When will parks be full on NYE?

[Pennyguy23]

We are trying to figure out where to go on new years. What time do the parks usually fill up? We have ressies for dinner at both and are now just trying to figure out which on to do. MK or Epcot?

 

[robinb]

I will relate my own personal experiences with NYE at both MK and Epcot. I know that a lot of people will not agree with me. They go with the "get in early and stay all day until midnight" philosophy. I simply cannot do that. It's way too long of a day for me.

I get to the park of my choice as early as possible. Last year it was a bit more problematic since we did the evening EMH at the MK and were there until 3AM! While it was fun, I won't do that again! Anyway ... 7-8 AM is the best. You can ride a few rides and get as many fast passes as possible. Remember, you can almost always use a fast pass after the alloted hour. We sometimes make an ADR for late morning or early afternoon and then around 1-2PM we get out of the park. The MK is usually closed to new guests about this time and will remain closed until after the parade. I have heard that Epcot will also close in the mid afternoon, but the International Gate has always been open when we leave.

We spend a few hours back at the room. We nap a bit, nosh a bit and maybe swim. We return to the park between 5 and 7 PM (depending on our dinner ADR). We have never had a problem re-entering. Once we return we grab hats and horns, use some of our stale fast passes, eat dinner and enjoy some of the live entertainment. We stay for the fireworks and then head on home.

 

[Caskbill]

As you probably know there is a phased sequence where park guest are denied entrance. If you're staying in a WDW resort, I think that's the last group in the sequence before the park is totally closed to new guests.

It's different for MK than for Epcot because of how many guests they can 'cram' in.

Actually it's based on other criteria, but the maximum sure does allow for extremely large crowds.

You will find that they put up signs at the exits that say if you leave the park there is no guarantee that you'll be able to get back in. At Epcot, I've noticed the signs go up by about 3:00 pm, so that might give you an indication of how 'safe' it would be to leave and still get back in.

Hope this helps.

 

[Pennyguy23]

I will relate my own personal experiences with NYE at both MK and Epcot. I know that a lot of people will not agree with me. They go with the "get in early and stay all day until midnight" philosophy. I simply cannot do that. It's way too long of a day for me.

I get to the park of my choice as early as possible. Last year it was a bit more problematic since we did the evening EMH at the MK and were there until 3AM! While it was fun, I won't do that again! Anyway ... 7-8 AM is the best. You can ride a few rides and get as many fast passes as possible. Remember, you can almost always use a fast pass after the alloted hour. We sometimes make an ADR for late morning or early afternoon and then around 1-2PM we get out of the park. The MK is usually closed to new guests about this time and will remain closed until after the parade. I have heard that Epcot will also close in the mid afternoon, but the International Gate has always been open when we leave.

We spend a few hours back at the room. We nap a bit, nosh a bit and maybe swim. We return to the park between 5 and 7 PM (depending on our dinner ADR). We have never had a problem re-entering. Once we return we grab hats and horns, use some of our stale fast passes, eat dinner and enjoy some of the live entertainment. We stay for the fireworks and then head on home.

Well I don't really even care to ride any rides. I have never been to a park that early. We have ADRS at 8:00pm at Tonys and 8:15pm at Nine dragons that I just got today. We trying to figure out which one to cancel. I don't want to have to get at a park at 3:00pm and stay there until Midnight. Actually I won't do that. So If we go at like 10:00pm will we get in at MK?

 

[robinb]

I'm confused. Why would you be entering the MK for NYE at 10:00 PM when you have a 8:00 PM reservation at Tony's? Or, are you thinking about eating at Epcot and monorailing over to the MK? I wouldn't do that. I think that 10:00 PM is pushing it and I wouldn't be surprised if the park closes again in the evening.

BTW, I am shocked that there are reservations still left!

 

[Pennyguy23]

I'm confused. Why would you be entering the MK for NYE at 10:00 PM when you have a 8:00 PM reservation at Tony's? Or, are you thinking about eating at Epcot and monorailing over to the MK? I wouldn't do that. I think that 10:00 PM is pushing it and I wouldn't be surprised if the park closes again in the evening.

BTW, I am shocked that there are reservations still left!

That was what we were thinking. Do Epcot then MK, Well maybe we will do MK 30th so that we can still see the NYE fireworks and then do epcot on 31st. I don't know I am just confused. I don't want to screw ourselves by not getting there but I don't really want to get there or 8 hours. I'm not really a commando parking guy anymore. We go to often, You know? So do you think we could get in there at 7:00pm??? Is there a number to call and see if its still open

 

[simzac]

I didn't think they allowed anyone to have ADR's at more than one place nowdays. I would check with Disney Dining to make sure they didn't cancel one for the other unless you have them under different names.

 

[robinb]

I would recommend going to the MK on 12/30 and seeing the fireworks then. It is less crowded and the fireworks are the same. If you're night owls you can stay around for the evening EMH. I would stick with Epcot for NYE as you are far more likely to get in later.

It my opinion that you would be fine getting into either park between 6-7 PM. The only way to the MK would be by bus. The MK's parking lot will be closed by 10:00 AM. I'm not sure about Epcot's parking lot as it's a lot bigger. I don't think that a bus will take you to the park if the parks are closed. I might ask one of the bus drivers who stops at AKL if the MK is still open. One of them should know.

I think our plan is Epcot on 12/30 and MGM on 12/31. I had planned MGM on 12/30 be it appears that they are not running their NYE fireworks on 12/30 like the other parks .