Your experience on New Year's Eve in WDW?

[TinkOhio]

We will be spending our first NYE at WDW this year and havn't decided which park to spend it in. It will be DH and myself with our DS13 and DD6. We were hoping that anyone who experienced the magic in any of the parks would be so kind as to post a quick synopsis of their NYE; which park, what hours, the crowds, what special events they saw, meals, etc. We know to arrive early, but what other tips might you suggest?
We really appreciate your help!

 

[dbond]

Epcot seems to handle the crowds the best and they have lots of live music, large screens, dance floors, etc. all around the park.

 

[Kitster]

My one and only experience was during Dec. 2000 / Jan. 2001. New Years Eve day the temperature never got above freezing, every store in Kissimmee already had summer clothes on the rack (not a coat to be had....or gloves, hats, scarves......). I came down with pneumonia and spent most of New Years Eve and New Years Day sick in bed. Epcot was a wonderful park to be at New Year's Eve. We heard that MK closed the gates by 11am to ALL guests, even those people staying on property. Since we were freezing by 6pm we left so we could be thawed out by midnight.

The one good thing that happened during this trip was getting to see the Shuttle Atlantis roll out to the launchpad. We were on one of the Behind the Scenes tours at the Cape and there she was What a beautiful site Atlantis was........from less than 1/4 mile away. We got everything on video and digital pictures galore. That day was absolutely the highlight of ALL of our trips to the Orlando. Atlantis is my boyfriend's shuttle, the first one he saw in person. Sadly my shuttle no longer exists. In a strange twist of fate, I was on my way to LAX for a quick trip to Orlando the morning Columbia went down, and I had the misfortune of seeing her re-entry contrail / fireball as she flew in over California. It was one of those moments you never forget, although you desparately want to. (Just like driving into work on the East-West Expressway the morning I heard John Lennon had been shot.)

Have a great time over New Years and don't forget to bring a coat and maybe a pair of gloves. It may be Florida but it can get darned cold during the winter.

 

[2tinksmom]

We spent this past NYE in EPCOT. We decided to go there because of the size of the park. We got there around 9:30 and they closed the park in the next hour or so...I don't know if they re-opened it. We stayed 'til around one in the morning. Sometime in the evening they started handing out shiny top hats and noise makers. We had been staying around WS, but as the crowd got "happier" we moved to FW because we had DDs 11 and 6 with us and DD(6) kept getting knocked in the head. We went on several very uncrowded attractions, had some ice cream, and then staked out our spot for Illuminations. Illuminations was awesome...they would announce when it was midnight in a country across the globe that was represented on WS, there would be fireworks, and lights that were outlining the buildings in that country would light up. It was truly awesome. As the HUGE crowd was leaving, we walked onto SE and rode it. When we got off, it was a much easier walk out of the park. If we ever do NYE again, EPCOT will be our choice!
Michele

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

We went to Pleasure Island NYE 1999 and it was awesome. My brother and his wife went to Epcot and they loved it there too. Make sure you get there early though, because the park usually closes when it hits capacity. I remember my brother telling me that it was a really long day there (he took a nap on a park bench at one point!), but just a fantastic place to ring in the New Year!

 

[TinkOhio]

Thanks for the replies! Please keep them coming! Has anyone ever dared to do the MK on NYE? I've heard that there are massive traffic jams leaving the park that night, too. We would love to hear anyone's stories about last year's experiences!

 

[KCMiller]

(this was posted on another thread - you may want to do a search for NYE - there's a LOT out there . Oh, and I forgot to mention in that reply, but the weather was FABULOUS! The year before had been awful and rainy - my niece was there, and told me all about it - but we were blessed with outstanding warm sunny weather. )

Epcot was awesome last year for NYE! We got VERY lucky with our PS's, and got to watch the outstanding fireworks show from ringside on the Rose and Crown Patio.

