View Full Version : New Year's Eve
MOUSELUVR
12-19-2003, 11:09 AM
Does anyone have any suggestions for either park for "must see or do" activities on New Years Eve... our kids are all teen's or pre-teens.
Also, any idea of how crownds will be the 3 days after New Years. We have been on New Years day a few years ago and it was VERY uncrowded for the early part of the day...hoping for this again!
TwinGemII
12-19-2003, 03:26 PM
A friend of mine who works at Disneyland just had this discussion with me....
He let me know that if you're going on New Years Eve you should get there early because by the middle of the day, it gets so crowded they stop letting people in. Also, you can't leave the park cause you run the risk of not being allowed back it due to the crowds.
The three days after New Years Eve are crowded, but not as crowded. Schools and businesses are still closed for the holidays so it's still going to be a bit overwhelming at the parks!
Have a great New Year! I'm hoping to be there :D
sediment
12-19-2003, 03:31 PM
I've heard this too. It's one of the biggest, if not THE biggest, attendance days of the year.
I don't know if anything special happens in the park, save for the countdown and fireworks.
pixiedust123
12-23-2003, 03:07 PM
Well.. I remember working last new year's.
I wasn't in the park, but I do have a few things for anyone going this year to remember.
Downtown Disney parking lot may seem like a great idea for parking if you just want to see the fireworks, but a reminder:
like every other lot, 99.9% of the people will leave at once after the fireworks. Now if you think it's bad trying to leave the structure or Timon, just try leaving in a mess where each and every car must pass through the 4 toll booths one at a time. It was a 30min+ wait for some people last year, depending on where they parked. And there is no rule that says the cashiers must take this into consideration if you are half an hour over the free parking time.
Also, last year, If i recall correctly, the trams were NOT in service after the fireworks. Why? Because if you think of how many people will be leaving at once, it becomes one of the biggest safety issues of the night. Kinda the same reason they don't run the trams on grad nights. I havn't heard anything yet about this, but I can guess it will be the same as last year.
Good luck. Wear comfy shoes.
Germboy
12-23-2003, 05:04 PM
Last 4th of July, parked on the second floor of the parking structure, it took me almost an hour to get out.
Think about that. Go sit in an aisle of that structure with your car idling (finally shut off) with no one moving for almost an hour, and you will understand. An hour is a LONG time. By the time I got out, I almost wet my pants AND ran out of gas. And I was by myself because my friends parked on a different floor. No Disney personell were in sight, and none of us got any information from anyone about when we were going to start moving. :mad:
IndianaJenn
12-23-2003, 07:15 PM
I love Disneyland - but will never go again on New Year's Eve. It's just not worth it to me. I'd rather go on another day when you can actually do stuff and not be mobbed. :D
UncleGDogWord
12-24-2003, 09:32 AM
Well I am taking my chance and will be there Tuesday through Friday!
Merry Xmas to you all!
CoasterMatt
12-24-2003, 09:44 AM
I absolutely LOVE Disneyland on New Year's Eve...
But, I don't go expecting to go on many attractions. I go with my wife mainly for people watching and meeting up with friends. Sometimes, though, by careful fastpassing and sticking around from open to close, we end up doing alot more riding than we anticipated. The biggest advice I have for NYE at DL is relax, and enjoy the people you are there with, everything else is extras.
Beach balls, anyone?
DisneyBob
12-24-2003, 10:09 AM
So, does anybody know what kind of entertainment there will be on New Year's Eve?
mystycalchyk
12-24-2003, 10:11 AM
Originally posted by CoasterMatt
I absolutely LOVE Disneyland on New Year's Eve...
But, I don't go expecting to go on many attractions. I go with my wife mainly for people watching and meeting up with friends. Sometimes, though, by careful fastpassing and sticking around from open to close, we end up doing alot more riding than we anticipated. The biggest advice I have for NYE at DL is relax, and enjoy the people you are there with, everything else is extras.
Beach balls, anyone?
cant remember if I already asked you...are you going this year? we will be there (with beach balls in tow) :cool:
Originally posted by mystycalchyk
we will be there (with beach balls in tow) :cool:
Don't pull 'em around on leashes, keep 'em folded up and then blow 'em up and launch 'em at the last minute.
The Disneyland people don't like beach balls. Don't tip your hand ahead of time.
