New Years Eve 2024-2025

[Cfabar1]

Anyone spending it at Aulani, Hilton Head, or Vero Beach?

 

[elvispursley]

Anyone spending it at Aulani, Hilton Head, or Vero Beach?

NYE is absolutely nuts in Hawaii. We live 5 min from Aulani and it sounds like a war zone with all the fireworks that get set off. HPD also sets up DUI check points entering and leaving Ko Olina so for those who haven’t been before, expect a bit of a lineup.

 

[JenniferFolsomCa]

Following. I went to MK on Dec 30th 2023 last year and didn't go to the parks on Dec 31st but was in Orlando. It was trully magical which is why I need tips as we are going again this year, but this time, no parks on those days, We are visiting the parks at the beginning of the trip then spending time with family for 9 days and then back to Disney area. Looking for any ti[s of seeing fireworks in Orlando outside of the parks

 

[matt and beth]

Epcot is super busy. Lots of people. Multiple dance stages with DJs or live music at just about every country. I believe they do two fireworks shows. One early for fake new years and another later. Reservations for food is already all gone for the 31st. Some fairly drunk people later in the evening but not terrible. Transportation lines are scary long. Skyliner was all the way down past Beach Club last year. But… still fun

 

[fflmaster]

Has anyone did a resort change on NYE?

We are already looking at planning for NYE 2025 and thinking of reserving a room at MK area on the 30th and at EP on the 31st so we don’t need to use transportation on either day.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Has anyone did a resort change on NYE?

We are already looking at planning for NYE 2025 and thinking of reserving a room at MK area on the 30th and at EP on the 31st so we don’t need to use transportation on either day.

I personally haven't as I like to just stay put somewhere over those few days, but I see no reason not to if you're OK with the "homeless" period NYE. One thing to be somewhat mindful of is sometimes staffing is different or thinner on holidays so it's 'possible' you could end up in a situation where your room isn't ready at resort 2 until later in the afternoon... but if you're OK with any uncontrollable timing you may encounter there, then no worries. It would be less ideal if you've got important dinner plans, need to be spending time getting ready in the room, etc.

 

[elaine amj]

Annual Pass park reservations are sold out on December 31 at EPCOT. Interesting that AP reservations at MK are still available.

That’s because “those in the know” know that you go to MK for NYE Eve on Dec 30 and Epcot on Dec 31

We did the same thing in Dec 2019 and are so excited to go again this year. Absolutely the best place to celebrate NYE.

The parks are packed but I actually prefer it to normal busy days because the CMs control the walkway so you can always move.

I have old undated tickets and was so disappointed when I called and found I could not get park reservations for Dec 30 and 31. Thankfully, the CM I worked with was a huge NYE fan and ended up overriding the system for me. And also helped me buy a sold out one day ticket to Epcot for my mother (I heard Undercover Tourist had some but unsure if they still have some). The CM was so awesome and we chatted about meeting up with him and his family for the dance party in China

The dance parties all over MK and Epcot are so much fun - really fabulous vibe. I enjoy have a place to party and dance all night that is still safe and family friendly. Not great if you want peace and quiet though. There is pounding dance music all over the place.

At MK, we went to the Tomorrowland dance party around 8:30pm. It was fun and not packed with loads of space. At one point (I have a time stamp for 10:20pm), we were at the Country Bears dance party which was packed where there was some line dancing and a train got started lol. My husband staked our spot at the hub early (maybe 8:30/9pm) There was a stage show at 9pm and later on, a DJ. But there were pockets of space around us. Even at midnight.

I have a pic of getting an ice cream sundae from the Plaza at 11:33pm and had no issues walking it back to the hub. My family were chowing down by 11:39pm.

The fireworks were incredible. We spent a while afterwards dancing like maniacs as the DJ was great. The park was open until 2am so about 12:30/12:45am, we started doing rides - almost everything was a walk-on. I remember racing across the park to Space Mountain (after 3 rounds of BtMR) and arriving around 2:02am and the CMs waved us on.

