12 Tips to Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Disney California Adventure Park

Where better to ring in the New Year than at the Happiest Place on Earth? If you’re tired of trying to feel festive on the final day of the year, I’ve got the perfect solution for you. You’ll be merry indeed at Disneyland’s sassy sister park in Anaheim, California. Put on your party ears because it’s time to count down 12 ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve at Disney California Adventure Park!

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12. Choose just one Disneyland Park to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

Selecting just one park for your New Year’s Eve celebration makes good sense for several reasons. First, you’ll save money on entrance tickets by purchasing a 1-park ticket instead of a park hopper.

Secondly, staying in one park means less walking. Believe me, your feet will thank you!

You’ll also save lots of time. Don’t traipse between the two Disneyland theme parks, trying to squeeze in more attractions than possible. Instead, concentrate on the rides, holiday shows, and specialty foods at just one park.

Most importantly, though, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park may fill to capacity on a busy day like New Year’s Eve. This could leave you unable to reenter one or both parks.

I recommend choosing Disney California Adventure for your single-park celebration. It tends to be less crowded than Disneyland, especially on holidays. Also, alcohol is allowed at California Adventure, which makes toasting the New Year more festive for those who like to imbibe!

11. Toast the New Year at Disney California Adventure Park.

Alcohol is forbidden at Disneyland, but you’ll find all sorts of festive libations at its rowdier sister park.

Order tasty drinks at the Festive Food Marketplace like a cranberry sangria with lime or Bourbon cider with house-made Bourbon-infused whipped cream.

Teetotalers and children can get in on the toasting fun with a holiday punch made with sherbet and Sprite or a s’mores frozen chocolate milk, among other non-alcoholic options.

10. Arrive early in the day.

Even if you’d rather sleep in so you can stay up late on New Year’s Eve, it’s important to arrive at Disney California Adventure Park fairly early in the day.

I advise getting there at least before noon. Again, this goes back to holiday crowds filling the theme park to capacity. If you get there too late, you may not be allowed entrance at all.

9. Taste foods from around the world at the Festive Food Marketplace.

Choose from a dozen specialty food kiosks set up for the holidays at the Festive Food Marketplace at Disney California Adventure. Your tastebuds can travel the world on such offerings as chorizo queso fundido with house-made tortilla chips from Brews & Bites, shrimp and grits with andouille sausage from Holiday Duets, and chana masala with grilled garlic naan from Winter Wonders.

Leave room for dessert so you can dig into a milk chocolate candy cane pot de crème from Winter Sliderland or an eggnog wreath éclair with white chocolate icing from Vision of Sugarplums. If you want to taste a bunch of goodies, your most affordable bet is a Sip and Savor Pass, which allows you to nosh on eight food or non-alcoholic beverages from the participating Festive Food Marketplace booths.

8. Make New Year’s Eve dinner reservations in advance.

While festive food bites are fun for lunch or snacks, you’ll probably want something a bit more elegant and relaxing for your New Year’s Eve dinner. Be sure to make holiday dinner reservations as far in advance as possible. Disney Dining takes reservations as early as 60 days in advance at (407) 939-3463. Want to save money on your Disneyland character meal? You can! Click here to save up to $11 per adult meal and up to $5 per child meal with our partner, Get Away Today.

Since you don’t want to leave Disney California Adventure for fear of the park reaching full capacity, stick to dining options on-site. Table service options in this park include the fancy schmancy Carthay Circle Restaurant on Buena Vista Street, Lamplight Lounge where lobster nachos are all the rage in Pixar Pier, and Wine Country Trattoria at Pacific Wharf, which features Tuscan cuisine and a good wine list. Premium World of Color seating options are available when dining at Carthay Circle or Wine Country Trattoria. Meanwhile, Lamplight Lounge offers a Frozen Dining Experience with priority seating for Frozen – Live at the Hyperion.

7. Soak up the holiday decor.

No time of year is more magical at Disney California Adventure than during the winter holidays. You’ll see an array of holiday decorations throughout the park, but Radiator Springs in Cars Land ratchets it up a notch. Look for wrench-inspired snowflakes and a “snow car” welcoming you to Route 66. As the sun sets on Buena Vista Street, gather around for a joyous Christmas tree-lighting ceremony.

