Which park for new years eve.. Not for celebrating

[wdwmom2+1]

Ok i've been to disney world at christmas, new years etc before. Normally we do animal kingdom on NYE. This year we are doing a quick "surprise" trip and won't do animal kingdom we have to do either Epcot or HS on that day.. We are a family of five and don't neccessarily care just for the fast long wait rides.. Really the big things we want to do at each is :
At Epcot: we usually hit all the rides except mission space and we spend about half a day on rides and half a day in the lands we do enjoy soarin and test track.

At Hollywood studios we don't usually do rockin rollercoaster or tower of terror or the stunt show but do everything else.

Which one should we do on the 30th and which one the 31st? we are doing magic kingdom the 29th

What I meant by not for celebrating was we are not asking about where to ring in the new years as we will be leaving early the next morning so we will probably be in bed by midnight just to spend the day until about 8ish.
Thanks!!

 

[wdwmom2+1]

Help?? Noone knows which might be thebest option onNYE?

 

[rob45]

Just my suggestion, I would do EPCOT on the 30th and DHS on the 31st. I would think Epcot to be really crowded on NYE, especially in World Showcase towards the afternoon hours. DHS may be easier to exit.

 

[wdwmom2+1]

Thanks that's what i was looking for.

 

[dreamscometrue]

Last year (our 4th time at WDW for NYE), we ate at 5pm at ESPN, walked to Epcot after and saw Illuminations (NYE edition) at 6:40pm. We hung around World Showcase for an hour, took the boat to DHS and had a blast at that park, as we have all the other times. The only difference this time was that we left at 11:30pm because my daughter wasn't feeling well. When we got back to Animal Kingdom Lodge, there was a live band there, so we rang in the new year there. ;-)

We will again do Epcot early, and DHS later next time too.

 

[wdwmom2+1]

THanks!!! I'm wondering how crowded are we to expect from like 9am-8pm at DHS on NYE is it like Chirstmas at Magic Kingdom?

 

[Cardinals314]

I would go to HS on the 31st and Epcot on the 30th. Although it is the last night of the Candlelight Processional on the 30th, it isn’t that big of a concern since it has been running for more than a month. It is also the busiest day of the year on the 31st with the extended hours and a New Year’s Eve celebration. We’re talking 200+ minute waits at Soarin’ and Test Track and 60+ minute waits at Spaceship Earth.

 

[taz0162]

Celebrated a couple NYE's at WDW. MK will generally have the same NYE fireworks on 12/30 and 12/31 (Less people on 12/30 because people go to bed early to gear up for 12/31 and great time to be there.)

As for 12/31 HS has a rather large NYE celebration and can be pretty packed. Not going on RNRRC, ToT as well as the stunt show (Lights Motor Action I assume not Indy) you should have time to do everything else. Hit Toy Story First to Ride or grab Fast Pass. Star Tours can be longer line as well. (Fast Pass if you can)

Epcot generally has a lot of people there for Dinner Reservations throughout WorldShowcase and Illuminations. I would Get a fast pass for Spaceship Earth hit Test Track and if time Soarin before Spaceship Earth.

Personally if you are leaving by 8:00 or 9:00PMish I would go to HS on NYE the energy of NYE in the air is unbelievable and a lot of fun. DJ playing dance music in front of Great Movie Ride attracts many people (even families dancing with kids <We Did>)

 

[luv]

I'd do DHS on the 30th and Epcot on NYE. Epcot seems to swallow people up a lot better than DHS.

I'm just taking guesses, though. I don't really have any idea which park would be better. I don't have a lot of experience in different parks on NYE.

 

[wdwmom2+1]

Thanks everyone I love hearing all the thoughts on this!!

 

[dreamscometrue]

THanks!!! I'm wondering how crowded are we to expect from like 9am-8pm at DHS on NYE is it like Chirstmas at Magic Kingdom?

Crowded, but not like MK at all; not even close. The 4 times (in the past 8 years) we've done NYE at DHS, we've arrived as early as 6pm and as late as 8:30pm. We've always been able to get in (not at capacity). It's a fun atmosphere with Mulch, Sweat and Shears on the big stage, food, beverages, etc. We don't plan to ride much because of the crowds (although now you might be able to book 3 attractions with FP+), but we can walk on Great Movie Ride, Muppetvision 3D and don't wait long for Star Tours. We always see Fantasmic! and the Indy Stunt Show and the Osborne Dancing Lights. We've stayed 3 times for the fireworks at midnight, and they are great. Since the park is typically open until 3am, you will be able to likely walk on Tower of Terror and Rock 'n Roller Coaster as it gets to 2am and later.

 

[The Magical Genie 123]

I think Epcot on the 30th and HS on the 31st. Epcot and the MK are usually packed around that time, so HS would be less crowded for sure.

 

[Gabe1]

I'd pick Epcot, it is more spread out and plenty of places to wander on NYE. The only bad NYE I ever had at Epcot was the Millenium eve, you'd think I would have stop going after that!

DHS, depending our your age and taste lends itself more to the younger demographic with their band(s) for NYE. Young at heart would also like DHS, it has a Time Square feel, wall to wall people as there are not that many streets, buildings to people eat. If you do DHS dine first, when that park is at high attendance it is difficult to get a snack let alone a meal.