New Year's Eve at DCA?

[robinb]

Hi everyone! I might have the opportunity to spend my 2nd NYE at Disneyland this year if my beloved Wisconsin Badgers make it to the Rose Bowl. I have my reservation at the Hilton already set (buy 3 nights, get one free ... over NYE?!?! ) and we'll be coming from WDW. We already have everything set for NYE at Epcot but that will change if the Badgers win out and end up with the best BCS ranking in the Big Ten. I have plans to use my WDW park hopper which will be activated in WDW so I don't need tickets.

I am a veteran of WDW NYEs. I have been to every NYE at WDW since 1999/2000 except for one and I was at Disneyland's MK for NYE 1998/1999. Disneyland's NYE was crazy-bad. Much, MUCH worse than anything I have seen at WDW, including the two times I was in the MK at WDW.

I would like to avoid the MK that evening if I can and celebrate in DCA instead. I've read that you can watch the DCA fireworks and then see the MK's bigger fireworks over the bridge. Does that work out OK? Does DCA close to returning guests? I think I'd like to go into the MK early and do some rides and then go back to the Hilton for a swim and a rest and then into DCA for dinner and the fireworks. We plan on going back to our hotel as soon as the fireworks are over as we'll have to wake up extra early to get over to the Rose Bowl parade in Pasadena which is about an hour away from Anaheim.

Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated. I will call today to see if there is any availability for dinner that night in DCA.

 

[Janell]

Im a bit confussed, when you say MK, i think Magic Kingdom at WDW. When you say MK are you meaning Disneyland (DL)? I think that is the case, since you are talking about the Rose Bowl and DCA. If you mean Disneyland, heres my take on things.

We are NYE Vets at DLR for 20-25 years. Our plan has always been spend the morning till our afternoon nap at DL and then spend the evening at DCA. In years past, this has worked wonderfully. Im not sure with WOC how this year will be. DCA has been more busier then ever since WOC opened. Im guessing that spending the morning in DL and evening in DCA, is the best bet. But Im not sure yet. I have been watching a lot on twittier to see what people are saying about the crowds. They have already hit capasity on the first day of the holiday decor being up.

In the past, DCA, hasn't always had fireworks. That I know of. Im not sure what the plans are for this year. Yes you can watch DL fireworks from DCA.

I haven't ever seen DCA close due to hitting capacity. Im guess they wont this year either. But then again you never know. When we leave, I check with the CM at the gate to see how the numbers are going and how close they are to closing. It may give an idea if its good to leave or if you should stay.

Which fire works show are you planning to leave after? I think there is a show at 9:00pm and then one at midnight. If you want to leave after the midnight show, I would recommend exiting DCA and standing in the esplanade. That way you are out of the park, before the fire works and it will make it easier to get to your car/shuttle or just walking. Most guest will make a mad dash for the exit after the fire works. It can be a mad house.

I don't have much advice on the Rose Parade. I've never gone to see it in person. I do know people camp out over night to get a place to see it. I hear its a lot of fun to see it. I do know the floats go to a location afterwards and you can pay a small amount to go and see them up close.
I've also heard parking can be far away, so bring your walking shoes.

You will have a wonderful time.

 

[robinb]

Im a bit confussed, when you say MK, i think Magic Kingdom at WDW. When you say MK are you meaning Disneyland (DL)? I think that is the case, since you are talking about the Rose Bowl and DCA. If you mean Disneyland, heres my take on things.

We are NYE Vets at DLR for 20-25 years. Our plan has always been spend the morning till our afternoon nap at DL and then spend the evening at DCA. In years past, this has worked wonderfully. Im not sure with WOC how this year will be. DCA has been more busier then ever since WOC opened. Im guessing that spending the morning in DL and evening in DCA, is the best bet. But Im not sure yet. I have been watching a lot on twittier to see what people are saying about the crowds. They have already hit capasity on the first day of the holiday decor being up.

In the past, DCA, hasn't always had fireworks. That I know of. Im not sure what the plans are for this year. Yes you can watch DL fireworks from DCA.

I haven't ever seen DCA close due to hitting capacity. Im guess they wont this year either. But then again you never know. When we leave, I check with the CM at the gate to see how the numbers are going and how close they are to closing. It may give an idea if its good to leave or if you should stay.

