What to expect XMAS-NYE week

[tomandrobin]

This is a report from mouseplanet.com last January:

Magic Kingdom began phased closings on Monday (25th), Wednesday (27th), Thursday (28th) and Sunday (31st). Disney's Animal Kingdom also closed on Wednesday (27th) and Thursday (28th), while the Disney-MGM Studios had parking lot overflows on Wednesday (27th) and Thursday (28th), as well. Epcot, with its larger parking lots and much larger capacity, did not close at all.

While Epcot did stay open, lines were extremely long, with waits for Soarin' regularly around 3 hours and lines for many Future World attractions running all the way to the Innoventions breezeways. New Year's Eve saw Soarin' waits of up to 4 hours.


The turnstile master computer at each park keeps track of both entries and exits. When a park capacity closes (which is done in stages) there has to be a certain number of people exiting, with the total "in park" below a certain number, before they start allowing people in again.

There are four stages to park closing:

Stage 1 - The parking lot entrance is closed. You can only access the park if you are using Disney Transportation.

Stage 2 - The ticket windows are all closed (and the automated Ticket Vending Machines are turned off). Unless you already have a ticket you cannot get in.

Stage 3 - Only people with Annual Passes or current Resort IDs will be allowed in.

Stage 4 - Nobody is allowed in.

Note - having restaurant reservations in a park, even with written proof, will not override a stage closing for you.

 

[LIFERBABE]

We were there last Christmas/NYE and we didnt set foot in a park, but it was hot tub topic of discussion every night

Each night at BCV, we'd go down to soak in the tub and the story was pretty much the same from those that had spent the day in the parks. Crowded and closed down for while.

That was a big reason we did not go to the parks until Jan 1st. We dont have any fun in crowded parks.

So if you want to know how crowded the parks are, ask the people in the hot tub at 10pm

 

[Muushka]

So if you want to know how crowded the parks are, ask the people in the hot tub at 10pm

Sounds like a plan!! I could do this very easily.

 

[BroganMc]

I may be crazy but I'm planning on trying MK on Sunday night (Dec 30). It has EMH hours this year so will be open until 4am. (Closes regularly at 1am.)

According to the schedule, they'll be doing the dry run of NYE fireworks that night at 11:55pm.

I expect it'll be cold and hopefully reopened by 10pm. Have no idea what I'll do NYE though. Most likely I won't get up until late.

 

[jade1]

I may be crazy but I'm planning on trying MK on Sunday night (Dec 30). It has EMH hours this year so will be open until 4am. (Closes regularly at 1am.)

According to the schedule, they'll be doing the dry run of NYE fireworks that night at 11:55pm.

I expect it'll be cold and hopefully reopened by 10pm. Have no idea what I'll do NYE though. Most likely I won't get up until late.

Not crazy at all, sounds wonderfull. We went last year and will be going next year. Attractions are busy but we do those plenty of other times-just cant beat the atmosphere and weather XMAS week.

 

[tomandrobin]

I may be crazy but I'm planning on trying MK on Sunday night (Dec 30). It has EMH hours this year so will be open until 4am. (Closes regularly at 1am.)

According to the schedule, they'll be doing the dry run of NYE fireworks that night at 11:55pm.

I expect it'll be cold and hopefully reopened by 10pm. Have no idea what I'll do NYE though. Most likely I won't get up until late.

Me and the boys will be there for the EMH and midnight fireworks.

 

[robinb]

I may be crazy but I'm planning on trying MK on Sunday night (Dec 30). It has EMH hours this year so will be open until 4am. (Closes regularly at 1am.)

According to the schedule, they'll be doing the dry run of NYE fireworks that night at 11:55pm.

I expect it'll be cold and hopefully reopened by 10pm. Have no idea what I'll do NYE though. Most likely I won't get up until late.

The MK will probably re-open after the parade. We always go back in the park between 5-6 PM on 12/30 and 12/31. The park is less crowded on 12/30 but still very, very crowded.

