Will Epcot on NY's eve be too full to enter at 9pm?

[cheriesam]

Getting excited about our Holiday trip! Made Fantasmic dinner reservations for New Years Eve with plans to go to Epcot to see the New Year in. Will that park be so full that people will be turned away at 9pm? Will that happen at the MK that night? We learn so much from sharing our experiences!! Thanks for your input!! Cherie

 

[pintrader]

Based on my experience on having brought in the new year for the last 7 years at Epcot I would say you have an extremely slim chance of making it in THAT particular park at 9pm

 

[gduvall]

What about getting into Epcot on NYE around 5:00-5:30.

 

[pintrader]

no one can ever predict for certain. However In many people's opinion Epcot is the adult park and surely goes for NYE. When the park closes due to capacity it almost always opens up again sometime during that day.

The more important it is to you to definately celebrate in any particular park, the more important is to get there early and intent to stay.

Leaving the park to return later has not guaranteed reentry into that same park later that day anytime in the past. They tried it once, but who do you go grab by the collar and say "hey you, out! These people want to come back and the park is filled to capacity!" ?

 

[Grumpy92]

I would suggest staying at the Studios for NYE. I have spent many NYE at WDW. I tried one year to get into EC at 4pm and was turned away. At 9pm again think your chances are very slim. In the past the MK is usually filled to capacity by 10am, the other parks 11am. IF you leave one park for another there are no guarantees that you will gain admittance nor that you can return to your original park and reenter.
The best advice is to go early and stay in one park.

 

[ppiew]

I spent one NYeve at EPCOT and NEVER again! It was sooooo overcrowded I actually got claustrophobia! and if it is hot/humid it is even worse. We were walking toward Mexico from the WS bridge (to the left) and couldn't even SEE the pyramid. I was actually frightened it was so crowded! And people with infants in strollers in that crowd and humidity - it was horrific. Sorry about the gloom and doom, just my opinion. It was far too excessive to be enjoyable.

 

[cheriesam]

Thanks guys, for your responses! I just got off the phone seeing if there was room for us at the Brown Derby/show for Jan 1st--only at 3:40pm though. Nothing after that available for the 6:30 show! Took it so we could just be at Epcot on NYE, but didn't cancel the other yet--just so we could think about it before deciding.

It's pretty confusing though because the CM on the phone told me that as a resort guest I'd have free roam to come and go--her words--and she checked with someone else too. That it is the parking lot being full that guests are turned away. You guys seem to have had experiences indicating the opposite! ?? Crowds are a new consideration for us on this trip and we're clue-less!! Have you ever been told this before?

Regardless, can't wait!!

 

[Grumpy92]

When you arrive at your Disney Resort that week you will probably receive a little memo from the hotel that states that you are guaranteed admission to a park on the holiday, but that it may not be the park of your choice.

Once they fill the parking lot, Resort guest are the last ones eligible to enter but when the park fills to capacity which will happan on NYE, the Fire Marshall shuts it down to further people.

As far as crowds, Mk is the worst, you cannot move in there. There were alot of people in the other parks but it is a holiday.
You might want to go ahead and make a PS for dinner at EC as well then you can always cancel it later. I am afraid if you wait your only option will be counter service for NYE.

 

[Geoff_M]

Disney uses several different levels of closure as attendence rises. This is from memory, and I don't know if I have the names in the right order:

Level 1: They stop selling tickets to off-site guests. Only on-site guests and off-site people with pre-purchased tickets are allowed in.

Level 2: The parking lot is closed. Resort transportion is the only means to get to the park. Effectively, only on-site guests are allowed in.

Level 3: You ain't getting in... unless it's the designated park-of-last-resort for on-site guests.

 

[Jackie H.]

Grumpy,

You said you have spent several NYE at WDW - you are my expert!!!

I realize all the parks will be crowded; and I know MK will be swamped. And most likely EPCOT will be swamped as well. Is there a chance MGM will be better than EPCOT? You stated in an earlier post on this thread that you would suggest going to MGM on NYE - is that what your personal experience has taught you is the best?

We have been to WDW many times before but never on NYE (or even on Christmas so this is our first MAJOR CROWD experience). We are staying at the Dolphin. I can not decide between EPCOT or MGM for NYE!

Most likely, we will actually leave either park before midnight and experience the magic hour from the boardwalk or from the Dolphin as I have been told we will be able to see the fireworks from the hotel. (I will test drive that baby on 12/30 to make sure.)

I have PS for dinner at rest Marrakesh on NYE (but we could go there another night if I could get a good PS in MGM).

I would just really appreciate you opinion for which park for NYE.

By the way, we are a family of four (12yo son, 9yo daughter)

 

[cheriesam]

Thanks for all the suggestions--we've decided to take our chances but make several sit down reservations throughout the day and evening to take some breaks from the crowds. At least it will be a new experience!! And then I'll be able to share!!

 

[Beezle2]

Originally posted by Jackie H.
Grumpy,

Is there a chance MGM will be better than EPCOT? You stated in an earlier post on this thread that you would suggest going to MGM on NYE - is that what your personal experience has taught you is the best?>>>

We are checking into Pop Century on Dec 31 and I was wondering what park to choose for NYE also. I have PS for Brown Derby @ 3:40 and figured we'd just stay there. I think I'm concerned about getting into MGM now! I thought as an onsite guest I'd be all set. I also hoping for an early check- in at our hotel....are the odds of that pretty good do you think? This is our anniversary night so everything has to go my way, lol

alisa

 

[kem330]

cheriesam,
As a resort guest you should not have trouble reentering the parks. We have stayed at BWV/BCV 3 years in a row and have always left Epcot early afternoon and returned later (between 7-9pm.) Of course last year it was pouring rain and anyone could have gotten in. If they don't let you into Epcot you should be able to re enter mgm with your hand stamp. You can either take the boat shuttle from MGM or walk, which at that time of year may be faster! It should be no more than a half hour walk to Epcot from MGM. Enjoy!

 

[cathyz]

I'm in no way suggesting that the other posters are wrong, but I'll tell you my experience from NYE 2001. DH & I had dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse at approx. 6:30. We had a pretty extensive meal, so my guess is we left by 8:30 or so. We walked over to the International Gateway entrance to EPCOT and walked right in. Now, we only went over to UK. Yes, it was packed, but it was an incredibly JOVIAL crowd. Not nasty, mean, obnoxious, etc. We really enjoyed the atmosphere, watched the "Beatles" group and just hung out until approx. 10 pm or so.

We are returning this year to the Dolphin, God Willing!!!, and plan to do the same thing. I'm sure that twds Future World with kids would be no fun! But, my suggestion is the areas closer to the International Gateway area. I would think they would be a little less crowded. Also, the year we were there - 2001 - was right after 9-11. We thought it would be empty, but most places were filled to capacity. Many of the CM's commented that it was the most crowded Christmas Week that they ever remember! So, that's my .02.

Whatever you do, it will be magical. Just be flexible and ENJOY!

 

[cheriesam]

kathyz---
I'm smiling!! And excited!! Yesterday I made PS arrangements in UK for 4:30 and 9:30--dinner and dessert. Main Street would be a first choice, as far as location for NYE, but our kids are all married! Thanks for the encouragement!!