It was VERY crowded later in the day. We entered the park at gate open, went right on the rides we wanted to ride, got Fast passes for a later ride, and by noon, they were posting wait times of up to THREE hours for Test Track and other rides (even Maelstrom ). We had not had breakfast (a quick pastry and cup of coffee/hot chocolate from a counter place), and we had a noon PS at Restaurant Akershus, which we LOVED. We took it pretty easy in the afternoon (caught a snooze in the Hall of Presidents!), and wandered wherever caught our fancy until our PS at 9:30 at R&C. We waited until about 10:15 to be seated, and really enjoyed our view! We missed the England NYE celebration, but we did hear that they did it. At midnight, each country blew off special fireworks first, in the order of when it would have been NYE in their country, then WOW! What a show!

Afterwards, we took our time getting the check and such, then meandered around the park enjoying all the people and fun - there was still a big DJ party going on. My DH and DS and I decided to go back to TT to see if it was still running, and it was! We were the last riders that night, and it was almost 2:30 am before we got back to our car - and there was still a wait to get out of the parking lot (we were staying offsite - MOWC, a great hotel!).

All in all, we'd do it again - but take the advice - do the rides first thing, then just enjoy the park for the rest of the day, and make PS's for all your meals.

KC

 

[robinb]

I've been to Epcot 3 times (99/00, 01/02 & 02/03) and the Magic Kingdom once (03/04). We will be returning to the MK this year. The fireworks are awesome at the MK! Plus, the crowd is better behaved.

My experienced NYE advise is:
(1) Stay onsite. The parking lots close first while the busses still run.
(2) Get to the park of your choosing as soon as it opens to actually ride something. Ride times are usually out of control by noon and fast passes are gone for the entire day!
(3) Return to your resort for a rest or swim. We have done this every year with no problems, including last year and 99/00. Another reason to stay onsite.
(4) Go back to the original park in the early evening. As a returning park guest, you have priority over those guests entering the park for the first time. Return earlier if you want a hat and horn since they run out by 7:00pm.
(5) Make a PS for dinner inside the park. First of all, there will be nothing else for you to do than eat since it will be very crowded. Secondly, counter service lines are horrible. Lastly, This will give you some leverage in case you are stopped at the gate.
(6) Pick your fireworks spot out 1-2 hours ahead of time.
(7) Have fun!

BTW: Here is my trip report from last year's NYE, including pictures at the MK:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=490243

 

[caverill]

It was a long time ago, but we did NYE in the MK in 1994.

Here is what I can remember...

We had gone to the MK early, left for Dinner at the Concourse Steakhouse, and then returned to the MK.

I don't remember when they closed the park, but I know they did.

The crowds were very, very large. I don't think we did many rides, since we had already done most everything we wanted to do.

The fireworks were outstanding. To this day, they were the best I have ever seen. They seemed to be exploding on all sides of you.

I overhead someone say that they estimated that there were 75,000 people in the MK and 80,000 at EPCOT. EPCOT would be the place I would go, if I was to do this again.

One note...After NYD the crowds disappear. What had been hour long waits were walk on rides.

I don't remember having trouble getting back to Dixie Landings (now PORS), but I am sure we waited quite a while.

Hope this helps...

 

[KFISCHER]

Crowded, yes...but what fun!

The fireworks may have been the best I've ever seen in my life.

Great parades.

Just keep in mind it's going to be elbow to elbow, and lines for rides are looooooooooonnnnnnnngggggggggg!

Ate at Tony's. I was quite apprehensive about having so-so pasta and an iced tea on NYE, but they had surf and turf, and it was very good!

weather was quite warm for that time of year.......

They handed out top hats and noisemakers all over the park around 4:00 pm.

If you can tolerate the throng of people, you'll have a super time.

 

[KCMiller]

I'd be careful about counting on hats and noisemakers - when they 'handed' them out at Epcot on NYE this past year, I was actually afraid someone would get hurt - NO magic whatsoever, nasty CM's, rude people, a really disorganized and frankly dangerous situation, with hundreds of people screaming and grabbing - the only downside to an otherwise great day...


KC

 

[TinkOhio]

Any other stories? Bumping back up!

