Our information to celebrating New 12 months’s Eve at Walt Disney World covers ringing in 2025 within the parks, seeing fireworks at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, doing dance events, suggestions & tips for avoiding enormous crowds, and extra. There’s a purpose WDW is without doubt one of the finest locations have fun NYE and on many bucket lists, however it means heavy attendance. (Up to date October 25, 2024.)
Since Walt Disney World can be one of many busiest locations on the earth for New 12 months’s Eve, we additionally present concepts for conserving sane within the crowds and avoiding them to the best extent potential. 12 months after 12 months, this is without doubt one of the busiest days at Walt Disney World, with many sights have 2-hour plus wait instances. You may even wait in line 30+ minutes for a restroom or restaurant when you don’t plan correctly.
Should you’re visiting Walt Disney World to have fun the beginning of 2025 and are in search of methods to keep away from the crowds, and for the very best expertise on New 12 months’s Eve, this publish is right here that can assist you out. We’ve accomplished NYE at WDW a number of instances, together with final 12 months. For probably the most half, we’ve had a blast at Walt Disney World on NYE–you simply want acceptable expectations and to do Magic Kingdom and EPCOT within the “proper” order…
October 25, 2024 Replace: Walt Disney World has now posted preliminary for New 12 months’s Eve and the Eve of NYE, in any other case often known as New 12 months’s Eve Eve. Listed here are hours for December 30, 2024:
- Magic Kingdom: 9 am to 12 am
- EPCOT: 9 am to 9:30 pm
- Hollywood Studios: 9 am to 9 am
- Animal Kingdom: 8 am to six pm
- Blizzard Seashore: 10 am to five pm (or Closed Because of Climate)
- Disney Springs: 10 am to 11 pm
Listed here are hours for December 31, 2024:
- Magic Kingdom: 9 am to 12 am
- EPCOT: 9 am to 1 am
- Hollywood Studios: 9 am to 12 am
- Animal Kingdom: 8 am to six pm
- Blizzard Seashore: 10 am to five pm (or Closed Because of Climate)
- Disney Springs: 10 am to 11:30 pm
Robust emphasis on preliminary hours. A few of these will probably be prolonged as late December attracts nearer. Our expectation is that each days will see 8 am openings for EPCOT and Magic Kingdom and eight:30 am openings for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Animal Kingdom will in all probability shut at 8 pm each days, and Magic Kingdom might be prolonged to a 1 am closure on New 12 months’s Eve.
Having each Magic Kingdom and EPCOT open till after midnight is the suitable method. It means a extra staggered exit relatively than a mass exodus of everybody within the park leaving all of sudden. These 8 am openings are additionally crucial to assist soak up crowds in what’s at all times the busiest week of the 12 months. We’ll replace this accordingly as soon as the mud settles.
Three of the parks–those anticipated to have fun New 12 months’s Eve 2025–are open till or previous midnight. In the meantime, it’s an everyday ole day at Animal Kingdom. Count on regular working hours on January 1, 2025. New 12 months’s Day is often busy, however not bonkers–and crowds usually arrive late (for apparent causes).
As for New 12 months’s Eve, we extremely suggest benefiting from these later closing instances, even when you’ll want to sleep in and arrive late to take action. As an alternative of heading for the exit like 90% of different company, do extra rides. Not simply because they’ll have shorter wait instances–though they are going to.
The larger purpose is to attend out the crowds. Whether or not you drive to the parks or take Disney transportation, leaving will probably be rather more environment friendly after 1 a.m. Critically, linger for so long as potential. It’s higher to ‘kill time’ whereas doing rides than standing in lengthy traces for buses or caught in site visitors.
Aside from that, what follows is predicated on final NYE at WDW. Whereas it ought to stay 95% correct, we’ll present further updates if Walt Disney World releases new information for New 12 months’s Eve 2025!
The excellent news is that New 12 months’s Eve is again in (nearly) full drive at Walt Disney World. This 12 months continues that development, with Disney’s Hollywood Studios as soon as once more doing extra to ring within the new 12 months with a bang.
As famous above, each Magic Kingdom and EPCOT are as soon as once more open till after midnight. This added hour is nice as a launch valve for crowds and to cut back the burden on transportation infrastructure. (Subsequent 12 months, we’d like to see EPCOT keep open till 2 am!)
