New Year's Week Advice

Metalliman98 · Oct 12, 2015

We will be heading to DLR 12/27 to 1/1 for our first (and likely only) trip there during the actual December holidays. We know it will be insane from reading past year's reports, and figure it will ramp up even more this year due to the 60th stuff and the crush of APs who are using their Premium passes for the last time, including those who bought them from Disney store shortly after the price increase. (Nothing held against anyone, we are premium APs too who got them in August).

I am looking for general advice anyone wants to share about how to approach this week. This will be our fourth trip this year (early May, late August, last week for Halloween), so we have already mostly had our fill of the usual must-dos: Fantasmic, PtN, WoC Celebrate, Aladdin, Pixar Play Parade. We've seen DF several times but never from Main Street, so that may be a must do and I'd love to hear opinions.

We are planning on WoC Winter Dreams, and the Holiday Tour as well to knock out IASW Holiday, Jingle Cruise, and CF parade. Do they offer the "Welcome to DL" tour during this week? We may use it to get preferred seating for Mickey and the Magical Map, as we've never found time to see that show before.

Ride-wise, the only things we care about that won't already be knocked out by the holiday tour are the new SW stuff in Tomorrowland, unless there are other rides/attractions that are plussed during the holidays that we don't know about.

Given that we've already seen a bunch of the nighttime entertainment, and that we have a 4 yo, I am thinking we should target rope drop each day to ensure we get in, and call it an early night each night so we don't burn out. Possibly get in to DL early on 12/31 and stay all day for NYE celebration, but undecided on that, especially with a 4 yo. Is it worth it?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

CLR4321 · Oct 12, 2015

I will be at DL on the 29th and DCA on the 30th myself. We normally go to Disney parks during low seasons, so I am a little scared LOL We don't get out to CA often tho, and my father is gifting us 2 day passes for everyone. I didn't even know about Jingle Cruise or IASW holiday. Where is the Pixar parade? My kids are huge fans of Toy Story and Cars, so that is a must do for us.

Metalliman98 · Oct 12, 2015

CLR4321 said:
I will be at DL on the 29th and DCA on the 30th myself. We normally go to Disney parks during low seasons, so I am a little scared LOL We don't get out to CA often tho, and my father is gifting us 2 day passes for everyone. I didn't even know about Jingle Cruise or IASW holiday. Where is the Pixar parade? My kids are huge fans of Toy Story and Cars, so that is a must do for us.

The parade is in DCA around 5:15. It starts by Tower of Terror, makes it's way down Hollywood, in front of Carthay, then travels the main drag past the RSR Fastpasses, Wine Country Trattoria, Little Mermaid, and down through Paradise Pier past the carnival style rides. Cars really isn't represented except for Mater and McQueen driving around at the very end of the parade. If your kids like cars you are probably better off staking out spots for the Paint the Nignt parade, they have a whole float for Cars and it is amazing.

CLR4321 · Oct 12, 2015

Metalliman98 said:
The parade is in DCA around 5:15. It starts by Tower of Terror, makes it's way down Hollywood, in front of Carthay, then travels the main drag past the RSR Fastpasses, Wine Country Trattoria, Little Mermaid, and down through Paradise Pier past the carnival style rides. Cars really isn't represented except for Mater and McQueen driving around at the very end of the parade. If your kids like cars you are probably better off staking out spots for the Paint the Nignt parade, they have a whole float for Cars and it is amazing.

Good to know! Mater is my son's favorite. Being as busy as it will be, we will likely only do 1 parade per park unless we happen to have a parade route pop up in front of us. We are going to start working on our plan of attack spreadsheet in a few days (must-do's, FP rides, child swap rides, dining options). We are WDW people. We hardly even have to plan for our trips there because we pretty much follow the same routine for every trip, but try to eat at different places. We are planning only QS places for eating, and the evening of the 28th we are planning to eat at Goofy's Kitchen for my daughter's birthday dinner. I am going to be stalking the dining site on Oct 28th for ADRs. I've never made a serious plan for DL, usually just play it by ear as we go thru the parks, but always starting in New Orleans Square. This time we will rush to get FPs probably for Splash & BTMRR so we can child swap and have the kids ride Pooh or something while doing those. I was there in 2002, 2008, and 2011, but during low(er) season, and I am scared LOL I really wish DL had FP for everything like WDW does. We only waited in like 2 standby lines when we were at WDW in January.

