Hi Danielle,
It’s true that the week immediately following New Year’s Day can be a busy one at Walt Disney World Resort, depending on the calendar (some schools only start again up to a week later) and also due to the Walt Disney World Resort Marathon Weekend that takes place during the full weekend of the New Year.
That being said, if you plan your visit well, there’s no reason that you can’t have a wonderful visit to Walt Disney World Resort, even if there are lots of other people sharing in the Disney magic with you! My top tip would be to hit the Parks early during your vacation, ideally arriving at least 45-30 minutes before they open. That way, you’ll be able to experience several attractions with the day’s lowest wait times. If seeing fireworks is a priority, then I highly recommend looking into what kinds of
dessert events are available to you during your visit. Once New Year’s festivities are over, I highly recommend the regular menu/dining experience at
California Grill. It’s one of my favourite ways to see Happily Ever After.
As for your idea to venture outside of the Parks for some fun, I think it’s a great one! The
Holiday decorations will likely still be up that week, so it would be a fun time to go and visit all of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels in order to see how they celebrate the season. Some of my favourite restaurants are located in the Resort hotels, so I would strongly recommend making a dining reservation in one of those locations so that you can relax and enjoy the resort both before and after your meal.
Have a Magical Day,
Lynne