Crowds on New Year's Day?

[wbl2745]

I heard from some neighbors that the crowds at Disneyland on New Year's Day (Jan 1) were really light. Can anyone report on what happened today? We're thinking of planning a trip over New Year's some time. I know that New Year's Eve is probably absolutely packed, but if January 1 and 2 were quite light it could be a lot of fun.

 

[skiingfast]

I wouldn't call it quite light. A friend who is there now let me know it's not as busy as expected and they were there late last week not yesterday.

 

[Malcon10t]

We were there today. Crowds were pretty light today. Example, at 8pm, there were still FPs for Indy. We walked on Pirates at 630p. No wait on Jungle Cruise, 10 min wait on Matterhorn. I would not say this is going to be the same next year, simply because years past, it has been very busy on NY Day.

 

[wbl2745]

Just bumping this to see if anyone else has comments on the crowds on 1/1 and 1/2.

 

[skiingfast]

Just bumping this to see if anyone else has comments on the crowds on 1/1 and 1/2.

I heard today was crazy, but not sure if it was because they expected no crowds. Did see some reports that a lot of parking areas where full.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

We toggled between DL and CA today (Jan 2). With two under 3 we haven't been able to get up and to the park very early. We got there at 10. Made use of Fast Passes. I thought it was crazy busy. This was the 1st day of this trip we went to DL. We could barely push the stroller in the New Orleans area. Thought we would go over to CA as it was so nice and slow on 12/31 but it wasn't. Rides that were 5 minute waits on New Years were 45 minutes.

Hoping and praying that it slows down in the next few days as most people have to go to work/school tomorrow.

 

[Malcon10t]

Today was CONSIDERABLY more crowded than the 1st. Parking was full everywhere and they were putting cars in the Gardenwalk, causing major backups on Disney Way and Harbor. It was a MESS.

 

[SunsetsOnTheBeach]

We were there on 12/31 and 1/1. We were expecting total insanity and chaos, and were pleasantly surprised when it wasn't all that bad! Disneyland didn't hit max capacity until around 6pm NYE, we were expecting like 10am. And even then, people were getting in as others left. We got on a TON of rides that day, waits were so easy. 1/1 was busier, but we got in the park a little later that day (around 9am) because we slept in. Had a harder time getting on big rides at DL, but still had luck over at DCA.

 

[ArchOwl]

I have been here since 12/31 and here through the 4th. The 31st was extremely busy in DL, but actually quite nice in DCA. We rang in the New Year at DCA during the midnight WOC. The walkways were open and even at night, no rides in DCA were over an hour wait. Would totally do NYE in DCA again. However DL was a nightmare.

1/1 was the lightest crowd so far. Both DL and DCA were busy, but manageable. Wait times about an hour out, FPs for Indy, HMH available into late evening.

1/2 has been VERY busy. Both parks were crowded and FPs ran out by early evening. Currently in FP line for TOT at DCA closing. Standby was 100 minutes at closing and with FP we have already waited 20 minutes and still in boiler room! Even Monster's Inc was at 20 minutes right before closing. Trams were packed. I think because the higher level SoCals unblocked? But there were also LONG ticket lines today. They broke out the temporary ticket kiosks and the line for tickets was as long as I have seen late in the pm. Maybe the Rose Parade?

At any rate, tomorrow should be interesting!

 

[skiingfast]

I have been here since 12/31 and here through the 4th. The 31st was extremely busy in DL, but actually quite nice in DCA. We rang in the New Year at DCA during the midnight WOC. The walkways were open and even at night, no rides in DCA were over an hour wait. Would totally do NYE in DCA again. However DL was a nightmare.

1/1 was the lightest crowd so far. Both DL and DCA were busy, but manageable. Wait times about an hour out, FPs for Indy, HMH available into late evening.

1/2 has been VERY busy. Both parks were crowded and FPs ran out by early evening. Currently in FP line for TOT at DCA closing. Standby was 100 minutes at closing and with FP we have already waited 20 minutes and still in boiler room! Even Monster's Inc was at 20 minutes right before closing. Trams were packed. I think because the higher level SoCals unblocked? But there were also LONG ticket lines today. They broke out the temporary ticket kiosks and the line for tickets was as long as I have seen late in the pm. Maybe the Rose Parade?

At any rate, tomorrow should be interesting!

I'm really glad you went to DCA on NYE, hope you watched the midnight WoC/fireworks from Paradise park because I've seen videos from various locations and it was better than anything in Dl because of the fog.

I don't know that letting the Deluxes in made a big difference. I'm guessing it was more because locals though the holidays were over and made it ok, then they filled up the parking lots because today is a school holiday for lots of kids and a legal holiday with NYD falling on a weekend for so many parents.

Hope tomorrow is better, but who knows with the larger groups of lower levels of APs being unlocked. Several times more APs than the deluxes let in today.

Did you see or hear if they were parking in GW that they filled the Convention Center Parking too?

 

[ArchOwl]

I'm really glad you went to DCA on NYE, hope you watched the midnight WoC/fireworks from Paradise park because I've seen videos from various locations and it was better than anything in Dl because of the fog.

I don't know that letting the Deluxes in made a big difference. I'm guessing it was more because locals though the holidays were over and made it ok, then they filled up the parking lots because today is a school holiday for lots of kids and a legal holiday with NYD falling on a weekend for so many parents.

Hope tomorrow is better, but who knows with the larger groups of lower levels of APs being unlocked. Several times more APs than the deluxes let in today.

Did you see or hear if they were parking in GW that they filled the Convention Center Parking too?

I did watch the fireworks at WOC. It was obscured by the fog, even WOC wasn't as clear as normal. It was fun though!

Yesterday the SoCal passes were unblocked and the Deluxes. Only the SoCal Selects were blocked. I have no idea what percentage of people have selects vs regular SoCal passes. But it seemed busy! I don't know about the GW parking. I was there for rope drop, left in the afternoon and came back at night to shut the park down. I was able to find parking when I came back in the evening at the structure. Just another reason to be there early and stay late! Missed that whole parking mess!

Today all passes are unblocked, but I am just getting in. Breaking all my own rules about rope drop and all that. But today is a show/relaxing day. But it did take 18 minutes to get in Mickey and Friends.