The week between Christmas and New Year’s is the busiest week of the year in Walt Disney World.
With crowds at an all time high, the Parks get extremely busy. After all, no one does fireworks quite like Walt Disney World.
So, if you happen to find yourself at Disney during this busy and magical time, here are a few tips to help you survive the crowds.
Surviving New Year’s Eve At Walt Disney World
Get To Magic Kingdom Early!
Magic Kingdom does hit their maximum capacity on New Year’s Eve.
So, if you want to be sure you’re in the Park for those nighttime fireworks, you will want to get there early.
Instead of waiting in extremely long lines, shoulder to shoulder with complete strangers, consider using this time to do things you normally gloss over.
Take this time to finally finish that Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game you started. Or you can head over to Adventureland and play A Pirate’s Adventure ~ Treasures of the Seven Seas. Who knows…you may end up with a free Fastpass to Pirates of the Caribbean at the end.
Both activities are interactive and are completely Free with the cost of your Theme Park Ticket.
Everyone knows that the Parks are overly busy that day. So using the day to complan about the crowd levels is not a good way to spend your day. And if you can make it on a ride or two, consider it a bonus.
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Consider Epcot or Hollywood Studios
Epcot and Hollywood Studios also their own New Year’s Celebrations. Because of the animals, Animal Kingdom can not shoot off fireworks within the Park.
Hollywood Studios is usually the least crowded of the 3 celebrations.
But, now that Rise of the Resistance is open, I’m curious as to what this will do to the crowds. What do you think? Would you prefer to spend your New Year’s in Galaxy’s Edge?
Celebrate at a Nearby Resort
If you’re not in the mood to fight for an inch of personal space, consider spending your New Year’s at one of Walt Disney World’s Resorts.
Even if you want to view the fireworks from Magic Kingdom, they can be seen from several Resorts.
Catch a ride to the Polynesian, the Contemporary, or the Grand Floridian and stake out a spot. These Resorts also have music piped in from the Park. You may not be able to see the projections on Cinderella Castle, but you won’t miss the fireworks.
Other Guests will have the same idea, so plan ahead and get there early.
If spending the day in an overcrowded Park is not your idea of a good time, this is a good way to still watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks without spending money on a Theme Park Ticket.
Instead, you may want to plan a special night out. Garden Grill, at the Contemporary, has an especially amazing view of the fireworks from their private balcony.
Book a VIP Experience
For the ultimate New Year’s Eve Experience, you can book Disney Countdown to Midnight: A New Year’s Eve Celebration. This event takes place in the Convention Center at the Contemporary.
The 2019 Celebration does cost $299 per Guest (tax and gratuity included). But, that’s the price for luxury, I guess.
For a slightly less price tag, the Pixar Party: A New Year’s Eve Celebration is a fun, family-friendly celebration.
This experience is $199 per Guest (tax and gratuity included) and also takes place at the Contemporary.
Both experiences end with a night of fireworks at Porte Cochere.
Take a More Relaxed Approach To New Year’s
If crowds aren’t your thing, you can celebrate the New Year in the Lobby.
Each Resort will have their own celebration. But, traditionally, the Grand Floridian holds a balloon drop in their Lobby.
Guests either don’t know that anything is going on at the Resort or they will be fighting to get into the Parks. So, it’s likely that the Resorts won’t be jam packed for New Year’s.
And the best part is that when you’re done partying, you’re just a quick walk back to your room for the night.
Celebrate on December 30th
I know what you’re thinking. Why would you want to celebrate New Year’s Eve one day early.
Well, both Magic Kingdom and Epcot show their New Year’s fireworks on December 30th and 31st.
For those of us who aren’t big on maximum crowd levels (and is not blessed with height), you get to watch the exact same fireworks show with slightly less crowding.
After a good night’s sleep, you’ll be ready to head out to the Parks while everyone else sleeps in after partying into the early morning.
