New Years Eve Questions

I'll often get questions about Hollywood Studios emailed to me and it's my pleasure to answer them as best I can, but this week I got a question I thought  would be more helpful if I answered here so others could benefit from it.  Mark wrote in to ask about experiencing New Years Eve at Disney's Hollywood Studios, which is something I think is vastly underrated.

I'll often get questions about Hollywood Studios emailed to me and it's my pleasure to answer them as best I can, but this week I got a question I thought  would be more helpful if I answered here so others could benefit from it.  Mark wrote in to ask about experiencing New Years Eve at Disney's Hollywood Studios, which is something I think is vastly underrated.

Ok, I recently read an article (I think it was from you) touting Hollywood Studios as the place to be for New Years Eve. (not as crowded as MK and EP and fireworks too) I will be driving from Baton Rouge Friday evening and expect to arrive in Orlando Saturday morning. If all goes well, I hope to get an early check-in (staying off property) and get a few hours of sleep. In the past, the arrival day is usually spent at Downtown Disney. We do a little light shopping and I have a have a few beers to help me get into vacation mode.
 
Since it’s New Year’s Eve, I’m considering Hollywood studios since it won’t be as bad as the other two. Here are my questions:
  1. Since I’m not staying on site, will I have trouble getting in? (If I arrive at HS in the afternoon)

  2. If I can arrive later, how late is safe? And when will I be pressing my luck?

  3. Will traffic getting to and from be insane?

  4. Is there only one firework show at midnight? Anything earlier?

  5. They serve beer at Hollywood Studios? Right?

 
I’m just wondering how much gas I will have left in the tank after the drive. I’m afraid I could be miserable. The only reason I’m considering it is I think it would be a nice experience for my family.

Great questions Mark.  I'll answer them one at a time…

Since I’m not staying on site, will I have trouble getting in? (If I arrive at HS in the afternoon)

Not at all.  Hollywood Studios has not closed to capacity for New Years Eve in the last few years and I don't expect it to do so in 2011 either.  By far, the crowds head for the Magic Kingdom and Epcot for New Years Eve (mistakenly) and so Hollywood Studios is overlooked.  I'm confident you could show up at 10 or 11pm and be admitted into the park.

If I can arrive later, how late is safe? And when will I be pressing my luck?

This depends in what you want to see and do.  If all you want to see is the New Years Eve fireworks, you could easily show up at 9 or 10pm and stake out a spot for the fireworks.  If you're also interested in seeing Fantasmic! or experiencing any of the attractions, you'll have to arrive earlier in the day for that.  In my experience, the crowds for the fireworks start to really build in that last hour to two before the fireworks begin (fireworks are shot behind the Sorcerer's Hat, so Hollywood Boulevard is where you want to be).

Will traffic getting to and from be insane?

The first year I tried out New Years Eve, the traffic leaving Hollywood Studios was awful.  I remember it took me about a half hour to get out of the park.  But in the past few years, Disney has radically changed how they managed the exit process and they had traffic lights off and lanes blocked to keep traffic moving.  I'm not saying traffic will be non-existant, but I do think it will be manageable.

Is there only one firework show at midnight? Anything earlier?

There is the special fireworks at midnight, but there are two showings of Fantasmic! that evening as well as live music performed by Mulch, Sweat and Shears at the Sorcerer's Hat every hour for much of the evening.  Don't forget about the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights will be on for about 6 hours (they turn on at 6pm).

They serve beer at Hollywood Studios? Right?

Good news Mark, they do in fact serve beer at the Studios!  You'll find on a day like New Years Eve special drink carts positioned throughout the park to offer easier access to beer and other adult beverages.

Hope this puts your mind at ease Mark, and anyone else who's considering Hollywood Studios for their New Years Eve plans.  I really feel that the New Years Eve experience at Hollywood Studios is far more manageable than the other parks and you still get to experience what a special day like New Years Eve can be like in a Disney Park.