Who else will be at WDW for New Years?

[MagicKingdom05]

Hi,

I just wanted to see who else will be at WDW for New Years?

 

[PrincessTeddyBear]

Hi,

I just wanted to see who else will be at WDW for New Years?

We'll be there - just don't know where in the parks we'll be yet.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

PrincessTeddyBear,

I was told, decided ahead of time which park you will be in and stay there, because the parks fill up fast on New Years eve. I will be at MK that day and that is why I love the idea of staying at the Polynesian, becaus I can walk to MK or take a 5 minute monorail ride to MK.

 

[PrincessTeddyBear]

PrincessTeddyBear,

I was told, decided ahead of time which park you will be in and stay there, because the parks fill up fast on New Years eve. I will be at MK that day and that is why I love the idea of staying at the Polynesian, becaus I can walk to MK or take a 5 minute monorail ride to MK.

We were there for New Years in 2002-2003 and had planned to stay in Epcot until midnight but we hadn't gotten a wheelchair so we were unable to with my mom. Of course, it started pouring that night so we were glad we were at the Resort; and we had stayed at POFQ and could see the fireworks from Epcot and Downtown Disney from our building. It was great. We'll probably decide when we get down there where we'll want to be but knowing everyone it'll either be Epcot or MK.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

PrincessTeddyBear,

I have a feeling I won't be the only person at MK that day.

 

[Got Quattro?]

We spent new years 1999-2000 at epcot and it was misserable. Every inch of space was shoulder to shoulder. We walked around for 14 hours that day doing NOTHING.

But is was still a cool place to bring in the new millinium.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

Got Quattro?,

This is the one thing I'm worried about over at MK. Having to be there from 9am-12am to ring in the new year. I'm sure if it's just way to crowded, I can always go back to Polynesian, because I'm sure they will be doing something special for New Years eve.

 

[Amy&Dan]

We will be there too, just trying to decide which resort to choose. We will be there from December 28 thru January 8. Hopefully things will quiet down after New Years.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

Amy&Dan,

From what people have said from past trips during this time, since Jan 1st is on a Sunday, people will probably start going home then. What I think is dumb is the fact that I had to make 2 reservations one for Dec 30-31 and one for Jan 1-8 so I don't get charged the holiday rate for my whole stay.

 

[robinb]

I was told, decided ahead of time which park you will be in and stay there, because the parks fill up fast on New Years eve.

Not true! Well, the parks filling up part is true ... but you don't have to stay in the parks from 7:00 am to 1:00 am. Really. This will be my 5th NYE at WDW and I have always entered my park of choice around 7:00 am, exited it between 12:00 and 1:00 pm when things began to get really crowded and returned around 6:00 pm for our dinner Priority Seating. Being at the Poly will rock! You'll be able to easily boat or monorail over to the MK. Make sure to ride Dumbo after midnight!

ETA: Leaving is only for on-site guests who take Disney transportation. The parking lots will close and you will not be able to re-enter.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

Robin,

Thanks for letting me know. I have read on here that the parks can fill up fast on New Years and once they reach capacity, you can't get in.

As far as Polynesian goes, this is only going to be my second onsite stay (first was at CBR a couple of weeks ago). I'm sure that I will really love how close to MK it is and the short monorail ride to Epcot. My only problem know except for saving for the trip, is that I have to wait 288 more days until I can go back.

 

[Mysteria]

This text below is directly from the Dis planning pages regarding entering parks on NYE. You can leave and you may get back in but then again you could be denied if they are at capacity onsite guest or not.


"If you plan on visiting a Walt Disney World Theme park on New Year's Eve, you should arrive in the morning and be prepared to spend the entire day. The parks will reach capacity with no further admittance allowed. Park Hopping on NYE is not recommended.

It's a common misconception that onsite guests are guaranteed admittance. While you can expect to get into a park, it may not be the park where you planned on celebrating the New Year. Note that having a Priority Seating does not mean that you will be allowed in should that park reach capacity.

For your comfort, arrive early and rent a locker. Should the weather be an issue, you can stow your warm clothes or raingear.

Fastpasses will be snapped up quickly. Get yours as soon as possible.

The parks will have live entertainment throughout the day/evening in addition to special midnight fireworks."

Myst

 

[MagicKingdom05]

Myst,

Thanks for the information.

 

[robinb]

Well, it's up to you if you want to gut it out or not. I know I won't. I'll be swimming at 3:00 pm while others are crammed in the park with nothing to do because the queues are too long.

I have direct experience with Epcot (99/00, 01/02, 02/03) and the MK (03/04, 04/05). Whoops! It looks like this will be NYE #6 for me. We'll be at Epcot this year as some of our group wants to see IllumiNations for NYE again. Personally, I prefer the 360-degree Fantasy in the Sky.

I would recommend getting a PS for somewhere in the park of your choice. We have never had to play the "But Ms CM! I have a PS at Tony's!" card, but it's really nice to have it to fall back on (even though Mysteria says it doesn't matter).

 

[MagicKingdom05]

robinb,

Thanks. I'm sure that if I left for an hour or so and came back that I would get back in. If not, oh well I guess I will have to spend NYE at the Polynesian, poor poor me .

 

[Mysteria]

Wasn't actually me saying it doesn't matter. I took that info directly from Here

Was just a FYI to help out so there is no disappointment if it happens.

Myst

 

[Bobump]

1999-2000 Epcot
2000-2001 Pleasure Island
2001-2002 Epcot
2002-2003 Epcot
2003-2004 Epcot
2004-2005 Epcot
2005-2006 Epcot

Epcot is one great street party and the crowds are very friendly and accomadating. See Ya Real Soon

 

[magicmouse2]

Me Me!!!! First NYE at WDW We are staying at the Beach Club that night as I have planned to spend the evening at EPCOT. Its mainly the atmosphere we are going for not the rides on NYE. NYD we are moving overf to SSR 2 bed villa for 13 nights. We wont arrive at the resort until about 7pm so I am glad to here that we still have a chance of getting into EPCOT.

Is it still possible to get food at counter service ? or are the queues horrendous ?

Thanks robinb

 

[Dizz42]

We're going again - 12/28 to 1/9! We were CR 14th Floor last year and it was wonderful! We had lunch on NYE at Crystal Palace, got our hand stamped and walked back to room. Then we walked to MK for a PS at Liberty Tree that evening. It was so crowded, they lead us in "the back way" (behind the scenes and you come out at the Galaxy Theater). We ate and since it was even more crowded, we decided to go back to our room and ring in the NY on our balcony. The "Perimeter Fireworks" were absolutely amazing!
Just like you said, MagicKingdom05, how awful can it get? We had a bottle of bubbly, we had each other, and we were on the 14th floor of the CR ringing in the new year. Gee...we weren't actually IN the MK but we could hear the roar and it was a sound I will never forget! Also, funny thing...when the first round of 360 degree fireworks went off, I think every car alarm in the parking lot below us went off. It was nuts...horns beeping, alarm blaring, lights flashing...it was sooo funny! We laughed so hard, we cried. Or it could have been that we were just plain giddy with joy!