[Question] New Years Eve @ DLR

[Notorious1]

Hello all, my name is Tony, long time fan, first time poster.

i am planning on taking the family to DLR for the New Years. (Dec 30, 31 and Jan 1) I know it will be packed, but can anyon tell me anything else we should expect? This is our first time at DLR for New Years! we will be staying at Grand Californian Hotel. (first time staying at GCH too!)



THANKS!

[k_peek_2000]

Re: New Years Eve @ DLR

Expect fog. The past few years the socal fog has been coming in very early blocking out the fireworks/world of color. Just something to be cautious of.

[Sheriff Lightyear]

Take your expectations of it being packed and nightly it x1000!!

There will be several spots around both parks where there will be little dance parties, some with characters there. When I went,.over at DL this happened in front of the castle, by it's a small world, and i'm sure a couple of other places.

If you want a good spot for the fireworks and brief countdown they do in front of the castle, be prepared!!! People will stake out spots at the beginning of the day.

also, the parks remain open until 2 am if i'm not mistaken.

Despite the crowds, it's a fun little experience. Good luck out there!!

[Notorious1]

Re: New Years Eve @ DLR

Damn you fog!! inch:

so "packed" was an understatement, huh?!


THANKS!

[swampymarsh]

Re: New Years Eve @ DLR

Take your expectations of it being packed and nightly it x1000!!


also, the parks remain open until 2 am if i'm not mistaken.

To follow up on these two points, be very careful about leaving for a break. Even while DCA draws a lot more crowds these are still days DL and DCA too could max reach capacity. Before leaving the park for a meal, jacket or nap look for signs that you may not get back in. Signs saying the parks are full, ticket booths closed, signs warning that you must get a hand stamp to reenter.

[Poisonedapples]

Re: New Years Eve @ DLR

so yeah don't leave the park, at all. you won't get back in!! and lots of people and fog.. but mainly lots of people, and DL will get packed and close so will DCA.. DON'T want to scare you but here is some videos.. just expect what you see here..

NEW YEAR EVE 2011 AT DISNEYLAND

Disneyland Crowd at 2011 New Years Eve. - YouTube
Massive Crowd Exiting Disneyland in HD - YouTube

THEN LAST YEAR WITH THE FOG


Disneyland New Year's Eve 2012 Fireworks HD - Foggiest Condition - YouTube

[Notorious1]

Re: New Years Eve @ DLR

I have heard rumors that if the park fills up they stop letting in guests!! so not a good day to hop parks.

---------- Post added 11-07-2012 at 01:00 PM ----------

DON'T want to scare you but here is some videos..

it didnt work, im scared!!

[Poisonedapples]

Re: New Years Eve @ DLR

..sorry didn't mean to scare you but that is what it's like for new years eve at Disneyland!! personally i pick one park and stay there all day long!! and frankly it's DCA for me cause that's where the champagne is!! RFLOL

[Trav1Disney]

Re: New Years Eve @ DLR

I was there 2010-2011 New Years and it was insane but awesome. After the count down it took me 20 min to move 30 feet , I was at the end of Main Street in front of the coca cola store trying to make it to Tomorrowland. Last year I was at Disney world and the magic kingdom hit capacity 40 min after the gates opened so we went to Hollywood studios. Crazy but not as bad. I will be at dlr this year I hope I get in good luck it's lots of fun!

[dwarfhampster]

Re: New Years Eve @ DLR

I went this past new years. For new years eve yes, packed is an understatement, it was hard to walk inside the park around the castle and all the other mini stage/dance party areas. We were advised by cast members the day before to get there early and not to leave because they do stop letting new people in after a certain point and we were told even if you had a hand stamp there was a chance we wouldn't be able to get back in. So, we got there early (ate Mickey waffles in the park for breakfast) and got a locker to store our warmer clothes. It was really fun to spend such a long chunk of time in Disneyland! Sadly it did get foggy and we couldn't really see the fireworks. If you are good at functioning with little to no sleep the park was really empty on the 1st until around 1 pm or so.

[Notorious1]

Re: New Years Eve @ DLR

Sounds like we are in for an adventure!!!

---------- Post added 11-07-2012 at 01:29 PM ----------

Ii wonder if staying at the GCH will give me an advantage. I heard they have a private entrance for hotel guests.

[Poisonedapples]

Re: New Years Eve @ DLR

Sounds like we are in for an adventure!!!

---------- Post added 11-07-2012 at 01:29 PM ----------

I wonder if staying at the GCH will give me an advantage. I heard they have a private entrance for hotel guests.

for DCA? No..not so private when everyone even AP holders can use it.. it goes into DCA from the hotel.. but if DCA is jamm packed and you leave, chances are you may not get back in for a while or ever.. i am just saying, i heard and read horror stories from last year. i'd just pick one park stay there.. personally since the wine and champagne is at DCA i am going with that park! LOL :lol:

[Malcon10t]

Re: New Years Eve @ DLR

Ii wonder if staying at the GCH will give me an advantage. I heard they have a private entrance for hotel guests.

