New Years Eve 2010 Questions

[DuffyGuardian]

I've been doing DL NYE for 27 or so years now. If you want to be in DL that night, get in early and stay there. Don't leave the park. I have seen to many guest at the gates saying, but I have a hand stamp. That wont help if they are at capacity and aren't allowed to let more people in.

The place is packed and its hard to move in the evening/night time. Try not to move from one side of the park to the other. Its easier to stay in one area. The running back and forth with FP wont be easy.

After midnight the park empty but still is open till 2:00am(usually) That is a great time to get on rides. We have done it a few times and its a blast.

[Malcon10t]

i hope you don't mind me hijacking your thread for a moment dcaftw. but i too had a question and didn't wanna waste space w/ another thread.

i was thinking of going for new years (AP here), if i were to show up in the morning before they stop selling tickets, get a hand stamp and leave, then return around 7pm, would i still be allowed in since i was there early or not?

If the park is at capacity, and the fire marshal has closed the park, no, you will not be admitted.

[Malcon10t]

They will let you back in once it they haven't hit capasity if they have go to dca for a couple hours around 10 they let more people in never had a problem getting back in but they sometimes force you to go to DCA for a couple hours. I have gone many New Years Eve I have an PAP.

I have gone the last 10 years, and most years, it does NOT reopen once 7 or 8 has come. Most years it has closed by early afternoon, but reopened briefly til about 5 or 6, then it is closed (interesting to see those gates closed!) Last year was a strange year in that they didn't close until late. (We had an issue where my daughter had to leave briefly, and had a manager who escorted her to keep her "logged" into the park for the count. But it wasn't needed.) I think it was 2001 the park closed at 3 and didn't reopen until midnight.

[Scatterheart1]

This year will be my third trip to the Disneyland Resort for NYE (went previously in 05/06 and 08/09). While it is very crowded it is still a fun and magical experience. The key to planning a visit on NYE is to know what you're in for...yes it will be crowded and you will have to walk slowly with the masses to get to your destination and yes the lines are long. When we go we dont plan to get on as many rides but instead choose our favorites.Every year we have left the park for a short time in the afternoon to rest, freshen up and grab a coat for the evening. We have never had a problem getting back in (hope our luck doesn't run out).
We book a hotel close to the park so we can walk or take a trolly...I've never experienced the parking lot on such a busy day as this but I would assume it's packed.
My advice is to bring a lot of patience, a spirit of new adventure and lots of warm layers as it does get quite cold at night. Disneyland on NYE is a magical experience full of wonderful memories!

[Trainfanbob]

Just go New Years day, until 2 or 3 in the afternon the park is petty much yours... Been last few years!!!

[Joshnyah]

I know for a fact that it is ridicoulous, but still enjoyable, Just remember get there very early Im talking like 6 am that way your assured parking, Bring an Icechest and leave it in your vehicle with food and snacks that way you can take breaks from all the madness! Bring more warm blankets and warm clothing it will be freezing, Dont waste your time camping out a spot in front of the castle for the countdown, I tried it once and it was a waste of time you can definitly wait till the last minute and just walk up to the dj booth. If you have the choice between DCA and disneyland Definitly check out the schedule because I chose disneyland over Dca and Dca had a rocking party with power 106 and disney was kinda I hate to say it Bland. For new years that is. But try it out its worth it.

[WestsideCM99]

Oh man, I'm not planning on going to park for NYE but I can't wait to hear how bad the parking situation is! Does MC have a twitter account yet?

[GummiBears_Rock]

i thought they did already, isn't it right up there on the top right-hand corner of the website?

[hurricanefreak]

I've been at Disneylan for New Years Eve 3 times now and I know from experience that'll be crowded.

Let me give you and others some tips:

1.) Arrive super early since the M&F Parking Structure will be filled up. And the other Parking areas will fill up too.

2.) Get Fastpasses for Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Indy early as these rides will run out of FP's quickly. For Indy and Splash, the Single Rider Line is your best alternative as the SLR is faster than the FP.

3.) If you can't be at the castle for the countdown, ISASW is another alternative. The ROA is another good one as well.

4.) Try to hit the popular rides as early as possible.

5.) Make sure that if you leave and plan to return later, get a handstamp.

6.) Try to find a hotel with a room available since it'll make your day better. Plus you can buy tickets at the hotel if it's a Good Neighbor Hotel.

7.) If you plan to meet Mickey Mouse, go to his house in Toontown.

