New Year's Eve tips?

[DavinD 4]

I've read that you need to get to the parks early on new year's eve.  How early is "early"?

 

We have FP+ at magic kingdom but want to switch to Epcot or Hollywood Studios at around 5:00pm.  Do we run the risk of not being able to get in?

 

Also, any recommendations for Epcot vs. Hollywood Studios on New Years Eve?

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Short answer yes.

We've done HS, and Epcot and in my humble opinion HS was the worst. Both were busy an we left both before midnight. I couldn't imagine what it was like a midnight.

I would recommend doing what we did last year. Watched the fireworks from clementines beach.

[Millermouseketeers MaryAnn 150]

One year we went to Epcot & the fireworks show was awesome! It was very crowded but able to get around better than HS like Ray said. If I had to chose one it would be Epcot.

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

If you do switch Epcot is your best bet. Historically speaking it does not close as easily as the other parks. Personally I will be at the Fort on the beach partying and ringing in the new year.

[Lou... 3,118]

 want to switch to Epcot or Hollywood Studios at around 5:00pm.  Do we run the risk of not being able to get in?

 

 

Phase 4 closing at Epcot, closed to all guests, I doubt it will happen.

But if you expect to have a decent viewing spot for the lower fireworks, you'll have to stake out a spot and hold it early.

If you head out when most others are, have fun, no matter how you're doing it.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

We also spent last NYE on Clementine Beach watching the MK fireworks.  Had a great time, and was in my bed 10 minutes after the fireworks ended.  

[dblr....Rennie 224]

Last time we did New Years Eve was at the MK, we got there around 9am and never left, just found a spot to rest awhile, then enjoyed the festivities, the only bad part was trying to leave around 1am. I think they could have done a better job getting the mass of people out of the park. We plan to do the same thing this year as that is what my son picked, so we just hope for the best, we go in with high crowds planned so that way we are not disappointed.

[Goober's Wife 1]

You couldn't actually pay me to set foot in HS on NYE; that park is not built for crowds.  Too many of the walkways especially on the "north" and "west" sides of the park are excruiciatingly narrow.

 

Last year we did NYE in Epcot and it was awesome!  We went in at rope drop and stayed until about 1am.

 

My suggestions to make it a workable day:

1. Wear lots of layers so as it warms up and then gets cold again you can adjust your clothing.  Don't forget scarves and mittens for late night, it got pretty chilly once we sat down on the grass to wait for the fireworks.

2. I don't usually let our kid take toys into the parks but this one day I took his Nintendo DS.  I carried it in my bag and he got to play with it during quiet time.  18 hours of good behavior is a lot to ask of any child and having something to do when we were "waiting" for something helped quite a bit.

3. We took a blanket.  We rented a locker and stashed our coats and blanket in it.  About midafternoon we pulled out the blanket, found a nice patch of shady unoccupied ground, and took a nap in Epcot.  We used the blanket again to rest after 10pm while we waited on the fireworks.

4. We booked two table service meals so we would have 2 chances to go inside and sit down for an hour or so away from the worst of the chaos.  Dinner was in England when they hit midnight in London, so that was bonus fun (and "free" champagne).  Funnily enough, the Showcase walkway outside of Rose & Crown (basically from Canada to the International Gateway bridge) got jammed (completely jammed, nobody could move at all) and the park CMs couldn't get it untangled, so the restaurant staff and CMs escorted us back through the restaurant and out a back way down that little sidewalk that is closed to normal guest traffic. England at 7pm EST is a crazy place...

5. Drink lots. 

 

ETA:  Don't expect to do a lot of rides this day.  Standby lines are VERY long.  We went straight to Soarin at rope drop last year, and I think only rode 2 other rides the rest of the day, maybe 3.  This year since there is now FP+ we will ride those 3 things we reserved, and maybe we'll go to something at rope drop.  But NYE is about the atmosphere and people watching and drinking and eating and dancing, so who wants to stand in line 2 or 3 hours for a ride?

Also ETA:  I would be afraid to try park-hopping on this day.  Park closures are as common on this day as they ever get at WDW.  And you didn't mention how you were planning to move, but transportation is jammed as well.  I would not at ALL recommend trying to move by car after 11am, because the parking lots will be capacity and the roads bonkers.  If you really want to spend the evening in Epcot, it might be worth switching your fast passes and just staying there all day.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

MK tends to be the most likely to close to capacity (Phase 4) for at least a little while during Christmas-New Year's week, with NYE typically being the day with the longest closure.  Last few years MK has closed to capacity around 10:30-11 a.m. and hasn't reopened until about 9-9:30p.m.  (Most of the rest of Christmas week it usually reopens by about 2pm)

 

Phased closures at the other parks sometimes happen, but much less frequently, and Epcot rarely does - in fact I can't remember seeing a Phase 4 closure there any time in the past 6-7 years.  That's probably because Epcot holds a LOT of people... and they will all be there New Years Eve!  :)

 

You couldn't actually pay me to set foot in HS on NYE; that park is not built for crowds.  Too many of the walkways especially on the "north" and "west" sides of the park are excruiciatingly narrow.

