EPCOT Multiple 3-hour+ waits at EPCOT

[Tha Realest]

So I guess EPCOT just uniquely attracts people for New Year's and this is the new normal to avoid it on this day, yearly.

What gives? You're seriously asking?

It's NYE. At Epcot. It is jammed every. single. year. This nothing new.

If only they had a dedicated nightlife area which catered to adults that want to drink and dance where it was New Year’s Eve every night…

 

[Centauri Space Station]

At this point EPCOT only has one Omnimover worth doing which is still a sad shadow of what it used to be. While EPCOT's other omnimover no one in their right mind would subject themselves to hopefully about to enter its 24th and final year.

Nemo is an omnimover and a lot better than a 4 min ride through an aquarium you’re about to see from the other side. LWTL is also a people eater.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I don’t want to say I called this but I kind of did.

Wasn’t there tonight…but was 2 years ago

Good fun with the chaps

 

[Comped]

Counting down the different times in each pavilion is an adorable idea.

You do have to choose between the US and Canadian pavilions though. And between Norway and Germany and France...

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

At this point, is it as dumb to go to the parks on New Year’s Eve as going to the Times Square ball drop?

Short answer - I genuinely feel sorry for anyone going to the parks on new years expecting any type of normal park experience.

But if you’re there for a fun new years - it’s a great time! Personally Epcot get a bit too rowdy for me with all the drinking. Back in the day I used to celebrate at Hollywood studios with comedy warehouse shows and then a legit fireworks show with mulch playing the music live - super fun.

I’ve also done new years at MK - with the double launches for the fireworks I watch behind the castle and then jump on mine train with no wait as soon as the show is over - great way to start the new year!

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

If only they had a dedicated nightlife area which catered to adults that want to drink and dance where it was New Year’s Eve every night…

Yep

Short answer - I genuinely feel sorry for anyone going to the parks on new years expecting any type of normal park experience.

But if you’re there for a fun new years - it’s a great time! Personally Epcot get a bit too rowdy for me with all the drinking. Back in the day I used to celebrate at Hollywood studios with comedy warehouse shows and then a legit fireworks show with mulch playing the music live - super fun.

I’ve also done new years at MK - with the double launches for the fireworks I watch behind the castle and then jump on mine train with no wait as soon as the show is over - great way to start the new year!

Magic kingdom appears to have not gotten the “mobbed” memo…it was not really juiced all day

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Magic kingdom appears to have not gotten the “mobbed” memo…it was not really juiced all day

I wonder what they capped the attendance at?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I wonder what they capped the attendance at?

gates were wide open all day

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

gates were wide open all day

But reservations were full I’m guessing?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

But reservations were full I’m guessing?

For the incredipass…the only one that even qualifies

 

[HMF]

You can't buy a "Drink Around The Magic Kingdom" T-shirt.

That will probably be ushered in by the next CEO.

 

[HMF]

Nemo is an omnimover and a lot better than a 4 min ride through an aquarium you’re about to see from the other side. LWTL is also a people eater.

You are right I forgot about Nemo. Sometimes there are things I actually forget about because I so wish they didn't exist.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Just watched video of the “fireworks” at studios - super short and all basic pyro. Still looks great in that park but boy do I miss the “real” fireworks at studios.

It’s better than just showing the projection show so little steps.

 

[Gringrinngghost]

The Final Epcot Average Waits today:
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind: 3 hours 5 minutes 6 seconds
Test Track: 2 hours 28 minutes 5 seconds
Remy's Ratatouille Adventure: 1 hours 44 minutes 27 seconds
Frozen Ever After: 1 hours 34 minutes 5 seconds
Soarin' Around the World: 1 hours 31 minutes 28 seconds
Mission: SPACE: 57 minutes 47 seconds
Spaceship Earth: 42 minutes 25 seconds
Living with the Land: 33 minutes 53 seconds
The Seas with Nemo & Friends: 32 minutes 59 seconds
Journey Into Imagination With Figment: 25 minutes 27 seconds
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros: 23 minutes 17 seconds
Turtle Talk With Crush: 22 minutes 53 seconds

Meet and Greets:
Meet Anna and Elsa at Royal Sommerhus: 46 minutes 35 seconds
Meet Beloved Disney Pals at Mickey & Friends: 45 minutes 32 seconds

You can see it in a graph here: https://snapshots.raintank.io/dashb...ewPanel=2&from=1767182400000&to=1767250800000

 

[jah4955]

You can't buy a "Drink Around The Magic Kingdom" T-shirt.

yet.

 

[nickys]

1. Christmas Week has not been as bad post-COVID/price hikes, I thought the era of 220 minute waits was generally over and it seems to be for most parks.

2. None of the other parks besides EPCOT have absurd 3.5 hour waits, especially not for multiple rides.

3. Confused why people are defending it.

Are you familiar with New Year’s around the world?
Early afternoon at Epcot means it’s already NY in say China or Japan. Followed by Morocco and Europe …..

That’s why there are dance parties and countdowns happening around WS, all of which draws people to the park. And most then want to do rides - being at a theme park.

This really isn’t a new phenomenon for Epcot.

 

[nickys]

I don’t want to say I called this but I kind of did.

Gosh, who’d have thought there would be crowds of people at the UK pavilion at 7pm?
Next you’ll be telling me that at midnight there were crowds of people all over the park. And MK. And the resorts.

 

[Tjaden]

My last CP day was Dec 31, 2009 at EPCOT. It was more insane than every other day combined. The verbal assault from guests that day to just about every cast member on fireworks control was something else. As a 20 year old in his last day working it just made me laugh, but I can remember FT cast and coordinators giving it back to guests in ways I didn't think was possible.

"Get out of the ******* bushes" was yelled multiple times.

Ahhh good times.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Are you familiar with New Year’s around the world?
Early afternoon at Epcot means it’s already NY in say China or Japan. Followed by Morocco and Europe …..

That’s why there are dance parties and countdowns happening around WS, all of which draws people to the park. And most then want to do rides - being at a theme park.

This really isn’t a new phenomenon for Epcot.

Epcot had an imbalance for sure

What was shocking from others I know that were in parks yesterday was how almost “light” the others were

Especially magic kingdom and DAK

weird

 

[WorldExplorer]

Epcot had an imbalance for sure

What was shocking from others I know that were in parks yesterday was how almost “light” the others were

Especially magic kingdom and DAK

weird

DAK's hours are stupid; it closed at 7 on New Years Eve, now it's open to 8 for a bit (I've said it before and I'll say it again: anyone who thinks they're forced to close at 6 due to lack of options is demonstrably wrong), but then we're going back to the ridiculous 6 o'clock closures around the last days for Dinosaur.

It was light yesterday because it was the only park you couldn't stay up late in.