Celebrating New Year’s Eve at Disney World: My Insider Tips

There’s no better place to ring in the New Year than at Disney World.

Unlike New York City (where you’re forced to just stand in a pen on the street for up to 18 hours), Disney offers plenty to keep you occupied all day long.

The parks take on an entirely different atmosphere on December 31, complete with dance parties and the biggest fireworks displays of the year. And best of all, the major celebrations at all four parks are included in your park admission — no separate charge!

It’s certainly no ordinary day in the park, and that means you’ll need some inside info to make the most of it. In this article, I’ll share the tips, tricks, and hard-learned lessons I learned by spending New Year’s Eve at Disney World for ten years straight!

Prefer to Speak With Someone? Get Free Help From Our Favorite Disney Travel Agent!

In This Article:

What to Expect at Disney World on December 31

A major factor in how much fun you’ll have is going into it with the right mentality.

If you go to Times Square on New Year’s Eve, you don’t expect to experience a typical day in New York City. You expect an epic celebration but know there will be big crowds and some inconveniences to overcome.

That’s exactly how you should be thinking about spending New Year’s Eve at Disney World.

New Year’s Eve is one of Disney World’s busiest days of the year, but there are some amazing additions to the park experience that you won’t find on any other day of the year.

New Year’s Eve crowds at EPCOT

The best way to enjoy New Year’s Eve at Disney World is to approach the day with the right mindset.

If you go into it with the right frame of mind — and use the tips I provide in this article to help minimize the challenging parts of it — you’re going to have an amazing time. December 31 is my favorite day of the year to go to Disney World!

OK — we’re all on the same page now. So let’s first learn what each park has to offer. Then I’ll get to my insider tips on making the most of the day.

EPCOT New Year’s Eve

EPCOT is my personal favorite place to spend New Year’s Eve at Disney World. Thanks in part to its enormous crowd capacity (up to 110,000 people by some estimates), Disney really makes an effort to ensure that EPCOT is the place people want to be on New Year’s Eve.

Dance Parties

As the sun sets, EPCOT comes to life with several high-energy dance parties, featuring live DJs and eye-popping lighting effects. By late in the evening, even the Cast Members themselves are dancing along while directing crowd flow. This is seriously one of my favorite things at Disney every year, and I am not a club guy.

Here’s a typical sampling of the offerings, though they’ll vary each year.

The dance party at World Showcase’s China pavilion is legendary, thanks to a giant metalworks dragon stage that shoots fire and smoke! You can see the flames shooting up from all the way across World Showcase Lagoon.

The Italy pavilion is home to a dance party that features a stunning laser light show that bounces off the various buildings and clock tower of Disney’s version of Piazza San Marco.

The Italy pavilion comes to life with lasers and music

There’s usually a Silent Disco, with groups dancing to music that’s only audible through borrowed headphones. Drop by even if you don’t want to dance — you’ll see a bunch of people vigorously dancing in complete silence!

Change the channel (and color) of your headphones to hear a different DJ!

The America Gardens Theatre sometimes plays host to a dance party that’s always a big hit with the crowd. And the World Celebration area near the front of the park also usually has a live DJ.

Cheers to the New Year Fireworks at EPCOT

You’ll be treated to two fireworks shows at EPCOT on New Year’s Eve.

Around 6:30 PM, you’ll be able to enjoy the park’s regular fireworks show, Luminous: The Symphony of Us.

But the real thrills start just before midnight, with Cheers to the New Year: A Sparking Celebration.

This special countdown show begins by highlighting each of the countries of World showcase in the order they celebrated the new year (thanks to different time zones). There are fireworks displays behind each pavilion, accompanied by music from that country.

Then, as midnight approaches in the U.S., the main countdown begins. The crowd counts down from ten as shots of pyro go up from different spots around World Showcase Lagoon, as if they were a second hand sweeping across the face of a clock.

When midnight hits, Disney basically blows up the lagoon. I’m not exaggerating when I say that the finale of this show is the most powerful pyrotechnics display I’ve personally ever seen. You can feel the percussion of it in your chest. One especially hot year, I was wearing shorts and I felt my leg hair being blown back by the force of the explosions.

Pro Tip: “Front and Center” (the giant plaza at the entrance to World Showcase) is a great spot to see all of the various fireworks mini-shows behind each pavilion. Alternatively, get a spot near the Italy Pavilion for a view of the special effects on Spaceship Earth (and maybe even a distant view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks to the northwest).