Nope. When the fire marshal says it is at capacity, you cannot enter. And the private entrance is open to anyone dining at the hotel, parking at the hotel, etc...

[dwarfhampster]

Re: New Years Eve @ DLR

Ii wonder if staying at the GCH will give me an advantage. I heard they have a private entrance for hotel guests.

It means you don't have to deal with trying to get out of the parking lot and I would totally count that as an advantage! The adventure of trying to get out of the park, get a tram to the parking lot, and then get out of the parking took about an hour and a half.

[SoCalbma]

Re: New Years Eve @ DLR

so yeah don't leave the park, at all. you won't get back in!! and lots of people and fog.. but mainly lots of people, and DL will get packed and close so will DCA.. DON'T want to scare you but here is some videos.. just expect what you see here..

NEW YEAR EVE 2011 AT DISNEYLAND

THEN LAST YEAR WITH THE FOG

Cool, Thanks for posting both of my videos up of the New Years 2011 and the Massive Crowed.

Here's another video I recorded last year of WOC New Years Eve 2012. Stupid Fog

We will also be there this year for the New Years Eve celebration. Can't Wait.

[Notorious1]

Re: New Years Eve @ DLR

personally since the wine and champagne is at DCA i am going with that park! LOL :lol:

SOLD! New Years Eve at DCA it is!! :yea:

---------- Post added 11-07-2012 at 02:03 PM ----------

Nope. When the fire marshal says it is at capacity, you cannot enter. And the private entrance is open to anyone dining at the hotel, parking at the hotel, etc...

not much of a "private" entrance the girl on the phone told me you need a room key and a valid ticket to use it..... seems like i was lied to.....

---------- Post added 11-07-2012 at 02:05 PM ----------

It means you don't have to deal with trying to get out of the parking lot and I would totally count that as an advantage! The adventure of trying to get out of the park, get a tram to the parking lot, and then get out of the parking took about an hour and a half.

:thumbup:
finally an advantage to staying at a $800 a night hotel!!

---------- Post added 11-07-2012 at 02:08 PM ----------

good vids SoCalbma! see you there!

[biggsworth]

Re: New Years Eve @ DLR

I have gone the past 5 years and it's a lot of fun don't let any horror stories from here scare you. Just don't go thinking you will get on a lot of attractions because you won't. Go to have fun and take in the atmosphere. Get there early and figure out where you want to be for the evening because it does get crowded. It's nothing that is not avoidable if you plan accordingly.

Last year we went in on 12-31 at 10am and decided at 3pm to get a hand stamp and leave we rolled back into the park at 7pm. At that point they were still selling tickets at the booths even though there was a sign out saying the parks were full. Out of the past 5 years two were foggy which to me is whatever fireworks don't ruin my trip if I can't see them like I said just go in with a mindset of having fun and you will probably find it

One thing I noticed last year is DL didn't seem as crowded as the past couple of years I m sure that had to do with WOC showing a special midnight showing and DCA having a street party. This year I would suspect the balance will be as good with all of DCA now being fully open.

[Malcon10t]

Re: New Years Eve @ DLR

not much of a "private" entrance the girl on the phone told me you need a room key and a valid ticket to use it..... seems like i was lied to.....

Well, they do require a room key there for Early Morning hours.

[Giant Panda]

Re: New Years Eve @ DLR

Make reservations for your in-park dining

[Notorious1]

Re: New Years Eve @ DLR

I have gone the past 5 years and it's a lot of fun don't let any horror stories from here scare you. Just don't go thinking you will get on a lot of attractions because you won't. Go to have fun and take in the atmosphere. Get there early and figure out where you want to be for the evening because it does get crowded. It's nothing that is not avoidable if you plan accordingly.

Last year we went in on 12-31 at 10am and decided at 3pm to get a hand stamp and leave we rolled back into the park at 7pm. At that point they were still selling tickets at the booths even though there was a sign out saying the parks were full. Out of the past 5 years two were foggy which to me is whatever fireworks don't ruin my trip if I can't see them like I said just go in with a mindset of having fun and you will probably find it

One thing I noticed last year is DL didn't seem as crowded as the past couple of years I m sure that had to do with WOC showing a special midnight showing and DCA having a street party. This year I would suspect the balance will be as good with all of DCA now being fully open.

THANK YOU very much! i know my family and I will have a blast!!! nothing like rigning in the new year with thousands of fellow Disney fans!!! :thumbup:

And thank you everyone for the advice and comments, it has been a big help!

One last question, does DL have a concert on the 31st?? I remember watching Dick Clarks Rockin Eve last year and they kept going to DL for a concert. But i dont know if it was live or pre-recorded??