New Years Eve at WDW

[AJAX]

Has anyone ever opened the New Year at WDW? We booked our trip today. We'll be staying at the PO French Quarter resort, and were thinking about either Downtown Disney or EPCOT for dinner on 12/31.

This is our 9th trip to WDW, so we're familiar with most of the restaurants and attractions. But any enlightenment and advice from board members would be more than appreciated.
Thanks! :sohappy:

 

[Rdedeian]

I'm wondering that as well. I want to go for New Year's since I couldn't go this month to see the Braves and its the one of the only holiday I've never celebrated at WDW.

 

[TURKEY]

If you are going to any parks GET THERE EARLY and plan on staying at that park for the entire time. MK got closed a couple of times during Christmas/New Year's Week. I can't remember if Epcot did, but I think MGM closed on NYE.

I would go to Epcot on New Year's Eve. Illuminations is great. They have some extra added fireworks afterward.

I can't recall Downtown Disney doing much beside what goes on at PI. I would not recommend going to PI on NYE unless they have a great band that you want to see. If you go, plan on wall to wall drunks. PI is exclusively 21+ on NYE.

I don't know the dates that Priority Seatings start booking, but as soon as they do I would make one for wherever you decide to eat.

 

[kal1484]

The first time we went on NYE, we went to AK, they had fireworks. I don't think they have them there anymore though. It was awesome, cuz no one wanted to go to AK, and it was my FIRST time at AK. I can't wait till this year. Not sure which park we will go too....

 

[jcrb]

My Birthday

I try to stay there every year because it my birthday.

Last year we stayed at the All Star Music -

Rides are pretty crowed and best place to be is epcot.

One note if your outside of Mouse Gears (Epcot) you can run right on Test Track and be the first person to ride it that year.
I know I was!

 

[GoofyMike29]

PLeasure Island

Dude!!!!!
New Years at Disney is the bomb!!!!
Pleasure is happening. Definitely the spot to be if you are a pary animal and want to be out the entire night.

When I was there for the new year we went out to eat and watched fireworks at the magic kingdom. after that we headed for pleasure island and started our new year the best possible way.

 

[Lance]

I spent New Years Eve 95 and 98 in the MK.

It's a hell of a time. If you want to get into the MK, you do have to get there very early, because they do close the gates when the parks fill to capacity. So, if you leave, I don't think they let you back in(I don't know I never tried, in fear that I wouldn't get back in). Of course, the lines are ridiculous, but it's worth it. All day they set up locations where you can get hats and party horns. They count it down right on the Castle, and I was on Main Street with everyone else(it's shoulder to shoulder of people).

The best part is the MK stays open till 1 and a lot of people I think don't realize this. So we walked on Splash Mountain 4 straight times and BTR another 3 times.

 

[dakben]

I've been in Walt Disney World for New Year's Eve for the past 4 celebrations (Steve has my video of the fireworks posted here). As far as dinner goes on New Year's Eve, I'd stick with the parks. They end up shutting the gates in the morning because they reach capacity, and you can't be guaranteed to get back in if you decide to leave.

From a fireworks standpoint, I'd go to Epcot. Part of that is my love of Reflections of Earth, but the finale is spectacular. On the other hand, they do show Sorcery in the Sky at the Studios, which was really good to see again this year. I've always thought that Magic Kingdom's special fireworks displays are overrated and not worth dealing with the crowds (even though all the parks are crowded). At Epcot, you will be able to see the Studios' fireworks display, Downtown Disney's Fireworks display, and part of the Magic Kingdom's show.

Speaking of Downtown Disney's fireworks show, they have been known to do a dress rehearsal of their New Year's Eve Fireworks show on the 28th or 29th of December. I saw it two different years while waiting for the Comedy Warehouse....it's a great 15 minute show. It's worth at least checking it out....(and who doesn't love the Comedy Warehouse?).

 

[Bongo]

What a blast?

Don't even wonder anymore AJAX?

You've make the best choice of your life!

I was in WDW for NYE 3 times in my life: in 1991, 2000 and 2001. Unfortunately 3 months ago i couldn't be there, but oh boy was I frustrated to stay here... anyway.

Once, in 1991, I was in PI. The place was brand new at that time and it was a hell of a party. Now that I grew older (!), we chose to go to Epcot for Dec. 31st, 1999 and Dec. 31st 2000.

Everybody tells you to go early in the morning of the 31 in a park of your choice and don't go out of that park: it's right, even in 1991 it was that way. The parks are filled to maximum capacity. Dec 31, 1999 was a delirious night, the most biggest super hyper party I've never seen of my life!!!! Dec 31st, 2000 was intending to be as good unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate with us down there. The temperature was about 25-30 degrees at Epcot that night and between 9 o'clock PM and 11:45 everybody was freezing. At that time everybody went out of the restaurants, shops and attractions to celebrate the new year, but the 2 hours before were the coolest I've ever encountered in Florida.

So plan a few "winter" gear in your backpack, just in case because that day all what was called hat was being sold before 3 in the afternoon. I saw many people being ed off with that unclement weather (of course everyone thinks Fl is so hot, but not that day).

You know, we had a simple dinner in one of the take-out restaurants. Dec 31, 99 and Dec 31, 00 it was at the San Angel Inn Cantina. Food was OK and service was fast. Make a PS arrangement if you plan to go in a sitdown restaurant, which I would NOT recommend at all. Having a long dinner makes you miss a lot of the action that is going on at Epcot that day. There are things to do everywhere, you will have never seen it like this.

There are 2 Illuminations show that night (at least it was like that in 2001, 2002) one at 7 PM (or 7:30) and one at 11:45. The one that saluted year 2000 was the biggest one I've seen in my life, ouf! incredible. In 2001 it was a little simpler but still very good.

So unless you're someone that absolutely need a big "pranzo" a big dinner that night, have a short one and enjoy the million of things to do at Epcot.

Another tip, if you feel drinking champagne or sparkling wine, go inside the Germany pavillon and buy a bottle there, they will put in a plastic "glass" for you to walk on the promenade: they don't tolerate glass bottle. This way you will pay less for more than the champagne they sell at the outside booths. You know that they know how to make money, so many folks end up paying a glass for almost half the cost of the bottle. So you end up saving because a bottle contains more than 2 glass... :king:

Another point: I will try anything possible to be there Dec. 31st, 2002 to welcome the NEW YEAR 2003.

Bongo

 

[Domboy]

We went to Epcot for NYE

Excellent Night - and they do close entry - even for those guests staying in the resorts.

Dont know what MK is like - we were at MK in Paris this year and that was good.

Dont think you can beat the fireworks at Epcot though - always amaze me

 

[MKCustodial]

I was working during the millenium celebration, 1999, and it was WONDERFUL! MK had fireworks all around the park, the night turned into day. The effect was even better because of the Y2K thing. They had turned all the lights out, and all the rides, and made everybody stand outside in the streets. It was incredible.
But I do reinforce, the parks close up early, they get really full, and you'll NOT be able to come back if you leave. If I had to choose nowadays, I'd go to MK (to start the New Year with Tink!) or to MGM, now that I found out they have Sorcery in the Sky.