95 responses

  1. james
    December 23, 2016

    OK call me crazy but we are going to MK on 12/31/16. I think I have planned well but would like your option. We are AP holder and staying at Old Key west. We have an ADR at The Wave at 9am and then plan on walking to MK after. We also have an ADR for the New Tiana icecream party at 3pm and FP for 5pm, 6pm ,7pm. I think I have covered all my bases but want to make sure we wont get shut out of MK after breakfest and arrive at MK around 10-10:30. Thoughts?

    Reply

    • Dave
      December 27, 2016

      James, you should be fine–walking from the Contemporary solves many problems!

      Reply

  2. Leean
    December 3, 2015

    Hi!

    My husband and I are arriving to Orlando on 12/31 at 9:00pm. What are our chances of getting into any of the parks? I’ve read that Epcot is the least likely to reach capacity. We just want to see a celebration, we don’t care much for the rides. We are driving straight from the airport to the park.

    Reply

    • Dave
      December 5, 2015

      Leann, sorry but I can’t quote you a chance. It can’t hurt to try. Your odds will be better if you already have tickets, and even better if you have a WDW hotel reservation.

      Reply

  3. Kinjal
    November 15, 2015

    Hi Dave, we(My husband, our 7 year twin girls and I) are arriving on Dec 31st at about 8pm what are our best option to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Also would like to see the fire works. We do have 5days hopper tickets. Please advise.

    Reply

    • Dave
      November 17, 2015

      Kinjal, that is the busiest day of the year, by far, and there may not even be a park open. I don’t particualry recommend going anywhere that evening but the easiest park to get into that also shows fireworks will likely be Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

      Reply

  4. Jennifer
    October 26, 2015

    We are a family of 7, with the oldest (grandpa) probably wanting a scooter, and the youngest (age 3) in a stroller. We are staying from the 26th through the 3rd and wanted to gauge which park might be best for NYE. Any recommendations on which park for which day (best choices for MK). Thanks!

    Reply

    • Dave
      October 27, 2015

      Jennifer, re NYE if the question is what will be the least crowded park, it’s AK hands down, because there are no fireworks there. If the question is “which park to celebrate NYE” my honest answer is none–too crowded. HS will be the best among a poor set of options, then Epcot, then MK.

      The best MK dates your period will be Jan 1 and Jan 3.

      I except DIsney to update its calendar for December in November, but right now here’s my advice on parks to avoid:

      12/26 avoid HS
      12/27 avoid AK
      12/28 avoid MK
      12/29 avoid Epcot
      12/30 avoid MK, AK
      12/31 avoid MK, Epcot, HS
      1/1 avoid Epcot
      1/2 avoid MK
      1/3 avoid HS

      Reply

  5. daniell
    October 15, 2015

    hi Dave, me and my family are spending NYE in Walt Disney World. We will be staying at the Contemporary Hotel. Our plan is to chill out at the hotel all day and just go to MK or HS around 9pm do you think it will be possible for us to get in that late?

    My ideal night will be to have dinner me and my family and the go inside a park for the celebration and fireworks. do you have suggestions? thank you in advance for your time and help

    Reply

    • Dave
      October 16, 2015

      Danielle, no guarantees, but you should be able to walk over to MK from the Contemporary.

      Reply

  6. rose
    June 24, 2015

    Hi dave we will be in orlando from dec 26 to jan 2nd. We are staying in cocoa beach but planning on going to either Epcot or MK on dec 30 and dec 31. I would love to check in at a disney resort for 2 days on Dec 30 and dec 31 but the price with 2 day tickets for 5 people is too expensive. My other dilemma is my dad is on wheelchair so I am not sure if he can last for even half a day in any of the amusement parks to see the fireworks. What do you recommend? Would doing a firework cruise be a good alternative if we’re not staying at a disney resort? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Dave
      June 24, 2015

      Rose, honestly I would not bother. The crowds and waits will be astonishing. While Disney rents wheelchairs and scooters at the parks, they likely will sell out quickly. If you can afford it, an Epcot fireworks cruise is your next best option.

      Reply

  7. Lori
    June 3, 2015

    Hello, My husband and I are planning our First trip to WDW and we are not staying at a WDW hotel..We are staying close though, that said we only have a short time to go and that would be December the 23-Jan 1. we have a four night five day vacation planned what would be the best days to go to WDW in this time frame that won’t cause us closures at WDW. Please help! Thanks

    Reply

    • Dave
      June 5, 2015

      Lori, there’s no way to avoid closures for sure that time of year. The parks will be mobbed every day, but slightly better–not that it’s much noticeable–the 23-25th.

      Reply

  8. Karen
    January 25, 2015

    Hey Dave!
    We are going to WDW in mid July, staying off site. I realize we have to get there early to be sure to get in the parks, but wondering if it will be unwise to leave in the mid afternoon for a break. Do parks tend to drop below max capacity in the late afternoon/early evening? Worried we won’t be able to get back in …..

    Reply

    • Dave
      January 26, 2015

      Karen, July closures are almost unheard of except the 4th of July, so you should be fine!!

      Reply

  9. Loriann Tilley-Stroud
    November 29, 2014

    hey our family is arriving at the airport 8:10 and will be staying on site of disney world…..will be able to get in that night to our hotel and stay for the attractions…should we buy park tickets before we arrive to be able to use attractions if we like…thanks…so excited….eek

    Reply

    • Dave
      November 30, 2014

      Loriann–when??

      Reply

  10. Carrie
    November 27, 2014

    Hi Dave-
    We will be there on NYE and were planning on Epcot. DO you think we’d be safe to arrive there around 1:00-2:00 in the afternoon? Because we’ll be there so late we are thinking of taking it easy in the morning and just hanging at the hotel. Thoughts?

    Reply

    • Dave
      November 28, 2014

      Carrie, honestly I can’t guarantee anything. Your odds will be better if you are staying at a WDW resort, and you take the buses rather than driving…

      Reply

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