Which fire works show are you planning to leave after? I think there is a show at 9:00pm and then one at midnight. If you want to leave after the midnight show, I would recommend exiting DCA and standing in the esplanade. That way you are out of the park, before the fire works and it will make it easier to get to your car/shuttle or just walking. Most guest will make a mad dash for the exit after the fire works. It can be a mad house.

I don't have much advice on the Rose Parade. I've never gone to see it in person. I do know people camp out over night to get a place to see it. I hear its a lot of fun to see it. I do know the floats go to a location afterwards and you can pay a small amount to go and see them up close.
I've also heard parking can be far away, so bring your walking shoes.

You will have a wonderful time.

Thank you. I meant the Magic Kingdom at the DLR. I thought that "Disneyland" was also named the "Magic Kingdom" in Anaheim the same as it is everywhere else.

Yes, we would want to be there for the midnight fireworks. So the esplanade is a good place to be? I was thinking about watching the fireworks from inside and then maybe exiting out the Grand California.

As for the parade, we would purchase seats in advance along with parking. We did it last time in 1999 and it worked our wonderfully with no overnight waiting. BUT ... walking to the Rose Bowl from the parade route was really far!

 

[Janell]

Thank you. I meant the Magic Kingdom at the DLR. I thought that "Disneyland" was also named the "Magic Kingdom" in Anaheim the same as it is everywhere else.

Yes, we would want to be there for the midnight fireworks. So the esplanade is a good place to be? I was thinking about watching the fireworks from inside and then maybe exiting out the Grand California.

As for the parade, we would purchase seats in advance along with parking. We did it last time in 1999 and it worked our wonderfully with no overnight waiting. BUT ... walking to the Rose Bowl from the parade route was really far!

You are more then welcome. If there is anything i can help with, let me know. No worries. MK from what I know is only at WDW. All the other resorts use the name Disneyland. Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and California all use Disneyland. Not sure why WDW is the only with MK. Im sure there is a reason. lol

I think the esplanade is good, if you are not going through the Grand Cal Hotel exit. I hadn't thought of that exit when I posted before.

I think going through the Disney Grand Hotel is a great idea to get back to the Hilton. I do want to caution you, that they sometimes during hi-peak times check for a Disney Hotel key at that Grand Cal entrance/exit. That exit is suppose to be just for Disney Hotel guest. I can tell you for years they didn't check. Then it was only on hi-peak times. And now with WOC, they do check first thing in the morning.

So what I would do, is in the evening, I say after 6:00 pm check with the CM at that gate to see if you can exit through that gate at midnight if you are not staying at a Disney hotel. I have never had them check while leaving the park. But on NYE, you never know. DCA is serving more alcohol then they have before and well you just never know when they will decide to use this gate is only for hotel guest. And I hate for you to that gate just to be turned away and have a longer walk back to your hotel. Why I say ask the CM after 6:00 pm because I hope that those CM will be the same at midnight. Different CM will tell you different things.

Thats great that you have tickets and parking for the Rose Parade. I didn't even know they sold tickets and seating. That is wonderful.

Will you be staying in the Rose Bowl area all day or coming back to DLR?

 

[robinb]

No worries. MK from what I know is only at WDW. All the other resorts use the name Disneyland. Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and California all use Disneyland. Not sure why WDW is the only with MK. Im sure there is a reason. lol

*sigh* You're right. And I have BEEN to all of those parks too so I have no excuse. But in Anaheim ... I could SWEAR that a CMs refer to Disneyland as "the Magic Kingdom" last time we were there two years ago and it threw me.

Thanks for the offer of help. Disneyland is my first and favorite of all the Disney parks and I don't get to visit it often enough.

Do you know if a shuttle still drops off at the walkway that crosses Katella? It did *years* ago in the Dopey parking lot behind DCA. Now that I dig a bit it looks like that lot is now closed. I wonder if the Toy Story lot is closer than just hoofing it all the way.

 

[Janell]

*sigh* You're right. And I have BEEN to all of those parks too so I have no excuse. But in Anaheim ... I could SWEAR that a CMs refer to Disneyland as "the Magic Kingdom" last time we were there two years ago and it threw me.

Thanks for the offer of help. Disneyland is my first and favorite of all the Disney parks and I don't get to visit it often enough.

Do you know if a shuttle still drops off at the walkway that crosses Katella? It did *years* ago in the Dopey parking lot behind DCA. Now that I dig a bit it looks like that lot is now closed. I wonder if the Toy Story lot is closer than just hoofing it all the way.

