NYE: MK or Epcot?

[castevens]

Hey everyone!

My wife and I are going on our delayed honeymoon on a cruise starting Jan 1, and we decided to go a day early and stay at WDW (where we got engaged).

We understand that both parks are going to be hellishly busy during new year's eve, but we'd rather be at a Disney park than be alone at a hotel near the airport watching TV and waiting for our bus to Port Canaveral.

Here's our dilemma: We got engaged in the MK during Wishes and we love the idea of two different fireworks shows on NYE at MK. We've never seen the tree and castle lit up, we've only been during Spring Break time and Summertime.

Epcot is our favorite park, we LOVE the rides there. We love the fact that alcohol can be served, the older crowd, and the expansive space.

We're literally 50/50 right now, and we'd love to incorporate your opinions into our decision.

Thanks in advance!

 

[wdwwdeagle]

one vote for magic kingdom.

the romantic in me says this is the place to be for the reasons that you mention, plus... snow on main street is amazing.... the nye fireworks with perimeter are incredible.... MK (usually) stays open later on nye than epcot.... and it's your honeymoon(!) -- what better time to be romantic!

I think you won't regret choosing MK.

 

[Mr.EPCOT]

EPCOT, hands down. Fantastic atmosphere, they've got a digital laser countdown going on Spaceship Earth, fun dance parties throughout the park, and they do IllumiNations twice. Once with the Peace on Earth holiday ending, and then again before midnight with a special a countdown ending, where they set off fireworks at each country in the order of their time zones. Big crowds, but much easier to handle due to the immense size of the park. Magic Kingdom is a NIGHTMARE. Plus, they do their special show the night before, too, if you really wanted to see it.

 

[David S.]

Hey everyone!

My wife and I are going on our delayed honeymoon on a cruise starting Jan 1, and we decided to go a day early and stay at WDW (where we got engaged).

We understand that both parks are going to be hellishly busy during new year's eve, but we'd rather be at a Disney park than be alone at a hotel near the airport watching TV and waiting for our bus to Port Canaveral.

Here's our dilemma: We got engaged in the MK during Wishes and we love the idea of two different fireworks shows on NYE at MK. We've never seen the tree and castle lit up, we've only been during Spring Break time and Summertime.

Epcot is our favorite park, we LOVE the rides there. We love the fact that alcohol can be served, the older crowd, and the expansive space.

We're literally 50/50 right now, and we'd love to incorporate your opinions into our decision.

Thanks in advance!

If you get there one day earlier you could have "the best of both worlds" and experience both, since the MK does their midnight "Fantasy In The Sky" New Years Eve fireworks show on both New Year's Eve and New Year's Eve Eve (ie, the 30th and 31st)! (with the same Christmas entertainment in the park on both days)

I've gone to the MK on NYE the past 4 years and had an AWESOME time!

Then again, it's my favorite park that feels the most "Magical" to me, and I love the more Fantasy-based theme of their Fireworks (and the park in general!) I also love seeing the Castle light up with the Christmas lights; the Christmas Tree, decorations, and Christmas music loop on Main Street; the "Celebrate the Season" Castle show with the characters; the Christmas version of Wishes ("Holiday Wishes"); and the "Once Upon A Christmastime" Christmas parade; which runs during the day on NYE twice!

Getting a good spot for the fireworks has never been an issue for me since I like watching them in less-crowded Fantasyland. And since I get to the park at rope drop, I don't have to worry about the park reaching capacity before I can get in.

Also, since I get there so early and stay to the usual 2 AM closing (I see it's only listed as midnight for now, but that will probably be extended to AT LEAST 1 AM), I am able to start collecting FPs bright and early and have no trouble doing every attraction in the park, even with all the breaks from attractions that I take to enjoy the Christmas entertainment package described above.

After the midnight Fantasy In the Sky fireworks end, I enjoy starting the New Year off with rides on my favorite Disney attractions! (either with walk-on queues or with FPs I collected earlier)

However, in my case, the lack of alcohol at MK is a non-issue for me, and I don't feel the need to be in an "older crowd" as I'm just a big kid at heart myself!

If you only have one day and if Epcot is your favorite park and prefer those attractions, this combined with these other factors you mentioned might make it the better choice for your tastes, and I would hate to influence someone based on what works best for me if I have different tastes.

I haven't been to Epcot on NYE, but I do know that I prefer the Christmas atmosphere of the MK better than that at Epcot, and for that reason, combined with the fact that MK is my fave park in general, is why I always choose MK for NYE.

PS. Thanks for your post! It's making me excited about the 2010 Holiday season already! It's my fave time of the year, and in the parks!

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

If you get there one day earlier you could have "the best of both worlds" and experience both, since the MK does their midnight "Fantasy In The Sky" New Years Eve fireworks show on both New Year's Eve and New Year's Eve Eve (ie, the 30th and 31st)! (with the same Christmas entertainment in the park on both days)

Thats what we did a couple of years ago - two New Years Eves in two nights !!!

 

[castevens]

Thats what we did a couple of years ago - two New Years Eves in two nights !!!

Thanks for the help everyone!

Unfortunately, the 'best of both worlds' option won't work for us, as we are already taking the next week off, plus friday of the week before. It's not feasible with either of our jobs to take off thursday also (not to mention the additional cost - the 1 day/2 nights in Disney is nearly as expensive as the food-included 7-day cruise with a balcony!).

 

[Zummi Gummi]

If you want a longer, later party, then go to the MK. The festivities at Epcot wrap up shortly after midnight, while with EMH, the party at MK is just getting going.

 

[Master Gracey 5]

We'll actually be there for NYE ourselves. I think after looking at the hours and getting some advice from the boards that we're going to be at Epcot for the evening where we'll have dinner and watch the fireworks, then walk over to DHS since they have EMH until 3am!

 

[durangojim]

We'll actually be there for NYE ourselves. I think after looking at the hours and getting some advice from the boards that we're going to be at Epcot for the evening where we'll have dinner and watch the fireworks, then walk over to DHS since they have EMH until 3am!

This +1

DHS is a great place to spend NYE. We've done it twice and had dinner at the Brown Derby both times, then strolled around New York street while enjoying an adult libation. Made for a really nice evening.