6. Scope out the holiday entertainment.

Look for holiday entertainment throughout Disney California Adventure Park on New Year’s Eve. Mariachi Divas sing bilingual holiday songs in Pacific Wharf. Mostly Kosher musical band celebrates Hanukah with klezmer, latin, jazz, and rock music at Sonoma Terrace. Blue13 Dance Company wows the crowds with traditional Indian dances at Paradise Gardens Park to celebrate Diwali. The Sound celebrates Kwanzaa and Christmas with impressive acapella holiday tunes at Pacific Wharf and Paradise Gardens Park. Kids will love the Holiday Toy Drummers, who march to a merry beat at the Obelisk. Last but not least, Phat Cat Swinger puts on a swinging show of holiday music at Paradise Garden Park.

Meanwhile, World of Color puts a holiday spin on its traditional musical dancing fountain and light show. Frozen – Live at the Hyperion makes a great winter holiday choice as well with its snowy yet heart-warming theming and plot. Check the daily schedule on your park map for specific times to see live entertainment.

5. Join the New Year’s Eve dance party.

Last year when my family visited Disney California Adventure on New Year’s Eve, there were three dance party locations at which to get our groove on while waiting for midnight.

Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party in Paradise Garden Parks takes place nightly during the holiday season. The Three Cabelleros, Panchito, José Carioca, and Donald Duck star in a holly, jolly celebration through the streets. Expect mariachi and samba musicians, folklórico dancers, some of your favorite Disney Characters, and incredible 12-foot-tall mojiganga puppets of Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Take a look at Disney’s website or the daily map for specific party times and locations for New Year’s Eve 2019 at Disney California Adventure Park.

4. Get glowing goodies and noise makers.

Disney cast members typically pass out noisemakers and party hats to park goers on New Year’s Eve. The good news is that these are given out for free. The bad news is that not everyone got one and the noise makers were, well, very noisy. Check your map for distribution locations and times so you don’t miss out!

Nighttime at any Disney park is made more festive with glowing goodies like light-up necklaces, mouse ears, and toys. This is especially true when visiting Disney California Adventure on New Year’s Eve…particularly if you’ll be watching the World of Color spectacular. Instead of shelling out big bucks for glow-in-the-dark favors at the park, I recommend buying some light-up goodies before you go! You’ll save lots of money, for sure. To make it more magical for kids, keep these hidden in your day bag and dole them out as night falls.

3. Dress in layers.

If you think Southern California is always warm, you might be surprised when the sun goes down and the temperature plummets. Be sure to dress the whole family in layers to handle sun, rain, and nighttime temps. If traveling with kids in strollers and/or you want to queue up early for World of Color or parades, tuck a portable blanket into your day bag, too. During our New Year’s Eve visit last year, our whole family wound up buying winter hats at a premium at the Disney California Adventure. To save money, pack your own warm headgear instead.

2. Countdown to midnight…or not.

I can’t think of a more festive place to ring in the New Year than Disney California Adventure. But after a long day at the park, you might be ready to hang up your mouse ears before midnight strikes. If you’re not much of a late-night person, or you’re visiting with kids, you may want to forego the midnight hoopla in favor of a good night’s sleep. You’ll be glad you did when you get up bright and early the next day to enjoy fairly light crowds at the parks on New Year’s Day. While the party animals are dozing, you’ll be riding Space Mountain or Radiator Springs Racers without having to wait in monstrous lines.

1. Choose a hotel within walking distance.

If you’re planning to take an Uber, Lyft or cab on New Year’s Eve, you might be waiting for your ride for a very, very long time. Even if your hotel offers a shuttle, keep in mind that New Year’s Eve is typically one of Disney’s busiest days of the year and as such, your shuttle may be delayed.

To hit the hay as soon as possible after leaving the park, your best bet is to stay somewhere within walking distance. I’m partial to the three Disney hotels: Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian, and Paradise Pier.

If your wallet can’t take that big of a hit, though, choose from an array of hotels near Disneyland. Click on the “VIEW MAP” button on the right side of this Get Away Today page to get an idea of which hotels are closest to the theme parks.

Save money on your Disneyland New Year’s Eve vacation

Want to save money on your Disneyland vacation? Of course, you do! Use discount code TravelMamas to get $10 off any two-night or longer Southern California package (hotel and 2-ticket minimum) when you book through our trusted partner, Get Away Today. 

Find Disneyland Resort deals, including ticket discounts and discounted hotel packages!

Keep these tips for future reference

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In the comments below, let us know your tips and questions for celebrating New Year’s Eve at Disney California Adventure Park!

A Note from The Travel Mama: My family did not receive any discounts or comps from Disney related to this story.

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