New Years Eve at Walt Disney World
The end of 2017 is quickly approaching, and Walt Disney World Resort is making sure guests have an unforgettable New Year’s Eve! New parties, firework spectaculars, and dining throughout resorts, WDW has created more ways to celebrate than ever! Extended park hours make it easy for guests to spend the end of 2017 and creating the best beginning to 2018.
Celebrate at Epcot
More parties and dining experiences, Epcot is giving guests the opportunity to eat and party in the New Year! Travel across the world showcase and dance to the beat with DJs in multiple locations! Confirmed locations currently: Future World Fountain Stage and American Garden Stage. Before you get the party started, enjoy a New Year’s Eve Dinner located at the World Show Place Pavilion. Advanced reservations are required to attend, (contact Disney Dining at 407-WDW-DINE for more information) with the cost of $72.90 per adult and $44.38 per child this pre-set holiday buffet will get you ready to stay up well past your normal bedtime! The menu is subject to change, but currently listed as the following:
Appetizers
Antipasto Salad with Basil
Grilled vegetable and bean salad
Roasted Ruskin tomato basil soup
Creamy seafood-and-corn chowder
Entrees
Seafood Mac and Cheese with butter-tomato panko
Parmesan-crusted chicken breast with lemon caper sauce
GF mojo-roasted pork
GF Oven baked cod
GF Tender Demi-Braised beef with mushrooms and pearl onions
Kids’ Menu
Chicken Fritters
Baked Minnie corn dogs
Meatballs with red sauce
Desserts
Key Lime Raspberry Glitter Tarts
Nutella-stuffed chocolate Bundt Cakes
Assorted Eclairs
Fresh Fruits
Chocolate-kissed coconut macaroons
Hand-dipped vanilla bean ice cream
Sugar and GF Spice Cake
(GF = Gluten Free options)
After dinner and dancing at Epcot, don’t forget to attend the New Year’s Countdown Fireworks! One-night only, celebrate the end of 2017 with incredible fireworks beginning at 11:40 PM.
Celebrate at Resorts
At participating dining locations, the hours are extended to have a relaxing and classy end of 2017. Availability at each dining location is limited and advance dining reservations are encouraged. (Call 407-939-3463 for more information) Participating locations include:
- California Grill
- Chef Mickey’s
- Garden Grove
- Il Mulino
- Monsier Paul (requires Epcot admission)
- Shula’s Steak House
- Todd English’s bluezoo Lounge
- Victoria & Albert’s
- Victoria & Albert’s Chef’s Table
Disney’s Contemporary Resort has created many options that are perfect for the entire family or those just for adults. The options include:
- Disney Countdown to Midnight – Dine at California Grill, enjoy live music, and a perfect view of the fireworks happening at Magic Kingdom
- Down In New Orleans: A Disney New Year’s Eve Dining Experience – A dining experience inspired by The Princess and the Frog
- Pixar Party: A New Year’s Eve Celebration – perfect for the entire family, this party is filled will all the excitement of popular Disney-Pixar films
Availability for all events are limited, book in advance to reserve your spot!
Celebrate at Hollywood Studios
Beginning at 7:00 PM, Center Stage transforms into a dance party with music provided by a DJ. Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! will have a performance at 9:00 PM and following a countdown to midnight will begin! After midnight, there will be a special viewing of Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular. For any Star Wars fan, you won’t want to miss this epic presentation! The DJ will keep the music going until 1:00 AM though the park closes at midnight!
Celebrate at Magic Kingdom
Festivities taking place on December 30th and 31st, the preparation of the New Year is bound to keep you at Magic Kingdom! With a dance party beginning each night at 7:00 PM in Frontierland, you and your partner will be dancing the night away all the way ‘til midnight! Unlike Cinderella, your party will keep going! Displayed on December 30th and December 31st, Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks lights up Magic Kingdom above Cinderella’s Castle with a Firework show unlike another. Your carriage won’t be turning into a pumpkin anytime soon as part hours are extended until 1:00 AM for all guests! (EMH on Dec. 30th until 3:00 AM!)
Park Hours Dec. 30th:
Magic Kingdom 8:00 AM to 1:00 AM
(EMH 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM AND 1:00 AM to 3:00 AM)
Epcot 8:00 AM to 10:30 PM
Disney’s Hollywood Studios 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Disney’s Animal Kingdom 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Park Hours Dec. 31st:
Magic Kingdom 8:00 AM to 1:00 AM
(EMH 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM)
Epcot 8:00 AM to 1:00 AM
Disney’s Hollywood Studios 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Disney’s Animal Kingdom 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
(EMH 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM)
Park Hours Jan. 1st
Magic Kingdom 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Epcot 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
(EMH 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM)
Disney’s Hollywood Studios 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Disney’s Animal Kingdom 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
(EMH = Extra Magic Hours for Resort Guests)
Have fun!
Special thanks to Ashley Dion for writing this article! Former cast member turned annual pass holder, I am a native Michigander who moved her entire life to Orlando, FL to be surrounded by all things Disney. I met my fellow Disney-lover husband while working for the Mouse and now we frequent the Walt Disney World theme parks and resorts as pass holders as often as possible!