 

Last year we did NYE in Epcot and it was awesome!  We went in at rope drop and stayed until about 1am.

 

My suggestions to make it a workable day:

1. Wear lots of layers so as it warms up and then gets cold again you can adjust your clothing.  Don't forget scarves and mittens for late night, it got pretty chilly once we sat down on the grass to wait for the fireworks.

2. I don't usually let our kid take toys into the parks but this one day I took his Nintendo DS.  I carried it in my bag and he got to play with it during quiet time.  18 hours of good behavior is a lot to ask of any child and having something to do when we were "waiting" for something helped quite a bit.

3. We took a blanket.  We rented a locker and stashed our coats and blanket in it.  About midafternoon we pulled out the blanket, found a nice patch of shady unoccupied ground, and took a nap in Epcot.  We used the blanket again to rest after 10pm while we waited on the fireworks.

4. We booked two table service meals so we would have 2 chances to go inside and sit down for an hour or so away from the worst of the chaos.  Dinner was in England when they hit midnight in London, so that was bonus fun (and "free" champagne).  Funnily enough, the Showcase walkway outside of Rose & Crown (basically from Canada to the International Gateway bridge) got jammed (completely jammed, nobody could move at all) and the park CMs couldn't get it untangled, so the restaurant staff and CMs escorted us back through the restaurant and out a back way down that little sidewalk that is closed to normal guest traffic. England at 7pm EST is a crazy place...

5. Drink lots. 

 

ETA:  Don't expect to do a lot of rides this day.  Standby lines are VERY long.  We went straight to Soarin at rope drop last year, and I think only rode 2 other rides the rest of the day, maybe 3.  This year since there is now FP+ we will ride those 3 things we reserved, and maybe we'll go to something at rope drop.  But NYE is about the atmosphere and people watching and drinking and eating and dancing, so who wants to stand in line 2 or 3 hours for a ride?

Also ETA:  I would be afraid to try park-hopping on this day.  Park closures are as common on this day as they ever get at WDW.  And you didn't mention how you were planning to move, but transportation is jammed as well.  I would not at ALL recommend trying to move by car after 11am, because the parking lots will be capacity and the roads bonkers.  If you really want to spend the evening in Epcot, it might be worth switching your fast passes and just staying there all day.

 

Some great tips there!!

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Goober's Wife is treating us all to fish and chips and Black and Tans for NYE!!!!  

 

At least that's what I think I read.   :clint:

[Goober's Wife 1]

Last time we did New Years Eve was at the MK, we got there around 9am and never left, just found a spot to rest awhile, then enjoyed the festivities, the only bad part was trying to leave around 1am. I think they could have done a better job getting the mass of people out of the park. We plan to do the same thing this year as that is what my son picked, so we just hope for the best, we go in with high crowds planned so that way we are not disappointed.

Departure is one reason we favor Epcot on NYE.  If you get there before rope drop,  you're at or near the front of the lot.  No need to even ride the tram, just hike the sidewalk under the bridge and go.

 

One of the things I like least about WDW is the bottleneck of getting out of MK after closing on a busy night.

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

I've only been in a park once on New Years eve, and that was just sorta kinda.  We left the Fort to go watch the NYE fireworks outside the park right in front of the boat ramp.  Some folks wanted a snack and something to drink, and I had an active Annual Pass, so I did go inside the park and up Mainstreet a bit to get some popcorn and soft drinks, then left again.  Mainstreet was pretty jammed and I really wouldn't want to hold down a piece of concrete there.

 

What was nice is I think we had a better view of the 360 fireworks outside the park, and then we were right in front of the boat when they ended, and a boat was waiting.  We boarded and hightailed it back to the Fort :)

[dblr....Rennie 224]

Departure is one reason we favor Epcot on NYE.  If you get there before rope drop,  you're at or near the front of the lot.  No need to even ride the tram, just hike the sidewalk under the bridge and go.

 

One of the things I like least about WDW is the bottleneck of getting out of MK after closing on a busy night.

 

Yes the drive out of the park was bad but I meant just trying to walk out of the MK to get to any transportation mode, once you got out the gate the crowds would criss cross each other to get to what they wanted to ride on. If they could have divided the monorail and the bus lines early to at least try to divide the people heading to each. Yes I know that I am asking a lot here, I mean to have people READ and FOLLOW simple directions is to much to ask so I guess I will just have to grin and bear it and still enjoy our New Years Eve in the MK!!!!

      WOW that almost sounds like a TROLL RANTTM

[Lou... 3,118]

If I ever went to Epcot for NYE, which I will never do, I would not park in the main parking lot at Epcot. I park in the BW overflow lot and enter through the International Gateway.

The walk to your car afterwards is shorter, and no tram. Then you're outta there with no hassle.

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

If you go, you must yell Fuego!

[DavinD 4]

Sounds like I should switch my fast passes to Epcot then and just stay the whole day.  While I'd likely prefer to stay at the trailer for NYE, it's just one of those things I'd like to experience once.  If anyone with 11-12 year olds want to get together and make new friends, let me know.  I have 2 boys 11 and 12.

