New Year's Eve?

[ReallyCinderella]

I searched high and low and didn't find much information, so thought I'd directly ask the experts!

We are going on an extremely impromptu last-minute trip to DL. Our son will be playing in the Rose Bowl game and parade (he's a drummer with the University of Illinois marching band) and we figured we'd tag along for the adventure. Whoo-hoo!

We'll be taking our girls (15, 7) to DLR on Dec. 30 (the band will be there that day) and they are really excited to spend NYE at DLR. I expect it will be maddeningly crowded, but also a lot of fun. We'll be staying at the Fairfield across the street, so I don't expect any worries with transportation or parking or shuttles or any of that stuff.

Any tips or ideas from NYE at DLR vets???

Thanks so much for any suggestions, advice, encouragement!
Have a great holiday!

Cindy

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

Be prepared to stay all day. Once you leave you may not be able to get back in. The park will most likely "close the gates" that day. This happens in several stages.

First, no new tickets to Disneyland are sold. Anyone with existing media can enter.
Then only people who have already been in the park can re-enter the park. If the admission media hasn't been used already, you can't go in .
Then I think there is a phase that I can't remember
Then no one can go in until a specific number of people leave.

When the "gates are closed", this is not Disneylands decision. No amount of begging, pleading, screaming (yes, people beg, plead and scream at the CMs) will get you in. This is done by the Fire Marshall. They will tell you when you leave and remind you that you may not be able to get back in.

Bring your blankets, jackets, extra snacks, etc... with you and get a locker. It will be a complete zoo, lines will be super long and tempers will be short. Don't forget your patience.

And have fun!

 

[DLR29]

-Get there at LEAST an hour in advance, preferably 90 minutes (yes, 6:30-7)
-Use FP as much as possible
-As PP said, don't leave the park unless you want to risk not getting back in.
-Try to eat at not normal meal hours because food lines can be just as long as some ride lines.
-Hit popular rides early, such as Space, Indy, Splash, Peter Pan, Matterhorn, and Big Thunder.

 

[Judy from Boise]

make it a priority to rise things unique to DL
Hunted mansion holiday
IASW holiday
pinocchio
Alice
matterhorn
Pirates

 

[cheesemouse]

Hi Cindy - Well congratulations to your son. My husband and I both participated in the 98 Rose Bowl and parade with the Michigan Marching Band. Truly, one of the highlights of my entire life. To be in the parade is really amazing.

When we were there, the MMB also did a performance day at DLR. Let me warn you, things DON'T really go fast or as planned. We had a morning performance scheduled and thought, great we'll have all day to do the rest of the park. Reality is, after traffic, and getting in through the back doors of the park, and delays from Disney, we didn't really perform until afternoon. It was still lots of fun though. Then by the time you get unloaded and changed you have maybe an hour or two in the afternoon and then the rest of the evening. So, to sum it up, don't expect TOO much time with your son that day.

If my memory serves me correct, the park was absolutely packed that day. I think in the 7 or so hours we had to do stuff we maybe rode 5 things. Just so darned crowded.

Have an absolute blast with your Rose Bowl trip and time at DLR. We can't wait to go on another Rose Bowl trip, this time as spectators!

 

[ReallyCinderella]

Thanks so much for the replies!

We know better than to look at this as the "ultimate" DLR visit and I think that will really help our expectations. My son is soo excited -- this makes his second Disney performance experience as he was just in WDW with his high school band last November! I don't expect we'll see much of him at all, though I do have late-ish dinner reservations at Blue Bayou with room for him if he can come. This trip is all about the Rose Bowl with a two-day DLR visit as a nice extra perk for my girls!

Any recommendations on if it is better to be at DL or DCA for the New Year countdown? Does it really matter? And when conditions are so crowded that the parks will close, does that mean DLR as a whole or are they treated separately? For example, if you are in DCA and they close for crowds, would you be able to hop into DL or vice versa?

Thanks, as always! And make sure to cheer for the Illinois band if you're there!

Cindy

 

[robinb]

Since you're staying close, be prepared to be woken up by the NYE fireworks if you go to bed early. We stayed near Disneyland for Wisconsin's trip to the Rose Bowl in 98/99 and went to Disneyland for NYE. We left the park early because we had to get to our spot at the Rose Parade early in AM. Really early. PLUS, Disneyland was sooo packed. Worse than I have ever seen WDW and I have been there for NYE almost every NYE since. Anyway ... we were snuggled in our bed when suddenly the fireworks seemed to go off right over our heads! I felt foolish skipping the fireworks and then being woken up by them!

If you have time to go over to Pasadena to see them put the finishing touches on the parade floats I highly recommend it. It was one of the highlights of our trip. I would also suggest that you buy seats to the parade (I bought seats and a parking place from the same company). We walked to the game from there ... it was probably a mile or two from the parade route.

 

[fairycat]

Because of crowds we have found it better to do the NYE ring in at DCA instead of DL since there is more room and it is just as fun!

Don't miss out on your free hats and horn that they hand out all over the parks.

If you want a nice dinner and a show we found Vineyard room in DCA was amazing to watch the Light Parade and I believe you can ring in the NYE up there.

I have done it the past few years and while AMAZINGLY fun you need to be patient and open to change in plans.

Congrats to your son and have a blast!

 

[Rapunsel]

Even Park hopping will not let you back in. I had a friend who had an outside locker..... She was not able to get back into the park to meet her kids. When the Fire marshall closes the park.... Nothing wil get you back in...

 

[DevilDuckie]

We always move from DL to DCA when it starts getting mobbed- generally around dusk. Look for the "hats and horns" distribution centers- they're free. In DCA you can get a glass of champagne as well, which you can't in DL unless you're in Club 33.

 

[ReallyCinderella]

Thank you all so much. I know I can always count on the Dis!

We're ready for insane crowds, long lines and a really fun time. I'm usually such an overplanner that it's a little wierd for me to be doing this spur of the moment kind of trip, but things seem to be falling in place quite nicely so I'm just going to ride it!

We'll be doing the countdown somewhere in DL on New Year's Eve ... say hello if you see us -- we'll probably be wearing orange (Go Illini!). And when you see the Marching Illini on Dec.30 on the streets of DL, cheer for my handsome boy in the drumline!

Any other words of wisdom or advice, let us know!

Have a great holiday! I'll fill you in when we get back!

Cindy