At EPCOT, have fun the night time away on December 31 with DJ dance events round World Showcase within the Italy, Japan, China, and United Kingdom pavilions. Take pleasure in Luminous: The Symphony of Us at 6:30 pm earlier than “Cheers to the New 12 months: A Glowing Celebration” kicks off its international countdown at 11:54 pm.
Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there will probably be a high-energy DJ dance get together in entrance of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway on December 31. You’ll additionally be capable of dance into the brand new 12 months with a scorching countdown second.
There’s no official phrase on fireworks or pyro, but when there’s any at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it’ll seemingly be restricted. On a optimistic be aware, Fantasmic is now again and that’ll be introduced at 8 pm and 9:30 pm on New 12 months’s Eve. We advise seeing the second present for decrease crowds.
At Magic Kingdom, get a headstart on celebrations starting December 30 when fireworks will probably be introduced twice nightly.
The schedule at the moment signifies that Fantasy within the Sky will probably be introduced at 6:30 pm and 11:50 pm on each December 30 and December 31. These showtimes are nearly definitely appropriate, as they’re the conventional fireworks instances.
Nevertheless, Fantasy within the Sky is often solely introduced at 11:50 pm, with the conventional Christmas-time fireworks at 6:30 pm. It’s unclear whether or not Walt Disney World is definitely displaying Fantasy within the Sky 4 instances (it will definitely assist tackle crowding and congestion) or if that’s a goof-up.
Along with fireworks at Magic Kingdom, there will even be dance events across the park. Areas haven’t but been introduced, however usually there are dance events on the Cinderella Fortress stage, above Nation Bear Jamboree in Frontierland, and close to House Mountain in Tomorrowland. Final 12 months, these have been comparatively subdued and uncrowded.
When you have booked a reservation, you’re in all probability already conscious of the Lightning Lane Multi-Cross system. You’ll undoubtedly wish to use that on NYE, and somebody in your get together might want to stand up round 6:50 am for optimum use.
We all know that’s going to be powerful on an evening whenever you’re seemingly staying up till 1 am, however it’ll considerably enhance your go to to the parks. See our Information to Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney World for more information, technique, and so forth.
Right here’s every part you’ll want to know to navigate New 12 months’s Eve at Walt Disney World…
Avoiding Crowds
We gained’t bury the lede: crowds between Christmas and New 12 months’s Eve at Walt Disney World are terrible. It’s mass hysteria…and everybody has noisemakers! We’ve visited Walt Disney World for New 12 months’s Eve a number of instances, and whereas it’s at all times 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 so forth.) is a giant plus.
You’ll encounter congestion, extremely lengthy traces (even for restrooms), and different company struggling meltdowns as they didn’t count on the traces or crowds. Actually, the parks get so busy that typically they’re closed to new company at varied factors within the day through phased closings. On the plus facet, Walt Disney World at the moment is limiting attendance with the Disney Park Cross reservation system, so crowds undoubtedly gained’t be as unhealthy as they’ve been up to now.
The purpose is that it doesn’t matter what tips there may be to keep away from crowds, it’s unimaginable to keep away from them utterly except you lock your self in your lodge room. Past that, no tip, no matter how good, is nearly as good of a tip as “go to in early September or late January as an alternative.” If avoiding crowds is your paramount concern, you ought to be avoiding the weeks across the holidays, not studying this information.
This information gives finest case state of affairs suggestions for making probably the most out of the scenario. It’s not written from the angle of getting probably the most superb time ever with no crowds–it’s about making lemonade out of lemons.
We can’t reiterate that sufficient. You might suppose that all the suggestions beneath will not be sensible so that you can comply with, however when it’s ‘eat or be eaten’, you’ll end up altering the definition of what’s “sensible” for you. (And sure, we did simply evaluate a day throughout New 12 months’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 among the chaos.
1. Arrive Early, Keep Late – Park working hours are tied on to anticipated crowd ranges, which Disney is fairly adept at predicting based mostly upon bookings and different components. If day by day working hours are lengthy, count on heavy crowds.
