Which park for Christmas? Which park for NYE? Why?

[TazFan]

Hey all,
We're going down Christmas week and would like some input from the Christmas week veterans out there.

On Christmas day, would you spend the day at MK or Epcot? Why one but not the other?
Same goes for NYE. On NYE, would you spend the day at MK or Epcot? Why one but not the other?

Please provide much input as I imagine many other DISers would like to know too. Regardless of which day, most likely we will spend the entire day there as I understand that the park gates close early on both days.

 

[TazFan]

bumping

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Neither, nor. I avoid those parks on those days, opting for the less-crowded MGM and AK. I'm crazy enough to be there that particular week, but not crazy enough to cram myself into those particular maelstroms.

 

[MICKEEP]

Having been to WDW almost 20 times and at different times of year. I have to say I was totally amazed and unprepared for the crowds in the MK on Christmas day 2005.
Compounding the crowd issue was the fact that there was a power outage in the MK, Christmas morning, and none of the rides were operating for a time(we were stuck in Buzz, but thats a story for another time). We quickly left MK and spent the day resort hopping to see the decorations.
But at night we went to MGM and found it quite empty. In fact the seats at the Fantasmic show we went to was only 1/3 filled.

 

[pearljim]

Our only NYE experience was several years ago at Epcot. It wasa zoo from 5 PM on - I think the entire country of Brazil was there armed with horms and noisemakers. We rode Spaceship Earth and you could barely hear the audio. I went back to the YC and watched a football game!

Good luck!

 

[3for Me]

I have never been for NYE and only for Christmas last year. We went to Epcot (to avoid MK) and found it to be delightful. We got there shortly after opening as I was afraid of "massive crowds" both in the parks and on the monorails...found this not to be the case. We had ADR's for both lunch and dinner and found the restaurants full but not uncomfortably packed.

The crowd did pick up significantly by the end of the day, but honestly, I've either seen worse, or was totally expecting it and therefore didn't let it bother me.

The only long line we encountered was for the ladies room right before the start of the Candelight Processional. I guess no one wanted to miss it for a potty break!

By dinner time, Alfredo's was packed, but everytime we go there it is packed. I can honestly say I was pleasantly surprised with the crowd levels at Epcot that day.

 

[mickaholic4077]

I have been to MK and Epcot on different NYE's. It took me almost 2 hours to get back to The Polynesian where I valet parked my car after midnight. With Epcot's having 2 entrance/exits,it was way easier getting out of the park after midnight. I will be doing Epcot again this NYE.

 

[countrymom32]

Christmas time is very busy and the parks are extremely crowded. My family and i went to the parks a few days before and found other things to do the rest of the time. i found this site very helpful Christmasinorlando has list of everyhting goin on. ICE at the gaylord palms hotel is really neat, great for kids!

 

[AStamm]

We spent Christmas Day and NYE at MK two years ago. We were amazed at just how light the crowds were on Christmas Day, but that was most likely due to the fact that it was in the 40's/low 50's the entire day and poured from noon on. By 5 pm we couldn't take the weather any longer and headed back to the hotel (which we would have done even earlier if it weren't for early ADRs at CP).

NYE was the most crowded I have ever seen, with the gates closing early in the afternoon. Thank goodness we're early park-goers, because if it hadn't have been for that very first hour, we would have gotten on 5 rides, maximum the rest of the day. Sometime in the early afternoon when we walked past Peter Pan's Flight, the line was 120 minutes--yup, 2 hours!!! We were on and off within 5 minutes when the park opened that morning.

We stayed for the early parade on NYE but gave up on watching fireworks. Main St. was a mad house and it was 0% fun with DS who was 5 at the time.

This year we're headed back for Christmas. We're planning on AK for both Christmas and NYE (although our flight leaves around 7 pm on NYE). Based on the earlier post, we may consider heading to MGM for Fantasmic after having Christmas dinner at 1900 Park Fare.

 

[Local_Girl]

We did Christmas day in Epcot in '03 and it wasn't too bad, IMHO. We've never been in WDW over the New Year. We started the trip the week prior to Christmas and got in a lot of MK time then. I'd avoid the MK on Christmas Day at all costs! Thanks to other posters for the info on MGM and AK...we'll need to consider those parks on our next trip.

 

[madelinesmum]

We were just there this past Christmas, December 23rd through the 30th and we went to MGM on Christmas Day and it was not bad at all. It was the least crowded day of our entire trip. We really enjoyed the snow around Osborne's Spectacle of Lights.
MK is a nightmare anytime during Christmas but an absolute must see!

 

[johnnyr]

I don't know about Christmas day, but last year we were at EPCOT for NYE. It was very crowded, but managable. I can't remember the last time we had so much fun on NYE! So much that we are doing it again this year. Every country had something. It was really cool how they setup the area behind the fountain with closed circuit TV and had live feeds back to all the countries. They had a live DJ who really had everyone up and dancing.

