What has your experience been for new years eve at the parks?

[kniquy]

I am wondering what your experience has been for new years eve at the parks. We will be arriving that day and will probably not get to the park (Epcot) until mid afternoon. We are staying on property so hopefully we will not be affected by any closures.
I am curious to know:

1. Do the park crowds tend to lessen at any point later in the evening or are they jammed pack all night long?
2. How difficult do you think it would be to go from Epcot for the afternoon to then go to MK later in the evening , say around 9 or 10?

 

[Marc Gil]

I attempted to do New Years Eve at EPCOT and DHS last year. Let's just say the parks kicked my a**.

The crowds were unimaginable at Epcot. We arrived during rope-drop, and boy it was still insane. We decided to park-hop to the Studios, which was a huge mistake. The Studios was just as crowded; I'm talking about a can of sardines and 60+ minute waits for every attraction.

The crowds only got worse as the evening progressed. We returned to EPCOT at around 6:00, and the crowds had gotten much worse, especially in WS. The night was quite unbearable. I can only imagine MK being much more hectic.

Anyway, I should also inform you that I had the wrong expectations. If you do decide to visit the parks on New Years Eve, don't expect to go on rides much.

My advice is to start your day later, have brunch in one of the hotels, play mini-golf or do some activities within the hotel. When it gets to around dinner time, have dinner in one of the hotels, then make your way to the park of your choice for the NYE Festivities.

You're not going to be riding much rides, but just enjoy the atmosphere around you. Relax, take it easy, buy some New Years Merch. I'm pretty sure they give you kazoos and hats for free though. Once the fireworks come on, just enjoy them.

I hope I provided some insight.

EDIT: To answer your two questions:
1. They're packed all night long.
2. MK will most likely close during the early morning. Last year, MK went to capacity at around ten in the morning. I would suggesting doing New Years at Epcot or DHS.

 

[kniquy]

Thanks for the input -- I know it can be crowded but what you explained helps a lot to really know what to expect. We did do a few fastpass selections for a couple of rides at Epcot so I am hoping we can at least get a couple of rides in. If not no big loss as it is the first day of our trip.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

We did do a few fastpass selections for a couple of rides at Epcot so I am hoping we can at least get a couple of rides in

My daughters had FP for Test Track on NYE 2008 - it took them over an hour to get on the ride (and that was arriving during their FP window)
Soarin' had a standby at over 3 hours by mid afternoon.

I'd try and change your travel plans and aim on arriving earlier in the day

 

[wogwog]

Save time and just have your entire party stand in the closet of your room then close the door and not move. Same experience as any of the parks NYE.

 

[Marc Gil]

Thanks for the input -- I know it can be crowded but what you explained helps a lot to really know what to expect. We did do a few fastpass selections for a couple of rides at Epcot so I am hoping we can at least get a couple of rides in. If not no big loss as it is the first day of our trip.

Excellent. I advise you arrive at the parks about an hour or two before your first FP+ window and to avoid park hopping!

What time are your FPs? In this case, I'd say the later the better. I wouldn't advise entering the park during rope-drop and staying until the NYE countdown unless you plan on returning to your hotel to take a break from it all.

Also, be sure to use Bus transportation, especially if you're staying on-site. Parking on NYE can be a hassle! I was stuck in traffic for almost an hour trying to exit the EPCOT Parking lot last year during NYE.

 

[raven]

Epcot is a blast on NYE! Massive crowd but everyone is partying everywhere. So many different areas if WS to see that night and I wouldn't want to be in any other place on NYE!

 

[disneypearl]

You will have a great time at whatever park you decide on if you go with realistic expectations. I've been at MK a few times for NYE and have enjoyed it. I believe MK is more crowded that Epcot & HS. Don't expect to go on too many rides, but there is a festive atmosphere and it is a good time anyway.

 

[ryan1]

I don't think I'll ever go to a park during the last week or so in December (Christmas to New Years). As a "local" and someone who has visited many many times I just cannot fathom fighting the crowds during that time of year.

I could maybe see myself going to watch just the fireworks, basically walk under the railroad, stand at the end of Main St, and then walk right back out once they're done.

