Just booked New Years!

[cyndisun]

I know it is a long way off...but I just had to tell someone how excited I am that we just booked the Grand CA for Dec 30-Jan 2!!! And who better to share it with than my fellow Dis'ers?

We've never been during Christmas and I promised my mom I'd take her back before she is too old to ride Indiana Jones. It was closed when we were there last August.

If anyone has any tips or info about the Holidays at DL, please share. Anything special go on for New Year's Eve?

 

[6Smiles]

Congratulations, New years sounds like loads of fun! "Before Mom too old for Indiana Jones"

 

[kaity230]

Have an amazing time!
Keep in mind that New Years Eve is incredibly busy - but it will still be a great time!
Pick your spot for the midnight countdown way ahead of time because the crowds get so great its hard to move. There are usually DJS, dancespots and special fireworks for New Years. The GCH is decorated beautifully for Christmas - you will totally be in the holiday feel! Be sure to catch the Dickens carollers who come to the hotel and are on main street - usually someone at the hotel front desk can tell you when they will be there. The area Big Thunder Ranch (sort of a petting zoo) has reindeer at Christmas and a cute show and Mrs Claus is out to help decorate cookies. Its A Small World and Haunted Mansion both have holiday overlays and are very different rides this time of year! There is a special parade for the holidays - its wonderful and really worth seeing. Speaking of the parade, it might be worth taking the Holiday Tour which costs extra but IMO is well worth it as you get priority seating for the parade, hot chocolate and baked goods, skip the line for Haunted Mansion and Small world holiday and are told of lots of christmas traditions! There are also special fireworks at Christmas time called Believe In Holiday Magic and weather permitting, there is snowfall at the end! Also, on special dates in the bakery on main street they make candy canes which you can watch. In DCA Santa has a "beach blast" and you can meet him there, the lobby of GCH, or Big Thunder Ranch. If I think of anything else I'll let you know - and if you have any questions!


It really is a wonderful time to be going - have fun!

 

[jencav5]

I know it is a long way off...but I just had to tell someone how excited I am that we just booked the Grand CA for Dec 30-Jan 2!!! And who better to share it with than my fellow Dis'ers?

We've never been during Christmas and I promised my mom I'd take her back before she is too old to ride Indiana Jones. It was closed when we were there last August.

If anyone has any tips or info about the Holidays at DL, please share. Anything special go on for New Year's Eve?

Honestly, New Years is the worst time to go, as far as crowds go-sorry-don't want to burst your bubble. We were there this past New Years and it was pretty crazy. We go extremely often and have a special needs child, so we don't have too much trouble with waiting for attractions; however, getting around in the park, parades, etc... is much more difficult during busy times like New Years. The park was at capacity several days during this period. We were going into DCA one day, when I heard a partial family behind us informing the rest of their family by phone that they could not get back into DL until approx 5pm because the park was full. This was about 11am! DCA was a lot better than DL, but still quite crowded for DCA. They do have some special stuff for New Years Eve. They set up stages all around both parks and have "dance parties" at each one of different themes-70's, 80's, dance, etc.... Then they set off fireworks from both parks at the same time at midnight. Both parks are open until 2am, I think it was. I originally thought that I might bring a blanket and "camp out" like at the normal fireworks, but found out that would not be possible. We asked some cast members about the stages beforehand, as they start setting them up days in advance. We were told that it would be extremely crowded-shoulder to shoulder. We also ended up talking to another friend of ours who had been and they also said this. So, we ended up going to Legoland for the "kids New Years" at 6pm. When we got back, there were signs all down Harbor saying that the fireworks were possibly going to be cancelled at DLR. We figured we'd watch them from our room. Anyway, they set off a small set of fireworks right at midnight and that was it-no big show. We could see other fireworks in the distance from somewhere else. Just keep in mind that it will be busy. It would probably be better to do the New Year's Eve at DCA rather than DL, although still crowded. I'm not sure if any of the GC rooms would be able to see the fireworks from theme park view DCA. I know you can't really see the DL fireworks from there. Let me know if you have any other specific questions about the time of year.

 

[bumbershoot]

Congrats! I'm sure you'll have fun.

Just know that it's going to be wildly crowded. CMs we were chatting with last September shuddered when we brought up NYE, saying out scarily busy it always is.

I would expect, from reading this board and others, that you will need to choose one park to be in and stick with that, b/c otherwise if they fill to capacity after you leave, you might not be able to get back in.

Prepare yourself as best as you can, and have fun!

