Will Disney Hollywood Studios Close to Capacity on New Year's Eve?

[MinnesotaFriar]

I had previously heard that DHS isn't really a threat to close to capacity on New Year's Eve (but that Magic Kingdom and EPCOT are). I recently read somewhere, though, that Disney Hollywood Studios is a threat to close to capacity. which is kind of throwing a wrench into our plans.

We're going to be at Disney Hollywood Studios on New Year's Eve, but we're finding it next to impossible to make a reservation for dinner anywhere in the park. We're looking to go to Downtown Disney to one of those restaurants, but we would like to re-enter DHS afterwards. We would hate to be refused re-entry after dinner, so we'd like to not make that gamble.

Does DHS close to capacity on New Year's Eve? If so, would you recommend that we just bite the bullet and try to find somewhere in DHS for dinner?

Also, anyone that wants to make a recommendation for dinner in Downtown Disney is welcome (we're sort of thinking Captain Jacks, for the moment).

 

[MinnesotaFriar]

Bump, if anyone knows.

Additionally, however, it looks we're changing plans. We're leaning towards possibly/probably going to watch the New Years fireworks from the observation deck at the Contemporary (where we'll be staying).

Because of this and the fact that we've got Disney reservations at a restaurant in the Polynesian resort, it sort of makes sense for us to instead go to Magic Kingdom.

So the new question is, would Magic Kingdom be significantly more crowded than DHS on New Year's Eve?

 

[Zummi Gummi]

Bump, if anyone knows.

Additionally, however, it looks we're changing plans. We're leaning towards possibly/probably going to watch the New Years fireworks from the observation deck at the Contemporary (where we'll be staying).

Because of this and the fact that we've got Disney reservations at a restaurant in the Polynesian resort, it sort of makes sense for us to instead go to Magic Kingdom.

So the new question is, would Magic Kingdom be significantly more crowded than DHS on New Year's Eve?

Yes, the MK will be significantly more crowded than DHS. Both will be insane, but the crowds at MK will be unlike anything you've ever seen.

 

[mickeysshoes]

Bump, if anyone knows.

Additionally, however, it looks we're changing plans. We're leaning towards possibly/probably going to watch the New Years fireworks from the observation deck at the Contemporary (where we'll be staying).

Because of this and the fact that we've got Disney reservations at a restaurant in the Polynesian resort, it sort of makes sense for us to instead go to Magic Kingdom.

So the new question is, would Magic Kingdom be significantly more crowded than DHS on New Year's Eve?

If you dont want to deal with the crowds just hang at the Poly and watch from the beach..I am sure you will not be the only ones. They pipe the music in...it will be less rushed and more relaxed! Just an idea.

 

[Buckeye]

We are going to DHS on New Years Eve this year!

I booked a lunch ADR figuring that it would be less crazy than dinner and also give us some flexibility for nighttime activities. I recently thought about changing locations for lunch and there are still ADR's availlable, so if you are still considering DHS, that may be an option.

We will probably just do a counter service dinner or possibly leave the park to eat at the Boardwalk of Swan/Dolphin.

If you are a Disney resort guest, doesn't that guarantee admittance to the parks?

 

[cinderellafan6]

If u are staying at a Disney resort yes you are guarenteed into a park but a park of their choosing. If Magic Kingdom is full then you cant go there so they will either take you to the other parks.

 

[Buckeye]

If u are staying at a Disney resort yes you are guarenteed into a park but a park of their choosing. If Magic Kingdom is full then you cant go there so they will either take you to the other parks.

Thanks, that's good to know.

 

[jenji124]

So the new question is, would Magic Kingdom be significantly more crowded than DHS on New Year's Eve?

Yes, I was at Disney a couple years ago on New Years and Magic Kingdom closed for capacity around 4pm we went to DHS. Like Nick_A said the crowds are unlike anything I have ever seen there and I've been to Disney 15+ times.

 

[MinnesotaFriar]

Thanks to everyone, it's a little disappointing that everyone says that Magic Kingdom will be so awful, crowds-wise, if only because logistically, it would be so much more convenient if we could do Magic Kingdom that day.

Though, to be honest, will Magic Kingdom be that much better on December 29th or 30th? Or is it pretty much a losing proposition any day, and might as well pick poison and do it whenever?

