New Years Eve-DCA

[lynzi2004]

Hi all, planning a trip over New Year’s staying at DLH with park days looking like

Dec 31-DCA
Jan 1-Disneyland
Jan 2-DCA
Jan 3-Disneyland

I’m planning on this arrangement bc we get early entry those mornings and I’m thinking with the crowds, that will be beneficial. Also, we are coming from the Midwest so early mornings are better than late nights. We are a family of 5 and visited over Christmas in 2022. We barely used the parkhopper last time we were there bc there was more than enough as first timers to keep us busy. So to save $500+ I’m thinking about skipping the parkhopper. My only concern is I’ve seen some blogs/videos of how amazing Disneyland is on New Years Eve. Does DCA have a similar vibe, party hats, etc? With our kids, it may be the 9pm celebration anyway and then take advantage of the time change and experience
Disneyland With low crowds early Jan 1. Can anyone give me insight as to how disappointing DCA may be to Disneyland that night? I saw where the fireworks are only 5 minutes? And we have a premium view room at DLH, would that let us see anything from the room? Thanks!

 

[LKing]

How old are your kids?

 

[ParkHopper1]

Have done quite a few NYE at DL resort and DCA is always SO much more fun IMO. Everyone "thinks" they wanna be in DL for the countdown but it is just wall to wall people that are crammed in camped for hours for that "good" spot...DCA vibe is a ton more fun as it it is a lot more of the regulars that know where to be at midnight!

While the NYE entertainment offerings have dwindled years over the years (in both parks) the DCA countdown is way more fun, energetic, and contemporary.

Rides lines are super short and our strategy was always to try and catch the later WOC show as well as book a full sit down meal as late as possible as you will want the rest and food to make it through till midnight.

 

[lynzi2004]

How old are your kids?

Kids are 14, 12, and 8. Love thrill rides, my youngest was just shy of 5 last time we were there and cried bc he was too short for the Incredicoaster! lol Normally they are night owls and midnight is no problem at home, but that is 2am adjusted time zone so that may be pushing it after a full theme park day!

 

[lynzi2004]

Have done quite a few NYE at DL resort and DCA is always SO much more fun IMO. Everyone "thinks" they wanna be in DL for the countdown but it is just wall to wall people that are crammed in camped for hours for that "good" spot...DCA vibe is a ton more fun as it it is a lot more of the regulars that know where to be at midnight!

While the NYE entertainment offerings have dwindled years over the years (in both parks) the DCA countdown is way more fun, energetic, and contemporary.

Rides lines are super short and our strategy was always to try and catch the later WOC show as well as book a full sit down meal as late as possible as you will want the rest and food to make it through till midnight.

Thank you! I'm really leaning towards saving the money and using that for something else. We regular park hop at WDW (which sounds crazy that I'm not willing to do it at DL) BUT, we use the parkhopping time to rest our feet on bus, skyliner, etc. At DL, it was just a lot of walking. The trip will be a Christmas surprise for the kids, so no time to for them to know what they are missing elsewhere! lol

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Thank you! I'm really leaning towards saving the money and using that for something else. We regular park hop at WDW (which sounds crazy that I'm not willing to do it at DL) BUT, we use the parkhopping time to rest our feet on bus, skyliner, etc. At DL, it was just a lot of walking. The trip will be a Christmas surprise for the kids, so no time to for them to know what they are missing elsewhere! lol

Park hopping can be really helpful during extremely busy times when one park is overloaded and the other is less so. Just something to consider!

 

[Magicmagicmagic]

Are you me??? Actually my youngest will be 9 (not 8), but just barely. We plan to do DCA for NYE- but also are planning to be ready to leave if it is too crowded for everyone. We are not night owls, and are coming from the east coast... We will have been on pacific time for awhile, so hopefully we can stay up to enjoy some of the festivities.
We decided to do parkhoppers, since this is probably our only trip to DL and we're staying at the californian. We've never done them at DW, so I'll be interested if we actually like it!