[DavinD 4]

If I ever went to Epcot for NYE, which I will never do, I would not park in the main parking lot at Epcot. I park in the BW overflow lot and enter through the International Gateway.

The walk to your car afterwards is shorter, and no tram. Then you're outta there with no hassle.

 

BW?  This abbreviation escapes me.

[devores 382]

Every park, minus AK, will have fireworks at midnight. For HS, this causes a huge problem. They shut down the entire back of the park for the fireworks one hour prior to and 45 mins after the fireworks. So, everyone in the park will be on Hollywood Blvd. This is not a pleasant experience.

 

This year, MK will hold less people. The reason is, on NYE they open the bypass for guests to use and hold a dance party in the area. Fireworks are viewable from the area so it will hold aprox 5000 people. The bypass area is closed for construction this year so those extra guests will be crammed into other areas. You may not think an extra 5000 people would make a difference, but it does.

 

EPCOT has a cool little known experience where they celebrate new years in each country in world showcase as it happens. Its nice, but the fireworks are the same illuminations with an extended ending. EPCOT does have more area to cram people, but it will be crowded.

 

 

Biggest advice is, pick a park, get there at opening, and do not leave, for any reason. All parks will hit capacity at some point. I would save a park ticket and watch the fireworks from a beach.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

BW?  This abbreviation escapes me.

 

Boardwalk

[JaimeN 8]

Sounds like I should switch my fast passes to Epcot then and just stay the whole day.  While I'd likely prefer to stay at the trailer for NYE, it's just one of those things I'd like to experience once.  If anyone with 11-12 year olds want to get together and make new friends, let me know.  I have 2 boys 11 and 12.

I'll be at the Fort with my kids. I have a 9 and 10 year old son. And a 6-year-old daughter who will pitch a fit if she can't play with the boys. We'll probably be somewhere in the 300 loop.

[Lou... 3,118]

I've only been in a park once on New Years eve, and that was just sorta kinda.

We left the Fort to go watch the NYE fireworks outside the park right in front of the boat ramp.  

What was nice is I think we had a better view of the 360 fireworks outside the park, and then we were right in front of the boat when they ended, and a boat was waiting.  We boarded and hightailed it back to the Fort

 

Agreed, I think we may have been with you that year. Much better than watching from a beach. You get the full impact without having to use an admission to go inside a park.

Since then, it's the only way we've watched the 4th, and NYE fireworks at MK.

[c_line 1]

Sounds like I should switch my fast passes to Epcot then and just stay the whole day.  While I'd likely prefer to stay at the trailer for NYE, it's just one of those things I'd like to experience once.  If anyone with 11-12 year olds want to get together and make new friends, let me know.  I have 2 boys 11 and 12.

 

 

I'll be at the Fort with my kids. I have a 9 and 10 year old son. And a 6-year-old daughter who will pitch a fit if she can't play with the boys. We'll probably be somewhere in the 300 loop.

 

We have a preferred site and need a pet loop, so I guess we'll be in 300 too (unless they run out of room in that loop?).  Travelling with our 13 year old son (and our 24 year old son).  We'll have other family there too but the other kids are older and all but one other have all been at WDW countless times.  This is his first trip so he may not be able to keep up with them.  We're there from Dec 24 to...  Well, we're not sure.  Have reservations until the 10th.  Were thinking of heading home on the 7th but now other family members are staying until the 10th so maybe we'll extend our stay too.  The big expense is the fuel and the park tickets - to stay for three more nights only makes sense, right?  

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

The TCD gang rang in 2013 at Epcot-

Here's a link to a post in my TR describing our experience: http://www.fortfiends.net/forum/topic/8695-bel13ve-in-magic-the-tcd-gang-rings-in-2013-at-the-fort/page-12#entry235617

I distinctly remember as I stood in that crowd making a mental note to never ever come back to Epcot on NYE.

But, with the passing of time, I am tempted to return.

In case anyone doesn't know- the MK performs the entire NYE fireworks show at midnight on both the 30th and 31st. Last year, we watched the MK NYE fireworks from inside the park on the 30th, and the crowds really weren't bad at all.

TCD

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

The TCD gang rang in 2013 at Epcot-

Here's a link to a post in my TR describing our experience: http://www.fortfiends.net/forum/topic/8695-bel13ve-in-magic-the-tcd-gang-rings-in-2013-at-the-fort/page-12#entry235617

I distinctly remember as I stood in that crowd making a mental note to never ever come back to Epcot on NYE.

But, with the passing of time, I am tempted to return.

In case anyone doesn't know- the MK performs the entire NYE fireworks show at midnight on both the 30th and 31st. Last year, we watched the MK NYE fireworks from inside the park on the 30th, and the crowds really weren't bad at all.

TCD

Fuego!

[Travisma 1,317]

BW?  This abbreviation escapes me.

If you can get into the Boardwalk overflow lot, and if you don't mind walking, there is a walkway from Boardwalk to Hollywood Studios along the canal. It's not that far and it's a pleasant walk. Of course you still have to put up with the HS crowds.