“How to celebrate new year’s eve at Disney California Adventure?”
Walt Disney once said, “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” New Year’s Eve is one of the year’s busiest days at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, as guests crowd the parks to ring in 2024.
This guide will share our tips & tricks for enjoying the NYE parties in the parks, watching the fireworks, and avoiding the pitfalls.
How to celebrate New Year’s Eve at Disney California Adventure?
Choose a hotel within walking distance.
If you plan to use a ride-sharing service or take a cab on New Year’s Eve, be prepared to wait a long time. Even if your hotel offers a shuttle service, remember that New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest days at Disney, so your shuttle may be delayed.
Reservation
Make sure to reserve your tickets beforehand to avoid any kind of fuss at that time.
New Year’s Eve at Disneyland is one of those days in which the parks hit capacity in a typical year. Now that a reservation system is in place, the park reservations will fill up in advance.
Choose One Park to Visit
The most important thing is to choose one park at a time. On New Year’s Eve, it is not recommended to park hop at Disneyland. It is best to choose one park and stay there all day. This is because both parks will likely reach capacity and may not allow park hoppers to enter.
Pro Tip
“Once you choose a park, bring everything you need for the day and plan to stay. Get a locker to store sweatshirts and items you do not want to carry around all day.”
Early Arrival
To avoid long waits on New Year’s Eve, it’s best to arrive early in the morning before the park opens. Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park usually open at 8 a.m., but guests can enter earlier, around 7:30 a.m., before the official opening.
Remember that you can access the rides and most of the park at the official opening time. Expect longer wait times for traffic, parking, and going through bag checks and turnstiles.
Dress in layers.
If you think Southern California is always warm, then you are wrong. Dress in layers for changing temperatures and carry a portable blanket if you’re traveling with kids or want to secure a spot for World of Color or parades.
Utilize Genie+ to Save Time
If you plan to visit a theme park on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, consider getting Genie+. It may cost more, but it can be worth it if you plan to arrive early and start making ride selections right away.
With Genie+, you can only select one ride at a time, but you can choose a new one after using the previous one or after two hours have passed since your last selection. Plus, you’ll get unlimited PhotoPass downloads for the day, a nice bonus.
Entertainment and Limelight
You can enjoy every kind of show except some. You can take a break throughout the day by watching these shows. Smaller musical and parade options do not require waiting in line.
On New Year’s Eve at Disneyland, park guests are treated to not one but TWO fireworks shows. How fantastic!
Choices, including the Tale of the Lion King at Disneyland Park, are available for visitors. However, it is crucial to remember that shows may get canceled due to weather conditions. In case of rain, most outdoor performances will be canceled.
Join the New Year’s Eve Dance party.
Parks throughout the resort offer multiple dance parties throughout the evening leading up to the midnight countdown.
Paradise Gardens Dance Party
This dance party is the perfect spot to let loose and groove to your favorite tunes in the Paradise Gardens Park area. The party starts at 8:00 PM and goes until 1:00 AM. There will be a DJ spinning all night long so that you can dance your way into the New Year.
Hollywood Land Dance Party
This dance party occurs in Hollywood Land before the iconic Tower of Terror. The party starts at 8:00 PM and goes until 1:00 AM. A DJ will play all your favorite hits so that you can dance the night away under the stars.
World of Color Viewing Area Dance Party
This dance party is located in the World of Color viewing area, so you can enjoy the party while still being close to the action. The party starts at 7:00 PM and goes until 1:00 AM. A DJ will play all your favorite dance tunes so you can get up and move before the big fireworks show.
Countdown to midnight…or not.
Disney California Adventure is a fantastic place to celebrate New Year’s Eve. But after a long day at the park, you might not be ready to call it a night before midnight. If you’re not a night owl or visiting with children, skip the midnight festivities and get a good night’s sleep.
You’ll appreciate it the next day when you wake up early to enjoy the parks with fewer crowds on New Year’s Day. While others still sleep, you can ride Space Mountain or Radiator Springs Racers without waiting in long lines.
Enjoy Special New Year’s Eve Dining
Taking a break for dinner during the New Year’s Eve celebrations at Disneyland or California Adventure is necessary. A festive meal will refuel your energy and lift your spirits.
Make reservations up to 60 days in advance to avoid long restaurant lines. It will ensure a seamless dining experience and allow you to enjoy the culinary delights without stress.
Wrap Up
Whether you celebrate New Year’s Eve at Disneyland Park or California Adventure, check the Entertainment Schedule in advance (even up to that week) for last-minute additions. You can also check the Disneyland mobile app inside the park to find entertainment and possible surprises. That way, you won’t miss anything, including a potential surprise snow flurry or exciting live entertainment.