Special Cocktails and Menu Items

If we’re being truly honest with ourselves, we know that EPCOT is well known for “drinking around the world.”

So it’s no surprise that on New Year’s Eve, they set up extra pop-up bars all throughout the park offering specialty cocktails for the evening.

Pop-up bar near the Morocco Pavilion

Visiting with kids? Don’t worry. Disney has plenty of security on-hand, along with backup from uniformed and undercover officers of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Disturbances are rare (I’ve seen maybe two over the course of ten years) and are handled quickly should they arise.

Rides & Attractions

All of EPCOT’s usual rides and attractions are open throughout the day and the evening, but wait times will be among the highest of the entire year.

I’ve seen waits for rides such as Soarin’ and Test Track easily top 300 minutes (5 hours) in the most extreme cases. Even low-wait rides such as Journey Into Imagination with Figment may have lines of up to an hour at some points of the day. The lines can easily exceed their normal queue capacity, meaning you could be routed through an extended outdoor queue, or even to a backstage area (great if you’re a theme park dweeb like me).

Guests are routed through a backstage parking lot to reach Soarin’

This is one day that it’s especially worth paying for Lightning Lane so you can pre-schedule a few rides with a relatively low wait. Of course, with demand-based pricing in effect for Lightning Lane passes, you’ll also be paying among the highest prices of the year.

While some holiday overlays such as the Glimmering Greenhouses of Living With the Land may remain, most of the major Disney Christmas offerings at EPCOT such as the Candlelight Processional and Holiday Storytellers will be gone before New Year’s Eve.

Smaller Celebrations in Each Country

If you happen to be near one of the World Showcase pavilions around the time that the clock strikes midnight in their home country, you might be treated to a mini-celebration.

To be clear, these are not major affairs. But if you’re nearby at just the right time, you might have a chance to join a few Cast Members (most of whom are actually from the country they’re representing) in a small countdown to midnight in their home time zone.

New Year’s Merchandise

There are usually special light-up souvenirs available for purchase at shops and kiosks throughout the park. Some of these will be decidedly Disney — Mouse Ears brandishing the new year, necklaces with New Year’s and Disney logos, and so on.

Light-up mouse ear headbands are a popular choice every year

Others are the generic type of thing you could buy pretty much anywhere — glowing necklaces, eyeglasses in the shape of the year’s numbers, and other standard New Year’s tchotchkes.

Not all souvenirs are Disney-branded

While not necessarily specific to New Year’s Eve itself, WDW also usually has a year-round merchandise line that is specifically marked with the year itself. For most of the year, it’s simply an easy way to remind yourself which year you visited. But the next year’s merch is always on sale already by the time NYE rolls around, making it a popular way to get something that works for both New Year’s Eve and the rest of the year, too — because are you really going to wear those blinking 2024 Mouse Ears in July? (Maybe you will — no judgment.)

Not just for New Year’s Eve

Some clever cost-conscious parents buy cheap glow necklaces and light-up novelties at home rather than paying higher in-park prices for light-up merchandise for the kids. We’re big fans of buying souvenirs in advance.

Who It’s Best For

• EPCOT is Disney World’s best New Year’s Eve celebration overall, in my opinion. If you want to see the ultimate Disney New Year’s Eve party, this is it — EPCOT is where the locals go if they want to celebrate Disney NYE.
• EPCOT New Year’s Eve is best for adults and tweens / teens. Parents will appreciate being able to let their older kids experience an “adult” party with less risk than might be found out in the real world. And adults won’t feel like they’re “stuck at the kiddie table” — it’s a legitimate party.
• It’s still fine for families with younger kids, but Magic Kingdom is probably better. Don’t get me wrong — I’ve seen plenty of stroller-age kids there, and most of them are usually having fun. But, there’s definitely more of a “grown-ups” vibe at EPCOT versus Magic Kingdom.
• It’s the perfect companion for December 30 at Magic Kingdom. You can get the full New Year’s Eve experience at Magic Kingdom a day early (see below), then move on to EPCOT for December 31.

Stress-Free Disney Planning With The Vacationeer

One-on-One Service

One dedicated agent handles everything from start to finish. No impersonal call centers and no waiting on hold.