ArchOwl · Oct 13, 2015

I have been at the Resort for NYE for four of the last five years. I have only stayed in Disneyland once. All other times I spent NYE in DCA and I much prefer it that way. DL is really a nightmare on NYE beginning in the afternoon. Everything takes forever! And there are campers everywhere, people put blankets down and full on camp in the Hub and along Main Street. Many areas of the park are literally shoulder to shoulder.

In contrast, DCA is really open and easy to navigate. Ride lines are short and entertainment is plentiful. They do a great Fireworks and Fountains show at midnight and then do WOC. Honestly, I prefer DCA fireworks to DL's. In the last three years or so that I have been to DCA on NYE, there was never any problems entering and exiting the park throughout the day. But at DL, you really need to stay all day to be sure you don't get barred from re-entry. And the lines to get back in can be lengthy. But we have never waited long to re-enter DCA. Last year, we used the GCH exit to grab a drink at Hearthstone around 10:30 and walked back in about an hour later and there was no one waiting to get in.

We now watch the Fireworks and Fountain show from Paradise Pier and we can see DL's fireworks as well. There were only a couple other people there last year. It was completely uncrowded. I don't find it necessary to watch WOC from the viewing area, it is exactly the same show as every other night. So we cozy up on a bench in Paradise Pier and enjoy the fireworks and fountains.

Plus, DCA has adult beverages, which is always great for NYE.

Staying within walking distance is a great time-saver as well. The lines for trams or buses are crazy long on NYE. We always stay within walking distance and save so much time that way.

Another pro tip: if possible try to schedule sit down meals on NYE and make reservations well in advance. The counter places are very busy that day and it is really nice to be able to have a meal with service and not worry about trying to find an empty table. Last year we were at Carnation Cafe about 10 am for breakfast and they must have turned away dozens and dozens of people. We had reservation, and enjoyed a great breakfast! We usually start NYE in DL, because early morning there (rope drop) is pretty great. I think a lot of people know they will be there all day, so they don't show up until late morning/early afternoon. We enjoy the park, have breakfast at Carnation, and then park hop to DCA. By the time we leave DL around 11am, the place is usually hopping.

As far as the other days go, your plan looks doable. You should be able to get through the holiday overlay rides with the number of days you have. Since you have APs, you can always hop to DCA if DL becomes closed to re-entries. And you may want to anyway, because it is so crowded!

Don't know if you are interested in Star Wars stuff, but the SW overlay for Space Mountain should be up as well as the new scene for Star Tours.

I am not sure about the Welcome to Disneyland tour running during that week, hopefully someone can chime in. Maybe they could give you insight into if it is worth doing just for Mickey and the Magical Map seating. I have not had a huge problem getting into that show myself, but perhaps it is difficult during the holidays?

Ok, hope this helps! And have fun, it is a super fun place to be for NYE.

celiacla · Oct 13, 2015

My family is going to be at Disneyland over Thanksgiving, and although I know it is not as crowded as Christmas and New Years, I'm thinking it is possible that it will hit capacity this year. Does anyone know what happens with ADRs if you are outside the park when it hits capacity? Do they give you any priority in getting back in? If you can't get back in, do you get charged as a no show? We have small children that will need to go back to the hotel for a nap mid-day so I'm worried.

707MickeyGirl · Oct 13, 2015

I'm also very interested in peoples' advice for New Year's Eve/Day. We're driving down from northern CA on 12/26, parks 12/27-1/2 and driving home 1/3. I know it will be crazy crowded so I'm thinking we'll hit rope drop every day (staying offsite) and then on NYE, we'll start in DL and switch to DCA for the evening. Are there any special dining events that take place during late December? We'll do BB, Minnie's and either Goofy's Kitchen or Ariel's Grotto. My DGD has never been to BB and we've never done Ariel's Grotto for lunch. She'll love seeing the princesses. I'm kind of iffy about Goofy's too, since they changed the character lineup. The last time we went there were still a lot of characters to meet - our favorite was always the Hatter.

