New Year's Eve crowds?

[bellelinus]

Hi everyone;

I have spent many New Year's Eves at WDW, but never at DL. My girls and I will be there this year at New Year's, and I was wondering if the parks close due to crowds -- if so, what time should we plan to stay for the duration of the day? Generally we would plan to go to the park early, take a break in the middle of the day, and return to the MK late afternoon, but not if we are going to end up being shut out of the park.

Does anyone have any advice regarding strategy for enjoying NYE?

Many thanks!

 

[Albort]

except park to be compact at 12PM, no one can get in after 12PM...

Crowd control start for hub at around 5PM --> 12AM... 30 min walk in crowd to get from TL --> Frontierland...

 

[dkrahne]

We went for 2004 new years, and it was crazy, two hour wait for every ride, people everywhere. We even had a hard time getting food, took an hour at one of the fast food places. I would say plan to get there at park opening, ride what you want EARLY, and plan to get a good seat at least around 6ish for the midnight fireworks. THey did have entertainment whcih was awesome, they had bands at the castle and little things going on everywhere.

 

[eeyore3847]

I was there as a teenager in the mid 90's and I remember it being shoulder to shoulder! I also remember it being AMAZING!! So this year w/ my 6, 4 and 16m old it should be crazy. We plan to be there all day and just enjoy the fireworks no matter where we stand!

Lori

 

[bellelinus]

Thanks everyone -- it sounds as though we should stay in the park all day, then. The rides won't be a priority that day since we will have been there for several days and will have the next few days as well. The wall to wall people sounds like WDW at New Year's. Any advice on where to stake out a spot? I guess we could end up seeing Holiday Wishes as well as the midnight fireworks.

 

[tinkermell]

I think if you stay on property you can get back in. This is what I have heard, but it would be a good idea to call a DL Hotel CM, and ask them about that.

 

[tinkerbelt]

I think if you stay on property you can get back in. This is what I have heard, but it would be a good idea to call a DL Hotel CM, and ask them about that.

I wouldn't count on it. There were some horror stories last year about people who could not get in despite having rooms at the DLR. My family was there last year for NYE and left at about 2pm because the crowds were so bad that they could barely move. They said it was a lot of fun though.