New Year's Eve at Disneyland

[Tink!]

Does anybody know about the events that day?

 

[dletz]

There usually isn't anything much special during the day. A few years ago they did a kids thing at noon in DCA, but that was only one year. At night starting about 8 or 9 they have music in the different areas. They usually have cameras from the Dick Clark Rockin' Eve near Small world. We were there last year. They will usually throw stuff out for the crowd for the cameras. Balloons, pompoms, signs stuff like that. My daughter danced with goofy for the longest time. We taped it and were able to see her a few times.

In addition to the regular fireworks they have fireworks at midnight. They have different bands in the different areas with countdown. Usually small world has radio disney/dick clark taping so you will see characters here, Tomorrowland castle, and rivers of america. They all have different themes. Last year they also had fireworks at DCA I think. They also give out hats and horns. They start around 7 or 8 if I remember correctly. They have lots of spots all around the park, and people line up when they first start, but after about half an hour or an hour, you can just walk right up and grab some. They have tons throughout the park. We generally get at least one extra horn as our daughter usually manages to destroy hers by midnight.

We go almost every year.

It gets extremely crowded, but even though they threaten they have not had to close the gates to guests. Lines are long. We usually don't ride much. Mostly we walk around and listen to the music and stuff. Lots of people arrive between 6 and 11 don't so expect long lines for parking, tram, and entrance. Most years they have stopped the trams and had people walk. Last year, they started the trams up afterward. A lot of stuff stops around midnight so that the CMs may celebrate (they will temporarily stop running a ride but you can stay in line)

 

[elwise1966]

Yep...it's pretty crowded. And last year, they DID reach capacity and closed the gates......before it started raining anyway. After it started raining, tons of people left....it was a mass exodus out of the park. They then reopened the gates.

 

[DLcastmbr]

i was on main st last year it started raining everyone left then cleared up beautifully the dovoted got their reward

 

[dletz]

We must just be lucky then, because we have never been turned away on December 31st. Though they have started park closure procedures the week between Christmas and NYE, we have never experienced it when they've actually stopped selling tickets on NYE itself. We sporadically arrive between early afternoon and almost midnight every year. Depending on when various people can get there. None of us has ever had a problem.

 

[TinkerbellTris]

We went new years eve 2003/2004. We arrived at like 10:30p.m. the park was closed off to guests with tickets and told to go into DCA. We, thank God had AP's and we were allowed in. We decided to celebrate new years on P.O.T.C. We got on at 11:55p.m. And got off a few minutes after midnight. I wouldn't change it for the world. We celebrated New years on my favorite ride in the park. It was the best new years ever. FUnny thing is though when we got out of the ride the park was dead silent and no one was around. It cleared out so fast. Confetti was still flying around and it was quiet. So weird.

 

[disneycutie84]

I was there a couple years ago. They had "countdown spots" around the park; one in front of the castle, one in front of Its a small world, and I think one in tommorowland. My friends and I waited in front of the castle for midnight to come. Everyone had party hats (they were giving them out for free) and some noise makers. It was crowded but REALLY fun!
We all counted down to midnight and I seem to remember Mickey and Minnie standing somewhere near the castle and they "kissed" at midnight. It was really cute! Confetti was flying around and it was just a great atmosphere.