Disneyland New Years Eve About This Page:

[ilovedisney0_0]

Has anyone done it? DD and I are considering a trip down there for NYE/NY. I have never been in a Disney park during the changing of the year, and I think I would love it! How are crowd levels? Anything special going on then?

[Mrs.Grumpy]

Disneyland on New Year's gets very crowded. The past few years they have set up a stage in and on the Castle and that area is pretty crazy. The fireworks are spectacular! Around 6 p.m. they hand out hats and noisemakers at locations around the park. I highly recommend it.

[w-steele]

For the past two year my DW and I have spent New Years Eve at the DLR. Both times we stayed at DLH. You must be forwarned that the crowds get rather heavy. Both years we were there they closed the main gates to DL meaning they stopped selling tickets about 11am as they had reached the max that could be allowed inside. CA never closed that I can remember. If you were staying 'on property' this restriction would not apply to you. However, no matter where you were staying, if you were to park hope, you MUST have your hand stamped upon leaving either park or your chances of re-entry were very very slim.
Party hearty and enjoy the different musical venues and fireworks. Last year DL had 5 different musical venues plus fireworks and CA had 3 different musical venues PLUS their own fireworks which were centered in the laggon.

[ilovedisney0_0]

Wow! So with crowds that heavy, did you both just spend more time enjoying the extra live shows, instead of trying to do the attractions? I don't like really heavy crowds , but I can just imagine how magical it is to ring in the New Year gazing at the castle on Main Street! Anything else you would recommend?

[w-steele]

Actually using the fastpass helps alot and the lines were not all that bad as they, the crowd were spread out and not all at 1, 2 or 3 popular rides. If you are staying on property, you can leave the parks, go back to your room for a few hours and then return to the parks. Even Downtown Disney was rather growded but again, we are used to that so it really didn't bother us all that much. I would just suggest that you 'go with the flow' and totally enjoy the experience of New Years Eve at Disney. Not sure if we are going to be able to make it this year but would sure like to if we can.

[colleymouse]

We went a few years ago and I would agree that the crowds got a little crazy but it was a lifetime experience. We loved seeing the Mickey head with the year rising out of the Materhorn. The year we went they had the celebration down by It's a Small World ride- there was "snowflakes", confetti, and hats and blowers. My only complaint is once they handed out the noisemakers- people started using them. It was a long 6 hours until the party started. We enjoyed the celebration and went home around 1:30am. What amazed me is that when we went back the next day at opening the park looked great. They know how to throw a party!

[TNTWheels]

That would be a neat thing to do and stay at the Paradise pier Hotel. There is a place on the third floor by a pool you could watch the firework

[Tricia Davids]

The crowds are unbelieveable on NYE. We got back in only be going early in the evening with our hand stamp and annual pass. The noisemakers got a little annoying after a while but it is worth it to say you were there. In front of the castle during the fireworks is wall to wall people so I would suggest watching from a little further back. On the other hand, New years day is an excellent time to go, especially early. People have either left to go to the rose parade or game or they are still asleep from the night before.

[pcardenas]

My sister went last year and apparently it was paaaaaaaaaaaaaaacked. Thank god I stayed home and did nothing.

[socalgirl]

New Years Eve is by far the most crowded night of the year. People POUR in all day, and they re route all foot traffic in the park to a one way pattern, which means you have to walk all the way around the park if you want to get on a ride or get to a different place. At the evening, the front of the castle is packed with people in the streets waiting for midnight. You are elbow to elbow, and move slower than a heard of cattle all day. With the increase of ticket prices, more people are turning to the annual passes which has increased the number of people in the park. Go the second weekend in January, you will enjoy it more

[TNTWheels]

I just got back yesterday for my one night stay with my cousins and family DL it self was still pack even though in was two days after Christmas. Also CA.A was more crowed than usual the day before. So I can imagine how it is on New Years eve.

[w-steele]

Well, the news is not all that good down this way. Due to a shortage of money, or lack of a job more like it, we will be spending New Years Eve at home instead of at DL/DCA. The only way we could do it is drive up in the morning and drive back after midnight. Not sure I would be up to it.