That is so cool that you have been to the other parks. I haven't gotten to Hong Kong yet. I loved Tokyo. Oh the shopping. lol

That is interesting that you heard a CM called DL MK. It really doesn't matter. I just wanted to make sure I was giving info on the right park.

DL is my first and Favorite park too. It has my heart. Even though we got married at WDW and Tokyo has great shopping.

Im not sure if the Disney tram is running along that side anymore. I love the toy story bus. It so much better then the trams. The trams that go to the Mickey and Friends parking lot(the big parking structure), other guest are so push and its not as orderly as one would hope. The bus to Toy Story parking lot is very much like WDW buses, but not as crowded. Ive never had a problem finding a seat. They are lined up one after another, ready to pick up guest.

I looked at google maps and the Toy Story parking lot is on Harbor at Convention Way, which I think goes right to the Hilton.

Im not sure which is better, walking from the park or Toy Story parking lot, but either can be done.

Now I keep thinking that lately(meaning the last month) Ive seen guest crossing the street at the walkway on Katellia, the one you were thinking about. So Im guessing there could be a way to do it still. I know they aren't building right up to that property line in that area, so there very well could be a walk way still. I hope someone else will know for sure. But I will look or ask next time I go, which should be in the next few weeks, I hope.

 

[robinb]

Now I keep thinking that lately(meaning the last month) Ive seen guest crossing the street at the walkway on Katellia, the one you were thinking about. So Im guessing there could be a way to do it still. I know they aren't building right up to that property line in that area, so there very well could be a walk way still. I hope someone else will know for sure. But I will look or ask next time I go, which should be in the next few weeks, I hope.

It's right in the middle of the block IIRC and there is a nice entrance into the Disneyland property big enough for 4-6 people to walk through abreast.

I found a picture on MousePlanet! It was to the Timon parking lot:

The other side of the walkway (behind the camera) goes along the convention center. So we would walk to the convention center from the Hilton and then take a right down the service driveway and over Katella to the pedestrian entrance. We would walk through the parking lot and one of the parking shuttles would pick us up and take us to the park entrance.

 

[Janell]

Yeah I have seen people in the last few weeks use that exit. I think its great, because there are all those hotels over there and it gives them great access to the parks.

 

[smiley_face2]

We were in California Adventure for NYE last year! it was really a good time! That's exactly what we did, went into DL first thing, rode lot's of rides, it was very quiet in the park early on. We had a nice lunch then went back to our hotel for some downtime. We had reservations for Storytellers in the Grand Californian for our dinner, then walked right into DCA from there for the celebrations. We finished our dinner and headed into the park about 9ish, so walked all the way round the park, stopping to admire the paradise pier area, it's so pretty at night! then got a decent spot in the area near the entrance just inside from the bridge because they had a stage set up there with a dj etc. They did indeed have fireworks at midnight, albeit not huge ones like at DL, but we just had to turn around to see the big ones at DL over the bridge, just as you suggested. The music was hopping, the dj's were great, the party was a lot of fun!! We would definitely do it again! This year of course World of Color will play into that somehow.... I wonder if they will be doing some sort of show at midnight? or if they will just have fireworks going there in the lake then? I bet it will be a blast!! make sure and make your dinner reservations well in advance!! and make sure to let us all see pics of what it's like if you do go there then!
oh p.s. in my avatar that's a pic of hubby and myself in Paradise Pier that night with our NYE hats on!

 

[DLR29]

It's right in the middle of the block IIRC and there is a nice entrance into the Disneyland property big enough for 4-6 people to walk through abreast.

I found a picture on MousePlanet! It was to the Timon parking lot:

The other side of the walkway (behind the camera) goes along the convention center. So we would walk to the convention center from the Hilton and then take a right down the service driveway and over Katella to the pedestrian entrance. We would walk through the parking lot and one of the parking shuttles would pick us up and take us to the park entrance.

Ummm I don't think you can do this anymore because of the Carsland construction. The Timon lot is no longer. You certainly can walk over to the Toy Story lot and use those shuttles, which are super convenient, in my opinion.

 

[skiingfast]

Ummm I don't think you can do this anymore because of the Carsland construction. The Timon lot is no longer. You certainly can walk over to the Toy Story lot and use those shuttles, which are super convenient, in my opinion.

I'd agree since they don't run trams from there anymore. Also there is no tram dropoff near the gates except from the M&F garage. It's only buses on the east side of the gates.