Hassle-Free Booking

Don’t sweat the logistics. Your Vacationeer arranges hotels, tickets, dining, and activities for you.

The Best Price

They’ll find the best possible rate for your trip, and keep searching for new discounts to add as they’re announced.

The Vacationeer never charges planning fees. Get your free, no-obligation quote today!

Magic Kingdom New Year’s Eve

While I personally prefer EPCOT, there’s no doubt that Magic Kingdom is a major hub for celebrating the new year at Disney World — so much so that they choose to do it twice.

Two Days of Celebrations

One of the first things you’ll notice about New Year’s Eve at Magic Kingdom is that it’s two days long.

Yes, you can celebrate on either December 30 or on December 31. And while you might have trouble convincing yourself to celebrate 11:59:59 PM on December 30, the event is no less spectacular no matter which day you choose. The offerings for both days are virtually identical.

It’s a win-win for everyone involved. Disney gets to spread out demand for its most popular theme park over two different days while gently nudging folks over to a much higher-capacity park (or a paid special event) on the big day itself. Meanwhile, Guests can enjoy two days of themed offerings at two different parks if they wish — or have more time to do more rides.

Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks at Magic Kingdom

Fireworks at Magic Kingdom on New Year’s Eve (and December 30) are a special affair, especially for lovers of Disney World nostalgia.

Twice during each night of the celebration, you’ll be treated to fireworks; at least one of the shows each night will be a special version of Fantasy in the Sky, a show that originally ran at the Magic Kingdom from its opening in 1971 through the early 2000s. The first fireworks of the night are usually around 6:30 PM (perfect for little ones with early bedtimes), while the second show takes place just before midnight.

Because it’s based on a classic show, this fireworks spectacular relies much less on animated projections and instead focuses on pyrotechnics and colored spotlights. That gives it a timeless and retro feel that seems especially appropriate on a day dedicated to celebrating the passage of time.

In addition to the usual Disney movie soundtrack fare, the show includes a countdown hosted by the voices of Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy.

While most Magic Kingdom fireworks are contained to the area just behind Cinderella Castle, the special New Year’s Eve show adds more fireworks in other places to really help surround you in the pyrotechnic magic. Some years they even “embed” the countdown numbers in the fireworks themselves!

Dance Parties

It wouldn’t be New Year’s Eve without some bumping music, and Magic Kingdom doesn’t disappoint. But thanks to the fact that there’s a heavy youth contingent, these dance parties are kid-friendly. Expect lively DJs and performers dancing around on-stage and leading the crowd in simple dances such as the Macarena.

The Castle Forecourt Stage is not surprisingly the most popular spot, especially for folks who are staking out a good spot for the fireworks later. High-energy DJs and special lighting effects turn the entire central hub area into a giant dance party.

Rocket Tower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland is another prime dance spot during the celebration.

A DJ also usually sets up shop near the Country Bear Musical Jamboree on an elevated spot above a walkway between Frontierland and Adventureland.

A (Mostly) Alcohol-Free Celebration

Magic Kingdom is no longer a completely dry park, but alcoholic beverages are limited solely to a few table service restaurants.

There are no outdoor bars on the main thoroughfares, and you’ll be hard-pressed to even find a tipple at any of the counter-service restaurants.

For most families this is a positive, not a negative.

Rides and Attractions

All of Magic Kingdom’s best rides should be available on both days of the celebration. Expect some of the worst wait times of the year; Lightning Lane purchases are an excellent idea during this time frame.

One bonus is that you’ll still benefit from all of the holiday overlays and entertainment.

Most years, this will mean you can experience the Jingle Cruise, along with holiday additions to Tomorrowland Speedway, Space Mountain, Mad Tea Party, and Monsters Inc Laugh Floor.

The special Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration stage show are usually performed a few times earlier in the day, too.

And you might even be able to catch Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks. Some years, the Christmas fireworks occupy the 6:30 PM time slot on December 30 and 31.

New Year’s Merchandise

See the EPCOT section above for more details about these offerings. They’re the same, regardless of which park you’re in.

Who It’s Best For

• Magic Kingdom is the best choice for families with toddlers or younger kids. The earlier presentation of the fireworks is great for early bedtimes, and the overall vibe is more lively than raucous.
• It’s a fantastic choice for Friends of Bill W. or anyone who wants to enjoy a good party without feeling any pressure to drink. Alcohol is limited to table service restaurants, and there are no street bars.
• It’s great for folks who want to extend their New Year’s celebration to a second day. You can celebrate at Magic Kingdom on December 30 then head to another park (or stay at your resort) on December 31.

