Walt Disney World Holiday Season 2024

[DisneyFanatic12]

So what's it actually been like yesterday and today at the parks? Any limitations on getting in? Any difficulties?

Not to my knowledge. I think the only limitation was that Poly was closed to pedestrians to help with managing the beach blast crowds.

As for the parks, felt busier than last year but still not like how I remember pre-Covid.

 

[Cliff]

Wait,...I get Magic Kingdom blocking Annual Passholders, that's normal,...but they were still selling single-day tickets to anybody today? That can't be right. Tonight "should" always be filled to fire marshal capacity. This day is like that almost every year that I can remember (aside from peak pandemic years)

This can't be correct.

 

[gerarar]

Does anyone know what the fireworks show will actually be at DHS tonight? Everyone seems to be pretty hush hush on it so far… and I’m not sure if that’s because it’s a last minute addition to the schedule or people know it won’t be any good. Any details are appreciated. I’d love to know if they’re using the primary launch location across World Drive.

Doesn't look like the World Drive launchers were used tonight..
But there was substantially more low pyro on the Chinese Theater and adjacent buildings than in years past. Ton of comets and crosettes.

 

[DisneyFanatic12]

but they were still selling single-day tickets to anybody today

No, not to my knowledge. At least for Magic and Epcot. After Covid with the reservations they really changed how they manage the NYE crowds. Now they just stop selling tickets and don’t hit fire capacity for the most part. Don’t think fire capacity has been hit since Covid, but they fill pretty close to what they used to start a phased closure at. It’s actually quite impressive how well it’s controlled, to be honest.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Had no problem hopping from MK to Epcot, then skyliner to HS, then skyliner back to Epcot. Crowds felt pretty light tbh compared to other NYE‘S. HS didn’t feel busy at all. Lighting lanes were all pretty empty as per the post-DAS overhaul normal.

 

[Tom P.]

Just thinking towards the future... if someone has a multi-day ticket with Park Hopper, do you think getting into MK and Epcot on the 30th and 31st is pretty doable? I know they used to hit capacity every year, but now it doesn't seem like that's happening.

 

[Squishy]

Doesn't look like the World Drive launchers were used tonight..
But there was substantially more low pyro on the Chinese Theater and adjacent buildings than in years past. Ton of comets and crosettes.

Yikes this is really sad when you look back 8 years

 

[Squishy]

I noticed the Epcot pavilion perimeter pyro had a delay of 1 second kind of messing up the show sync and countdown.

 

[jrhwdw]

Yikes this is really sad when you look back 8 years

Yep! That was the Best NYE Show(Music Wise) I've Seen at DHS!!!!

Why DHS never figured out High Pyro after SWGE is Nuts!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[castlecake2.0]

Doesn't look like the World Drive launchers were used tonight..
But there was substantially more low pyro on the Chinese Theater and adjacent buildings than in years past. Ton of comets and crosettes.

That was … lame

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

I noticed they used Epcots 90’s version of Auld Lang Syne and cut out we just begun to dream. That was a disappointment tho, imagine all those people thinking there going to get a spectacular NYE show and thought I’d rather be at Epcot or Magic Kingdom? I hope that guest relations desk was mobbed.

 

[aladdin2007]

I noticed they used Epcots 90’s version of Auld Lang Syne and cut out we just begun to dream. That was a disappointment tho, imagine all those people thinking there going to get a spectacular NYE show and thought I’d rather be at Epcot or Magic Kingdom? I hope that guest relations desk was mobbed.

not only that but the show lacks something, first of all too many of the pavilions are in pitch darkness, they cant use spotlights or projections or something on the ones that don't have any lights? It was mentioned above the timing was off, it did seem out of sync, its an odd show and feels cobbled together.

 

[LivingWithTheMotherLand]

I noticed they used Epcots 90’s version of Auld Lang Syne and cut out we just begun to dream. That was a disappointment tho, imagine all those people thinking there going to get a spectacular NYE show and thought I’d rather be at Epcot or Magic Kingdom? I hope that guest relations desk was mobbed.

Epcot’s was seriously lame last night. Huge disappointment.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Epcot’s was seriously lame last night. Huge disappointment.

We were over at MK but did Epcott on the 30th. Honestly anyone that could call being at WDW for new years lame is either such a troll or Karen that they should really just stop using the oxygen that other less terrible people could use for something good.

I

 

[bmr1591]

While HS fireworks may not have been great, I did appreciate them breaking out a lot of rare characters. I’m sure that was a real treat for people there.

 

[jrhwdw]

I noticed they used Epcots 90’s version of Auld Lang Syne and cut out we just begun to dream. That was a disappointment tho, imagine all those people thinking there going to get a spectacular NYE show and thought I’d rather be at Epcot or Magic Kingdom? I hope that guest relations desk was mobbed.

Sounds like the usual ROE NYE Tag to me. The early 90's NYE Tag after 1988 IllumiNations sang slower.

As for DHS. A New place for DHS' High Pyro should be TDO's next Project after Starlight Opens!! Also, keeping ROA or not, any MK Expansion should NOT be close to MK's Main Fireworks Site!!!!

