Disneyland on NYE

[aidensmom31]

So we will be going to disneyland this NYE and I have never been during the holidays. But I hear it can reach capcity on this day and was wondering what time we should be in the park by? Any ideas from people who have been in the past!!!

 

[sonnyjane]

Get to the parks early and do not leave for an afternoon break. It's the busiest day of the year!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I agree. Arrive early and take your breaks inside of the park. When we went in 2005, it was definitely crowded during the day. When everyone started gathering in front of the castle, it became clear just how many people were there! Around 9:00 p.m. they started playing party music on Main Street and they had several stations where you could pick up hats and noisemakers. People started staking our their spots in front of the castle early. We staked ours out around 10:00 p.m. and were off to the right, but could still see the front of the castle pretty well. Mickey and Minnie were up on the castle balcony along with an announcer guy and a few other people and they led the countdown. At midnight, they had the biggest and longest fireworks show we'd ever seen at DL. Getting out was somewhat of a nightmare, but we just went with the flow.

I'm glad we spent a New Year's Eve at DL. However, it's one of those things I think I'll only do once. It was fun, but between the crowds and sitting on the cold ground for 2 hours, I don't feel the need to do it again!

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

We were there last year for the first time on NYE! As others have said the park is packed. But we had a Great time and are heading back this NYE! We plan on just taking our time and enjoying the festivities with out stressing over the crowds.

 

[Ariel224]

I recall from last year's posts here that on at least a couple of the days leading up to NYE and I think NYE itself, capacity was reached by 10 or 11am. I would plan to be there EARLY. Like the PP said, don't leave once you're in, or you may not be able to get back in.

 

[aidensmom31]

We were there last year for the first time on NYE! As others have said the park is packed. But we had a Great time and are heading back this NYE! We plan on just taking our time and enjoying the festivities with out stressing over the crowds.

What time did u get into the park last year?

 

[aidensmom31]

Thank you everyone for the great advice. We already figured that we would be spending all day that day in the park cause we heard about it reaching capacity but I had no clue how early we should show up. The others were hoping to not have to go too early but I was thinking we would need to so this will help me convinve them to just suck it up and go enjoy the day

Another question for y'all. Is park hopping possible on this day? Or does it mean staying at just one of the parks? I have been to disneyland several times just never on a holiday. Thank you for all your help

 

[skiingfast]

I recall from last year's posts here that on at least a couple of the days leading up to NYE and I think NYE itself, capacity was reached by 10 or 11am. I would plan to be there EARLY. Like the PP said, don't leave once you're in, or you may not be able to get back in.

Keep in mind that while capacity may be reached on any day that week, last year was an anomaly. It rained and the park was much quieter than it should of been. Then people that didn't go because it rained came the next nice day. That happening that week was the recipe for disaster.

 

[danceanddisney2010]

Sounds like a lot of fun and a LOT of people! I have never been on NYE but i did go a few years back on the first day of the holiday season. Disneyland was at maxi capacity and it was crazy! However california adventure was wide open and letting people in ... so i think park hopping could lose your spot at disneyland.

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

What time did u get into the park last year?

We went in at 7am. We did not make any dining reservations for breakfast and that was a mistake! The lines to get food were a mess! I was shocked that Disney was not prepared for this. We waited over an hour to order food and at least another 45 minutes to get it at a counter service I have already made reservations for NYE this year! I will not make the mistake of not having reservations again.

 

[elaineliu1]

I'm planning to go this NYE too. If I get a stamp on my hand, will I be let back in if it reached the capacity later in the day?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I recall from last year's posts here that on at least a couple of the days leading up to NYE and I think NYE itself, capacity was reached by 10 or 11am. I would plan to be there EARLY. Like the PP said, don't leave once you're in, or you may not be able to get back in.

Most days when capacity is reached it opens back up in the late afternoon after the parade. But in the case of NYE its closed for good because no one leaves.

Another question for y'all. Is park hopping possible on this day? Or does it mean staying at just one of the parks? I have been to disneyland several times just never on a holiday. Thank you for all your help

I'm planning to go this NYE too. If I get a stamp on my hand, will I be let back in if it reached the capacity later in the day?

Once the fire marshall closes it for capacity they won't let ANYONE in until enough people leave.

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

I'm planning to go this NYE too. If I get a stamp on my hand, will I be let back in if it reached the capacity later in the day?

A stamp will not get you back in if they close the gates and most likely they will not reopen on NYE! So dress warm and bring plenty of money for food and water

 

[kelmac284]

My daughter's birthday is on New Year's Eve and we have always wanted to go just ONCE to let her experience it. We already know that it is going to be crazy and we know to get there early and just plan on "hanging out" later in the day if we get tired. We know we can't leave and I agree with whoever said we will probably make dinning ressies for breakfast lunch AND dinner.

I guess what my question is, do you HAVE to sit in front of the castle or if you are back by the train station can you still see the fireworks? I really don't want nor can I sit on the ground for hours before hand so was hoping to just "hang out" close by and then just kind of meld with the people when it comes time. Not in front mind you but somewhere along mainstreet or even by the train station as I said if you can see them back there.

 

[aidensmom31]

I have made reservations for breakfast and a late lunch, then we are just gonna grab a quickie dinner or snack for the rest of the time. We are doing character breakfast at the plaze inn and then lunch at the blue bayou. We are in for the long haul that day

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

I have made reservations for breakfast and a late lunch, then we are just gonna grab a quickie dinner or snack for the rest of the time. We are doing character breakfast at the plaze inn and then lunch at the blue bayou. We are in for the long haul that day

These are the same two reservations we made for that day!

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

We haven't done NYE, but the comment "quickie dinner" caught my eye... there will be no such thing. We were there on a busy Friday night in May (by no means packed, just very busy) and the counter service we eventually ended up at (hungry bear) was a 45 minute wait to order. If it were me, I'd buck up and have ressies for all 3 meals. But my hubby and dd become lions if not fed protein at regular intervals!

 

[kamikazecat]

We were there for NYE last year and it was nuts but we had a blast. We went in at 7 AM and heard rumblings from the CMs that the park hit capacity at 10:00 AM that day.

 

[Malcon10t]

We will be there again this year. Made our reservations already, and now making ressies for the first of the week.

 

[nursemelis374]

I have been on New Year's Eve 3 times. 2 of the times it had rained most of the day so the crowds were not nearly as bad. In 2009, it had not rained and it was actually warmer and windy so it was crazy! By 6 they were not letting people into DL so we spent the evening in DCA.

The first year we did DL and spent 2 hours standing, shoulder-to-shoulder, in front of the castle waiting for the midnight celebration. I would never do that again and if I had kids with me, no way! The entire hub, Main Street and surrounding areas were absolutely insane.

I will be there again this year and we are sticking with DCA. It is slightly less crowded and just as fun.