I think we are doing MGM for 12/30 to see Sorcery in the Sky which is only done on NYE and 4th of July. Then, we'll be at Epcot for NYE itself.

 

[Muushka]

We LOVED Sourcery in the sky. I was so sad that they replaced with Fantasmic. I know we are in the minority, but I really hate that show. I think I now know why! So really, only those 2 dates for Sourcery?

 

[lovinthemouse]

This is our first New Year's Week. I am so excited. I know it will be crowded. I just can't wait. We are doing Epcot for NYE any must sees??

 

[tomandrobin]

You have to see the holiday parades, MK fireworks on the 30th or 31st, Osborne Lights at MGM, the new castle lighting cermony and just take time to see and absorb all the holiday decorations and shows.

 

[tomandrobin]

The MK will probably re-open after the parade. We always go back in the park between 5-6 PM on 12/30 and 12/31. The park is less crowded on 12/30 but still very, very crowded.

I think we are doing MGM for 12/30 to see Sorcery in the Sky which is only done on NYE and 4th of July. Then, we'll be at Epcot for NYE itself.

Do they do the Socery in the Sky on the 30th at MGM?

We have a late ADR at 1900 Park Fare on the 30th, then its over to MK for the night.

On the 31st we are having dinner at Wolfgang Puck, then either stay at SSR or head over to MGM to see the fireworks.

 

[robinb]

Do they do the Socery in the Sky on the 30th at MGM?

Yeppers! Both the MK and MGM run the same fireworks on the 30th and the 31st. I'm not sure about Epcot. We usually go over to the MK on the 30th, but I really wanted to see the MGM fireworks as I have never seen them!

 

[BroganMc]

On the 31st we are having dinner at Wolfgang Puck, then either stay at SSR or head over to MGM to see the fireworks.

Hey now, weren't you the one who sold me on the pool party at SSR NYE? You're telling me you might not go to that? Geez, and here I was hoping to meet up with some fellow DIS SSRers. We can soak in the hot tub and compalin about our sore feet on those loooooooong resort walkways.



Now as to the craziness it me, it comes from the fact I am flying in Dec 30 at 8am. That means I'll have to be at the airport around 6 and probably up by 4am (assuming I sleep at all).

I'm usually a nightowl who gets a second wind come 10pm, but I figure I will most likely crash or be very cranky will all the chaos of the day. So I'm praying to Tinkerbell that SSR magically materializes a ready room for me several hours before 4pm. Otherwise, I suppose you may just see me napping on the sofas at the Carriage House by about 2 or 3. Poke me (gently) if I snore.

 

[BroganMc]

BTW, anyone see the video of the new castle lighting? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjIvYFF1fw0
Now I know what they were doing with the cranes in October.

That happens about when... 5pm?

 

[tomandrobin]

Hey now, weren't you the one who sold me on the pool party at SSR NYE? You're telling me you might not go to that? Geez, and here I was hoping to meet up with some fellow DIS SSRers. We can soak in the hot tub and compalin about our sore feet on those loooooooong resort walkways.

Now as to the craziness it me, it comes from the fact I am flying in Dec 30 at 8am. That means I'll have to be at the airport around 6 and probably up by 4am (assuming I sleep at all).

I'm usually a nightowl who gets a second wind come 10pm, but I figure I will most likely crash or be very cranky will all the chaos of the day. So I'm praying to Tinkerbell that SSR magically materializes a ready room for me several hours before 4pm. Otherwise, I suppose you may just see me napping on the sofas at the Carriage House by about 2 or 3. Poke me (gently) if I snore.

With a family of 5, plans are always evolving. Since our kids are older 14,16,22 the can and do go off on thier own. We (wife and I) just might end up spending alot of the time at the resort. She found out 4 days ago that her heal has a fracture and is not suppose to be doing a lot of walking on it. We have 41 days to our trip, so it all depends on how her fractures heals as to what and where we can go.

Hey, if shes not better by then....can she hitch a ride?

