Which Parks? Another NYE question!

[GrowUp2BaPrincess]

We are a family of five visiting DLR for the first time. We are WDW vets, and have done NYE at WDW before. (Been there, done that...really said I'd never do it again.) But our children are 23, 21, and 15, and this amazing opportunity to go to DLR can only happen over the NY holiday, so any day at Disney is a good day over staying at home, so I'm pumped!

My question is about EE mornings, and park planning. We will be staying at Paradise Pier, so we can utilize EE, but, Wednesday the 31st is DCA, Thursday is DL, and Friday is back at DCA. I made plans for meals at DL, thinking we'd want to be there since we've never been. But, should we go to DCA for EE and then head to DL for the rest of the day with EVERYONE else, or should we go to DL, and then when it gets crazy, go over to DCA? Or should we just use DCA EE and stay there all day long, and go to DL on the 1st when it's EE there?

Really just trying to decide so I can get the meals that I need to get planned out before they are all gone! I know it's going to be crazy crowded, and then some. I'm not really sure it would matter to us, since we've never been to either park, to be at DCA for NYE or DL....it would still feel like DL to us, if that makes sense?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[ArchOwl]

I have been at the Resort many times for NYE and will be there again this year. Since you have EE for DCA, I would stay there. DCA is much better for NYE. It is less crowded and I actually prefer the Fireworks and Fountains show anyway.

The last four times I have been for NYE, DCA has never been closed to guests as DL has been at times. Of course, things can change, but historically it has been a good park to be in.

DL on NYE is basically shoulder to shoulder at times from the afternoon on. The closer you get to midnight, the more crowded it gets. There are times when you would find it almost impossible to navigate the park. I don't find it much fun myself, although lots of people seem to be ok with it.

I actually prefer to be in Paradise Pier as it gets close to midnight. The WOC viewing area is so packed and the actual showing of WOC is no different from the day before. So I watch the Fireworks and Fountain show from Screamin' area. And as a bonus I can see the fireworks from DL as well. There were perhaps 30 other people on the Pier area with me? Lots of room and we just made sure we had our champagne ahead of time. Then when WOC begins, we slip off and ride Toy Story with no wait at all. Best way to ring in the New Year is to beat your family on TSMM!

I do recommend having table services reservations on NYE as the lines for food as quite long. It is nice to skip those lines and sit down for meals and have someone else take care of you. Just be prepared to wait a bit longer for things like snacks and adult beverages.

For people who like more excitement, the Mad T Party does a great little countdown and the bar there has awesome drinks.

Bring your holiday spirit and lots of patience. Everything will take longer, but just roll with it. Lots of people are in a good mood, so it can be a fun day! We made some friends waiting for midnight and shared toasts. Nothing like ringing in the new year with thousands of other people!

Have fun! Let me know if you have specific questions, I am happy to help.

 

[5forMickey]

. So I watch the Fireworks and Fountain show from Screamin' area. And as a bonus I can see the fireworks from DL as well. There were perhaps 30 other people on the Pier area with me? Lots of room and we just made sure we had our champagne ahead of time. Then when WOC begins, we slip off and ride Toy Story with no wait at all. Best way to ring in the New Year is to beat your family on TSMM!

Awe....now this sounds like how I want to spend the night!

***Mind if I highjack this thread a little***

I need a little help with my NYE plan from someone who's been there. The young kids want to be in DL for the night. For the older adults I like your plan at DCA or we would be fine to celebrate back at the hotel. Because I have heard how crazy the crowds will be, and we are a large party, I made reservations at Carnation for dinner thinking we could eat together and then go our own ways. I really wanted to have a somewhat nice dinner together but then I got nervous about lunch and it being so long in between and everyone getting hungry so then I made lunch reservations at ESPN for 12:30. Now I'm worried about not getting back into DL for dinner.....here is my question.....If I keep our lunch reservations and chance not getting back into the park and we can't get there for dinner will they still charge me a no show fee? There are 9 of us so that would be a little chunk of money. I'm thinking about just getting rid of the lunch reservations but that's an awful long time to be in the park with that many people. I wouldn't die if we couldn't get back in unless I had to pay the no show fee......any thoughts

I thought about dinner at Carthay Circle for the night but we are really not big foodies and I don't think the menu will be appealing for the younger adults.

 

[ArchOwl]

Hmmm...I don't know for sure that they won't charge you. But I can say from personal experience that the few times I have called them, they have always waived the fee. One time the traffic getting to Anaheim was just crazy and we were going to miss our Storyteller's reservation. We called about two hours before and explained and it was not a problem. I think they are mainly trying to avoid no shows.

So I guess I can't tell you for sure, but if I was unable to make my reservation because I couldn't get in the park, I would think that would be a pretty good excuse!

About your dinner, I just want to caution you that the lines to enter DL around dinner time can be extremely long. I have seen switchback lines in the esplanade to re-enter DL. It is not unusual at this time for DL to disallow entries. If it were a priority for me to be in DL, I would make sure I was there before dinner.

Perhaps you could do a late lunch/early dinner? That might work better. Then everyone could split up after that and you could avoid the craziness that is the DL entrance in the evening.

 

[5forMickey]

Perhaps you could do a late lunch/early dinner? That might work better. Then everyone could split up after that and you could avoid the craziness that is the DL entrance in the evening.

This is probably really good advice .... thanks!