Why even visit a park During New Year's Eve

[Jodi1980]

I've read that it gets very very crowded in the parks at midnight. I think what we are going to do is leave MGM or Epcot around 10 and slowly walk back to the Dolphin. When the fireworks go off, we will sitting on the boardwalk or on the Beach/Yacht Club side. Would that be so bad?

 

[snoopy5386]

you'd better walk pretty slow then....it's only about a 5-15 min walk from either park. Seriously I dont understand why people would even go into the parks on NYE if you aren't going to stay until midnight. My inlaws did this with us a few years ago. Got up and into the parks at 9am, fought the crowds all day to leave at 8pm and watch the ball drop on tv in their room. it doesn't get crowded at midnight, its crowded ALL DAY LONG, but no worse than in the summertime.

 

[Jodi1980]

I figured we would visit the parks on NYE to see the entertainment during the day. We will have annual passes.

 

[CindyAnn]

AK had only moderate crowds on NYE last year, since it closes early. We thought that was the perfect park that day, since our evening plans were in one of the hotels in any case.

 

[Jodi1980]

I guess I will have to wait and call WDW to see what park will have the best and/or most entertainment during the day.

 

[Plan Man]

We are planning to go to Epcot for dinner at one of the rest. If we make a PS for about 7 pm or so will we have trouble getting into the park around 5:30?? We will then stay for Midnight.

 

[dahirsh]

Well, I thought it was pretty special to ring in the new Millenium watching the fireworks over Cindy's Castle.

But having said that, I will tell you we did spend about 6 hours at the Crystal Palace that night. After dinner we found a bench on the porch and stayed there.

Yes crowds were heavy, but our real motivation for staying at CP, was that we realized what a wonderful view we had of the castle from there and weren't sure we would be able to find another spot as good since Main Street was filling up on our way to dinner.

Deb

 

[WDWAurora]

Plan Man, that could be a problem for you. Generally it is recommended that on NYE you pick a park and stay there, or risk not getting in later. I'm sure there are others that will disagree, but I prefer to err on the side of caution: I'd be there at opening and stay all day. I'm not about to get shut out.

 

[Plan Man]

So ---- Even Epcot closes on NYE??? I don't think we can get there early and stay all day - it will just be too much for my family - four kids (15-8)

Maybe we wil have to go in early, leave and risk it - we are staying at the SWAN so we will proably still be able to see the fireworks somewhere nearby???

 

[WDWAurora]

It's not definite...and keep in mind that I'm from a family who went multiple times each year (myself, starting at age 4, my parents, who haven't been since 95, and my grandparents who still want to go go go) and we ALWAYS opened and closed each park. I can remember one time out of 30 or so visits leaving early...but it's not definite Epcot will close, just a good possibility. They have some great entertainment there on NYE. Probably my favorite park for that day.

 

[zurgswife]

Usually only MK is difficult to get back into in the evening. If you plan to enter EPCOT around 5ish or even 6ish...you probably should be able to....

We got into MGM on NYE at about 7pm a few years back without a problem. and are planning on dinner at EPCOT this NYE and I won't be there all day....I'm not worried...

 

[lorileer]

Am I just remembering this incorrectly? Is it not true that if you have an Annual Pass, you will be admitted regardless of whether the Park has "closed" to letting additional people in? I think I remember being told that in the past.

 

[Jodi1980]

Reference the annual pass, I was just saying that it wouldn't matter if we only spent part of the day in the park and left early because we are not paying for a one-day pass of $50 or so.

 

[WDWAurora]

lorileer-I don't think that still holds true. Perhaps someone will come along who knows for sure....but I'm about 90% sure it doesn't get you in if it's full.

 

[K P & J's Grandma]

We were at WDW for New Years 1999/ 2000!!!! We chose to go to the Magic Kingdom. We arrived when the park opened to Disney Resort Guests - we were surprised how empty it was at that time - have pictures of just 'us' in front of the Castle. We had breakfast at the Crystal Palace. Our 2 yr. old Granddaughter got her 'first haircut'!! The barbershop quartet was in there singing & sang 'When You Wish Upon A Star' & then they also sang "Happy Birthday' to our Grandson who turned 2 on New Years Day!! After that it did start to get really crowded. We watched the day time parade & decided to return to our hotel - the Carribbean Beach - for naps. We got our hands stamped before we left!!! Around 7:00 we returned to the Magic Kingdom & had NO problem getting back in with our hand stamp!!! They passed out hats & horns at different spots. We watched the nighttime parade & fireworks. The fireworks were 'AWESOME' - we didn't know where to look because they were being shot all around the park!! We waited a LONG time before we decided to head back to the hotel - why rush to stand in a line for the bus. We people watched, went on a few rides & had ice cream. When leaving the park we stopped & watched a Disney Band playing at the exit!! We had a GREAT time!!! As for the two grandchildren - they were wonderful!!!!! Lots of GREAT memories!!! We are planning on going again for New Years - 2009/2010!!!!!

 

[Geoff_M]

Am I just remembering this incorrectly? Is it not true that if you have an Annual Pass, you will be admitted regardless of whether the Park has "closed" to letting additional people in? I think I remember being told that in the past.

I don't believe that is correct. There are several levels of "closures" at WDW. The first level of closure is for off-site guests. It may be that you'd still be allowed in as an off-site guest with an AP, but as the closure level increases... once the park has reached the maximum attendance level that it deems safe, the park is closed to all new comers.

 

[dahirsh]

Originally posted by K, P & J's Grandma
We were at WDW for New Years 1999/ 2000!!!! When leaving the park we stopped & watched a Disney Band playing at the exit!! We had a GREAT time!!! As for the two grandchildren - they were wonderful!!!!! Lots of GREAT memories!!! We are planning on going again for New Years - 2009/2010!!!!!

We did the same thing! I don't think we realised that the rides were still running after the fireworks and I'm not sure we would have taken advantage anyway as we had been in the park since opening, but we took our time, stopped and watched the band and really enjoyed ourselves.

Deb