 

[BillyFan]

Enjoy yourselves! If you get into the parks early and tour wisely, and you are prepared for crowds, you'll be fine. And if you can manage to get up early on New Years Day, I bet you'll practically have the park to yourself in the morning.

 

[kaity230]

Another word of advice: Apparently after midnight the parks are pretty emptied out so you can enjoy the attractions then (it stays open extra late nye). If you don't choose to go in the parks NYE keep in mind that you are staying in a lovely hotel and have downtown disney to enjoy also - with the ease of returning to your room when you want! You didn't mention if you were staying concierge - if you are there are great views of the fireworks from the lounge. If not I'm sure there are other areas where you can see the fireworks - I'm sure someone here will know.

 

[eeyore3847]

Have an amazing time!
Keep in mind that New Years Eve is incredibly busy - but it will still be a great time!
Pick your spot for the midnight countdown way ahead of time because the crowds get so great its hard to move. There are usually DJS, dancespots and special fireworks for New Years. The GCH is decorated beautifully for Christmas - you will totally be in the holiday feel! Be sure to catch the Dickens carollers who come to the hotel and are on main street - usually someone at the hotel front desk can tell you when they will be there. The area Big Thunder Ranch (sort of a petting zoo) has reindeer at Christmas and a cute show and Mrs Claus is out to help decorate cookies. Its A Small World and Haunted Mansion both have holiday overlays and are very different rides this time of year! There is a special parade for the holidays - its wonderful and really worth seeing. Speaking of the parade, it might be worth taking the Holiday Tour which costs extra but IMO is well worth it as you get priority seating for the parade, hot chocolate and baked goods, skip the line for Haunted Mansion and Small world holiday and are told of lots of christmas traditions! There are also special fireworks at Christmas time called Believe In Holiday Magic and weather permitting, there is snowfall at the end! Also, on special dates in the bakery on main street they make candy canes which you can watch. In DCA Santa has a "beach blast" and you can meet him there, the lobby of GCH, or Big Thunder Ranch. If I think of anything else I'll let you know - and if you have any questions!


It really is a wonderful time to be going - have fun!

I agree with everything above. We went dec 27th2007 to jan 1 2008. The lines were huge. super busy parks - but one of the most fun trips ever. here a few pics from our trip! And yes grab your spot by 9pm or you'll never get one for midnight!

pic Taken at 8:30 pm in front of castle!

pics taken at 11pm from sitting at the plaza!

The trip was super busy and crazy but one of the best trips we have ever taken!!!!!

 

[cyndisun]

Have an amazing time!
Keep in mind that New Years Eve is incredibly busy - but it will still be a great time!
Pick your spot for the midnight countdown way ahead of time because the crowds get so great its hard to move. There are usually DJS, dancespots and special fireworks for New Years. The GCH is decorated beautifully for Christmas - you will totally be in the holiday feel! Be sure to catch the Dickens carollers who come to the hotel and are on main street - usually someone at the hotel front desk can tell you when they will be there. The area Big Thunder Ranch (sort of a petting zoo) has reindeer at Christmas and a cute show and Mrs Claus is out to help decorate cookies. Its A Small World and Haunted Mansion both have holiday overlays and are very different rides this time of year! There is a special parade for the holidays - its wonderful and really worth seeing. Speaking of the parade, it might be worth taking the Holiday Tour which costs extra but IMO is well worth it as you get priority seating for the parade, hot chocolate and baked goods, skip the line for Haunted Mansion and Small world holiday and are told of lots of christmas traditions! There are also special fireworks at Christmas time called Believe In Holiday Magic and weather permitting, there is snowfall at the end! Also, on special dates in the bakery on main street they make candy canes which you can watch. In DCA Santa has a "beach blast" and you can meet him there, the lobby of GCH, or Big Thunder Ranch. If I think of anything else I'll let you know - and if you have any questions!


It really is a wonderful time to be going - have fun!

Thanks for all the great info. That is what I come to the DISboards for!

I guess I should have said that we are expecting the crowds to be huge. So no one needs to worry about "bursting our bubble". My husband and I have stayed near home for the past 11 NYE's as we have our own business and need to be available to close out the year. This New Years Eve will be great just to get away. We go to DL (and WDW) often enough that if the crowds are too huge we won't feel the need to fight our way to every attraction--we've seen them all enough. Of course, my mom will have to go on Indiana Jones.

To another poster who asked about concierge, we decided not to go that route this trip. We have on our other trips but we just couldn't justify it for such a short stay. Plus, we will have just been to WDW/DCL in August so we decided to save the $$$ this trip. But we know the GC will be totally decked out and we'll have a great time.

Thanks again to all of you with the great tips.