Disneyland New Years Eve 2015 - 2016 Thread!

[sandgrace]

We just decided to go too! We'll be arriving later in the day on NYE probably after 3:00pm, then we'll need to check into our hotel. It seems like most people like DCA better than DL for NYE why is that? Is it just because it's less crowded, or are the fireworks better?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

It is because DCA will most likely be less crowded (crowded, yes, but not as much as DL) and will have a much lower chance of gate closures (so arriving at any time should be fine). The midnight WOC is fun and there will be bands playing in different locations throughout the park.

 

[scrapperkimmydee]

We went during Spring Break of this year, and I've gone Thanksgiving week before. It's been 25 years since I've been for NYE. How do the crowds compare to these other busy days? Isn't NYE the MOST crowded day of the year?

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

We went during Spring Break of this year, and I've gone Thanksgiving week before. It's been 25 years since I've been for NYE. How do the crowds compare to these other busy days? Isn't NYE the MOST crowded day of the year?

Yes, it can be. Lines get very long and walkways get very congested. There are usually gate closures for some period of time during the day. We actually left DL around 10:30 am last New Year's Eve because we knew those kinds of crowds weren't going to work for our family. We spent from 10:30 am until 1:00 am over at DCA and found that a lot more manageable. CMs I talked to did comment last year that crowds weren't getting as high at either park as their supervisors had projected and prepared them for. With the 60th this year and the imminent closure of so many park attractions, I would expect New Year's Eve to be pretty packed.

 

[scrapperkimmydee]

I think I need to re-strategist our day, then. On those other really busy days, we still didn't wait more than 15 minutes in any line. I may be able to make that happen for the morning, but I don't think it will work later in the day.

 

[AddictedtoDoleWhip]

I think I need to re-strategist our day, then. On those other really busy days, we still didn't wait more than 15 minutes in any line. I may be able to make that happen for the morning, but I don't think it will work later in the day.

You aren't going to be able to make 15 minutes happen much past 9 IMO. watching how the lines have been the last few days they've been 35 in the morning and then by early afternoon some jump to 120 (like Space Mountain)
Last year when I went for NYE by the time it was 3, all the big ticket rides were 100+ minute waits, and I expect it to be that way by noon this year.

 

[Niltiac]

I'm not going but I'm curious for future reference, are WOC and the fireworks at midnight different from usual? Obviously the DCA fireworks must be different since DCA doesn't usually have fireworks, but I'm curious about the others. And where do they set off the DCA fireworks?

 

[AddictedtoDoleWhip]

I'm not going but I'm curious for future reference, are WOC and the fireworks at midnight different from usual? Obviously the DCA fireworks must be different since DCA doesn't usually have fireworks, but I'm curious about the others. And where do they set off the DCA fireworks?

I know last year I saw the DCA fireworks from where "Freeze The Night/Mad T Party" was, I felt like I was surrounded by them which was pretty cool. I don't think WOC is any different from the usual. I'm not sure about the fireworks that go off at midnight but I would imagine no.

 

[Miguel Garcia]

Hello all!

I was hoping if anyone would have any recommendations on stuff to do outside, but close to Disneyland and DCA. My family an I will be heading to Dland the 1st through through the 4th but wanted to be maybe in downtown Disney for the countdown but was not sure if they had anything going around in the area. Does anyone have some recommendations for anything going ton in and around the Disneyland resort?

 

[AZMermaid]

I think I need to re-strategist our day, then. On those other really busy days, we still didn't wait more than 15 minutes in any line. I may be able to make that happen for the morning, but I don't think it will work later in the day.

I was just looking at the app at wait times right now (1PM 12/28) I am seeing the following just for a few:
Pirates 120 min
Peter Pan 70 min
Space 160 min
Dumbo 60 min
Snow White 40 min!!!!!

 

[tiki23]

I have friends going on NYE and they had no idea what they were in for! How can they find out about the park capacity status? Is there an app?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Hello all!