Metalliman98 · Oct 13, 2015

707MickeyGirl said:
I'm also very interested in peoples' advice for New Year's Eve/Day. We're driving down from northern CA on 12/26, parks 12/27-1/2 and driving home 1/3. I know it will be crazy crowded so I'm thinking we'll hit rope drop every day (staying offsite) and then on NYE, we'll start in DL and switch to DCA for the evening. Are there any special dining events that take place during late December? We'll do BB, Minnie's and either Goofy's Kitchen or Ariel's Grotto. My DGD has never been to BB and we've never done Ariel's Grotto for lunch. She'll love seeing the princesses. I'm kind of iffy about Goofy's too, since they changed the character lineup. The last time we went there were still a lot of characters to meet - our favorite was always the Hatter.

Character lineup at Goofy's is pathetic. food choice is excellent, but characters are limited. if you want a lot of characters, Minnie's breakfast at plaza inn is the way to go.

Sherry E · Oct 13, 2015

707MickeyGirl said:
I'm also very interested in peoples' advice for New Year's Eve/Day. We're driving down from northern CA on 12/26, parks 12/27-1/2 and driving home 1/3. I know it will be crazy crowded so I'm thinking we'll hit rope drop every day (staying offsite) and then on NYE, we'll start in DL and switch to DCA for the evening. Are there any special dining events that take place during late December? We'll do BB, Minnie's and either Goofy's Kitchen or Ariel's Grotto. My DGD has never been to BB and we've never done Ariel's Grotto for lunch. She'll love seeing the princesses. I'm kind of iffy about Goofy's too, since they changed the character lineup. The last time we went there were still a lot of characters to meet - our favorite was always the Hatter.

Go to New Year's Eve and New Year's Day Dining and some of the links from 2014 and 2013 will give you a sense of what might be going on as far as special late December meals (and beyond) in and out of the parks - http://www.disboards.com/threads/di...egin-fri-november-13th.3358217/#post-52730328.

Otherwise, no new special dining events so far (you never know what might be introduced this year, though). Anything that comes up (a special event with food) for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's or Three Kings Day, I will add it to that post under the applicable categories.

Malcon10t · Oct 13, 2015

celiacla said:
My family is going to be at Disneyland over Thanksgiving, and although I know it is not as crowded as Christmas and New Years, I'm thinking it is possible that it will hit capacity this year. Does anyone know what happens with ADRs if you are outside the park when it hits capacity? Do they give you any priority in getting back in? If you can't get back in, do you get charged as a no show? We have small children that will need to go back to the hotel for a nap mid-day so I'm worried.

ADRs do not give you a priority. If you can't enter the park because of closure, you simply call the dining line and they will cancel the charges. Just call when your reservation is and tell them. We didn't call, and didn't get charged, but I'd be sure next time.

Metalliman98 · Oct 13, 2015

ArchOwl said:
I have been at the Resort for NYE for four of the last five years. I have only stayed in Disneyland once. All other times I spent NYE in DCA and I much prefer it that way. DL is really a nightmare on NYE beginning in the afternoon. Everything takes forever! And there are campers everywhere, people put blankets down and full on camp in the Hub and along Main Street. Many areas of the park are literally shoulder to shoulder.

In contrast, DCA is really open and easy to navigate. Ride lines are short and entertainment is plentiful. They do a great Fireworks and Fountains show at midnight and then do WOC. Honestly, I prefer DCA fireworks to DL's. In the last three years or so that I have been to DCA on NYE, there was never any problems entering and exiting the park throughout the day. But at DL, you really need to stay all day to be sure you don't get barred from re-entry. And the lines to get back in can be lengthy. But we have never waited long to re-enter DCA. Last year, we used the GCH exit to grab a drink at Hearthstone around 10:30 and walked back in about an hour later and there was no one waiting to get in.

We now watch the Fireworks and Fountain show from Paradise Pier and we can see DL's fireworks as well. There were only a couple other people there last year. It was completely uncrowded. I don't find it necessary to watch WOC from the viewing area, it is exactly the same show as every other night. So we cozy up on a bench in Paradise Pier and enjoy the fireworks and fountains.

