks were fantastic. It was a long fireworks show and was very enjoyable. The down side is it is crowded, but I'm sure all the parks are crowded. MGM for New Years is a good idea

Have fun!

 

[BelleBeast]

bumping up for more ideas!

 

[Al and Kate's Mom]

We're taking a 5YO, so we're not hot on the idea of being in the big crowds and having to stay from 10 AM on...we've decided to do AK that day, which SHOULD be the least crowded, head over to the sing-a-long at FW and then have a late dinner at Chef Mickey's. If we still have a reasonable kid on our hands, we'll head over to the GF or Poly and watch Fantasy in the Sky from the beach, and then run like he** for the busses before the crowd gets out!

 

[dvc guy]

If your kids are anything like mine DD 14, DS 10 they will want to be in the parks at midnight.
I would plan on getting to one park Epcot is the best and staying put.
Make dinner plans NOW and sit back and relax.
See you at WDW on the 31th.
Can't wait

 

[WDWNicole]

We went to Animal Kingdom during the day on NYE 2004 - and the crowds were manageable. We then headed to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Review for dinner because it felt festive. My family was sleeping by midnight as we were traveling with a 3 1/2 year old and I was 6 months pregnant. My brother went Epcot at 10:00ish and got in with no problems. He said some of the crowd was gone by that point at that the partying and Illuminations was awesome.

 

[NJBlackBerry]

Sorry - the fireworks at the parks are most definitely NOT the same as other nights. At all three parks they are different. Last NYE we were at EPCOT. Illuminations ran at 9:00 PM and then again at 11:40, which was the start of the NYE fireworks. They continued around from pavilion to pavilion, following the time zones until the three North American pavilions (Canada, Mexico and the US) all exploded at the stroke of midnight. It was wonderful.

They also run a huge fireworks show at the MK (hint - they do a dress rehearsal of it on 12/30 at midnight, even including a countdown) and it was great.

The parks are jammed - but we loved spending NYE at EPCOT and would do it again.

 

[BelleBeast]

 

[Tiffer]

We did MGM on NYE 04 and are doing it again this year. We LOVED it. They gave out hats and did the countdown and had a band.

 

[momrek06]

We were there NYE 2003/2004 and it was AWESOME being in WDW on NYE!

So much excitement. Very crowded. But as the crowds started gathering for
the late night Fireworks, my family (who have seen millions of fireworks over the years and esp in Boston on July 4th (fabulous)) decided to RIDE ALL THE RIDES. Yup, we did SPLASH MTN over and over again because NO ONE was there. We ran and did, BTMRR, PIRATES and then to HAUNTED MANSION!!! Doing every attraction over and over again with literally no one around us.

When we got on Splash it was several minutes from Midnight and that ride is like 12 minutes long and as the log approached the TOP, we saw all of WDW and ORLANDO and fireworks going off everywhere and then by the time the log got back to the CM's it was JAN 1st. AWESOME!!!!

As soon as the fireworks were over we slowed down and decided to then call it a night.

WDW and Christmas and New Years = PRICELESS!!!!