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New Year's Eve
- Thread starter LilWalt
- Start date
CAPTAIN HOOK
Well-Known Member
You're going to have to get to your chosen park EARLY - I mean REALLY EARLY - mid morning at the latest to be sure to get in and avoid any disappointment.
Get any dinner reservations booked as soon as you can
Get any dinner reservations booked as soon as you can
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Agree with this. When we were there a couple of years ago, we did MK on the 30th (both MK and Epcot celebrate Dec. 30th and 31st so you can do 1 park one day and the other the next). MK parking lot was closed before 10:00 am in the morning. We were staying on property and our bus from Pop Century (we didn't leave the resort until around 9:00 am) had to detour via EPCOT so we could avoid the traffic jam on the road leading to MK. Took us about 40 min to do the 20 minute trip. The parking lots were already full and closed by the time we arrived at the MK bus bays. Plan on going early and not leaving the park. Make in-park dining and book fastpasses. It was the only time I've ever seen a 3 hour stand-by line for Pirates of the Caribbean. In spite of all that, it is a great party and the fireworks were amazing. Would do it again in a heartbeat.
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boilerpicc
Well-Known Member
It's been said by everyone, but get there EARLY! We went to Epcot on NYE 2011, and the crowds were insane. 4+ hour wait for Soarin. It took us more than 45 minutes just to get into the park, and that was without going through the bag check station. I don't remember exactly what time we got there, but it was definitely before lunch. There were people sitting and sleeping on every bit of grass that you could find waiting for the festivities to start. It is much more about the atmosphere than the rides on NYE. There were DJ's set up all over the world showcase, and everyone was ready for a party. Definitely a once in a lifetime kind of experience.
Now if you want to see an empty park, go to the MK at rope drop on Jan 1. No lines for anything!
Now if you want to see an empty park, go to the MK at rope drop on Jan 1. No lines for anything!
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Master Gracey 5
Active Member
Definitely do this - we did it about 5 years ago and got to experience them both.
As others are saying be there EARLY (I think we might have done morning AK on the 31st then went to Epcot before lunch time) because the parks close due to capacity by afternoon. Also don't expect to do many rides, I recall Soarin having a 4 hour standby. You can usually do shows like O Canada, Imressions de France and American Adventure with reasonable waits, and you'll want to be camping out a couple hours before midnight to have a good viewing spot. Lastly, any female in your group can expect to wait 30 mins to go to the bathroom as my sisters will attest.
Dont forget to make dinner reservations!
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CAPTAIN HOOK
Well-Known Member
We were in EPCOT NYE 2008
Yep, over 4 hours by mid afternoon. My daughters had FP for TT around 6:30 - it took them over an hour
We arrived around 10am. We took the monorail from GF to TTC and onto EPCOT. Looking out of the windows at the lines of queuing traffic at that time of the morning was amazing
We claimed a spot by the Lagoon about 6:15 and didn't move until the final Illuminations had finished.
Yep, I'd go back on NYE again, no doubt about it
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Nmoody1
Well-Known Member
I'd say check out the MK fireworks from the Polynesian on the 30th and then head to EPCOT early on NYE. Epcot has a great atmosphere and some unique entertainment... and it's the only day of the year you can justify a trip on Ellens adventure and take in the circle vision films! Early evening you get hats and horns and they set up several champagne bars around the promenade. The laser light dj in Italy is fun and the one in China is great - they have fire!!!
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Disnee4Me
Well-Known Member
The first time we did the world on NYE (MK '94-'95), we were staying off property and we tried leaving about 1 a.m. with a sleepy 4 year old and me being almost 6 months pregnant. We got to our hotel about 3 a.m. I threatened my DH I would never stay off property again. The second time we went for NYE, we got into EPCOT about 11 a.m. as we let my son sleep in as he wasn't feeling well. We did not get on one single ride the entire day. And if you are at EPCOT ... be prepared for a lot of drunk people!!
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SteamBoat6092
Member
Deff do this, we did this for this past new years.
As for the 8 year old Epcot might be a little rough, I went with my cousin and his girlfriend (we all just graduated college) and it was a ton of fun back around the countries with all the DJ's and live bands. Overall I found that the people weren't too out of control but keep in mind that it is New Years if drunk people annoy you.
**You need to get there early tho!!! It took us 2 hours to get from All Star Sports to Epcot on New Years Eve because of the way the roads are.**
Best piece of advice I can give you is that if you get tired in MK during the day go into the Carousal Of Progress and ask them if they mind you riding for a couple times around to rest and cool off!! We road it for close to an hour and slept to recharge the batteries and they didn't mind at all
We traveled on the 30th so we had a long time and were very tired long before the fireworks were set to go off.Also the fireworks on the Polynesian beach are FANTASTIC!! You of course would need a reservation in order to get on the beach as they block off walk ways and require you to scan your magic band or park pass to prove that you are staying there or have reservations. But the fireworks from the beach are beyond amazing and it allows you to miss the crowds from the park.
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PrincessVic
Member
We went to MK a few years ago for NYE. The park was at capacity by 10am, and it was heaving all day. Although our daughter was about 5 at the time, early evening we hired a stroller for her to lay down in and have a nap but she refused as was "too big for that!". So by 11, we were all very tired, and I was starting to get stressed about the crowds and attempting to leave later. So we headed out about then, and sat with a lot of other people at the ticket and transportation centre to watch the fireworks. We had a fantastic view, they had the music playing, the atmosphere was great, and best of all - we got straight in the car once it was over. Our friends stayed in MK for the fireworks and didn't get to bed until gone 4am!!!!
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@PrincessVic that's what I was thinking with an 8 yr old. With us having to get there so early and be there for around 14 - 15 hours straight.
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PrincessVic
Member
Perhaps go, but not be dead set on staying until gone midnight. Then you won't be disappointed if you do leave early - or do as we did and watch the fireworks from the other side of the lake. Then maybe get the best of both worlds as such. The atmosphere was great all day in the park, and was buzzing when we watched the fireworks
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