 

[snoopy5386]

I have done both MGM and MK for NYE and if it were up to me I would spend every NYE in Disney. Out of the 2 experiences MK was my favorite and I would suggest that for you considering the ages of your kids. For one thing, MK sells no alcohol. I know a lot of people say epcot because it is big, but I have heard about lots of drunk people there...not something you want to expose a 6 year old to. My suggestions is if you go, go to MK. Get there early. We were offsite, so we got there at 8am, stayed till 1am. Make 2 ps's. Preferably an early lunch/late breakfast and a late dinner. You will get the most rides done in the morning. Use fastpass to your advantage. Take time to watch both parades. Go to Tom Sawyer Island for a while. These thing all help to kill time and give you a chance to relax. When we were there, we used fastpass and we waited on line for rides, but nothing more than a half hour -45 mins. Around 10 pm we had some down time, didn't feel like going on anymore rides, so we sat in cosmic rays for an hour and played cards. We went to get our fireworks spot around 11. We ended up near the crystal palace. It was wall to wall people at this point, but only at that point, and everyone was very nice. Saw the most awesome fireworks display of my entire life and I absolutely love fireworks!!! Leaving wasn't bad either. We hung around for a while and got out no problem. I had the best time, probably the best NYE so far, it was wonderful. We got to ride every ride we wanted that day. The only downside was the weather. This was 2001-2002, and it was cold. In the 40's at night. We were freezing!! Bring warm clothes even if it is warm during the day. Rent a locker it is worth the 5 bucks.

Good Luck with your decision

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by snoopy5386
We were offsite, so we got there at 8am, stayed till 1am.

This is the #1 reason to stay onsite for NYE. If you had stayed onsite you would not have had a 17 hour day at the park!

The rest of your advise is right-on, though. I also agree about Epcot. I've been there 3 times and it can get a little drunk. The primary problem is that it gets dark and people don't see small children or strollers. The advantage to Epcot is they also have the regular IllumiNations at 9:00 or 9:30 and you can take your kids home early.

 

[TinkOhio]

Bumping back up! anyone else?

 

[Grumpy92]

Usually the parks fill to capacity by 11am, MK usually the first to do so. Returning guest do NOT have priority. Later in the afternoon they often do let a few Disney Resort guest in, on a first come first serve basis, no guarantees. Make sure to make PS at the 90 day mark otherwise you will be at the counterservice locations.

We have been in all the parks on NYE, but enjoyed EC the best. Lots of music and entertainment. The Intl Cms celebrate NYE with their native land's time, so we counted down all night. We did arrive early, leisurely rode the rides, not caring about the line length and looked in most of the stores. Later in the evening you will see lots of children sacked out everywhere. Count down is done with illuminations.

PI, Atlantic Dance & CAl Grill all have special NYE parties at an additional cost.

 

[Diznut84]

We went to Epcot last NYE and will never do so again. The crowd was unruly. The CMs were incompetent. There was a "human traffic jam" between Mexico and Norway that took an hour to travel between them. My wife and I were actually separated in the jam. It was very scary and left my 9 year old daughter in tears. We left thereafter. It was by far the most disastrous day we have ever spent at Disney (over 100 visits).

This year, we are going to MK or MGM on NYE! The last thing I need is to ring in the New Year with a bunch of drunks...

JMHO!

Greg

 

[KCMiller]

Originally posted by Diznut84
We went to Epcot last NYE and will never do so again. The crowd was unruly. The CMs were incompetent. There was a "human traffic jam" between Mexico and Norway that took an hour to travel between them. My wife and I were actually separated in the jam. It was very scary and left my 9 year old daughter in tears. We left thereafter. It was by far the most disastrous day we have ever spent at Disney (over 100 visits).

This year, we are going to MK or MGM on NYE! The last thing I need is to ring in the New Year with a bunch of drunks...

JMHO!

Greg

See, this is why everyone is telling you that you have to make PS's for dinner - and to find a place and stay there after dinner. The crowds were huge last year, and if we hadn't had a PS at Rose and Crown, I don't know that we would have stayed. That being said, we were there at the park until almost 2 in the morning, and although we saw thousands of happy people, and hundreds of tired, stressed people, we REALLY didn't see 'a bunch of drunks', although perhaps the previous poster did have a run in with a few. But a few does not mean that Epcot was a heaving mass of alcoholics . Apart from an unpleasant experience with the CM's mishandling of the hat and noisemaker giveaway, we encountered NO misbehavior, unruly drunks, or generally bad eggs.

At the prices for alcohol in the park, I sure didn't have too much to drink .


KC