Our information to celebrating New Year’s Eve at Walt Disney World covers our suggestions & methods for ringing in 2023 within the parks, seeing the large fireworks at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, having fun with dance events, and extra. There’s a motive WDW is likely one of the greatest locations have fun NYE and on many bucket lists, however that additionally means colossal crowds. (Updated December 19, 2022.)
Since Walt Disney World can be one of many busiest locations on this planet for New Year’s Eve, we additionally present concepts for holding sane within the crowds and avoiding them to the best extent attainable. Year after yr, this is likely one of the busiest days at Walt Disney World, with many points of interest have 2-hour plus wait instances. You may even wait in line 30+ minutes for a restroom or restaurant for those who don’t plan correctly.
If you’re visiting Walt Disney World to have fun the beginning of 2023 and are on the lookout for methods to keep away from the crowds, and for the most effective expertise on New Year’s Eve, this publish is right here that will help you out. We’ve executed NYE at WDW a number of instances, together with final yr. For essentially the most half, we’ve had a blast at Walt Disney World on NYE–you simply want applicable expectations and to do Magic Kingdom and EPCOT within the “right” order…
The excellent news is that New Year’s Eve is again in (nearly) full power at Walt Disney World. Last yr introduced the return of particular pyro shows and dance events at EPCOT and Magic Kingdom. This yr continues that pattern, with Disney’s Hollywood Studios as soon as once more doing extra to ring in 2023 with a bang.
At EPCOT, have fun the evening away on December 31 with DJ dance events round World Showcase within the Italy, Japan, China, and United Kingdom pavilions. Enjoy Harmonious at 6:30 pm earlier than “Cheers to the New Year: A Sparkling Celebration” kicks off its international countdown at 11:54 pm.
Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there shall be a high-energy DJ dance social gathering in entrance of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway on December 31. You’ll additionally have the ability to dance into 2023 with a scorching countdown second.
There’s no official phrase on fireworks or pyro, but when there may be any at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it’ll doubtless be restricted. On a optimistic word, Fantasmic is now again and that’ll be introduced at 8 pm and 9:30 pm on New Year’s Eve. We recommend seeing the second present for decrease crowds.
At Magic Kingdom, get a headstart on celebrations starting December 30, 2022 when fireworks shall be introduced twice nightly.
The schedule at the moment signifies that Fantasy within the Sky shall be introduced at 6:30 pm and 11:50 pm on each December 30 and December 31, 2022. These showtimes are nearly definitely right, as they’re the traditional fireworks instances. However, Fantasy within the Sky is generally solely introduced at 11:50 pm, with the traditional present (Disney Enchantment for now) at 6:30 pm. It’s unclear whether or not Walt Disney World is definitely displaying Fantasy within the Sky 4 instances (it could definitely assist tackle crowding and congestion) or if that’s a goof-up.
In addition to fireworks at Magic Kingdom, there may also be dance events across the park.
Locations haven’t but been introduced, however usually there are dance events on the Cinderella Castle stage, above Country Bear Jamboree in Frontierland, and close to Space Mountain in Tomorrowland. Last yr, these have been comparatively subdued and uncrowded. As coated in our New Year’s Eve Eve Photo Report, Magic Kingdom was not busy on December 30 final yr.
Another factor of which you’ll need to bear in mind even earlier than heading out to the parks on New Year’s Eve is that Walt Disney World at the moment requires theme park reservations made through the Disney Park Pass system. Currently, solely Magic Kingdom is ‘sold out’ of reservations for December 30-31, 2022.
However, these are often refilled (together with over the weekend) and availability has been very fluid in the previous few days. If you don’t have reservations but, maintain attempting. Failing that, make reservations for Animal Kingdom or Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Park Hop at 2 pm. Unless there’s a capability closure–which did not occur final yr–it’s doubtless you’ll not have any points.
If you’ve booked a reservation, you’re in all probability already conscious of the Genie+ system. You’ll undoubtedly need to use that on NYE, and somebody in your social gathering might want to stand up round 6:50 am for optimum use. We know that’s going to be powerful on an evening while you’re doubtless staying up till 1 am, but it surely’ll considerably enhance your go to to the parks. See our Guide to Genie+ and Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney World for more information, technique, and many others.