8.) Princess Fantasy Faire and Pixie Hollow won't have extended hours for NYE. Which means that Pixie Hollow will close at 5PM and Princess Fantasy Faire will close at 6 or 6:30 so plan accordingly if you plan to go to these Meet-and-Greet areas.

9.) The best time to ride the big rides is at 1AM! People start leaving aroud this time and all lines should be shorter.

10.) Get a locker first thing since a lot of people will be getting lockers.

11.) Shopping should be your last thing to do.

12.) If you plan to eat at a restaurant like the blue bayou, try to get reservations early or go to DTD for more options.

All entertainment offered during the holiday season will show on NYE. Here is what the entertainment schedule should be like:

A Christmas Fantasy

3:30 and 6:30

Fantasmic!

9:00, 10:30 and 12:10 AM Weather Permitting

Believe! In Holiday Magic

9:25 PM Weather Permitting

NYE Fireworks (Usually Fantasy in the Sky)

Midnight

Others will be listed in you times guide so pick one up at the gates or City Hall. Custodial Cast Members will also have maps and times guides avialable.

I just want to add if you want to get a spot for Fireworks in front of the castle you will have to sit down along the paarde route from 2pm in the afternoon. I dont know if Ill be going this year but If I do Im enjoying DL and DCA and not waiting for a Fireworks spot

[TheGlassSlipper]

Wow thank you for posting all those tips. I am excited a little weary about those crowds though.. Oh well itll be a fun experience!

[Wildwill]

My wife and I are going this year for the first time as PAPs. We got a hotel room at the Tropicana across the street and are just going to walk there and back. We're also not really planning on riding any rides. If we can get on Space Mountain we will, but we're not going for the rides.

I like to go in to DL via the Monorail Entrance most times, saves time. I hope it will be running later in the evening.

[ImpossibleIsNothin]

I went back in 03 or 04 and it wasn't that bad, I imagine it's a madhouse nowadays. I'll be sitting at home with a few friends instead (Not to mention, I'm blocked out anyways)

[GummiBears_Rock]

I've been at Disneylan for New Years Eve 3 times now and I know from experience that'll be crowded.

Let me give you and others some tips:

1.) Arrive super early since the M&F Parking Structure will be filled up. And the other Parking areas will fill up too.

2.) Get Fastpasses for Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Indy early as these rides will run out of FP's quickly. For Indy and Splash, the Single Rider Line is your best alternative as the SLR is faster than the FP.

3.) If you can't be at the castle for the countdown, ISASW is another alternative. The ROA is another good one as well.

4.) Try to hit the popular rides as early as possible.

5.) Make sure that if you leave and plan to return later, get a handstamp.

6.) Try to find a hotel with a room available since it'll make your day better. Plus you can buy tickets at the hotel if it's a Good Neighbor Hotel.

7.) If you plan to meet Mickey Mouse, go to his house in Toontown.

8.) Princess Fantasy Faire and Pixie Hollow won't have extended hours for NYE. Which means that Pixie Hollow will close at 5PM and Princess Fantasy Faire will close at 6 or 6:30 so plan accordingly if you plan to go to these Meet-and-Greet areas.

9.) The best time to ride the big rides is at 1AM! People start leaving aroud this time and all lines should be shorter.

10.) Get a locker first thing since a lot of people will be getting lockers.

11.) Shopping should be your last thing to do.

12.) If you plan to eat at a restaurant like the blue bayou, try to get reservations early or go to DTD for more options.

All entertainment offered during the holiday season will show on NYE. Here is what the entertainment schedule should be like:

A Christmas Fantasy

3:30 and 6:30

Fantasmic!

9:00, 10:30 and 12:10 AM Weather Permitting

Believe! In Holiday Magic

9:25 PM Weather Permitting

NYE Fireworks (Usually Fantasy in the Sky)

Midnight

Others will be listed in you times guide so pick one up at the gates or City Hall. Custodial Cast Members will also have maps and times guides avialable.

well i was thinking if you have a locker, then couldn't you put your souvenirs in there? so you wouldn't have to shop at night

[The Forbidden Eye]

well i was thinking if you have a locker, then couldn't you put your souvenirs in there? so you wouldn't have to shop at night

Depends on how big the locker is. Remember that there are 3 Locker choices to choose from.

If Lockers run out then you can use the package check service at the Newstand, Star Trader or Pioneer Mercantile and you can pick up your purchases later on when you're ready.

[Mickey Dude]

I've was there for 08 and had a blast! I'll be going this year to and I can't wait....I was expecting to get in DL at opening and staying there!