Plus, DCA has adult beverages, which is always great for NYE.

Staying within walking distance is a great time-saver as well. The lines for trams or buses are crazy long on NYE. We always stay within walking distance and save so much time that way.

Another pro tip: if possible try to schedule sit down meals on NYE and make reservations well in advance. The counter places are very busy that day and it is really nice to be able to have a meal with service and not worry about trying to find an empty table. Last year we were at Carnation Cafe about 10 am for breakfast and they must have turned away dozens and dozens of people. We had reservation, and enjoyed a great breakfast! We usually start NYE in DL, because early morning there (rope drop) is pretty great. I think a lot of people know they will be there all day, so they don't show up until late morning/early afternoon. We enjoy the park, have breakfast at Carnation, and then park hop to DCA. By the time we leave DL around 11am, the place is usually hopping.

As far as the other days go, your plan looks doable. You should be able to get through the holiday overlay rides with the number of days you have. Since you have APs, you can always hop to DCA if DL becomes closed to re-entries. And you may want to anyway, because it is so crowded!

Don't know if you are interested in Star Wars stuff, but the SW overlay for Space Mountain should be up as well as the new scene for Star Tours.

I am not sure about the Welcome to Disneyland tour running during that week, hopefully someone can chime in. Maybe they could give you insight into if it is worth doing just for Mickey and the Magical Map seating. I have not had a huge problem getting into that show myself, but perhaps it is difficult during the holidays?

Ok, hope this helps! And have fun, it is a super fun place to be for NYE.

Thanks for all the advice! If we can make it to midnight NYE (with a 4 yo, that's questionable) we will do DCA, otherwise we may just take fireworks in from our hotel. And great suggestion about getting reservations for NYE during the day, it is on my to do list now.

ArchOwl · Oct 13, 2015

Metalliman98 said:
Thanks for all the advice! If we can make it to midnight NYE (with a 4 yo, that's questionable) we will do DCA, otherwise we may just take fireworks in from our hotel. And great suggestion about getting reservations for NYE during the day, it is on my to do list now.

Awesome. It makes a big difference I think to have a nice sit down meal on long days. And the counter places are just mobbed. I had a picture somewhere that I took of the French Market in New Orleans Square around noon on NYE. The line snaked back through the shops, it was quite insane. And the Royal Verandah was just as bad, and there are only 6-7 tables for that place. People were eating on steps and the ground. It was almost impossible to tell where the line for soup started because it was entangled in the Pirates queue. We left the park soon after. Too crazy!

If you don't end up making to midnight, try for rope drop on NY Day. That morning is totally empty for the first couple of hours. Everyone is sleeping in, lol. I have to admit that sometimes I sleep in that morning too. I am not as young as I used to be...

Sherry E · Oct 13, 2015

ArchOwl said:
Awesome. It makes a big difference I think to have a nice sit down meal on long days. And the counter places are just mobbed. I had a picture somewhere that I took of the French Market in New Orleans Square around noon on NYE. The line snaked back through the shops, it was quite insane. And the Royal Verandah was just as bad, and there are only 6-7 tables for that place. People were eating on steps and the ground. It was almost impossible to tell where the line for soup started because it was entangled in the Pirates queue. We left the park soon after. Too crazy!

If you don't end up making to midnight, try for rope drop on NY Day. That morning is totally empty for the first couple of hours. Everyone is sleeping in, lol. I have to admit that sometimes I sleep in that morning too. I am not as young as I used to be...

Was the picture in your report on NYE 2012 - http://www.disboards.com/threads/how-i-did-nye-at-the-dlr-you-can-do-it-too.3040808/ -- or from a later NYE trip?

ArchOwl · Oct 13, 2015

Sherry E said:
Was the picture in your report on NYE 2012 - http://www.disboards.com/threads/how-i-did-nye-at-the-dlr-you-can-do-it-too.3040808/ -- or from a later NYE trip?

I believe it was from last year's trip. But I can't find it at the moment. I thought I put it in my photobucket account, but it is not showing up. Of course, the one picture you want is the one you can't find!

ETA: I should probably do a new trip report this year to update on the DCA crowds. Last year was pretty similar, though. Although we do make a point of staying within walking distance now.

