New Years Day?

[deanimal]

I'm planning a quick Disney trip before my cruise and can only go for one day, New Years day! Has anyone ever been there on that day? I know there will be crowds, but how bad is bad? Does it at least start a bit slow since so many people will have stayed up late the night before? (Hey, I can hope, right?) Any first hand advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I have only been on New Year's Day once, January 1, 2008, and it was probably an atypical year because of the weather. It was windy and foggy and cold the night before and I think it rained during the middle of the night. It was not raining on the first though.

We did not stay up real late the night before, so we were at the park for opening at 8 AM on New Year's. It was excellent. I think many people do stay up the night before and then sleep in. I think there are also a lot of other things going on on New Year's Day that attract people's attention, such as the Rose Parade and football. The morning hours were very pleasant, and several CMs told us those crowd levels were normal for New Year's Day. We did not stay all day though, so I do not know how much crowds picked up in the afternoon and evening. Also, like I said, this was 2008, and crowd patterns at Disney have changed a lot in just the last few years.

 

[LavenderPeach]

I went to DLR on New Year's Day a couple of years ago, but like PP, I was only there in the morning. We got there when DL opened and it was not crowded at all. I can't remember what time we left. Probably around noon? The crowds were starting to get bigger by that time but I don't know how awful it got. So if you're going to go, make sure you're there at opening to get a few hours with low crowds. Then as it starts to get more crowded you can do the rides and attractions that don't have as long of a wait during crowded times (jungle cruise and the animation building at DCA are a couple that come to mind). Oh, and try to eat your meals at "off" times to avoid long food lines.

 

[deanimal]

Thanks for the reports! I'm glad to hear that arriving early will help. Hopefully we can do some rides first thing and enjoy the Christmas decorations before it gets too busy. I've never been over the holidays before. Are there any "do not miss" sights that I should get in?

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Thanks for the reports! I'm glad to hear that arriving early will help. Hopefully we can do some rides first thing and enjoy the Christmas decorations before it gets too busy. I've never been over the holidays before. Are there any "do not miss" sights that I should get in?

There will be lots of decorations. Some of the characters like Mickey and Minnie will be dressed in their winter outfits. You should ride IASW and HM since they will have holiday overlays. The fireworks show and parade are different than during the rest of the year. There are seasonal treats offered at the restaurants that aren't offered year-round.

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

I have a cute little story about NYD morning last year.OP we were in the park until closing NYE and there was a family near us listening and dancing to the DJ. They had 2 little girls under age 5 dancing and having a great time. They were up till the party ended. The next morning my DH got me up early he wanted an early start for our drive home, I just wanted to sleep! When we got to the lobby of the hotel shortly after 7am there was this family dressed and ready for the park. I went over and told the dad I thought those girls would sleep till noon & I explained how I had watched them all night. Anyway he said he thought they would too but at 6am they were wide awake and wanted to go back to DL.

 

[Malcon10t]

Word of warning... Don't compare this year to last years New Years Day. Normally, New Years Day has fewer people in the am because of the Rose Bowl Parade. It gets busier later because the parade is over, and people come back to the park. Because it is a Sunday, the game and parade will be on the second. The last time when the game was on the second, the park was CROWDED from opening on New Years Day.