I was hoping if anyone would have any recommendations on stuff to do outside, but close to Disneyland and DCA. My family an I will be heading to Dland the 1st through through the 4th but wanted to be maybe in downtown Disney for the countdown but was not sure if they had anything going around in the area. Does anyone have some recommendations for anything going ton in and around the Disneyland resort?

You could do dinner and dancing in DtD. Check if any of the DtD restaurants still have availabiility on NYE. There will be dancing at the main stage (by ESPN Zone) until midnight. I believe the artist will be Ry Bradley.

 

[Malcon10t]

When they decide to hard close the park, no one is allowed back in EXCEPT VIP tours, as they are counted as being in both parks all day.

Last year DL park was closed by 5-6pm, which I know because that was when we were reentering. I personally expect it to close earlier this year.

And yes, the hub will be staked out for the day by lunch time, and most will stay there all day.

And to the person thinking 15 min lines in the morning, please revise your times or you will be very disappointed.

 

[AquaDame]

I will never understand how people can sit all day in the hub... We're two adults... If we can't find an inch for fireworks after our 9:10 blue bayou is there a less congested place to try..? I'm hoping that since they'll be doing 9pm & midnight fireworks we have a shot of squishing in but...

 

[AddictedtoDoleWhip]

I will never understand how people can sit all day in the hub... We're two adults... If we can't find an inch for fireworks after our 9:10 blue bayou is there a less congested place to try..? I'm hoping that since they'll be doing 9pm & midnight fireworks we have a shot of squishing in but...

I wouldn't count on any area that is going to be less congested. NYE is a crowded day, park will probably be at capacity so no place is going to be "less congested" honestly I would just look for a spot and stay there until the fireworks start and I wouldn't be surprised if you have to look an hour or two ahead of time. Maybe Small World area will be good if you must see the DL fireworks.

 

[ParkHopper1]

I'm not going but I'm curious for future reference, are WOC and the fireworks at midnight different from usual? Obviously the DCA fireworks must be different since DCA doesn't usually have fireworks, but I'm curious about the others. And where do they set off the DCA fireworks?

Done DCA last few years. At midnight they do a countdown over Parade Bay then a several min fireworks show. It is a lot of fun. They shoot them off from barges in the water as well as from behind Screamin. A lot more ground type effect than aerial fireworks like DL show. After the midnight countdown, they then run the full WOC after a few min reset...so WOC is actually 12:05am. They had some weird thing last year that they had to list all the midnight sows at 11:59pm so it would show up on the calendar for the same day and not on the 1st!

 

[Metalliman98]

What time do you think one needs to arrive at DL on NYE to avoid getting shut out? Noon? Earlier? Also, what do you think the likelihood is of DCA being closed for capacity?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I would aim for noon at the latest. The odds of DCA closing are low, although it did happen once earlier this year (not because DCA hit capacity, although it was very crowded, but to help clear the esplanade, which was becoming jammed). DCA did not stay closed for long. Even if DL closes the gates, they will eventually reopen after enough people have left, usually after parades and fireworks.

 

[Disneyluvr2]

Here's a couple of pics of Main Street on NYE a couple of years ago. This was a few hours before the fireworks started and pretty much how the whole park looks in the evening. If you go expecting this, and have the right attitude, you can still have fun. Lines will be long for everything! Plan ahead for eating. Make reservations ahead of time or get to the park early to get a locker and bring food. We saw lots of people with cards and board games just sitting and having fun. As the evening goes on, you will not be able to just walk across the park to get where you want to go. CM's will be directing one way traffic and the fastest you will walk will be a shuffle. It could literally take you almost an hour to get from one side of the park to the other. It's just that crowded. But everyone we encountered was in good spirits and having fun. Attitude is everything if you choose to go for NYE!!

 

[ParkHopper1]

Last year gates closed around 4pm for a few hours...but re opened later. Christmas day gates closed around 1:30p for a few hours.

DCA has yet to close the past few years non NYE