How crowded is New Year's Eve?

French Quarter

French Quarter

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I am curious about crowds on New Year's Eve. I had always assumed that WDW would be overflowing with people on that night but recently someone said something that made me think that maybe this isn't true.

I would be most interested in visiting Epcot that night. They seem to handle crowds better, probably because of size. I assume MK is a madhouse.

Has anyone been to WDW on NYE? What was it like?
 
epcotisbest

epcotisbest

Well-Known Member
French Quarter said:
I am curious about crowds on New Year's Eve. I had always assumed that WDW would be overflowing with people on that night but recently someone said something that made me think that maybe this isn't true.

I would be most interested in visiting Epcot that night. They seem to handle crowds better, probably because of size. I assume MK is a madhouse.

Has anyone been to WDW on NYE? What was it like?
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Ever been in a sardine can?
 
Jae99

Jae99

Well-Known Member
We spent last NYE at Epcot. It is extremely busy!!!!!!! BUT!!!! It is also extremely fun!!!!!! Just be prepared to deal with lots of crowds and not being able to do many more rides than your FP+ allows. We were able to ride SSE, Test track, Nemo, Turtle talk with Crush,Mission Space, Captain EO, the imagination ride and Sum of all Thrills.Get to the park before noon and be prepared to spend the day. If you are staying on property use the buses, there was a very long line of cars to get into the parking lot (VERY LONG). Make sure you make an ADR at one of the TS restaurants if you want a nice place to eat that is not a quick service spot. I would also suggest that you make a couple of ADR's one for lunch and one for a late dinner. And stake out a spot to watch the New Years show a couple of hours before it starts.

This is a day to spend with family and relax and enjoy the atmosphere. It is a huge party around the World showcase lagoon, just wander the different countries and enjoy some drinks and the multitude of music and parties.

The NYE version of Illuminations is definitely something to witness and being able to do it with many thousands of other people makes for an unforgettable night.
 
DisneyPrincess5

DisneyPrincess5

Well-Known Member
Done it once-fun but not my pace. It'll definitely be crowded but it'll be fun. Just go into it remembering that and you'll be golden. Have a great time!
 
Jae99

Jae99

Well-Known Member
You could always try to watch the NYE fireworks at the MK from the Ticket and Transportation Centre. I would not get to discouraged about Epcot. I think if you are a Disney fan it is something you should try once. We went as a family of 6 the oldest was 72 the youngest was my 11 yr old daughter. To see the look on her face after the finale of the fireworks was worth every minute spent in the park (she still talks about how awesome that night was). We had a great time just enjoying the park and chatting with all kinds of people from all over the world.
 
Jae99

Jae99

Well-Known Member
French Quarter said:
That was kind of my thought....that the atmosphere would be worth it. I'm less concerned with visiting the attractions.
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I think it is something that should be done once in Disney fans life. It is an incredible party with the most amazing fireworks show I have ever seen to end the night. If you really want to double down on your NYE fireworks spectaculars I would suggest visiting the MK on the 30th. They show the NYE fireworks on the 30th and 31st.
 
WhatJaneSays

WhatJaneSays

Well-Known Member
MK is indeed the maddest of mad houses on NYE. However it is definitely a life experience to have if the opportunity arises.

Though I tend toward Epcot. Last year I went after work: left work about 8:15 and was in the park on the way to food by 9:00. There were already many people camped out then but there were still many good spots open. Epcot is normally is open until 1 and all the entertainment is still going.
 
P

PrincessJackie

New Member
French Quarter said:
Ok. I guess my initial thoughts about crowds were probably right. Anyone have any experience at DHS?
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My husband and I did New Years Eve at Hollywood Studios last year. It was crowded, but not unbearable crowded. More like an average day at MK during Spring break crowded. We actually had lots of fun! We got there mid-morning and stayed until after midnight. We did an early lunch ADR at Mama Melrose's (11am I think) and a late dinner ADR at Hollywood Brown Derby. Timed dinner so that we finished the meal about 11:30pm. Walked right out of the restaurant and was able to find a good spot to watch the fireworks and hear/see the music (Mulch, Sweat and Shears played, as well as a DJ dance party). In between lunch and dinner we did the Frozen dessert party, so we had an hour and a half to have a few drinks and desserts while relaxing and enjoying the Osborne lights. Throughout the day we rode several rides (3 FP rides plus others), saw the Frozen sing-along, watched "Mickey's Christmas Carol" (it was running in one of the theaters) and saw the live holiday comedy show that was running in another theater. We waited about half an hour after the fireworks ended before leaving the park and parking lot (we drove). It still took longer that normal, but not unbearable with a little patience. I would absolutely do it again.

Another suggestion...MK does a "dress rehearsal" of their NYE fireworks (which are AMAZING) the night before (Dec. 30). We got late dinner reservations (9:30pm) at California Grill on the 30th. We planned for a long, leisurely meal. That night the restaurant stayed open long enough for late diners to go out on the observation deck and watch the fireworks. We finished our meal around 11:30pm. We ordered a drink and they told us we were welcome to relax and hang around for fireworks which started at 11:50pm. We settled our bill, went outside and saw the entire show. No fighting huge crowds after - we went downstairs and had the valet get our car and we were on our way back to our resort.
 
Jae99

Jae99

Well-Known Member
WhatJaneSays said:
MK is indeed the maddest of mad houses on NYE. However it is definitely a life experience to have if the opportunity arises.

Though I tend toward Epcot. Last year I went after work: left work about 8:15 and was in the park on the way to food by 9:00. There were already many people camped out then but there were still many good spots open. Epcot is normally is open until 1 and all the entertainment is still going.
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We booked it out of Epcot after the fireworks ended. We stood between Canada and England right at the entrance to the World Showplace pavilion. After the fireworks they opened up a route to exit backstage that let our right at the Land Pavilion. We beat all the crowds out and were back at our hotel before 1 am.
 
DfromATX

DfromATX

Well-Known Member
I've been to MK on NYE and July 4. I remember our trip on July 4 being way too hot and way too crowded. (We will never again go in July.) It was crowded on NYE, but not as bad as July 4, not to mention, much cooler and incredibly festive!
 
NYwdwfan

NYwdwfan

Well-Known Member
epcotisbest said:
Interesting thread but I could not really see the crowd for all the people.
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crowd2.jpg
 

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