;)
--T
experiment626
12-24-2003, 10:29 AM
My Daughter asked me if they would allow silly string, anyone know??
My guess is not but then again I have been wrong before.
Freerider127
12-24-2003, 11:37 AM
No they will not allow silly string.
mystycalchyk
12-24-2003, 11:50 AM
[snip]
....blow 'em up and launch 'em at the last minute.
The Disneyland people don't like beach balls. Don't tip your hand ahead of time.
;)
--T [/B]
:cool: I know. Although last year they were cool with them. It's definately covert mission ;)
DisneyFan25863
12-24-2003, 12:04 PM
Re: Admission Closing
Most of the time when they close the gates, they only close new ticket sales. If you already have a ticket (AP, park hopper, previously bought ticket, etc) you can still get in. If you leave, you can still get in as long as you have your hand stamp and your ticket. :)
CoasterMatt
12-24-2003, 12:55 PM
Originally posted by DisneyBob
So, does anybody know what kind of entertainment there will be on New Year's Eve?
Well, I'm always entertained by the people milling around complaining how there's too many people - what did they expect?
Originally posted by MOUSELUVR
Does anyone have any suggestions for either park for "must see or do" activities on New Years Eve... our kids are all teen's or pre-teens.
I can think of building massive monorail layouts ; or blowing bubbles on Dumbo at 2 am...
I miss those days!!!!!!
Anyway.
-- Karl
dingdong2U
12-25-2003, 01:06 PM
What I miss most more than that is the "*60* Hour Parties" that they had for the grand openings of "Captain EO" and "Star Tours". I still remember riding "It's A Small World" at 4:00 in the morning. ;-)
I wonder if the suits at Anaheim have given any thought to having a 50-hour party to celebrate Disneyland's 50th Anniversary in 2005?
--- Mike
DisneyFan25863
12-25-2003, 01:18 PM
Originally posted by dingdong2U
I wonder if the suits at Anaheim have given any thought to having a 50-hour party to celebrate Disneyland's 50th Anniversary in 2005?
--- Mike
To expensive :(
SoCalDisneyLover
12-25-2003, 02:03 PM
Originally posted by DisneyFan25863
To expensive :(
But they would make a lot of revenue during that weekend. People buying food, drink, souvenirs...all night long. I was at the Star Tours premier, and would Love if they did something like this again. I think the publicity generated, and overall attendance, would more than compensate for any additional cost. Besides...it's a once in 50 years type of thing.
TrekkieDad
12-25-2003, 04:45 PM
Originally posted by dingdong2U
I wonder if the suits at Anaheim have given any thought to having a 50-hour party to celebrate Disneyland's 50th Anniversary in 2005?
--- Mike
I remember attending a 25-hour party on the 25th anniversary--and nearly falling asleep in the Tiki Room.
Now back on topic: I'm looking forward to ringing the new year in from the balcony of the Disney Gallery, and enjoying the Fantasmic! dessert which will follow at 12:05.
TD
Germboy
12-25-2003, 05:12 PM
Show off!;)
TheatreTech
12-25-2003, 10:25 PM
Speaking of celebrating the new year from the balcony. We plan on being there new years eve, where are some of the best spots for the countdown and fireworks?
Most of the time when they close the gates, they only close new ticket sales. If you already have a ticket (AP, park hopper, previously bought ticket, etc) you can still get in. If you leave, you can still get in as long as you have your hand stamp and your ticket.
Thanks for that info DisneyFan! So, just to confirm, we have APs, we can still get in without having to come in the morning and stay all day?
And, I do like the open-for-fifty-hours-idea.:rolleyes:
Not Afraid
12-25-2003, 10:56 PM
Originally posted by TheatreTech
Speaking of celebrating the new year from the balcony. We plan on being there new years eve, where are some of the best spots for the countdown and fireworks?
We "camped" in front of the Castle last year and had a wonderful time/show. However, it takes quite a bit of dedication and perserverance to do that. It was great to do once. I'm not sure I would have that kind of stamina again.
cstephens
12-26-2003, 09:32 PM
Originally posted by karl
or blowing bubbles on Dumbo at 2 am...
I miss those days!!!!!!
Hey, nothing's to say that can't still happen (as long as the park's open that late). Someone else just needs to be the organizer now. Those of us who used to organize those aren't doing New Year's Eve at the park anymore.