Here’s every little thing you could know to navigate New Year’s Eve at Walt Disney World…
Avoiding Crowds
We gained’t bury the lede: crowds between Christmas and New Year’s Eve at Walt Disney World are terrible. It’s mass hysteria…and everybody has noisemakers! We’ve visited Walt Disney World for New Year’s Eve a number of instances, and whereas it’s all the time extremely busy, it’s additionally extremely enjoyable. The crowds are a draw back, however further leisure to assist with crowds (parades, characters, fireworks, reveals, and many others.) is an enormous plus.
You will encounter congestion, extremely lengthy strains (even for restrooms), and different company struggling meltdowns as they didn’t count on the strains or crowds. In reality, the parks get so busy that typically they’re closed to new company at numerous factors within the day through phased closings. On the plus facet, Walt Disney World at the moment is limiting attendance with the Disney Park Pass reservation system, so crowds undoubtedly gained’t be as unhealthy as they’ve been up to now.
The level is that it doesn’t matter what methods there could be to keep away from crowds, it’s inconceivable to keep away from them fully except you lock your self in your resort room. Beyond that, no tip, no matter how good, is nearly as good of a tip as “visit in early September or late January instead.” If avoiding crowds is your paramount concern, you ought to be avoiding the weeks across the holidays, not studying this information.
This information affords greatest case state of affairs suggestions for making essentially the most out of the scenario. It’s not written from the angle of getting essentially the most superb time ever with no crowds–it’s about making lemonade out of lemons.
We can not reiterate that sufficient. You might imagine that the entire suggestions under should not sensible so that you can observe, however when it’s ‘eat or be eaten’, you’ll end up altering the definition of what’s “practical” for you. (And sure, we did simply evaluate a day throughout New Year’s week at Walt Disney World to cannibalism.)
With all of that stated, there are some issues you are able to do to keep away from a number of the chaos.
1. Arrive Early, Stay Late – Park working hours are tied on to anticipated crowd ranges, which Disney is fairly adept at predicting based mostly upon bookings and different elements. If day by day working hours are lengthy, count on heavy crowds.
Despite this, crowds are all the time lightest within the morning, getting progressively worse till about 1 pm, then tapering down the remainder of the day, with crowds once more being gentle the final couple hours every park is open. The earlier a park opens, the much less busy it’s at opening, and the later a park closes, the much less busy it’s at closing.
In different phrases, if the Magic Kingdom is open till 1 a.m. and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is open till 11 p.m., Magic Kingdom shall be much less busy between midnight and 1 a.m. than Disney’s Hollywood Studios shall be between 10 and 11 p.m. This makes it the most effective time of yr for getting the Park Hopper possibility while you buy Disney tickets, as this manner you can begin on the park open the earliest, and hop to the park open newest.
2. Nap Midday – If the Magic Kingdom is open till 1 a.m., you in all probability aren’t going to remain your complete day. However, you shouldn’t select between arriving early and staying late. You ought to minimize out noon portion, going again to your resort to take a nap in the course of the busiest and hottest hours of the day.
This is one motive why we advocate a monorail loop resort for New Year’s Eve in case your finances permits. Disney’s Contemporary Resort and the Grand Floridian are each straightforward walks, roughly 10-Quarter-hour from Magic Kingdom. You can learn what different accommodations could be good choices in our Walt Disney World Hotel Guide. Regardless of the place you keep, remember the fact that phased closings of the Walt Disney World theme parks can influence your potential to reenter–particularly for those who’re not staying on-site–so watch out.
3. Eat Midday – Like points of interest and restrooms, there are lengthy strains at eating places. This is especially true in the course of the prime lunch hours. Don’t eat lunch at midday. Eat when eating places first open or later within the afternoon. The greatest time of day goes to be round 3 or 4 p.m.
4. Use Genie+ Midday – Since strains are longest noon, it follows that you simply’ll get essentially the most utility out of Genie+ or Lightning Lanes when the parks are busiest. Make reservations accordingly, and use standby strains to the best extent attainable earlier within the day.
5. Find “Hidden Gem” Restrooms – You realize it says one thing about your life when you end up writing about restrooms at Walt Disney World, however such is my lot. We also have a weblog publish titled the Top 10 Toilets at Walt Disney World as a result of we’re simply that thorough. ????
