New Year's Eve day

[Captain Sparrow]

I will be arriving in WDW by early afternoon on December 31st (staying at Pop Century). My girlfriend and I would like to get a park in that afternoon/night since we have a 7 day hopper. Since RnRC will be going down for rehab that week, we thought we'd head over to MGM first and do a few rides there then take the boat over to Epcot for the evening. I've been to WDW many times before and would say this is doable other than the fact that it's going to be New Year's Eve day. Does anyone have any experience with this? Will we be able to leave MGM and get in to Epcot around, say, 7pm or are we better off staying in 1 park? Will we even be able to get into MGM if we get there around 2pm? Any insights or suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[amykissangel]

I'm not entirely sure, so don't take my word for it, but I DO think that if you're a Disney Hotel Guest, even when the parks are filled to capacity, you're still able to get it. Or something to that effect - I'll let someone else comment on the reliability of that statement

 

[Captain Sparrow]

Thanks! That is certainly welcome news if that's true.

 

[wdwmagic]

If I were you I would get into one park and stay there. Park closing is done in phases, starting with closing the parking lot, then day guests, then resort guests etc, until basically nobody is allowed in. It may not come to that, but it would be very bad luck to leave and park and be unable to get back into another. Epcot is a great choice for New Years Eve.

It's a shame you will miss RnR, but you've got Everest to cover your coaster needs for this one trip. Have fun!

 

[shimshim]

Since the whole topic of park closings was mentioned here, I'm going to ask my question rather than make a new entire thread as my issue is for the same day as well (New Year's Eve).

We have ADRs at the Brown Derby over in MGM around 4pm, and didn't plan on going to MGM till about 2:30/3pm due to other plans.

If they are to the point that even Disney resort guests are being slowly blocked out from getting into the park, will they let you in if you tell them you have ADRs for dinner at a certain time in the park?

 

[Yanks07]

Since the whole topic of park closings was mentioned here, I'm going to ask my question rather than make a new entire thread as my issue is for the same day as well (New Year's Eve).

We have ADRs at the Brown Derby over in MGM around 4pm, and didn't plan on going to MGM till about 2:30/3pm due to other plans.

If they are to the point that even Disney resort guests are being slowly blocked out from getting into the park, will they let you in if you tell them you have ADRs for dinner at a certain time in the park?

From what I read and heard, adr's will not help once they close the park. Love the Brown Derby. :slurp:

 

[Maleficent98]

New Years Eve Day

The best thing to do is get to the park that you want to be in for NYE and stay there. The parks do close in phases and no matter if you have an ADR, when they close the parks due to capacity they are closed. This makes for a long day but you can make it a fun one especially when going to EPCOT. That is what we plan on doing. Having fun around the world! (ok so we might be drinking around the world :lol

 

[Yanks07]

The best thing to do is get to the park that you want to be in for NYE and stay there. The parks do close in phases and no matter if you have an ADR, when they close the parks due to capacity they are closed. This makes for a long day but you can make it a fun one especially when going to EPCOT. That is what we plan on doing. Having fun around the world! (ok so we might be drinking around the world :lol

That is the best advice. We'll be at Epcot also and plan on being there for the duration, uhh, libation's

 

[dreamscometrue]

I will be arriving in WDW by early afternoon on December 31st (staying at Pop Century). My girlfriend and I would like to get a park in that afternoon/night since we have a 7 day hopper. Since RnRC will be going down for rehab that week, we thought we'd head over to MGM first and do a few rides there then take the boat over to Epcot for the evening. I've been to WDW many times before and would say this is doable other than the fact that it's going to be New Year's Eve day. Does anyone have any experience with this? Will we be able to leave MGM and get in to Epcot around, say, 7pm or are we better off staying in 1 park? Will we even be able to get into MGM if we get there around 2pm? Any insights or suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks!

That plan is similar to what we did last year. On Dec. 31st, we were at MGM from about 9am until about 2pm. Just before 2pm, we heard a rumour that MK was at capacity and Epcot was filling up. I inquired at guest services and was told that Epcot would probably be at capacity within a few hours. I did not understand different 'levels' or 'stages' of closure, so we took the boat over just after 2pm. It was awesome, but it was quite late getting back to POP (after 2am) because of the crowds.

No matter what you do New Year's Eve, I highly recommend Animal Kingdom for New Year's Day. This past Jan. 1st, only arrived at 10:45am, and it still wasn't crowded. I assume people were sleeping in after the NYE parties. We did Kali 3 times in a row (the CM let us stay on) and during the day got to do a ton of stuff without much waiting. (This was a few weeks before they started the Expedition Everest trials). The relative serenity of the park and experiences such as the Pangani and Marjarajah trails and Kilimanjaro Safaris were so relaxing after NYE and all the late nights and crowded events in the previous few days.

 

[LilDucky]

We are in the same boat (only we arrive the 30th), as my sister really wants to do RnR as well, but as other said, it's best to choose one park, and stay there. I've done NYE for 6 years straight, and the words crowded and busy are an understatement. Just moving from one end to the park to the other is tough.

However.... I think I may be able to give you some good news: MGM's EMH is that night, and if I'm not mistaken, the park will be open 'till 4am! So that's how we're going to get RnR done before it goes down for rehab! :lol:

So, I'd say stay in Epcot, relax for a while after the fireworks (there will be a mass exodus after midnight), and then head on over to MGM after a while. Maybe I'll see you there at 3am-ish? :lol: :animwink:

 

[MSTINKHERBELL01]

Epcot and Mgm sounds like a great plan. We may do that.

 

[Captain Sparrow]

Thanks!

Thanks, everyone, for all your suggestions. Based on all of your input I think we'll stick to going to MGM first and at least getting RnRC in before it goes down for rehab then asking Guest Relations whether it looks like Epcot is gonna be closing.

Thanks again!

 

[juan]

epcot is the best choice for fireworks --- its so close and nearly every spot is a good spot
also if you choose your seat right, you can see MGM's too
stay away from MK --- its just unmanageable
NYE is not that great for rides - most are 60min minimum