Disneyland New Years Eve...Where to eat?

[OziJo]

We have 4 days in Disneyland from 28th Dec to 1st Jan. We are 3 adults (DH, DD and me). We have 4 day park hoppers so we have plenty of time to see the parks. My dilemma is in deciding where to spend New Years Eve I know DLR will be very busy but my heart is leaning towards DLR. Now it's coming up time to book dining reservations for NYE. Am I going to be able to book a dining package for NYE midnight fireworks? I'm really keen on eating at Blue Bayou and already have a reservation for a Fantasmic Dining package on Sunday 30th which I will cancel if we decide to NYE there.

The other option is for us to do CAP on New Year EVE. I'm looking at maybe booking Lamplight Lounge as I like the idea of overlooking Paradise Pier and sipping a cocktail. Maybe book that around an earlier show and watch from the Lounge then wing it at CAP until midnight.

Pros for CAP are: less crowded and we can have a cocktail.

Pros for DLR: Blue Bayou and NYE in the OP.

We are staying at Anaheim Camelot Inn and we have been to Disney before (see my sig)

Any advice and shared experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[cmpeter]

I’ve done NYE twice in the parks and both times opted for DCA because of the crowding and wanting to ring in the NY with a glass of champagne.

 

[ParkHopper1]

We do NYE every year and always stay in DCA. Love it over there. The DCA countdown show is pretty rockin and crowds are usually not much worse than a busy weekend. DL park can be a freakin zoo and the midnight show is a bit more traditional. Both are on Youtube to see which you might prefer...but while everyone thinks they wanna be in DL and fighting crowds and chaos, the rest of us in the know are having a great time in DCA

Reservation are indeed a must. If you are gonna do DL, get a reservation inside that park and do not plan on leaving. If you are doing DCA you have a lot more options.

We usually play in the parks, do a dinner in DCA or DTD at 7 or 8 then back to the park for a relaxing evening checking out all the entertainment until midnight.

PS, thanks for the reminder that I gotta book NYE dining!

 

[OziJo]

I’ve done NYE twice in the parks and both times opted for DCA because of the crowding and wanting to ring in the NY with a glass of champagne.

Yeah I like the sound of that too DD3 is 20 so she just misses out. Mocktails for her

We do NYE every year and always stay in DCA. Love it over there. The DCA countdown show is pretty rockin and crowds are usually not much worse than a busy weekend. DL park can be a freakin zoo and the midnight show is a bit more traditional. Both are on Youtube to see which you might prefer...but while everyone thinks they wanna be in DL and fighting crowds and chaos, the rest of us in the know are having a great time in DCA

Reservation are indeed a must. If you are gonna do DL, get a reservation inside that park and do not plan on leaving. If you are doing DCA you have a lot more options.

We usually play in the parks, do a dinner in DCA or DTD at 7 or 8 then back to the park for a relaxing evening checking out all the entertainment until midnight.

PS, thanks for the reminder that I gotta book NYE dining!

So leaving and eating at Downtown Disney then heading back to DCA is not a problem? And what restaurant do you book?

 

[ParkHopper1]

So leaving and eating at Downtown Disney then heading back to DCA is not a problem? And where do you book?

Yup, DCA has free flow access and yet to ever close due to capacity. DL on the other hand regularly has gates close at some point during NYE.

We did Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen last NYE as it was our only option by time I booked late and we loved it.

 

[OziJo]

We did Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen last NYE as it was our only option by time I booked late and we loved it.

Back in 2009 we walked into a Cajun/Creole New Orleans themed restaurant in DTD and the smell of candied pecans was delicious. We had their signature salad served with the pecans and I've never had better. I don't remember it being called Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen but it sure sounds like it. That is definitely sounding good for NYE's.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

When you said DD3 I thought she was 3 years old. Since you mentioned she’s 20 I vote DCA all the way! Booze and a party atmosphere sounds awesome!

 

[OziJo]

When you said DD3 I thought she was 3 years old. Since you mentioned she’s 20 I vote DCA all the way! Booze and a party atmosphere sounds awesome!

Ha ha no she's DD number 3. She's my baby but she's 20 years old. Still too young to drink in the USA though. That's ok she's not much of a drinker. She'll be happy with a Mocktail.

Thanks for all these responses. I'm convinced now that we will do DCA New Years Eve. I've actually booked Ralph Brennan's for the Saturday night as I like the sound of that one but will do a restaurant in DCA on NYE. I'm thinking Lamplight Lounge as we wont be looking for another fancy restaurant on top of Blue Bayou and Ralph Brennan's. The lounge atmosphere overlooking the Pier sounds like fun.

Only thing. I'm looking and it seems as though there is no World of Color Show at the moment??? Will there be one on New Years Eve? I'm not sure whether that will change our plans. There are parades and other shows to see but still....

 

[cruisehopeful]

Only thing. I'm looking and it seems as though there is no World of Color Show at the moment??? Will there be one on New Years Eve? I'm not sure whether that will change our plans. There are parades and other shows to see but still....

It's been posted that World of Color will not be back until next year. It's a real bummer.

 

[mseyre]

We went for NYE 2 years ago and it poured rain. This meant we were able to flow back and forth between the parks all day. I am still trying to decide this year what park we should plan on staying in.

 

[dina444444]

We went for NYE 2 years ago and it poured rain. This meant we were able to flow back and forth between the parks all day. I am still trying to decide this year what park we should plan on staying in.

I went last year and 2 years ago with the rain. Last year was definately busier then the year before but neither park had a gate closure.

 

[mseyre]

I went last year and 2 years ago with the rain. Last year was definately busier then the year before but neither park had a gate closure.

That’s great to hear. Yeah definitely didn’t close the rain year.