NYE at DL Questions

[kaffinito]

I have a few questions about NYE at DL for the experts on here

I know that it's crazy crowded busy, but will my friend and I (no kids) be ok with park access if we stay at a Good Neighbor hotel? At WDW you can get back in the parks in the evening the day before NYE, is it the same at DL?

We were also thinking of finding a party at a hotel to go to on NYE, so I was wondering if any of you could give me some suggestions?

Also, is there a place in DL where they have a NYE party? Like at one of the DL or DTD restaurants maybe?

Thanks, I appreciate the help!

 

[sonnyjane]

If the parks are at capacity, they are at capacity regardless of where you are staying. They simply can't let anyone else in. My advice would be to get into the parks that morning and stay - don't take an afternoon break or even chance park-hopping really.

I haven't been on NYE but several on the boards have (I believe many people say "see it once, but never again" lol). I'm not sure what the smaller festivities are individually other than the countdown, and I believe both DCA and DL have separate countdowns, so if you can't make it into DL because it is too crowded, you can try to get into the one at DCA.

 

[Malcon10t]

I have a few questions about NYE at DL for the experts on here

I know that it's crazy crowded busy, but will my friend and I (no kids) be ok with park access if we stay at a Good Neighbor hotel? At WDW you can get back in the parks in the evening the day before NYE, is it the same at DL?

We were also thinking of finding a party at a hotel to go to on NYE, so I was wondering if any of you could give me some suggestions?

Also, is there a place in DL where they have a NYE party? Like at one of the DL or DTD restaurants maybe?

Thanks, I appreciate the help!

I've seen it have a hard close as early as noon, with it closed for good about 530p. Once the closures start happening, it is really hard to get back in. (Doesn't matter where you stay.)

DCA has a party going on most of the evening. DL has countdowns and usually a small show going on at the Castle and one at Small world. We usually hit NOS and stay there.

(We've done NYE every year since 1999, except 2003.)

 

[kaffinito]

Thanks for the help sonnyjane!

I've seen it have a hard close as early as noon, with it closed for good about 530p. Once the closures start happening, it is really hard to get back in. (Doesn't matter where you stay.)

DCA has a party going on most of the evening. DL has countdowns and usually a small show going on at the Castle and one at Small world. We usually hit NOS and stay there.

(We've done NYE every year since 1999, except 2003.)

Thanks - is there a special NYE dinner or something at the parks or at one of the resorts?

And what is NOS please

 

[Mama Who]

Our strategy is to enjoy DL in the morning and then in the afternoon when it gets miserably crowded, to head across to DCA. While DL is jammed for midnight, DCA is often sparsely populated and quite pleasant.

Besides, in DCA we can have champagne.

 

[Malcon10t]

There are no special dinners inside Disneyland. DCA does have alcohol options, if that matters to you. It is less crowded.

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks for the help sonnyjane!



Thanks - is there a special NYE dinner or something at the parks or at one of the resorts?

And what is NOS please

NOS = New Orleans Square

 

[kaffinito]

Our strategy is to enjoy DL in the morning and then in the afternoon when it gets miserably crowded, to head across to DCA. While DL is jammed for midnight, DCA is often sparsely populated and quite pleasant.

Besides, in DCA we can have champagne.

Thank you - that sounds doable.

There are no special dinners inside Disneyland. DCA does have alcohol options, if that matters to you. It is less crowded.

Sounds like DCA would be the way for us to go - thanks!

NOS = New Orleans Square

Thank you - I saw this abbreviation on your Christmas thread but didn't know what it meant. I guess I should have read Hydroguy's abbreviations, eh?

 

[Sherry E]

...Thank you - I saw this abbreviation on your Christmas thread but didn't know what it meant. I guess I should have read Hydroguy's abbreviations, eh?

It's no problem! It takes a while to get used to the abbreviations (for all of us). They're not mandatory, by any means. Sometimes you may feel like typing 'NOS,' while other times you may want to just say "New Orleans" or "New Orleans Square," etc. It's all good!

 

[kaffinito]

It's no problem! It takes a while to get used to the abbreviations (for all of us). They're not mandatory, by any means. Sometimes you may feel like typing 'NOS,' while other times you may want to just say "New Orleans" or "New Orleans Square," etc. It's all good!

It's a term I'm not really used to being a WDW vet and all... I haven't seen that area since I was a small kid back in the 60's.

 

[IUTBAM]

We've been to DLR several times for NYE. The most recent was 12/31/09...we opted to enjoy DL during the day, and then head over to DCA in the evening. Great strategy. It was crowded at DCA, but NOTHING like Disneyland. They had a "party" going on in Sunshine Plaza with the requisite loud blaring music, DJ and countdown, and it was a blast...it was fun to see "grandmother" types, and kids of all ages dancing to rock and roll/dance type music...huge party atmosphere, and a LOT of fun. We'll definitely do it again!