The level right here is that you need to keep away from the “obvious” ones in hotspots throughout essentially the most crowded instances of the day, when there actually are ~30 minute waits for restrooms. Don’t head to the restroom in plain view in Fantasyland. You’re simply asking for hassle. Look at a park map, and find the restrooms which might be off the crushed path, and head to these. On our final go to for New Year’s Eve, we have been capable of finding “options” with minimal waits this manner.
I’m properly conscious that this looks as if a humorous or foolish tip, however we’ll see who’s laughing while you encounter that first enormous line and your bladder can’t final 25 extra minutes.
6. Do Unpopular Attractions – One of the massive causes that going to Walt Disney World throughout busy instances of the yr doesn’t hassle us might be that a few of our favourite points of interest aren’t all that well-liked, so our waits are about the identical year-round. If you’ve superior style, you may discover the identical is true for you.
We have Walt Disney World Itineraries & Touring Plans for each single park that cowl the highlights for an ideal day, together with quite a lot of these much less well-liked points of interest. These plans stability effectivity with having a terrific day within the park, so that you may must tweak it a tad for New Year’s Eve.
In the Magic Kingdom, these ignored gems are: Carousel of Progress, Country Bear Jamboree, Hall of Presidents, and Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room for reveals. For leisurely rides, strive the Walt Disney World Railroad and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover.
In Epcot, Living with the Land, American Adventure, Impressions de France, and Reflections of China are all nice, though the final three in all probability gained’t maintain a ton of curiosity for youths.
In Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the entire outside stadium-style stage reveals (Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular) will keep away from crowds, however timing them shall be difficult. Same goes for reveals at Animal Kingdom, though apart from its headliner points of interest, the strains aren’t too insufferable there.
We suppose that the most effective park for ignored gems is the Magic Kingdom, however the most effective park basically for avoiding New Year’s Eve crowds is Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Epcot can be surprisingly good at absorbing crowds, however its headliners do get obscenely lengthy strains on New Year’s Eve. Disney’s Hollywood Studios doesn’t get as giant of New Year’s Eve crowds, but it surely’s additionally not notably good at dealing with crowds.
Whatever you do, we extremely advocate growing a plan of assault (some suggestions for this may be present in our “When to Visit Walt Disney World” publish), having real looking expectations about what you’ll get executed, and holding a optimistic perspective.
New Year’s Eve Entertainment
For New Year’s Eve, Magic Kingdom and Epcot every have particular fireworks reveals. The Magic Kingdom additionally does its New Year’s Eve fireworks present, Fantasy within the Sky, on December 30.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the traditional nighttime leisure will run, with no particular fireworks. Disney’s Hollywood Studios may also have fun New Year’s Eve with a particular dance social gathering starting on the Center Stage in the course of the park. This will run till park shut, ringing in 2023.
Animal Kingdom may also solely run its regular nighttime leisure, which is basically simply the Tree of Life Winter Awakenings. This is the one park that closes earlier than midnight, so don’t go right here if you wish to have fun NYE.
The fireworks reveals at Magic Kingdom and Epcot are so intense that some company may take into account sporting sun shades and earplugs whereas watching. They’re critically good–so good that they simply may assist you to overlook these loopy crowds (okay, in all probability not!). Other New Year’s Eve leisure is admittedly simply provided to attract some folks away from Magic Kingdom & Epcot, and supply another.
We aren’t even going to hassle overlaying these numerous choices. If you’re braving the crowds for a go to in the course of the vacation week, you shouldn’t even take into account losing your time with something in addition to the fireworks on New Year’s Eve…except you actually simply hate superior fireworks reveals.
If you’ll be visiting for each December 30 and New Year’s Eve, watch the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasy within the Sky fireworks on December 30. This is a no brainer. The Magic Kingdom will nonetheless be busy, however not as busy as it is going to be on New Year’s Eve.
Plus, seeing the fireworks on December 30 frees you as much as watch at Epcot on New Year’s Eve. If you’re solely visiting for New Year’s Eve, our choose remains to be with Fantasy within the Sky, as we predict it’s the most effective present, and value coping with the Magic Kingdom crowds.
Between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the selection for New Year’s Eve is simple. We love Epcot on New Year’s Eve.
In addition to the fireworks, there shall be particular reveals and DJs in Epcot (each Future World and World Showcase–the Silent DJ Dance Party has change into actually well-liked, so be able to lineup for headphones), and extra bar-booths all through the park to assist have fun the New Year previous to the fireworks reveals.
