Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan My folks are going to DL the 31st, 1st and 2nd as part of a retirement community tour, which also includes the Tournament of Roses Parade and a couple of other local attractions. They have preferred seating reservations on New Year's Eve, and I warned them how crowded the park will be that day, especially with the 50th crowds. Part of their tour package has them in Pasadena in the morning, going through the float warehouses. With travel time back to Anaheim, I'm guessing they won't even be back to the park until the afternoon sometime. What time does Disneyland typically reach full capacity on New Year's Eve?
Originally Posted By DlandDug I have been in Disneyland for New Year's Eve for the last six years. It seems to me that the Park has hit the wall by 4:00. I'm talking full tilt grid lock. Of course, I tend to stay planted somewhere around the hub, which is a very congested area. With the way crowds are going this year, I would say that it will probably be a LOT more crowded early on. I am with a group of friends who meet every year and "hold down" an area. The last couple of years we have held an area on the patio of the Plaza Pavilion. We get there before noon and keep enough people there off an on all day that we are able to still venture out to buy food, ride attractions (hah!) and catch the shows. By 5pm, though, all bets are off. Bear in mind that it gets very cold at night on December 31 in Anaheim. Please be sure the folks bring some warm, light blankets. They will also want to get their free noisemakers and party hats. If they don't want to brave the crowds to go for them, they could ask someone near them to bring back a couple of extras. (We always bring back plenty for everyone around us. We also bring our own confetti and noisemakers, too!) New Year's Eve in Disneyland can be a lot of fun if you realize in advance that it will be VERY crowded, and are prepared to cut a lot of slack and make the whole thing into a big party.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Thanks, Doug. Theoretically, they have dinner PS at 8:00 at Blue Bayou. I will let them know to get there as early as possible that afternoon. On New Year's Eve 2001/02, the only time I've been to the park on that holiday, we wound up escaping to DCA and had a great time. But slogging from Jungle Cruise to the front gates took a full 45 minutes. It was nuts.
Originally Posted By Mitten Great advice DlandDug.. I will be going to New Years eve this year, 3rd time in a row. We are planning to be in the park early this year because how the crowds have been going, I expect Disneyland to reach capacity earlier this year. We will bring board games to play and just enjoy the day in Disneyland and ring in the New Year. Make sure you bring your patience to Disneyland for this day, you will need it! Its going to be another fun year!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<New Year's Eve in Disneyland can be a lot of fun if you realize in advance that it will be VERY crowded, and are prepared to cut a lot of slack and make the whole thing into a big party.>> Absolutely. Go with the flow, and don't let little setbacks ruin your mood or day. Disneyland is The Happiest Place On Earth, after all.
Originally Posted By dresswhites i went to Disneyland for new years eve in 1998. It was extremely magical. It is definately not a day for first timers though. It is packed and hard to get alot of attractions done. If you go expect to get on a couple of rides and just enjoy the festivities. Also like another poster said bundle up. It was freezing that New Years Eve.
Originally Posted By disneyfreaksk Your parents will have a blast. I went on a Rose Bowl tour back in 1997. We had so much fun!