 

[larina]

If the parks are at capacity, they are at capacity regardless of where you are staying. They simply can't let anyone else in...

Actually when you stay at one of the three resort hotels you CAN get in when the park is "at capacity" I don't know if they already figure hotel guests with tickets in the count or what, but it is just one more perk of staying at a Disney property.

 

[larina]

But, I'm sure there are exceptions to this around the holidays. Someone here will know more about it. Thought I just read about it in one of the threads here yesterday, but now I can't find it.

 

[Malcon10t]

Actually when you stay at one of the three resort hotels you CAN get in when the park is "at capacity" I don't know if they already figure hotel guests with tickets in the count or what, but it is just one more perk of staying at a Disney property.

This is not true. When the parks hit capacity, the only exceptions will be guests at Club 33. About 4-5 years ago, there was a nasty situation where someone believed this to be true. They were staying at the GCH, they had Fantasmic! seating in the Gallery, and they figured this was true and they waited until 730pm to try and enter the park. They were denied because the park was at capacity. (Fire Marshal closes the park, not Disneyland.)

If Disneyland was to hold open slots for every possible person at the 3 hotels, they would have to lower capacity by 10,000 to make sure hotels guests could be in. Since there is no formal checking into and out of the park for hotel guests, this could not work. As it is, they hold about 700 slots open for Club 33 members and guests.

 

[kaffinito]

We've been to DLR several times for NYE. The most recent was 12/31/09...we opted to enjoy DL during the day, and then head over to DCA in the evening. Great strategy. It was crowded at DCA, but NOTHING like Disneyland. They had a "party" going on in Sunshine Plaza with the requisite loud blaring music, DJ and countdown, and it was a blast...it was fun to see "grandmother" types, and kids of all ages dancing to rock and roll/dance type music...huge party atmosphere, and a LOT of fun. We'll definitely do it again!

That does sound like a good plan.

Are there fireworks in DCA as well?

Actually when you stay at one of the three resort hotels you CAN get in when the park is "at capacity" I don't know if they already figure hotel guests with tickets in the count or what, but it is just one more perk of staying at a Disney property.

That's one of the questions I have.

I'm wondering if it might be worth it to stay on property for the last two nights just to make sure to get into the parks for NYE.

 

[kaffinito]

This is not true. When the parks hit capacity, the only exceptions will be guests at Club 33. About 4-5 years ago, there was a nasty situation where someone believed this to be true. They were staying at the GCH, they had Fantasmic! seating in the Gallery, and they figured this was true and they waited until 730pm to try and enter the park. They were denied because the park was at capacity. (Fire Marshal closes the park, not Disneyland.)

If Disneyland was to hold open slots for every possible person at the 3 hotels, they would have to lower capacity by 10,000 to make sure hotels guests could be in. Since there is no formal checking into and out of the park for hotel guests, this could not work. As it is, they hold about 700 slots open for Club 33 members and guests.

So do the parks close in tiered stages like they do at WDW? With guests staying onsite having the last shot at entrance? Or do they just close the parks to all guests at the same time?

 

[dizzymomx4]

We have been going for NYE since '99 and when the park is at capacity, it is at capacity. They do not guarantee that you can enter even if you have and annual. If you are staying on property, still not guaranteed. The Fire Marshall is the one that shuts the gates, not DL.

If you are planning on going over NYE, be prepared that it is CRAZY INSANE BUSY...if you go with that in your plans, then you will have an amazing night! If you are planning on attending and arriving anytime in the afternoon or thereafter, then be prepared to be told that the park is at capacity. Every year we see people outside the gates wanting in and the CM's are telling them No.

 

[Malcon10t]

So do the parks close in tiered stages like they do at WDW? With guests staying onsite having the last shot at entrance? Or do they just close the parks to all guests at the same time?

It is tiered, but probably in a different manner. First they stop selling 1 day and block out tickets (often by 10am.) Then they stop selling all but APs. Next they stop allowing all new entries except APs, then they stop allowing new entries with APs, everyone must have handstamps for entry. Finally, when they hit full capacity, the fire marshal closes the gates.

 

[kaffinito]

It is tiered, but probably in a different manner. First they stop selling 1 day and block out tickets (often by 10am.) Then they stop selling all but APs. Next they stop allowing all new entries except APs, then they stop allowing new entries with APs, everyone must have handstamps for entry. Finally, when they hit full capacity, the fire marshal closes the gates.

Thanks - that makes sense! It is different for WDW but I figured they'd have some type of tiered closing for DL as well.

So get there early and stay all day or it's no NYE at DL for us! It's good to be prepared