New Year's Eve at DCA

[Lights_Out]

So I've been piggybacking on the "New Year's Eve at Disneyland" thread, but no one seemed to be active in there anymore so I decided to make my own thread, my question is about DCA anyway

We're considering doing NYE at DCA (Not Disneyland), (It's either gonna be DCA or Universal Citywalk). I've done some research and they do in fact have fireworks in the lagoon. And people are telling me that it's much less crowded than Disneyland.

So the questions that I have are:
1) Does DCA reach capacity as well (and thus, have to deny entry at a certain time)? If so, does anyone know around what time that might be?

2) If we want to get a fairly good view around the lagoon, around what time should we park? (We don't have to be at the rails, but I would like to be in that area).

Thanks! I'm hoping someone can give me some advice

 

[cmpeter]

We were there last year on NYE and picked it over DL because of the crowd issues. We didn't arrive until around 11:00 am. The park was never near reaching capacity. We didn't stay late enough to see fireworks, so I can't comment on those.

We rode everything we wanted to. Because we got there late we did RSR single rider (twice), TOT twice, TSM, Screamin' twice, Aladdin, Little Mermaid & Monsters.

The party atmosphere was great...they passed out hats and noisemakers, lots of music and places to get a drink if you wanted.

 

[ParkHopper1]

I have done DCA NYE they past two years and will probably do it again this year. Can't answer your question on parking, but DCA was no where near capacity and has never closed to new attendees. We commented several times that it was no worse than a typical peak season day. Wait times were very manageable.

We did DL in the AM then headed over to DCA around 2p and stayed in the park for the rest of the day and had a great time.

DL on the other hand seemed to be unbelievably stupid busy!

 

[Lights_Out]

Thank you both for replying!
Good to know that DCA was no where near reaching capacity

I'm thinking 7pm would be a good time to park around the lagoon...? I read that in Disneyland you should park as early as noon if you want a good view of the fireworks/castle

 

[ParkHopper1]

I'm thinking 7pm would be a good time to park around the lagoon...?

No need to camp out like DL for midnight fireworks. They give out fast passes for the 12:00 fireworks and 12:05a WOC show just like any other WOC showing. You just request the midnight show from a cast member at the WOC FP distribution kiosk...otherwise you are at the mercy of non FP viewing areas.

 

[Lights_Out]

No need to camp out like DL for midnight fireworks. They give out fast passes for the 12:00 fireworks and 12:05a WOC show just like any other WOC showing. You just request the midnight show from a cast member at the WOC FP distribution kiosk...otherwise you are at the mercy of non FP viewing areas.

Oh my gosh, I had no idea. So you get a midnight WOC FP for the NYE countdown? That's interesting!
Thank you!

 

[ParkHopper1]

Yup...they do the midnight countdown then after a 5-10 min reset they do a full WOC show. No idea however when the midnight FP typically run out during the day.