 

[timeman]

Thanks to everyone, it's a little disappointing that everyone says that Magic Kingdom will be so awful, crowds-wise, if only because logistically, it would be so much more convenient if we could do Magic Kingdom that day.

Though, to be honest, will Magic Kingdom be that much better on December 29th or 30th? Or is it pretty much a losing proposition any day, and might as well pick poison and do it whenever?

The 29th & 30th will be busy, but they will not be as bad as New Year's Eve. This past New Year's Eve I don't believe any park hit Phase 4. Magic Kingdom probably hit Phase 2. I was at Epcot on New Year's Eve and walked over to Hollywood Studios around mid day and had no problem getting in. Around 3pm I headed out of the park and went back to the resort to get something to eat where it was less crowded. I went back to Epcot around 6pm and saw buses taking people to both the Magic Kingdom & Hollywood Studios. It will be crowded and the stand by times for rides can get to be 5 hours long. Fastpasses will go within the first hour for all the major rides at all the parks.

 

[dreamscometrue]

MK will be insanely packed by about noon! Epcot gets very crowded, but later in the day. We've just done the past several NYE celebrations at DHS and have had a blast! We do DHS at 'rope drop' that morning and go back to the resort to chill all afternoon. About 6pm or so we go back to DHS and have a great night. We leave sometime between 12:30am and 3am and, regardless of the time we head out, are back at our resort within a half hour of going to the bus stop. Never again will we do an NYE at MK or go near that end of the property.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

All of the parks have the possibility of closing except for Epcot (I cannot think of a time that Epcot has closed its gates). Also, if you are planning on going to DHS (and really if you are planning on going anywhere) try to use Disney transportation. The DHS parking lot is small and they will eventually start parking cars at Epcot for that park as well and then you have to transport yourself over to the other park.

 

[menamechris]

If you dont want to deal with the crowds just hang at the Poly and watch from the beach..I am sure you will not be the only ones. They pipe the music in...it will be less rushed and more relaxed! Just an idea.

I have gone to the Poly beach for 4th of July a few times. Just a couple things to note - It is packed. Locals know about this location and definetly take advantage of it. In addition, you pretty much have to stake out a good spot a couple hours in advance - and not move from it. Also, you have to get right next to a speaker if you want to hear anything. The speakers are spread out and are not turned up when the fireworks start - so you basically have the fireworks soundtrack at elevator music volume level - with people talking and making noise around you. To be honest - its not the most pleasant experience on a holiday.

 

[wdwmagic]

All of the parks have the possibility of closing except for Epcot (I cannot think of a time that Epcot has closed its gates). Also, if you are planning on going to DHS (and really if you are planning on going anywhere) try to use Disney transportation. The DHS parking lot is small and they will eventually start parking cars at Epcot for that park as well and then you have to transport yourself over to the other park.

The only time I can think of in recent memory is NYE 99/2000. Even then, it was only for a few hours.

 

[wdwmagic]

If u are staying at a Disney resort yes you are guarenteed into a park but a park of their choosing. If Magic Kingdom is full then you cant go there so they will either take you to the other parks.

In reality this is more than likely true, but theoretically all the parks could reach a phase 4 close which closes the park to absolutely all arriving guests.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Park-Closing-Phases.htm

 

[mickey2008.1]

To the OP, the observation deck is a great place to watch the fireworks. Now if you have a room facing MK, I would never leave my room that night and skip the insane crowds. You also have to remember that the monorail no longer runs past one hour after MK close, unless they changed it for the holidays. Even if they did, the crowds at MK transportation sites are super long. What normally is a 15 -30 minute travel time will be 1+ hours. And that stinks, considering your dinner is at Poly and can see your home resort. Our choice, Cali Grille for late lunch, DTD togo or room service for dinner, champagne toast at midnight, bed by 1am with no crowds. Have fun either way!

 

[Polydweller]

If u are staying at a Disney resort yes you are guarenteed into a park but a park of their choosing. If Magic Kingdom is full then you cant go there so they will either take you to the other parks.

But, if you don't have a park hopper, and you have already entered a park that day, then if that park closes and you are trying to re-enter it then you are out of luck. You can't go to another park because you can't enter a second park without a hopper even in this case because you've already had you guaranteed park entrance for that day.