Does DL Do Anything Special on New Years Eve?

[sandgrace]

We've never been to DL on New Year's Eve do they do anything special? Are the crowds much worse than they would be a few days before? All input is much appreciated, and Happy Holidays!!!!!

 

[DangerMouse]

They do special fireworks at midnight at both DL and DCA. Yes, it is MUCH MUCH more crowded and you will be shoulder to shoulder with people. If you aren't inside DL before noon, you may get turned away due to gate closures (although this year, I think numbers have been down a bit).

 

[sandgrace]

WOW! I've never heard of them turning people away before, but we'd definately be inside before 12 noon. It's not like I haven't been shoulder to shoulder at DL before, but I did hear that crowds have been down this year. We went to DL last year the day after Christmas and the crowds were horrendous! We have AP's and thought that we'd go sometime between now and New Years and we're trying to decide when we should go. Of course, we don't have a room yet so that's another consideration too.

 

[pixiewings71]

I've been there in July when the parks get closed down. So yes, it does close down when they hit capacity. Luckily we don't go those days. LOL Fingers crossed for lower crowds for you!

 

[fairycat]

I have done NYE in the parks on and off for the past few years, we are also going back this year!

Yes the place is PACKED!!!!! To be honest we have never actually done the countdown in DL, usually we have been at DCA or Napa Rose. One year we ate at The Vineyard room for the countdown which was fantastic!! Another year we did the amazing NYE dinner and countdown at Napa Rose (which is where we are going this year), and the other we did the countdown in DCA.

DCA has music and dancing, they hand out hats and noise makers in both parks and it's just lots of fun!

Yes, in the past the parks have been insane!! DL stopped selling all tickets including blackout passes, and if you had not previously entered DL they would not let you enter that park even with a black out AP pass. They did still have DCA tickets. This was at approx noon, or earlier every trip.

The good news is that Premium passes at that point could still enter DL, since they had not stopped allowing guests in the park. Very rarely will DL hit a capacity were they will stop allowing any one into the park, but this is usually temp. as people begin to leave the park.

If you are prepared for the insanity of the crowds, it really can be a fun place to spend the New Year!

 

[Jackoman]

Whoa, it didn't think it was that crowded during New Years. But don't they show a special fireworks show for New Years? As for turning people away at noon and later, I never knew that. I usually go during the spring and fall, so I never heard about that stuff. Hope it's not too crowded for you!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Imagine the most amount of people you could possibly imagine shoulder to shoulder on Main Street. Then add a thousand more.

I never believed how crowded people said it would be. I always wanted to "do" D-land on NYE. I have done it. I will never do it again.

I have said many times on this board, you will do it once so that you will know to never do it again.

It is SO crowded that shortly after midnight, there are no trams running to Mickey and Friends. They line the route with trams with headlights on and CM's with light sticks and you walk to M&Fs. Why? There are SOOOO many people that the trams would just be unable to handle the volume.

And yes there are special things done. There are hats and horns given out at various locations, along with a stage and official countdown on Main Street.

As for lock out, there are different stages (no more ticket sales, no more AP entry, etc....) On some years on NYE, they have actually reached the point where they do not even allow re-entry with a hand stamp (the last level of lock out). Be sure to look for signs near the exit gate cautioning you of this if you decide to leave at any point in the day.

I have done NYE in the parks on and off for the past few years, we are also going back this year!

Yes the place is PACKED!!!!! To be honest we have never actually done the countdown in DL, usually we have been at DCA or Napa Rose. One year we ate at The Vineyard room for the countdown which was fantastic!! Another year we did the amazing NYE dinner and countdown at Napa Rose (which is where we are going this year), and the other we did the countdown in DCA.

DCA has music and dancing, they hand out hats and noise makers in both parks and it's just lots of fun!

Ah, those sound fun! But it does not sound that you have actually been IN Disneyland Park on NYE. Am I reading it wrong?

- Dreams (Who had to do NYE at Disneyland years ago... and will never do it again!)

P.S. Just have to add that I just read my DH your OP and all he had to say was, "No! No! No! Don't go!" ROFL!!! (But truly, you HAVE to do it once!)

 

[fairycat]

I am crossing my fingers it is a little less crowded this year, since DH has to work half day on NYE and we are crossing our fingers we can buy him a black out pass to DL this year. Maybe it will rain hahahah!

And I believe weather permiting they always have Midnight fireworks, but I dont believe the standard show fireworks.

 

[fairycat]

See doing NYE in Napa Rose or DCA, I think has made things way more "doable" for us. I would like to do NYE in DL itself one year, but it is way more relaxed in the other locations.

Seriously the Napa Rose is the best! You get an amazing dinner, a band, toasts and the countdown with hats and noise makers and its so fun!

After Napa we found time to run over to both parks and ride on quite a few rides as most people start leaving right after the countdown. Leaving at closing made it a fun night!

 

[sandgrace]

Do they allow children at the Napa Rose NYE Party? It sounds really great.

 

[fairycat]

We saw children at both seatings, but I am unsure what the discount for the kid's menu is and if it is "toned down" for the kid's. The menu is rather "exotic" for some kid's unless you have a little gormand in your midst.

There are two seatings for the meals and I know the early one that does not include the NYE ring in is significantly cheaper. The NYE ring in meal is $200 a person, I think around $100 per person for the earlier seating, and that did not include the wine pairing last time.

It is a huge splurge, but I have to say too date it was some of the best food I ever had! And I was shocked that I had it at Disneyland. I hate to say it but it ruined me for Victoria and Albert's in WDW because the meal at Napa put everything they served to shame. It really was a lot of fun and so worth every dollar!

 

[Matterhorn Eric]

So they do fireworks at both DL and DCA? If so, where is a good place to view the fireworks from in DCA? I have a feeling thats where I'll be so that the crowds to deal with will be a little easier.