The motive that that is now a no brainer (it didn’t was once) is as a result of Disney’s Hollywood Studios is operating its regular projections reveals for New Year’s Eve and isn’t doing something particular–apart from the dance social gathering. (Sunset Season’s Greetings may also nonetheless be operating for New Year’s Eve.) It must be barely much less crowded than Epcot (however nonetheless crowded), although.
Epcot’s World Showcase can maintain lots of people, but it surely nonetheless manages to replenish, and turns into tough to navigate. In principle, Epcot is nice…in actuality, it’s crowded and that many drunk company with noisemakers turns into grating after about hour 4 of standing elbow to elbow with them.
Ultimately, we nonetheless like Epcot, notably for those who simply plan on arriving within the late afternoon, watching the New Year’s fireworks, and bouncing. Read our Best Epcot Fireworks Viewing Locations publish for extra perception into choosing a spot for the Epcot fireworks.
Plan to get to wherever you’re going to observe these fireworks reveals no less than two hours upfront. Possibly extra. In Magic Kingdom, we noticed folks saving prime areas for the reveals within the early afternoon. This is only a bit extreme, but it surely ought to provide you with an concept of how well-liked the reveals are. You undoubtedly will be unable to walk as much as a great location Quarter-hour (and even an hour) earlier than the fireworks begin.
This is very true within the Magic Kingdom, which is extra crowded than Epcot, which is extra crowded than Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We have a weblog publish detailing our favourite viewing spots for Magic Kingdom fireworks, and this holds true for the Fantasy within the Sky New Year’s Eve fireworks.
For many individuals, leaving is the worst a part of the New Year’s Eve expertise. We don’t imply the considered heading dwelling from the Florida sunshine to dreary, chilly climate.
In this case, we’re referring to leaving the park. After the fireworks, there’s a mass exodus, as everybody heads for the exit, . Don’t be a part of this herd. Because so many individuals are leaving , you will anticipate some time for a bus, monorail, or boat–would you fairly wait exterior the park in a sea of humanity, or inside whereas doing rides?
All of the parks are open for an hour or two after the fireworks. Take that point to let the crowds die down exterior, and revel in decrease crowds contained in the park.
Speaking of going exterior the parks, there are additionally nice alternate options for fireworks viewing. Again, Bay Lake Tower warrants mentioning right here, because the Top of the World Lounge is a implausible, comparatively uncrowded spot for fireworks. I captured the picture above on New Year’s Eve from there. This doesn’t do you a lot good for those who’re already at Walt Disney World and aren’t staying at Bay Lake Tower on Disney Vacation Club factors (it’s solely open to company staying there on December 30 and New Year’s Eve).
However, if you’re reserving a visit for subsequent yr, it’s a terrific motive to present Bay Lake Tower severe thought. The different areas, just like the Ticket & Transportation Center and seashore of the Polynesian Resort are good alternate options for those who’re not staying at Bay Lake Tower and desire a much less crowded vantage.
All of our warnings apart, you possibly can have quite a lot of enjoyable spending the week between Christmas and New Year’s at Walt Disney World, and it undoubtedly is the most effective locations to be for New Year’s Eve. It’s all about growing a sport plan and rolling with the punches. Not every little thing will go in line with plan, and it may be a irritating expertise for those who let the crowds get to you.
However, for those who go into the journey with the best perspective and simply need to have enjoyable (keep in mind: you’re doubtless having extra enjoyable than people again at dwelling, it doesn’t matter what occurs!), you in all probability will. The fireworks and the opposite supplementary leisure make a New Year’s go to to Walt Disney World quite a lot of enjoyable, even for those who do must cope with the crowds!
It’s additionally value remembering that the majority Christmas leisure nonetheless runs between Christmas and New Year’s Eve (some runs even additional into January), so take a look at our Ultimate Guide to Christmas at Walt Disney World for extra planning suggestions with regard to which vacation leisure you may need to see on New Year’s Eve. For Walt Disney World journey planning suggestions and complete recommendation, be sure that to learn our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide.
Your Thoughts
Have you ever visited Walt Disney World for New Year’s Eve? Would you ever do it? Planning on ringing in 2023 at Walt Disney World? Do you agree with our strategy to do Magic Kingdom on December 30 and EPCOT on December 31? Have any further suggestions for making essentially the most out of the expertise, or relating to which fireworks reveals to see? Hearing from you is half the enjoyable, so please share your ideas and questions within the feedback!