Regardless of this, crowds are at all times lightest within the morning, getting progressively worse till about 1 pm, then tapering down the remainder of the day, with crowds once more being mild the final couple hours every park is open. The sooner 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 will probably be much less busy between midnight and 1 a.m. than Disney’s Hollywood Studios will probably be between 10 and 11 p.m. This makes it the very best time of 12 months for getting the Park Hopper choice whenever 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 Noon – If the Magic Kingdom is open till 1 a.m., you in all probability aren’t going to remain your entire day. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t select between arriving early and staying late. You must minimize out noon portion, going again to your lodge to take a nap in the course of the busiest and hottest hours of the day.
That is one purpose why we suggest a monorail loop lodge for New 12 months’s Eve in case your funds permits. Disney’s Modern Resort and the Grand Floridian are each straightforward walks, roughly 10-Quarter-hour from Magic Kingdom. You possibly can learn what different resorts may be good choices in our Walt Disney World Resort Information. No matter the place you keep, remember that phased closings of the Walt Disney World theme parks can affect your capability to reenter–particularly when you’re not staying on-site–so watch out.
3. Eat Noon – Like sights and restrooms, there are lengthy traces at eating places. That is notably 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. One of the best time of day goes to be round 3 or 4 p.m.
4. Use Genie+ Noon – Since traces are longest noon, it follows that you simply’ll get probably the most utility out of Genie+ or Lightning Lanes when the parks are busiest. Make reservations accordingly, and use standby traces to the best extent potential earlier within the day.
5. Discover “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 actually have a weblog publish titled the High 10 Bogs at Walt Disney World as a result of we’re simply that thorough. 😉
The purpose right here is that you need to keep away from the “apparent” ones in hotspots throughout probably 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 bother. Have a 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 12 months’s Eve, we have been capable of finding “choices” with minimal waits this manner.
I’m nicely conscious that this looks like a humorous or foolish tip, however we’ll see who’s laughing whenever you encounter that first enormous line and your bladder can’t final 25 extra minutes.
6. Do Unpopular Points of interest – One of many huge causes that going to Walt Disney World throughout busy instances of the 12 months doesn’t hassle us might be that a few of our favourite sights aren’t all that common, so our waits are about the identical year-round. When you have superior style, you may discover the identical is true for you.
We’ve Walt Disney World Itineraries & Touring Plans for each single park that cowl the highlights for an ideal day, together with a number of these much less common sights. These plans stability effectivity with having a terrific day within the park, so that you may must tweak it a tad for New 12 months’s Eve.
Within the Magic Kingdom, these neglected gems are: Carousel of Progress, Nation Bear Jamboree, Corridor 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, Dwelling with the Land, American Journey, 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 teenagers.
In Disney’s Hollywood Studios, all the out of doors stadium-style stage reveals (Magnificence and the Beast Reside on Stage and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular) will keep away from crowds, however timing them will probably be difficult. Similar goes for reveals at Animal Kingdom, though other than its headliner sights, the traces aren’t too insufferable there.
We expect that the very best park for neglected gems is the Magic Kingdom, however the very best park usually for avoiding New 12 months’s Eve crowds is Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Epcot can be surprisingly good at absorbing crowds, however its headliners do get obscenely lengthy traces on New 12 months’s Eve. Disney’s Hollywood Studios doesn’t get as massive of New 12 months’s Eve crowds, however it’s additionally not notably good at dealing with crowds.
No matter you do, we extremely suggest growing a plan of assault (some suggestions for this may be present in our “When to Go to Walt Disney World” publish), having sensible expectations about what you’ll get accomplished, and conserving a optimistic angle.
New 12 months’s Eve Leisure
For New 12 months’s Eve, Magic Kingdom and Epcot every have particular fireworks reveals. The Magic Kingdom additionally does its New 12 months’s Eve fireworks present, Fantasy within the Sky, on December 30.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the conventional nighttime leisure will run, with no particular fireworks. Disney’s Hollywood Studios will even have fun New 12 months’s Eve with a particular dance get together starting on the Middle Stage in the course of the park. This can run till park shut, ringing within the new 12 months!
Animal Kingdom will even solely run its regular nighttime leisure, which is basically simply the Tree of Life Winter Awakenings. That 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 carrying sun shades and earplugs whereas watching. They’re critically good–so good that they simply may assist you overlook these loopy crowds (okay, in all probability not!). Different New 12 months’s Eve leisure is de facto simply provided to attract some individuals away from Magic Kingdom & Epcot, and supply another.