 

[DisneyTones913]

I went to Disney World for 2000 NYE. We had to ring in the new year with Disney and we tried to get to Epcot ( i dont exactly know why) but it was too crowded so we went to the Disney Studios. It was very fun and there was a concert with LFO and two other bands I cant remember. They past out blowers and hats. I do remember with tried to get intoth Brown Derby but couldnt. We watched the fireworks from right infront of Star Tours. It was a lot of fun and we didnt get back to the hotel until 3:00!

 

[zuzanne]

This is our schedule for this year:
Friday, Dec. 22--Dinner Liberty Tree Tavern at 5 PM followed by MVMCP
Sat., Dec. 23-- 30 minute Carriage Ride at Wilderness Lodge dinner off property
Sun., Dec. 24 -- Mama Melrose's dinner at 6:30 followed by Osborne lights
Mon., Dec. 25 -- Lecelliar dinner at 6:20 followed by Candlelight Pro.
Tues., Dec. 26 thru Dec. 30th -- no plans relaxing, maybe Universal
Sun., Dec. 31-- Cinderella's Castle dinner @ 6:30 staying until fireworks and park closes.
Mon., Jan. 1, recover from previous night --
Tues., Jan. 2, we have to go home and go back to work. YUK!!!!!

Any ideas for holiday stuff for 26th thru 30th would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Suzanne

 

[TazFan]

Good information everybody. the replies seem to be a mix bag regards how busy the parks are on Christmas Day and NYE (Depending on weather, ones tolorance to crowds, etc) but one thing is for sure...MK and Epcot is were the action is. So why is MGM and AK not as magical as MK and Epcot during Christmas day and NYE?

Personally, I'm leaning towards MK on Christmas Day and Epcot on NYE. Anyone else?

 

[CindyAnn]

For us, the magic lies in avoiding the huge crowds. We'll be spending New Year's Eve at AK (we've done this twice before and the crowds were very reasonable) and then heading to Boma for dinner.

 

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

I am most definantly going to be in the minority here but we are planning on MK for Christmas Day...I know it is going to be CRAZY but this is our first and maybe only trip anywhere at Christmas time and I want that magic. I figure if I am prepared to not be able to do anything except watch shows / eat / shop after noon I won't be disapointed. We are going to be in the Orlando area for 11 days so we are planning on 1 or 2 other days to do MK and be able to do more rides on those days.

I have a 4 & 5 year old so I too am concerned with the busy week but I hoping since I know it will be busy I won't be surprised.

I still have not decided on NYE...does anyone know a resort or where outside of a park you could view any of the parks fireworks?

Thanks!
Dawn

 

[Evil Genius]

We were there Christmas day last year and I would advise to stay away from MK and EPCOT. We spent the day at AK and just loved it. Not real crowded. We walked on to Kilamanjaro twice. We heard that MGM was pretty open too.

 

[TazFan]

I am most definantly going to be in the minority here but we are planning on MK for Christmas Day...I know it is going to be CRAZY but this is our first and maybe only trip anywhere at Christmas time and I want that magic. I figure if I am prepared to not be able to do anything except watch shows / eat / shop after noon I won't be disapointed. We are going to be in the Orlando area for 11 days so we are planning on 1 or 2 other days to do MK and be able to do more rides on those days.

I have a 4 & 5 year old so I too am concerned with the busy week but I hoping since I know it will be busy I won't be surprised.

I still have not decided on NYE...does anyone know a resort or where outside of a park you could view any of the parks fireworks?

Thanks!
Dawn

With sells me for MK on Christmas Day is the fact that everyone (hopefully) will be in the same spirit. I've read post where complete strangers will pass by and say 'Merry Christmas' to you wholeheartly and without fear of wrongdoing. That is something that you see in old-time movies and hear about from the old-farts of the 'good old days'. While I wasn't around in that era, the idea of people sitting on their front porch, enjoying the day, saying 'Hello' or 'Good Day' or 'Good Evening' to passing strangers whom do not fear the neighbor street is very comforting.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

With sells me for MK on Christmas Day is the fact that everyone (hopefully) will be in the same spirit. I've read post where complete strangers will pass by and say 'Merry Christmas' to you wholeheartly and without fear of wrongdoing. That is something that you see in old-time movies and hear about from the old-farts of the 'good old days'. While I wasn't around in that era, the idea of people sitting on their front porch, enjoying the day, saying 'Hello' or 'Good Day' or 'Good Evening' to passing strangers whom do not fear the neighbor street is very comforting.

That is so sweet! And, I'll bet if you go early enough, you will definitely run into some of that "It's a Wonderful Life!" goodwill. It may even last into the afternoon....but I think once kids (and parents) start to get cranky, and the glow starts to wear off, you'll want to hop somewhere (anywhere) else. Just a guess...I've always cleared out well before the human density got too thick.