Originally Posted By MadMadameMim I am curious to know, what does Disneyland do for New Years eve? Anything extra special? Is it crowded ? My family is taking my mother there for her birthday (she's a new years baby). So we were just wondering what they do for that day. Thanks!
Originally Posted By imadisneygal Disneyland Park stays open until 3:00 AM and there is usually a special fireworks show at midnight. They also distribute hats and horns for everyone. There is lots of atmosphere entertainment and there is a countdown at midnight at the Castle. As for crowds, it is generally THE busiest day of the year although this year has proven to have high crowds anyway. There will be TONS of people and it will be wall to wall crowds. Even at midnight the Park is packed, but it empties out pretty well after that. It's a fun day, but definitely expect to be in the Park with about 70,000 of your closest friends!
Originally Posted By SleepingBeauty82 I have an aunt and uncle that were there one New Years Eve and it was wall to wall people. They saw a man lift a stroller above his head to get it over people and they closed in around him and he couldnt put it down! They love DL but they said they would never do it again on New Years Eve.
Originally Posted By imagineer1985 I have been to Disneyland for News years 4 years in a row. Every time we have gone we saw the midnight fireworks in front of the castle... here are some suggestions... #1 Dont expect to get on many rides. #2 arrive early and utilize Fastpass. #3 If you want to watch the midnight firework show in front of the castle arrive and plant yourslef around 4:00 yes thats right 4:00. Once you sit down dont expect to run off and go on a quick ride. SIt and relax and enjoy the noise of the annoying horns. #4 The trams to the parking structure stop running aroun 12 midnight but they sometimes reopen around 1:30 so no matter how tired you are try to stay till the end so you dont have to walk to the structure. #5 make sure you go with people who you can have fun with just sitting around. #6 expect long lines for everything, even things you would never expect to have lines for. #7 Expect to be pushed ran over and pushed again numerous times throughout the day. #8 have fun and be safe.
Originally Posted By debtee ^ They sound like good rules if you want to be in DL!!! We did not feel comfortable with the heavy crowds NYE 2003/04 as we had a little one with us whom we did not want to see crushed, so we moved over to DCA and had a Fab time! They also gave out hats and horns, there was much less people so we went on screamin five times in a row, no waiting and then stood and watched the fireworks in DCA at midnight. It was not at all crowded at any point and we loved it!!!
Originally Posted By AladdinAZ Back a few years ago, DL was open until 3am, but the last two or three years 2am is the closing time. The hub does get completely packed, even with crowd control operating at a maximum capacity. After midnight movement is VERY VERY VERY SLOW. As someone already said, don't plan on many rides that day, but plan on fun. This past New Years Eve, the Hub didn't get packed nearly as early as in past years, for some unknown reason. Another consideration is to celebrate in DCA, crowds are not nearly as bad. DCA usually has about 3 different places for entertainment (DJ's primarily).
Originally Posted By OceanSpace I love the atmosphere of Disneyland on New Year's Eve, I've only missed it once since the 1999-2000, which was the best! I make Blue Bayou reservations every year so that my last meal is at a nice restaurant without leaving the park (I was surprised to hear that all large party reservations have already been taken 2 months in advance). If you go early, you can get on everything in the morning, especially if it's raining (although you can expect long lines later in the day). It's quite a magical experience. AladdinAZ is right, I believe the last time it closed at 3 a.m. was the 1999-2000 year, but the last few years it's been 2 a.m. The trams don't always shut down although Disney tells you to expect that they will. I think I've only walked the tram route once, maybe twice (it's no fun at 2 a.m.). Here are a few weird recommendations because Imagineer1985's list covered many of the big things... -bring blankets if you plan to sit for fireworks, you'll want some to sit on and some to keep you warm -don't ride Autopia after midnight ...I don't think my face has ever been that cold -bring a hat to cover your ears late at night (a beanie works nicely, or the Santa ears at DL can be quite warm) -if you want a locker, be prepared to get there early because they fill up fast -if someone in your party will be needing a wheelchair, there is usually a waiting list by around noon -it's probably easiest to bring your purchases to the newstand or Star Trader and they will hold them till the end of the day (frees up locker space for jackets, etc.) -until Disney starts the entertainment, sometimes sitting for hours can get a little boring, so I recommend a deck of cards (you could always buy them there)...when it gets dark, I put on my little headlight to play (literaly, it has an elastic band and a little light that tips down so I can see what I'm doing...$7 at Wal-Mart) -remember that Disney will give you take-out containers at most restaurants, makes for another good activity when you're waiting (the headlight helps then too) -stuff can easily be trampled, so be sure to stay organized...I've also had people knock over their drinks on me multiple times -when it gets later, Disney puts out huge beach balls that people pass all the way down Main Street, it's really fun, but can be really violent, so I wouldn't recommend children on your shoulders Those are just random little things that I've learned over the past few years.
Originally Posted By Rivkah86 wow. This is all great info. I will be going on New Years Eve this year. I am so excited!
Originally Posted By buggy One year, we watched the fireworks from the balcony in New Orleans Square. You can get balcony seats for Fantasmic, and they do a special show before midnight followed by fireworks for New Years.
Originally Posted By DISDANCEMOM New Years is great at the DL but make sure you take care with little kids as i have gone the last 3 yr. and i always see a kid or parent who gets lost from each other most people are in good moods so make sure you are. everyone is there to have a good time and i have meet so many nice people you get close when you set with someone for 5 or 6 hours waiting for the fireworks.
Originally Posted By MadMadameMim Wow- This is some really good advice guys! Thanks (never expected anything less ) Lucky, the only child that we will have with us is my 12 year old sister. But it all sounds really fun, crowded, but fun. Thanks again!
Originally Posted By AladdinAZ That's right, about 11pm some very large beach balls and smaller ones get tossed around the hub at DL. BUT it's not DL that provides them, it's guests who bring them into the park. So bring a couple along to blow up. I had a smaller one a few year ago that was rather distintive, it was fun to see where it got tossed around to. Some years, some of the cast member tried to put a stop to the beach balls. Definitely keep your head up, and look out, By 11pm most people are a little tired of waiting and the beach balls seem to be a good outlet for that energy. I've heard that DCA has had some guests with beach balls there too.
Originally Posted By CaptainRon Dont forget about hearing 70,000 people blowing those horns all night.