Call In An Expert For Free Help With Hotels, Dining, and More!

Hollywood Studios New Year’s Eve

Hollywood Studios adds just a few touches of a New Year’s celebration, but otherwise the day isn’t much different from any other day in the park.

Will Hollywood Studios Have New Year’s Eve Fireworks?

Yes, there will be some sort of New Year’s Eve countdown fireworks at Hollywood Studios, but details are a bit vague. Here’s why we say that:

There are usually no major special fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on New Year’s Eve. The park currently has no pyrotechnic show on any night (except for the usual minor finale effects during the regular showing of Fantasmic!).

Fantasmic! is usually performed at its regular time slot(s) on December 31, but the show won’t be any different than it is during the rest of the year. That show focuses more on characters and music than on fireworks and makes no mention of the new year.

For the past few years, however, there has been a small countdown “moment” during the park’s New Year’s dance party.

However, out of the blue on December 28, 2024 (rather last-minute), the My Disney Experience app included a passing mention of  “don’t miss the New Year Countdown Fireworks” at Hollywood Studios. The park calendar now shows this happening at 11:57 PM.

With that short duration, it’s possible that they’re simply referring to the countdown moment during the dance party (see below). Or perhaps they’re planning something bigger this time around. We simply don’t know.

Dance Party with New Year Countdown

While fireworks haven’t been a major focus on New Years Eve at Hollywood Studios for the past few years, Disney does offer a dance party in front of the Chinese Theatre (Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway).

Expect a fun mix of Disney and mainstream dance music, along with lighting, laser, and maybe even bubble/foam/confetti effects.

As midnight approaches, you can down from ten along with the DJ and the crowd. In past years, at midnight, there has been a light/laser “moment” that may be accompanied by some low-level fireworks. These typically didn’t include giant explosions filling the sky — but you might see some sparkler-type effects shooting up from ground level to just above the roof of the Chinese Theatre.

But as noted above, it’s possible that this may be expanded into a larger show for the changeover from 2024 to 2025. See our notes above for more details about what we know so far.

Rides and Attractions

Like the other parks, most of the Hollywood Studios rides should be up and running unless they happen to be closed for refurbishment.

The holiday projections along Sunset Boulevard should also be offered, as well as some other additional holiday and non-holiday entertainment.

Lines will be long, and Lightning Lane is a wise investment.

New Year’s Merchandise

See the EPCOT section above for more details about these offerings. They’re the same in every park.

Who It’s Best For

Hollywood Studios is a solid third option for New Year’s Eve.

• It’s the ideal park for someone whose Disney trip falls during the New Year’s holiday (but who isn’t too interested in the holiday itself). The park still offers a solid slate of rides to keep you occupied — and you can still count down to midnight without making it the whole focus of your day.
• It’s also a great choice for people who’ve already celebrated New Year’s a day early at Magic Kingdom and want a more traditional theme park experience on December 31.

Animal Kingdom New Year’s Eve

Animal Kingdom does practically nothing to celebrate New Year’s Eve. While that may seem disappointing, it can actually work to your advantage in some cases.

No Fireworks at Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom simply doesn’t do fireworks — whether on New Year’s Eve or otherwise. Why not?

Do you really wanna be the guy who wakes up a sleeping lion with a loud firecracker?

All joking aside, a nightly fireworks show would be extremely stressful to the more than 2,000 animals that call the park home. So there are no fireworks at the park.

Furthermore, much of the park is geared toward daylight sightings of animals. The nature trails close at dusk and the park itself often closes fairly early during the winter hours.

You might be able to see the Tree of Life Awakenings projection show on the park’s icon, but that’s about it as far as nighttime spectaculars go.

Rides and Attractions

All of Animal Kingdom’s rides and shows should be offered during throughout the day, subject to unexpected closure for maintenance or refurbishment.

The park is generally the least crowded of the four on this day, but lines will still be longer than during other times of the year. Fortunately, some of the best things to do at Animal Kingdom (such as the nature trails) don’t even require waiting in line.

Some holiday offerings, such as the Merry Menagerie, may also remain available on December 31.

