Magic Kingdom - 31 December - practical question

[boeledi]

Hi,

I am based in Europe and will spend with my wife and son 1 day in Magic Kingdom on 31 December.
I try to find a place to eat before celebrating the New Year in the Park.
It seems that all restaurants are already fully booked...

As I have never been there, I have no clue where to go or do, how easy it is to leave the Park and re-enter... From Internet, it is not obvious...

What would be your advice? Where to go ?

Many thanks in advance,

 

[dreamfinder]

Were you planning on staying in the park through the fireworks? If so, your best bet would most likely end up being doing counter service. You can see the listing and menus here -> http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining-filtered/quick-service/operating/magic-kingdom.htm That is typically one of the busiest days if the year, so the table service locations likely filled up well in advance. On a normal day, leaving and re-entering the park isn't hard to do at all. Simply rescan your admission media and you will be let back in. However, due to crowds they may hit capacity and prevent people from re-entering the park. One of the restaurants at the Contemporary Hotel (a 5-10 minute walk from the park gates) has dinner availability for a party of 3 on NYE, however you do risk not being able to get back in. Do keep in mind that the park will most likely be very busy, and if you haven't already bought your tickets and booked FastPass+ to ensure you get some rides in, you may want to do so immediately.

 

[Minnie Mum]

I agree with Dreamfinders advice. You've selected one of the most crowded days of the year to visit. Attempting to leave and reenter the park is very risky, especially if you are staying at a non a Disney hotel because they almost always have a capacity closure.

I'm not surprised that the table service restaurants are fully booked. You'll have to be satisfied with one of the counter service restaurants. Expect long lines and difficulty finding tables during peak meal times. Try to eat either early or late.

Capacity closures ( there are 4 stages depending on the type of ticket you have and where you are staying) can begin fairly early, so if you are staying offsite, make sure you have purchased your tickets in advance. And plan on being at the park gates by the actual opening time. Be aware that traffic to the MK will likely be horrible, with a long line waiting to get into the parking lots.

To avoid at least a few of the very long attraction queues, buy your tickets NOW, and (try to) book your FPs. Selection at this late date will be poor.

 

[Sabriel]

1. Get there early in the day and prepare to stay through 1 am at the very least (the crowding when it’s time to leave is no joke). There will also be long lines for the rides.

2. Keep checking every day for table service if that’s what you want, as people will sometimes cancel at the last minute (got Ohana for NYE this way one time), but as mentioned upthread, you may need to do quick service.

3. If you do have to go the quick service route, give yourself enough time to wait in line and find seating before you’re ready to actually eat. Personally, I like to grab a spot over by Casey’s and eat there while watching the fireworks even if the view is a bit obstructed, but on a day like NYE, people tend to camp out hours in advance.

4. If you don’t absolutely have to be at MK that day, try table service at one of the resorts. The ones with fireworks views will probably be booked, but there’s no harm in checking, and you can always time dinner early enough to then get to a spot where you can see them anyway (the Polynesian Village resort’s beach, for example, though you do have to be a guest at that resort).

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

December 31 is actually consistently THE most crowded day of the year...

So I would not venture out and go back. Just my opinion.

The bad news you won't get into a restaurant...the good news is that the MK sit downs are frankly pretty bad...maybe the worst as far as quality on the propery as a group...but the quickserves are ok...not nearly as bad as mgm's...

So I think I'd treat it as a bit of a sampling tour if it were me...

Just skip pinnochio's...blech...

 

[Mista C]

This sounds like an epic disaster in the making... but Happy New Year!