I feel bad for the people that the only time they can go are when the crowds are at or just below capacity. Seems like such a waste of money but to each there own and I hope they do enjoy whatever they do get to experience.

 

[Lord_Vader]

Been going to the parks on NYE every year for the past ten...

They are BUSY, BUSY, BUSY from rope drop until midnight. Imagine no walking room in the hub, down Main St. USA and many of the arteries into the hub for the parades and fireworks. MK is absolutely as busy as I ever see it including Christmas Day. Now, it is a lot of fun but not if you plan to ride a bunch of rides as there is something truly unique and fun for us to bring in the new year standing in front of Cinderella Castle with the fireworks and all the festivities going on. We always plan to be there until at least 2:00AM to avoid the mass rush out of the gates only to wait in lines, lines so long they usually start just outside the gates and extend all the way to the bus stops, monorail stations, and ferry boats.

Last year I let my 16yo & 21yo children convince me to take them to EPCOT for NYE which was a lot of fun too, we were staying at the BWI so we could simply walk out of the park soon after midnight so I did not have to deal with the mass exodus from the park making the night all the better!

If you are new to the parks, I would never recommend any major holiday especially Christmas or New Years but enjoy the time you have. We go back year after year, it is a lot of fun but we have learned to be very patient and just focus on the fact we are bringing in the new year together in one of the best places on earth to do it.

 

[JasonDeyoung]

I've done each park on NYE or New Year's Day and they usually are at capacity by afternoon. It is in my opinion the busiest I've ever seen the parks. MK & Epcot are the busiest obv since they have more going on for NYE I went to epcot this past NYE and I want to say it was at capacity early afternoon and again later afternoon it's going to be extremely crowded so if you go prepare for the worse

 

[donsullivan]

I've been to Epcot for NYE the last 8 or more years and can't imagine spending that day anywhere else. A few pieces of info if you're considering it:

1) If you are going to be unhappy because you can't get on attractions without long waits this is not the day for you to visit. I have seen Soarin' hit 300 and Test Track 270 minutes many times over the years. NYE in the parks is not just about attractions.
2) It's not uncommon for MK to close at capacity (Stage 1 or 2) by late morning. It will sometimes open up in the early afternoon for a few hours but you should assume that if you're not there before lunch you may need to go somewhere else. Epcot is not so bad but on busy years they run out of parking by early afternoon.
3) Magic Kingdom does their NYE fireworks show on 12/30 and 12/31 so if you want to see that show you can catch it the night before with lower crowds. It's one of the 2 biggest shows they do each year (July 4th is the other one) with fireworks launching 360 degrees all the way around the park.
4) Epcot does a normal Illuminations with holiday tag earlier in the evening, after which it's common for many of the families with younger kids to head home. After that showing, the party part of the day begins with dance parties in Italy, America and China, each with a different theme. The China one for example has a stage set up that includes a fire-breathing dragon and Italy a laser dance show.
5) The midnight NYE edition of the fireworks show at Epcot is absolutely fantastic. It is a second performance of Illumination that begins at ~11:40 and is followed by a Global Countdown with all of the countries that have already celebrated the New Year and a small show launched from behind each of those countries one at a time around the lagoon. Then the final countdown to midnight with shells launching all around the lagoon and more. It is without question the best fireworks show put on anywhere on the WDW property all year.

It's very much a pack-your-patience due to the crowds kind of a day but if you go in with the right perspective and can be a really fantastic experience.

 

[Ralphlaw]

See y'all there. Can't wait. Luckily we're staying at Boardwalk, so NYE at WS shouldn't be as miserable once our festivity tolerance is maxed out.

 

[DisneyMom51]

During a trip to north Florida on New Years Eve 2012, I dropped off a Christmas gift bag to a castmember in UK and then went to Norway to pick up two Viking helmets with horns for that evening's party. I had an annual pass, so even if the park would have been closed due to occupancy, I still would have been allowed inside. I got there around noon and that was all I planned on doing while there. I have never before seen Epcot that busy. I literally stood on the high ground at the American Adventure pavilion and looking in both directions, could not see any bare pavement--the entire area was filled with guests! First and last time to Epcot at New Year's Eve and there were still almost 12 hours to go till midnight!