Who It’s Best For

Animal Kingdom is not a New Year’s Eve hotspot at Disney World. But that makes it an attractive choice for certain Guests:

• It’s the best choice for people who are more concerned about lines and crowds than about the holiday. It won’t be empty by any measure, but it will certainly be less crowded than Magic Kingdom or EPCOT (and probably Hollywood Studios).
• Animal Kingdom is the perfect option for people who have difficulty with loud noises and explosions due to PTSD, autism, or any other reason. There are no fireworks or loud dance parties at the park.
• It’s great for people who would rather celebrate the new year a day early at Magic Kingdom and then avoid the crowds on December 31.
• It’s a good choice for the first half of your New Year’s Eve day. Head to the Animal Kingdom early on (when the animals are most active), and then pick something different for later on (just beware of possible capacity closures at other parks).

Beyond the Theme Parks: Resorts & Disney Springs

A Room (or Beach) With a View

If you want to see Magic Kingdom’s fireworks from the comfort of your hotel room, consider these options:

• Contemporary Resort: Theme Park View room
• Grand Floridian: Theme Park View room
• Polynesian Village Resort: Theme Park View room
• Wilderness Lodge: Fireworks View room

Each may provide the opportunity to see at least some portion of the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks (but check with your hotel or travel agent to make sure). You might also be able to hear the soundtrack on your TV.

If you’re not able to secure a room with a theme park / fireworks view, consider heading out to your resort’s beach, docks, or marina for a possible good view, depending on the resort. Ask the front desk or your travel agent for recommendations.

Select rooms at the BoardWalk, Beach Club, and Yacht Club may offer a limited/obstructed view of EPCOT’s fireworks, but it’s not ideal and not bookable as a guaranteed category. You’d be better off there simply walking out to the BoardWalk around midnight to view them from outside (and still will only be able to see part of the show).

Paid Special Events and Free Celebrations

Some venues at Disney Springs and the Disney World Resort Hotels offer special events for New Year’s Eve. Most of these will require an additional fee (sometimes reasonable, sometimes… not), but a few are free.

For December 31, 2024, Disney was offering a $799(!) themed dinner party at California Grill atop the Contemporary Resort. Some of the resorts which include a convention center have traditionally offered parties in their ballrooms, usually at a more reasonable price point. Other offerings in the past have included special late-seating dinners with a midnight “champagne salute” at several high-end Disney World restaurants such as Narcoosee’s, Citricos, and others.

Over at Disney Springs, many of the restaurants may offer a special menu or even an exclusive event. In the past, we’ve seen special parties at The Edison, Morimoto Asia, Raglan Road, and other hotspots.

On the free side, I’ve seen a DJ dance party set up on the “quad” outside of the BoardWalk some years, not to mention the usual fare of beach parties, outdoor movies, trivia contests, and more.

Guests at some resorts (usually the Disney Deluxe Resorts) can also get free party hats in the lobby to help ring in the New Year. These are a fun souvenir of the night, and it’s nice to know you don’t need to pay extra for those given that you’re already paying the highest ticket prices and hotel prices of the entire year. The party hats aren’t terribly sturdy (they’re usually made of cardboard), but with enough care you should be able to get them home to keep as a souvenir.

No Fireworks at Disney Springs

The old Downtown Disney / Pleasure Island mantra of “every night is New Year’s Eve” is long gone. Disney Springs no longer offers any fireworks on New Year’s Eve or any other nights.

Image © Disney

Visit on New Year’s Eve and you might catch a DJ, dance party, or live street performers — but the offerings won’t be too far out of line with what you’d find at any other time of the year.

If you’re looking for something special to do at Disney Springs on New Year’s, check out the various dinners and parties at the restaurants there instead.

Who It’s Best For

Celebrating New Year’s Eve at a Disney Resort Hotel is an attractive option for certain Guests:

• Celebrating at your resort is perfect for kids with early bedtimes. Even if you’re letting them stay up late enough to ring in the new year, they can do so in their jammies and get tucked in immediately after.
• Guests who don’t want to deal with crowds, long lines, and transportation will love the convenience of celebrating at midnight and being in bed by 12:05 if they want.
• Special paid celebrations are great for those who want to dress up for a fancy dinner party, as you’re much more likely to survive a night in heels at California Grill than walking 10+ miles around EPCOT.

