New Year's Eve Events at Walt Disney World

Celebrations in Disney’s Orlando Theme Parks

Nov 17, 2009 Debra Peterson

Walt Disney World celebrates New Year's Eve with fireworks, parades, and special performances in Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.

A vacation to Disney World over New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day means visiting during two of Walt Disney World’s busiest days. In addition to its array of attractions, seasonal décor, and holiday events, Disney offers New Year’s Eve celebrations in every park – even if guests choose to celebrate during the afternoon.

Magic Kingdom's Parades and Fireworks

Magic Kingdom is the busiest of the parks, and is filled with events appropriate for a holiday celebration. Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade performs twice in the afternoon, at 12:00 and 3:30 p.m., while the Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party takes place three times: 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 5:40 p.m.

Presented at 7:00 and 10:30 p.m., the Spectromagic parade sets a festive tone with its floats and performers covered in over half a million lights. The Wishes Nighttime Spectacular takes place at 8:30 p.m, and an expanded Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks helps count down to the New Year at 11:50 p.m.

Magic Kingdom Hours (does not include Extra Magic Hours)

Dec. 31: 9:00 – 1:00 a.m.
Jan. 1: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

IllumiNations at Epcot

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, Epcot’s nighttime laser, water-and-fire show which is synchronized to music, presents special performances on New Year’s Eve. Visible from various spots around the World Showcase, IllumiNations takes place at 7:30 p.m. and 11:40 p.m.

Epcot Hours (does not include Extra Magic Hours)

Dec. 31: 9:00 – 1:00 a.m.
Jan. 1: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Offers Musical Performances and Fantasmic!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios (DHS) offers musical performances, with DHS’s band Mulch, Sweat and Shears sharing the spotlight and duties with a DJ providing music between their shows. The DJ begins spinning at 6:30 p.m. at Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat, with the band's performances interspersed at 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00 p.m.

At 6:30 p.m. DHS presents its popular water, laser and fireworks theatrical show, Fantasmic! To cap off the evening, “Lights, Camera, Happy New Year” fireworks announces the arrival of 2010 at 11:50 p.m. and is the highlight event. The park closes at midnight for day guests, and is open until 3:00 a.m. for resorts guests who choose to celebrate the beginning of 2010 by taking advantage of Extra Magic Hours.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Hours (does not include Extra Magic Hours)

Dec. 31: 9:00 – 12:00 a.m.
Jan. 1: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Celebrates Early with Afternoon Parade

Guests who wish to celebrate the New Year in mid-afternoon can do so in the Animal Kingdom (AK). AK, which generally closes much earlier than the other parks because of the wildlife, offers one of the season’s last presentations of Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade at 3:45 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2009.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Hours (does not include Extra Magic Hours)

Dec. 31: 9:00 a.m. – 7: 00 p.m.
Jan. 1: 9:00 a.m. – 7: 00 p.m.

New Year's Vacation at Disney World – Tips

Walt Disney World is very busy during the two-week period leading up to Christmas and through New Year’s Day, with the theme parks sometimes reaching capacity. Expect big parades and night shows, bigger fireworks, and even bigger crowds. Think of celebrating the New Year at Walt Disney World as akin to celebrating it at New York Times Square. It’s a festive atmosphere, but very, very crowded.

Guests who intend to visit Disney for the New Year should plan extra time for long lines, dining, and getting from place to place. Here are some tips:

Arrive at the theme parks early and stay. Parks can reach capacity and close, and even guests staying on property may not get into their first-park choice if the crowds are heavy.
Don’t count on experiencing many rides, as wait times can exceed two hours during peak periods. Instead, focus on enjoying the shows and live entertainment, décor, and atmosphere.
Eat early or late, preferably at a table-service restaurant with advance dining reservations (ADRs), and arrive early for seating.
Consider spending New Year’s Eve by enjoying the activities at one’s resort or by visiting Downtown Disney. These places will be busy, as well, but perhaps less crowded than the theme parks.
Invest in a special dining experience, either in the parks as part of an exclusive viewing of a nighttime show or at one of the resort restaurants such as Victoria and Albert's or California Grill, both of which offer luxury New Year's Eve dining.
Attend one of the two special performances of Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba, which celebrates the New Year with its performances and special treats for patrons.

Spending New Year’s at Walt Disney World offers guests many ways to celebrate – from classic Disney fireworks and nighttime spectaculars to holiday parades, special performances, and adult-only parties. Guests who want to vacation at Disney World over the New Year have many options that, with advance planning, will enable them to enjoy the Disney holiday season.

Share Article |

The copyright of the article New Year's Eve Events at Walt Disney World in SE U.S. Travel is owned by Debra Peterson. Permission to republish New Year's Eve Events at Walt Disney World in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Celebrate New Year with Disney's Wishes Fireworks	Epcot's IllumiNations Light of Disney's New Year	Spectromagic Parade at Magic Kindom
Music and Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios	See Mickey in Animal Kingdom Holiday Parade