2009 ended with two big bangs at Disneyland Paris. As in the past years both parks of the resort celebrated the new year – and thereby this time also the new decade – with a splendid, extensive fireworks display as not seen at any other day throught the year.
Both parks featured identical displays set as announced yesterday to the great soundtrack of “Believe in Holiday Magic” from Disneyland, Anaheim. While this soundtrack had been used in the past two years already, the fireworks display (in the case of the Disneyland Park also incorporating the lights mounted for the Christmas season on the castle) were all new!
Throughout the evening guests were park hopping between the Walt Disney Studios Park and the Disneyland Park resulting in manageable wait times at most attractions – slightly shorter in the studios, e.g. 45 min. for Crush’s Coaster around 7:30 pm. As a result of this the crowds along the parade route for Fantillusion while still considerable were much smaller than on many other high season nights. Interestingly Fantillusion performed only one stop (with the Villains’ section on Central Plaza) compared to two on the days prior – however that might be dye to the fact that entertainment also had to manage the nighttime performance of Stars’n'Cars in the Studios later one – a unique offering.
The studios were also the location for three sets of the boygroup Rody Mendez & 3nity Brothers who performed on the stage in the Production Courtyard (abc had entertained guests at Billy Bob’s ocassionally in the past). Each set lasted about 25 to 30 min. after which the band members happily posted for photos with the fans. 
The band sang live a mix of pop Christmas songs, cover version of Disney songs (including a strong a Capella version of “When You Wish Upon a Star”) and a couple of their (typical boyband) pop songs. Despite a good performance and strong living singing a relatively small number of guests turned out for their first set, even so guests passing by stopped and let the audience grow during the performance. Nevertheless it should be noted that the resort streched out the entertainment in the studios and amended it with the concerts in the studios offering guests there more experiences besides the regular attractions leading up to midnight and the traditional DJ party outside. The strategy if continued and expanded on in the next years could help differentiate the two parks for different types of guests on New Year’s Eve.
Currently, however guests are still moving back into the Disneyland Park in time for midnight. Central Plaza and the complete Main Street were packed with guests who filled every inch of space, even on the sidewalks were there was no or only a limited few of the fireworks. The resulting gridlock and the push of the majority of guests leaving straight after the fireworks – despite the DJ located on the balcony above Gibson’s Girls continuing to play thumping international party music – blocked the Main Street for nearly 45 minutes.
A reasonable amount of guests did stay behind to welcome the new year with a ride though, e.g. on the popular Big Thunder Mountain to bring a great party night with an breathtaking fireworks display to a fun end and start into the new decade with some unique Disney magic.
Sounds great? It sure was! So see you next year fir New Year’s Eve at Disneyland Paris…
PS: Let us know about your Disne New Year’s Eve experience in the comments!