Carrie,
Thanks for asking your question to planDisney!
While Walt Disney World is a popular place to spend New Year's Eve, the large evening crowds at the parks do not necessarily translate into packed attraction lines the next day. Now don't get me wrong, the parks get their fair share of guests on the first day of the year, but with some forethought, you should be fine.
Interestingly enough, the
Magic Kingdom typically has some of its lowest crowd levels of the year on January 1.
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park is also a good park to go to for the day, though, with poorer weather at that time of year, the animal experiences may not be as vibrant.
As for
EPCOT and
Disney's Hollywood Studios, they will be more crowded, and at about the same pace.
BONUS TIPEPCOT has
Extended Evening Theme Park Hours that day. If you are staying in a Deluxe Resort, you might want to take advantage of those. If not, then this would be the park to save for another day.
BOTTOM LINE: For me, the choice would be easily made to go to the Magic Kingdom.
Please feel free to
write me back directly if you have any follow-up questions.
Have a Magical Vacation!Doug