Ring in 2017 in Style
Walt Disney World is a perfect place to ring in the New Year! If you’ve just decided to visit for the holiday or were so caught up in Christmas that you forgot to making dining and Fastpass+ reservations, don’t panic, there are many magical ways to celebrate throughout the resort. Here are some fun options that require no advance planning:
Magic Kingdom
Hours
8:00am-1:00am, Extra Magic Hours 7:00am-8:00am for Disney Resort Hotel Guests
On The Schedule
- 6:50am Welcome Show
- 9:30am Move it! Shake it! Dance & Play it! Street Party
- 10:00am Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire Stage Show
- 10:00am-2:30pm Incredibles Super Dance Party
- 11:00am Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire Stage Show
- 12:00pm Mickey’s Once Upon A Time Christmas Parade
- 1:15pm Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire Stage Show
- 1:45pm Move it! Shake it! Dance & Play it! Street Party
- 2:15pm Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire Stage Show
- 3:30pm Mickey’s Once Upon A Time Christmas Parade
- 3:40pm A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Stage Show
- 4:30pm Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire Stage Show
- 4:40pm A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Stage Show
- 5:40pm A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Stage Show
- 6:15pm A Frozen Holiday Wish Stage Show and Castle Lighting
- 6:50pm Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration Stage Show
- 7:00pm-1:00am Frontierland New Year’s Celebration Dance Party
- 7:10pm A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Stage Show
- 7:30pm Holiday Wishes – New Year’s Celebration Fireworks
- 8:10pm A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Stage Show
- 8:15pm Once Upon A Time Castle Projection Show
- 9:00pm Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration Stage Show
- 9:10pm A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Stage Show
- 10:00pm Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration Stage Show
- 11:50pm Fantasy In The Sky New Year’s Fireworks
General Information
On New Year’s Eve at Magic Kingdom, guests are treated to all of the holiday entertainment that is normally exclusive to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party plus a special edition of the Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks show. Party favors such as hats and horns are handed out to visitors in the evening to enjoy as they celebrate. Remember that alcohol is limited in Magic Kingdom; guests are not permitted to bring in alcohol and it is only served at five table service restaurants throughout the park.
Quick Tips
- The Magic Kingdom New Year’s Eve celebration is generally the most family oriented of all the parks.
- It is also the most crowded by far, and it is not uncommon to experience phased closures throughout the day when guests are not permitted entry into the park.
- If you plan to spend the holiday in Magic Kingdom, get a good night’s sleep on December 30, arrive early on December 31, and plan to stay for the duration.
- If at all possible, leave the driving to Disney and hop on a resort bus. With one of the largest parking lots in the world, the mass exodus that happens when the park closes is complete chaos.
- If you’re interested in experiencing attractions during your visit, focus on less popular large capacity ones like Enchanted Tiki Room, Country Bear Jamboree, The Hall of Presidents, Carousel of Progress and Tomorrowland Transit Authority.
- When dining at counter service restaurants, try to eat at off hours. For lunch avoid 11:00am-2:00pm and for dinner avoid 4:00pm-7:00pm.
Epcot
Hours
Future World 8:00am-1:00am, World Showcase 9:00am-1:00am
On The Schedule
- 6:00pm Illuminations: Reflections of Earth Holiday Edition Fireworks
- 11:40pm New Year’s Countdown Fireworks
General Information
Of all of the Walt Disney World parks, Epcot is my favorite to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The festivities are geared a bit more to the over 21 crowd with World Showcase filled with temporary bars and dance parties at several of the country pavilions. Just like at Magic Kingdom, guests will be treated to party favors at no additional charge, but as always there will be no shortage of light up merchandise available for purchase.
Quick Tips
- Epcot’s New Year’s Eve celebration while still family friendly is definitely geared to an older crowd.
- Due to the size of the park, the crowds are still massive, but feel not as claustrophobic as Magic Kingdom.
- Anticipate heavy crowds getting into the park, so it is always a good idea to arrive early and be prepared to wait. However, the odds of Epcot experiencing phased closures is much lower than at Magic Kingdom.
- If you’re staying at a resort hotel, take advantage of the free transportation and avoid driving to the park.
- If you’re hoping to enjoy some attractions during your visit without waiting in line for hours, World Showcase films such as Reflections of China, Impressions de France, and O Canada are great options.
- When dining at counter service restaurants and food booths, try to eat at off hours. For lunch avoid 11:00am-2:00pm and for dinner avoid 4:00pm-7:00pm.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Hours
8:00am-12:00am
On The Schedule
- 8:00pm Fantasmic! Nighttime Spectacular
- 9:00pm Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Fireworks Show
- 9:30pm Fantasmic! Nighttime Spectacular
- 12:00am Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Fireworks Show
General Information
Of all of the parks with New Year’s celebrations, Hollywood Studios historically has the lowest crowd levels. Like Epcot, this party is geared a little more for the over 21 crowd with temporary bars and a huge dance party leading up to the massive fireworks display. Similar to Magic Kingdom and Epcot, party favors are distributed to all guests free of charge.
Quick Tips
- Due to the extensive construction and closures now taking place at Hollywood Studios, the crowds will likely feel larger than they actually are.
- Like Epcot, phased closures are rare at Hollywood Studios, but lines will be long through security and the park entrance so be sure to plan accordingly.
- If you’re staying at a resort hotel, take advantage of the free bus transportation and avoid driving to the park.
- When dining at counter service restaurants, try to eat at off hours. For lunch avoid 11:00am-2:00pm and for dinner avoid 4:00pm-7:00pm.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Hours
8:00am-8:30pm, Extra Magic Hours 7:00am-8:00am for Disney Resort Hotel Guests
General Information
Animal Kingdom does not have an official New Year’s Eve celebration or fireworks display, however guests can enjoy additional live entertainment performances throughout the day and the lightest crowds of any of the parks.
Disney Springs
Hours
10:00am-12:00am
General Information
Similar to Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs doesn’t have an official celebration or fireworks display, however there will be no shortage of live entertainment, food and drinks available for guests looking for a fun night out!
Disney Resort Hotels
General Information
If the thought of dealing with the crowds is too much for you and you happen to be staying on-property at Walt Disney World, be sure to check with guest services at your hotel. Most resorts will be offering some type of party on site. The deluxe resorts often offer fairly elaborate celebrations for their guests. In the past, the Grand Floridian has featured a big band orchestra, party favors, and balloon drop in the main lobby while the Boardwalk has had a full carnival of festivities going on along the water to ring in the new year!
Happy New Year!
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