5forMickey · Oct 13, 2015

We were there the same time last year. For sure make reservations for dining or you won't be eating at a TS and you will spend a long time in the CS lines. Can't stress that enough. If possible, stay on site and use early entry. The only way I would do it again is going early in the AM, leaving during the day and returning at night. And did I mention reservations!!!! I also had more fun at CA. The parks never hit capacity last year but they were too busy for me. CA was more my speed.

Metalliman98 · Oct 13, 2015

5forMickey said:
We were there the same time last year. For sure make reservations for dining or you won't be eating at a TS and you will spend a long time in the CS lines. Can't stress that enough. If possible, stay on site and use early entry. The only way I would do it again is going early in the AM, leaving during the day and returning at night. And did I mention reservations!!!! I also had more fun at CA. The parks never hit capacity last year but they were too busy for me. CA was more my speed.

ArchOwl said:
Awesome. It makes a big difference I think to have a nice sit down meal on long days. And the counter places are just mobbed. I had a picture somewhere that I took of the French Market in New Orleans Square around noon on NYE. The line snaked back through the shops, it was quite insane. And the Royal Verandah was just as bad, and there are only 6-7 tables for that place. People were eating on steps and the ground. It was almost impossible to tell where the line for soup started because it was entangled in the Pirates queue. We left the park soon after. Too crazy!

If you don't end up making to midnight, try for rope drop on NY Day. That morning is totally empty for the first couple of hours. Everyone is sleeping in, lol. I have to admit that sometimes I sleep in that morning too. I am not as young as I used to be...

So do you recommend making reservations for meals all New Year's week, or just NYE? We usually don't try to book reservations for all meals, but I guess if the place is going to be mobbed the entire week it might be a good idea.

Metalliman98 · Oct 13, 2015

Sherry E said:
Go to New Year's Eve and New Year's Day Dining and some of the links from 2014 and 2013 will give you a sense of what might be going on as far as special late December meals (and beyond) in and out of the parks - http://www.disboards.com/threads/di...egin-fri-november-13th.3358217/#post-52730328.

Otherwise, no new special dining events so far (you never know what might be introduced this year, though). Anything that comes up (a special event with food) for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's or Three Kings Day, I will add it to that post under the applicable categories.

I wouldn't doubt if they did some special dining event along the line of Mystical Spirits, though without a Christmas Party I'm not sure what exactly they could do......though I'm sure they're burning the midnight oil trying to think of something!

5forMickey · Oct 13, 2015

I would say for the whole trip, it will be easier to cancel with the 24 hour window than try and get some once they are already full. I didn't see them take a walk up the whole week we were there. The one night we had WOC for Wine Country and it was a wind storm so it obviously wasn't going to show. They let everyone out of their reservations so that wasn't a problem but we couldn't find anywhere else to eat. We ended up ordering room service for that night and even that was an hour wait.

But we still had a lot of fun....you just have to know what your in for and plan well. With your little one, I would plan on lots of rest/pool time

ArchOwl · Oct 14, 2015

Metalliman98 said:
I wouldn't doubt if they did some special dining event along the line of Mystical Spirits, though without a Christmas Party I'm not sure what exactly they could do......though I'm sure they're burning the midnight oil trying to think of something!

Yes, after these special events keep popping up: Safari breakfast, Mystical Spirits, and Mahaloween, I am thinking they will probably do something for Christmas. It would be fun if they did a Nightmare Before Christmas dinner at BB with Jack and Sally! And maybe an appearance from Sandy Claws.

As long as people from the Mystical Spirits are happy with the fireworks view and experience, I don't see why they couldn't just swap out the characters for holiday ones and do the same viewing, even if they fireworks aren't holiday-ish.

Sherry E · Oct 14, 2015

Maybe they can change the name to "Merriest Spirits of the Blue Bayou." It doesn't have the same mysterious ring to it, but it's something.

I wouldn't be shocked if Trader Sam's got in on the Holiday season action too, with another premium dining event. They've already got decorations in there during the season. Why not? If they can do it for Halloween, they might as well jump into Christmas too.

New Year's Week Advice

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