 

[Cliff]

not only that but the show lacks something, first of all too many of the pavilions are in pitch darkness, they cant use spotlights or projections or something on the ones that don't have any lights? It was mentioned above the timing was off, it did seem out of sync, its an odd show and feels cobbled together.

We gotta give these guys a break. Operations budgets are severely slashed everywhere today. They are being asked to put stuff together with no real investment money behind it. The parks are now heading into their slow season so they need to keep costs as rock-bottom low as possible.

If 2025 looks to be a slower-than-normal year, I strongly suspect that Burbank will keep it's new construction costs rolled back. This means VERY slow construction progress like they did with EPCOT and Tron. They will want to keep crew hours low with no overtime. They will spread spending out across more quarters to lessen the blow to each quarter and help their books balance better.

Wall Street is watching Parks and Experiences VERY closely every quarter now. They are looking for "cracks" in Burbank's largest cash register. Burbank must not allow Parks and Experience's profit and loss numbers to go under. It's VITAL that each quarter shows small growth or at least shows flat. Even flat revenue is a win for Burbank today.

I have no idea,...but I'd venture to guess that the new MK parade under development has already had deep cuts to the project. I'd also bet that creatives on that project are probably frustrated with their increasing limitations. I would guess that Burbank is telling them: "Creative team: Just get that IP on some wheels with some lights and music and get this spending off our books. Use chicken wire, super glue and duct tape if you have too"

Yes,..this is just me guessing, but let's see if we can spot, and "see" TONS of budget cuts in that parade next summer. I hope I'm wrong on this.

I don't blame the creatives so much. I think this is Burbank forcing extreme restrictions on them....because they HAVE too.

The daily operations budgets slashing today are the result of several dozen severely terrible (and ridiculously expensive) business decisions made in Burbank over the past 5-10 years. Burbank has severely mismanaged this company for a decade now but especially over the past 5.

 

[jrhwdw]

We gotta give these guys a break. Operations budgets are severely slashed everywhere today. They are being asked to put stuff together with no real investment money behind it. The parks are now heading into their slow season so they need to keep costs as rock-bottom low as possible.

If 2025 looks to be a slower-than-normal year, I strongly suspect that Burbank will keep it's new construction costs rolled back. This means VERY slow construction progress like they did with EPCOT and Tron. They will want to keep crew hours low with no overtime. They will spread spending out across more quarters to lessen the blow to each quarter and help their books balance better.

Wall Street is watching Parks and Experiences VERY closely every quarter now. They are looking for "cracks" in Burbank's largest cash register. Burbank must not allow Parks and Experience's profit and loss numbers to go under. It's VITAL that each quarter shows small growth or at least shows flat. Even flat revenue is a win for Burbank today.

I have no idea,...but I'd venture to guess that the new MK parade under development has already had deep cuts to the project. I'd also bet that creatives on that project are probably frustrated with their increasing limitations. I would guess that Burbank is telling them: "Creative team: Just get that IP on some wheels with some lights and music and get this spending off our books. Use chicken wire, super glue and duct tape if you have too"

Yes,..this is just me guessing, but let's see if we can spot, and "see" TONS of budget cuts in that parade next summer. I hope I'm wrong on this.

I don't blame the creatives so much. I think this is Burbank forcing extreme restrictions on them....because they HAVE too.

The daily operations budgets slashing today are the result of several dozen severely terrible (and ridiculously expensive) business decisions made in Burbank over the past 5-10 years. Burbank has severely mismanaged this company for a decade now but especially over the past 5.

If TWDC can't afford to do a good job on Starlight.......then Surely Disney can't afford to support ABC, ABC News and ESPN!!!!!!!!!!!! We don't need ABC News making decisions for the Parks!!!!


Steve, either here or in Starlight's Thread, what's the Progress on Starlight?

 

[TheRealSkull]

Epcot’s was seriously lame last night. Huge disappointment.

EPCOT in general was kinda a disaster last night, in terms of the amount of people there. But that's expected. World Showcase especially, but the cast members did a remarkable job keeping crowds under control.

 

[Cliff]

If TWDC can't afford to do a good job on Starlight.......then Surely Disney can't afford to support ABC, ABC News and ESPN!!!!!!!!!!!! We don't need ABC News making decisions for the Parks!!!!


Steve, either here or in Starlight's Thread, what's the Progress on Starlight?

Sorry,...Parks and Experiences do not operate in a vacuum. They operate in a big company with other profit and loss divisions. When those other divisions fail, Parks and Experiences MUST deliver revenue to float the entire company and recover it's other extensive losses. This is the way Burbank "uses" the parks.

Look at two seasons of "Andor" production costs. (estimated to be $650-700+ million) Combine that with one season of "She Hulk" ($250 million). Burbank funded Andor, season one and She Hulk...on something NOBODY watched on Disney plus! ( Andor season 2 is on the way)

Burbank BLEW about 1 Billion dollars on two Disney Plus shows. "THAT" is our "Villain's Land" right there!

What do you think is a better investment? 1 billion spent on "Andor" and "She Hulk"...or that same 1 billion on Villians Land? Which one will make REAL profit for the next 50 years?

But no,...Burbank does NOT agree.