We drove to Epcot (from Fort Wilderness) and arrived at 3:30pm. No traffic issues. We had dinner at the Norway bakery and got a table around 6ish pm with a good view of the early fireworks. Then we bounced to dance party after dance party the rest of the night.

Around 8pm we stopped for snacks at the French bakery. It took maybe 15-20 mins to get food? In the meantime we got a table. One of us went to the bathroom there - took 20+ mins. I think longer than the food lol. The rest of us waited until later and used the bathroom at the Intl Gateway - no lines.

We left the park from the China area after the fireworks and it was a sea of people. But we shuffled along until we made it to our car 20+ mins later. We managed to get out of the parking lot quickly and made it back to Fort Wilderness super quickly. Maybe 5-10 mins longer than normal. No sitting in jams for hours.

This year, I booked a 2pm lunch at the Cake Bake Shop and will leave my car parked at the Boardwalk until the end of the night.

I also booked at 10:40pm ADR at Chefs de France for an appetizer/dessert to give us a break.

 

[SquashBanana]

That’s because “those in the know” know that you go to MK for NYE Eve on Dec 30 and Epcot on Dec 31

We did the same thing in Dec 2019 and are so excited to go again this year. Absolutely the best place to celebrate NYE.

The parks are packed but I actually prefer it to normal busy days because the CMs control the walkway so you can always move.

I have old undated tickets and was so disappointed when I called and found I could not get park reservations for Dec 30 and 31. Thankfully, the CM I worked with was a huge NYE fan and ended up overriding the system for me. And also helped me buy a sold out one day ticket to Epcot for my mother (I heard Undercover Tourist had some but unsure if they still have some). The CM was so awesome and we chatted about meeting up with him and his family for the dance party in China

The dance parties all over MK and Epcot are so much fun - really fabulous vibe. I enjoy have a place to party and dance all night that is still safe and family friendly. Not great if you want peace and quiet though. There is pounding dance music all over the place.

At MK, we went to the Tomorrowland dance party around 8:30pm. It was fun and not packed with loads of space. At one point (I have a time stamp for 10:20pm), we were at the Country Bears dance party which was packed where there was some line dancing and a train got started lol. My husband staked our spot at the hub early (maybe 8:30/9pm) There was a stage show at 9pm and later on, a DJ. But there were pockets of space around us. Even at midnight.

I have a pic of getting an ice cream sundae from the Plaza at 11:33pm and had no issues walking it back to the hub. My family were chowing down by 11:39pm.

The fireworks were incredible. We spent a while afterwards dancing like maniacs as the DJ was great. The park was open until 2am so about 12:30/12:45am, we started doing rides - almost everything was a walk-on. I remember racing across the park to Space Mountain (after 3 rounds of BtMR) and arriving around 2:02am and the CMs waved us on.

We drove to Epcot (from Fort Wilderness) and arrived at 3:30pm. No traffic issues. We had dinner at the Norway bakery and got a table around 6ish pm with a good view of the early fireworks. Then we bounced to dance party after dance party the rest of the night.

Around 8pm we stopped for snacks at the French bakery. It took maybe 15-20 mins to get food? In the meantime we got a table. One of us went to the bathroom there - took 20+ mins. I think longer than the food lol. The rest of us waited until later and used the bathroom at the Intl Gateway - no lines.

We left the park from the China area after the fireworks and it was a sea of people. But we shuffled along until we made it to our car 20+ mins later. We managed to get out of the parking lot quickly and made it back to Fort Wilderness super quickly. Maybe 5-10 mins longer than normal. No sitting in jams for hours.

This year, I booked a 2pm lunch at the Cake Bake Shop and will leave my car parked at the Boardwalk until the end of the night.

I also booked at 10:40pm ADR at Chefs de France for an appetizer/dessert to give us a break.

We are going to the early MK fireworks on 12/30 so we can be somewhat rested and get to EPCOT early on 12/31 and power through the day. I've seen mixed answers on whether or not a park reservation guarantees you entry if the park reaches capacity so we are not taking any chances. We have an afternoon lunch at Akershus to give us a break through the day.