Disney Springs is an OK option if you just want a nice dinner and evening out strolling. Whether you opt for one of the special upcharge events at certain venues or just decide to take in some shopping or a movie, you can enjoy a low-key evening with no separate admission cost (beyond anything an individual venue might charge for a special event or meal).

My Top 11 Tips to Enjoy Disney World New Year’s Eve

As I mentioned above, I’ve experienced New Year’s Eve at Disney World at least ten times. And with that experience has come some hard-learned lessons about how to make the best out of a very crowded and hectic day.

Here’s what I suggest to make sure your New Year’s celebration is enjoyable and not a chore:

1. Stay On-Site

Staying at a Disney World hotel on New Year’s Eve offers these benefits:

• Get back to your hotel much quicker than if you’re off-site
• Use Disney World Transportation instead of paying for a taxi or fighting traffic
• It’s possible to stay within walking distance of EPCOT or Magic Kingdom
• Squeeze in a ride or two before the park opens to the public, thanks to Early Entry perks
• Resort Guests can continue entering during most phases of a park capacity closure

2. Arrange Reservations and Tickets Well in Advance

Don’t wait too long to make your plans! If there’s anything you can book/purchase in advance, you should do so as early as you’re allowed. Why?

• Individual theme park tickets can sell out
• Park Pass reservations (required for some ticket types) can book up months in advance
• Hotel Rooms with theme park views go quickly
• Entire hotels may reach capacity
• Hotel pricing is dynamic, often increasing as room supply dwindles
• Dining reservations may be limited or completely unavailable last-minute
• Lighting Lane attractions will likely sell out in advance

3. Consider Booking a Table Service Restaurant For Both Lunch and Dinner

After far too many times waiting in outdoor extended switch-back queues just to get a hamburger at a walk-up counter service restaurant, I finally started booking a sit-down meal for lunch and dinner. It’s always nice to get off my feet for an hour or so while enjoying a meal away from the bulk of the crowds.

You must make dining reservations if you plan to do this. This sign is a common sight on New Year’s Eve:

On crowded days, dining reservations can be completely taken

I suggest making Advance Dining Reservations on the first day your 60-day booking window opens. They will be all booked up well before the day arrives.

Of course the downside is that your meals are significantly more expensive than at a counter service place. If you decide to stick with counter service, minimize your wait by avoiding peak dining times and using the My Disney Experience app to submit a mobile order.

4. Beware of Phased Closures

A lot of Guests will wait until later in the day to visit the parks on New Year’s Eve, but it’s risky. Disney’s theme parks — especially Magic Kingdom — are especially prone to phased closures on New Year’s Eve.

A phased closure notification from the My Disney Experience app

Phased closures let Disney control attendance by limiting who’s allowed into the park. For example, they might choose to only let in Disney Resort Hotel Guests, or perhaps prohibit park hopping.

The easiest way to avoid any of this is to simply get there early and stay there all day. Even if the park you’re in begins a phased closure, you’ll be allowed to stay inside (and yes, the rides will keep running).

5. Be Mindful of Wait Times

It’s common sense if you stop and think about it — don’t get into a 3-hour line at 9:30 PM. You’ll still be stuck in line (or on the ride) at midnight and miss the entire thing you presumably came to be a part of.

Take this screenshot of EPCOT wait times at 10PM on a recent New Year’s Eve, for example. At least two rides have waits long enough to make you miss midnight.

Screenshot of 10PM wait times at EPCOT on New Year’s Eve

I personally wouldn’t get in any line that would keep me occupied past, say, 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM. The dance parties should be up and running by then and you can enjoy some no-wait entertainment before scoping out your spot for the fireworks.

6. Traffic Will be Terrible; Use Disney Transportation If You Can

If you’re not staying on property, you don’t have much choice but to drive in. But if you’re staying at a Disney hotel, you really should use Disney Transportation instead of a private vehicle, taxis, or rideshare. Why?

When you arrive in the morning, there can be backups of up to two miles at the “toll plazas” (parking payment booths). If you’re headed to EPCOT, you might even be asked to park in the grass rather than on the pavement!

“Honey, remember we’re parked next to the third tree from the right.”

After midnight, it’s not unheard of to sit in the parking lot for an hour or two.

6 MPH roadway speeds after the fireworks

Once you’re actually on the road, Disney’s primary goal is to get you OFF of Disney property and onto US 192 or I-4. There will be detours and one-way traffic flow which may put you in an area you didn’t intend to go.