 

[BroganMc]

Looking at the schedule, I see this:

Sunday Dec 30:
MK open from 8am to 4am (includes EMH)
The MVMCP parade is set for 12:30 and 3:30pm
Spectro at 7 and 10:30pm
Wishes at 8:30pm
Fantasy in the Sky at 11:50pm

MGM open 8am-10pm
Holly-day Parade at 3pm
Fantasmic at 6:30, 8:30 and 10pm
*No other fireworks mentioned?

EPCOT open 8am - 1:30am (includes EMH)
Illuminations at 9:30pm

AK open 8am - 8pm

Mon Dec 31

Magic Kingdom: pretty much the same schedule including EMH hours, fireworks and parades

MGM: Same parade and Fantasmic schedule, Park open 8am - 12am
Shows "Lights, Camera, Happy New Year" fireworks at midnight.

EPCOT: 8am - 1am (no EMH)
Illuminations 7:30pm and 11:40pm

AK: 8am - 11pm (includes EMH)
Jingle Jungle Parade at 3:45pm

Tues Jan 1

AK, EPCOT and MGM all return to regular park hours (8pm - 9pm closings)
Magic Kingdom stops doing the MVMCP parade but still has EMH and two showings of Spectro.

AK: has EMH so is open until 11pm. No fireworks

 

[BroganMc]

Hey, if shes not better by then....can she hitch a ride?

Sure! We can always scooter-share. My dad is debating whether to rent one or not. He's been getting one every trip for the last 3 years, but told me today he's worried about driving in the crowds. (Doesn't bother me, but then I'm a daredevil.) I think he'll cave though. Just having a seat is worth it.

You can always join up with us. Besides the 75 yo mohawk-wearing dad I'm bringing my younger landscaper/fix-it-guy cousin. He'll be the one lifting me on POTC a half dozen times around 2am. (Gotta make up for all the trips I don't go with anyone strong enough to be helpful.) Or else he'll be the one we have to yank off the walls as he inspects the lights at Osborne and now the castle. I've warned Disney security already and fully plan to disown him if he embarrasses me (or shove him on ToT a few times as punishment).

What are your travel dates again? Ours are only Dec 30-Jan 2.

 

[robinb]

Looking at the schedule, I see this:

Sunday Dec 30:
MK open from 8am to 4am (includes EMH)
The MVMCP parade is set for 12:30 and 3:30pm
Spectro at 7 and 10:30pm
Wishes at 8:30pm
Fantasy in the Sky at 11:50pm

MGM open 8am-10pm
Holly-day Parade at 3pm
Fantasmic at 6:30, 8:30 and 10pm
*No other fireworks mentioned?

Well, drat! The fireworks were mentioned before. Maybe we'll have to "punt" and go to MGM instead for 12/31. I really want to see the fireworks there. My ADR for 12/31 is worthless anyway since 5 of the people just dropped out leaving me with an ADR for 8 and only 3 people.

 

[ErinC]

We were at MK for NYE last year. I knew the crowds would be heavy, but I was determined to see those fireworks. It was worth it. I stuck it out with my two oldest girls (they were 10 and 7 last year). The fireworks at MK were just incredible. The worst part was walking around the park in narrow walkways. We would almost come to a dead halt in a few spots. We stuck to riding "less popular" rides, made ourselves a nice sit down dinner reservation so that we could "Kill" some time. We're going a week earlier this year and will actually be there for Christmas. I'm not sure what to expect, I guess it will be just about as bad as NYE, but we'll just do what we can this trip and catch the rest next time.
Here's a couple of pics of the NYE fireworks from mainstreet last year. They aren't the best, but I thought I'd share:

 

[LVSWL]

So, I had this thread bookmarked and just pulled it up to refresh my memory. We are thinking of calling tomorrow to make ressies for New Years week!!!We have always gone during low season, well..maybe an early June trip or two so this will be totally different for us.
How was it this year for those of you that spent the holidays with Mickey?