 

[disneyfan123]

We arrive on the 30th and will visit MK that night. NYE we are doing HS; hoping it won't be too bad in the evening as everyone will be at MK/EP, but I guess we'll see. Excited to be at WDW for NYE!

 

[elvispursley]

I had no idea NYE at WDW! This sounds like an absolute blast! I’ve always avoided going during the holidays because I can’t stand the hordes of people, but I’m definitely now reconsidering.

 

[elaine amj]

We are going to the early MK fireworks on 12/30 so we can be somewhat rested and get to EPCOT early on 12/31 and power through the day. I've seen mixed answers on whether or not a park reservation guarantees you entry if the park reaches capacity so we are not taking any chances. We have an afternoon lunch at Akershus to give us a break through the day.

There are lots of people claiming you have to be cautious of Epcot closing for capacity. But very very few actual reports. Not even phased closing. Except maybe that 24 hr event a few years ago. Oh and I came across a report from a gorgeous October Saturday when locals swarmed the park for F&W and there was short closure.

I watch the reports every NYE and even at MK, it reopens not that long later.

I studied it carefully as I had planned a 3pm arrival in Dec 2019. That worked like a charm.

Also you will miss all the awesome MK dance parties on the 30th. They’re so much fun.

 

[elaine amj]

I had no idea NYE at WDW! This sounds like an absolute blast! I’ve always avoided going during the holidays because I can’t stand the hordes of people, but I’m definitely now reconsidering.

It really is the best NYE party. I love wandering from dance party to dance party, stopping when the music is good.

I partied in the downtown streets of a major city for the Millenium but Disney is better - access to washrooms, quiet places to rest and way more choices of music.

 

[SquashBanana]

There are lots of people claiming you have to be cautious of Epcot closing for capacity. But very very few actual reports. Not even phased closing. Except maybe that 24 hr event a few years ago. Oh and I came across a report from a gorgeous October Saturday when locals swarmed the park for F&W and there was short closure.

I watch the reports every NYE and even at MK, it reopens not that long later.

I studied it carefully as I had planned a 3pm arrival in Dec 2019. That worked like a charm.

Also you will miss all the awesome MK dance parties on the 30th. They’re so much fun.

So does MK's NYE activities on 12/30 essentially mirror their activities on 12/31?

 

[elaine amj]

So does MK's NYE activities on 12/30 essentially mirror their activities on 12/31?

My understanding is that they are identical. Just wayyyyy more packed on NYE itself.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

So does MK's NYE activities on 12/30 essentially mirror their activities on 12/31?

Yes, same schedule both nights - four Fantasy in the Sky fireworks shows, 6:50 and 11:50. The only difference is the 11:50 show both nights is the full “360 degree” show with additional launch points in and around the Seven Seas Lagoon - this mainly benefits the MK resorts more than those in the park, generally speaking. The 6:50 shows do not have the Seven Seas Lagoon launch points.

 

[Justrose]

Okay, I had NO IDEA there was NYE stuff at MK on 12/30. I am shook.

DD and I were trying to decide if we wanted to do MK on 12/30 or on 1/2 when it will be less busy. We will be spending 12/31 at Epcot for her 13th birthday and we decided to do HS on 12/30 so we would be more rested on 12/31... now I am second guessing that, knowing we could essentially have 2 days of parties.

 

[elaine amj]

Okay, I had NO IDEA there was NYE stuff at MK on 12/30. I am shook.

DD and I were trying to decide if we wanted to do MK on 12/30 or on 1/2 when it will be less busy. We will be spending 12/31 at Epcot for her 13th birthday and we decided to do HS on 12/30 so we would be more rested on 12/31... now I am second guessing that, knowing we could essentially have 2 days of parties.

It’s wild and exhausting- but sure is fun!

I really really hope MK extends their hours on Dec 30. In 2019, it closed at 2am which was just perfect IMO.