Taxis will have long lines and still deal with the same traffic (leading to higher fares). Uber and Lyft will also be stuck in heavy traffic and charge significant surge pricing (2x or 3x normal rates).

The easiest way to avoid this is to use the completely free Disney Transportation network. There will still be lines for buses, boats, monorails, and Skyliners — but you’re still likely to get back to your hotel much quicker. All of their transit systems will be operating at max capacity, and they even go as far as to set up dedicated lanes exclusively for Disney buses to get Guests back to their resort as quickly as possible.

7. Plan for Breaks (Including Potty Breaks)

New Year’s Eve is a long day in the park. With heavy crowds and a LOT of walking (I did 13 miles in EPCOT one year!), you’re going to get hot, tired, and cranky.

Plan to take in a few air-conditioned theater shows such as The American Adventure or Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. Find a quiet corner to take a breather (or a nap). You probably won’t want to head all the way back to your hotel, but there are still plenty of places to take a break and rejuvenate.

Lawn naps are a popular midday break on New Year’s Eve

Also, as silly as this may sound, plan ahead for bathroom breaks. With heavy crowds, you might have a long line to contend with. You don’t want to wait until it’s an emergency.

8. Get Your Fireworks Spot Much Earlier Than You Might Think

On New Year’s Eve, I’ve seen people spreading out blankets and trying to save spots as early as noon in EPCOT. That’s a bit of overkill, but you’ll start to notice the best spots filling up several hours in advance of showtime.

If having a dead-center front-row view is crucial to you, you might want to be in place no later than 5:00 PM (which is when many designated viewing areas open — a lot of folks won’t budge between the early show and the midnight show).

Heavy crowds at 5:45 PM await a 6:30 fireworks show

9:00 PM to 10:00 PM will still usually get you a “decent” spot for the midnight show; you can probably wait until around 11:00 PM if you’re not terribly concerned with having a full-sky view. Just don’t expect any “can I just squeeze by you” grace from folks who’ve been waiting for hours on end.

The fireworks viewing vibe seems to vary by year; my best advice is to just start looking around at what other Guests are doing and follow their lead. You’ll be able to judge if things are starting to fill in early.

Regardless of when you pick a spot, you should be able to find some place to watch. There are plenty of overflow areas set up in advance of the show. I’ve even seen them set up chairs backstage at Magic Kingdom in the past!

An overflow viewing area on a lawn at EPCOT.

9. Rent a Locker

Disney offers lockers for rent near every park entrance. I rent one every New Year’s Eve.

For starters, Florida’s notoriously variable weather means you might need short sleeves during the day and a jacket at night. A compact umbrella might also be needed for the afternoon.

Perhaps you’d like to pack a change of clothes — comfy attire during the day, party wear for the evening.

Or you might want to store souvenirs or purchases so you don’t have to lug them around for 15 hours.

Lockers do tend to sell out early in the day on New Year’s Eve, so inquire as soon as you arrive at the park.

10. Know What to Wear — and What Not To Wear

There’s no “enhanced” dress code for the parks on New Year’s Eve. It’s perfectly fine to wear jeans/shorts and a T-shirt or sweatshirt — just follow Disney’s normal dress code.

Some folks do enjoy dressing up, though — especially at EPCOT. Sparkly sequined blouses are a common sight, and I’ve even seen folks wearing full on tuxedos or evening wear. That might be fine for part of the evening, but I wouldn’t suggest it for the entire day.

Nobody wants to try to awkwardly fold up into a ride vehicle while wearing their best Versace. And ladies will certainly hate themselves if they try to spend the entire day in heels.

I’ve personally just erred on the side of comfort. It’s Disney World, not the Met Gala.

11. Do Magic Kingdom on December 30

Take advantage of Magic Kingdom’s two days of celebrations by observing New Year’s Eve… Eve. Visit Magic Kingdom on December 30 so you’re then free on December 31 to visit EPCOT, attend a special resort event, or just hang out in your room and watch the ball drop in New York on TV.

Final Thoughts

Visiting Disney World on New Year’s Eve requires a certain mindset and a good bit of pre-planning. But it can be one of the most fun days of the year as long as you know what to expect.

Do your homework, make your plans and reservations early, and wear comfortable shoes — you’ll have a great time.