Advice Please: DL or DCA for New Years Eve?

[OziJo]

Hi DISers. We will be in Anaheim for New Years Eve and I was hoping for some advice on whether we should spend the day and night in DL or DCA. There are 3 of us. DH, DD3 (20yrs) and me. We have 4 day park hoppers passes but realise that we shouldn't park hop on NY's eve. New Years eve is our last day so we will be just chillin' in the park enjoying the atmosphere not stressing about getting on every ride. My Pre-Trip Report (link in sig) has more info.

My heart says DL but my head says that DCA might be a less crowded option. It would be good to be able to decide where to go when we are there but I want to make an ADR for New Years Eve if possible so we will need to make the decision before ADR's open. Also, whichever park we decide on, I will want to make an ADR for the other park for another night. I'm really keen on Blue Bayou so maybe the fact that I might miss out on New Years Eve means that I book that for another. Advice? Experiences?

So some questions:

• What time is the very latest we should arrive to avoid not being allowed in?
• Is it true alcohol is not sold in DP. It's not really that important and DD3 can't drink anyway but a cocktail or a glass of wine or champagne to see in the New Year might be nice for DH and I.
• Are ADR's available and do they book out really quickly.
• Any other advice, experiences, the good the bad and the ugly of both options would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers from Sydney Australia

 

[smartlabelprint]

No alcohol in DL. DCA has alcohol for the public.

I don’t think ADR’s sell out quickly but I’d still make them ASAP.

 

[ParkHopper1]

DL= Disneyland here. DP is typically Disney Paris FYI.

We spend ever NYW in DCA. Last few years it is no worse than a buy summer weekend as nice laid back crowd. Tends to be a bit more of the Disney regulars and AP holders VS DL where everyone thinks they wanna be and wind up shoulder to shoulder unable to move.

We typically spend the first half of the day in DL, head to DCA, do dinner in DTD then back to DCA for NYE countdown.

Te DCA countdown show is pretty upbeat and rockin as well. Take a look online and you can see both the DCA and DL midnight shows for past years.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

We have done New Year's Eve at the resort a few times. We always choose to spend most of the day and night in DCA because we just don't want to deal with the massive crowds in Disneyland. We usually head in to Disneyland first thing in the morning and then cross to DCA sometime between 10 and 11 am. At that time we rent a locker in DCA and dump all of our stuff in it so we don't have to lug it around for the next 14 hours. DCA doesn't usually close due to capacity so you could probably leave for an afternoon break if desired, but we don't on New Year's Eve. There are a number of good spots for getting little breaks. Most people want to be at Disneyland, so the crowds are smaller and the food and drink lines are generally shorter. On a holiday (and many other times of year these days) an ADR is a good idea if you have your heart set on something. Better to make the reservation and be able to get in where you want than be disappointed on the day of by a long wait or no walk-ups being allowed at all.

 

[disneychrista]

DL= Disneyland here. DP is typically Disney Paris FYI.

We spend ever NYW in DCA.

And what is NYW? New Years Week? Just joking.

 

[OziJo]

DL= Disneyland here. DP is typically Disney Paris FYI.

We spend ever NYW in DCA. Last few years it is no worse than a buy summer weekend as nice laid back crowd. Tends to be a bit more of the Disney regulars and AP holders VS DL where everyone thinks they wanna be and wind up shoulder to shoulder unable to move.

We typically spend the first half of the day in DL, head to DCA, do dinner in DTD then back to DCA for NYE countdown.

Te DCA countdown show is pretty upbeat and rockin as well. Take a look online and you can see both the DCA and DL midnight shows for past years.

I had DL but then I read some place DP as in Disneyland Park was the abbreviation so I changed it. DL makes more sense so I'm changing it back Anywayz I like the idea of a bit more laid back crowdwise while still atmospheric. I'll check out the online videos.

It's good to know that there's some flexibility if we wanted to do a couple of hours in the morning in DL or even if we wanted to start a bit later.

I'll definitely make ADR's. I'm thinking if we do DCA on NYE then I'll make an ADR for Fantasmic/Blue Bayou another night. Now I have to choose a DCA restaurant. Any suggestions?

No alcohol in DL. DCA has alcohol for the public.

I don’t think ADR’s sell out quickly but I’d still make them ASAP.

Thanks for the info

 

[OziJo]

We have done New Year's Eve at the resort a few times. We always choose to spend most of the day and night in DCA because we just don't want to deal with the massive crowds in Disneyland. We usually head in to Disneyland first thing in the morning and then cross to DCA sometime between 10 and 11 am. At that time we rent a locker in DCA and dump all of our stuff in it so we don't have to lug it around for the next 14 hours. DCA doesn't usually close due to capacity so you could probably leave for an afternoon break if desired, but we don't on New Year's Eve. There are a number of good spots for getting little breaks. Most people want to be at Disneyland, so the crowds are smaller and the food and drink lines are generally shorter. On a holiday (and many other times of year these days) an ADR is a good idea if you have your heart set on something. Better to make the reservation and be able to get in where you want than be disappointed on the day of by a long wait or no walk-ups being allowed at all.

All fabulous info. Thank you so much

 

[Patty2005]

I'll be there too! I am hoping we will still be allowed into DL in the afternoon. We arrive on 12/31 at about 1pm. If not DCA will be fine.

 

[dina444444]

I'll be there too! I am hoping we will still be allowed into DL in the afternoon. We arrive on 12/31 at about 1pm. If not DCA will be fine.

In the past few years DL has not closed due to capacity issues on NYE.

 

[Malcon10t]

I had DL but then I read some place DP as in Disneyland Park was the abbreviation so I changed it. DL makes more sense so I'm changing it back Anywayz I like the idea of a bit more laid back crowdwise while still atmospheric. I'll check out the online videos.

It's good to know that there's some flexibility if we wanted to do a couple of hours in the morning in DL or even if we wanted to start a bit later.

I'll definitely make ADR's. I'm thinking if we do DCA on NYE then I'll make an ADR for Fantasmic/Blue Bayou another night. Now I have to choose a DCA restaurant. Any suggestions?

Thanks for the info

Your options are Lamplighter Lounge, Wine Country, or Carthay. My choice would probably be Carthay.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Now I have to choose a DCA restaurant. Any suggestions?

You are not limited to just DCA for NYE if you are gonna do that park for the countdown...two years in a row we ate at DTD then headed back into the parks for the evening celebration. DCA has yet to close due to capacity and you can come and go at will.

Last year we at a Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen for NYE dinner and it was amazing.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Napa Rose does a special NYE dinner with dancing. Two seatings. So that would be another option for something special. Maybe do the first seating, then go into DCA?

 

[Tanya Tink]

Has anyone been to Disneyland more recently on New Years Eve and have any tips/recommendations on going to Disneyland vs DCA with kids and getting a fairly decent view of the fireworks and other events?