We aren’t even going to hassle protecting these varied choices. Should 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 moreover the fireworks on New 12 months’s Eve…except you actually simply hate superior fireworks reveals.
Should you’ll be visiting for each December 30 and New 12 months’s Eve, watch the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasy within the Sky fireworks on December 30. It is a no brainer. The Magic Kingdom will nonetheless be busy, however not as busy as will probably be on New 12 months’s Eve.
Plus, seeing the fireworks on December 30 frees you as much as watch at Epcot on New 12 months’s Eve. Should you’re solely visiting for New 12 months’s Eve, our decide continues to be with Fantasy within the Sky, as we predict it’s the very best present, and price coping with the Magic Kingdom crowds.
Between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the selection for New 12 months’s Eve is simple. We love Epcot on New 12 months’s Eve.
Along with the fireworks, there will probably be particular reveals and DJs in Epcot (each Future World and World Showcase–the Silent DJ Dance Get together has grow to be actually common, so be able to lineup for headphones), and extra bar-booths all through the park to assist have fun the New 12 months previous to the fireworks reveals.
The explanation 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 12 months’s Eve and isn’t doing something particular–other than the dance get together. (Sundown Season’s Greetings will even nonetheless be operating for New 12 months’s Eve.) It ought to be barely much less crowded than Epcot (however nonetheless crowded), although.
Epcot’s World Showcase can maintain lots of people, however it nonetheless manages to refill, and turns into troublesome to navigate. In idea, 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.
Finally, we nonetheless like Epcot, notably when you simply plan on arriving within the late afternoon, watching the New 12 months’s fireworks, and bouncing. Learn our Greatest Epcot Fireworks Viewing Areas publish for extra perception into selecting a spot for the Epcot fireworks.
Plan to get to wherever you’re going to look at these fireworks reveals at the very least two hours upfront. Probably extra. In Magic Kingdom, we noticed individuals saving prime places for the reveals within the early afternoon. That is only a bit extreme, however it ought to provide you with an thought of how common the reveals are. You undoubtedly will be unable to walk as much as a very good location Quarter-hour (and even an hour) earlier than the fireworks begin.
That is very true within the Magic Kingdom, which is extra crowded than Epcot, which is extra crowded than Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We’ve a weblog publish detailing our favourite viewing spots for Magic Kingdom fireworks, and this holds true for the Fantasy within the Sky New 12 months’s Eve fireworks.
For many individuals, leaving is the worst a part of the New 12 months’s Eve expertise. We don’t imply the considered heading dwelling from the Florida sunshine to dreary, chilly climate.
On this case, we’re referring to leaving the park. After the fireworks, there’s a mass exodus, as everybody heads for the exit, all of sudden. Don’t be a part of this herd. As a result of so many individuals are leaving all of sudden, you’re going to look ahead to some time for a bus, monorail, or boat–would you relatively wait outdoors the park in a sea of humanity, or inside whereas doing rides?
All the parks are open for an hour or two after the fireworks. Take that point to let the crowds die down outdoors, and revel in decrease crowds contained in the park.
Talking of going outdoors the parks, there are additionally nice alternate options for fireworks viewing. Once more, Bay Lake Tower warrants mentioning right here, because the High of the World Lounge is a implausible, comparatively uncrowded spot for fireworks. I captured the picture above on New 12 months’s Eve from there. This doesn’t do you a lot good when you’re already at Walt Disney World and aren’t staying at Bay Lake Tower on Disney Trip Membership factors (it’s solely open to company staying there on December 30 and New 12 months’s Eve).
Nevertheless, in case you are reserving a visit for subsequent 12 months, it’s a terrific purpose to offer Bay Lake Tower severe thought. The opposite places, just like the Ticket & Transportation Middle and seaside of the Polynesian Resort are good alternate options when you’re not staying at Bay Lake Tower and desire a much less crowded vantage.
All of our warnings apart, you’ll be able to have a number of enjoyable spending the week between Christmas and New 12 months’s at Walt Disney World, and it undoubtedly is top-of-the-line locations to be for New 12 months’s Eve. It’s all about growing a sport plan and rolling with the punches. Not every part will go in keeping with plan, and it may be a irritating expertise when you let the crowds get to you.
Nevertheless, when you go into the journey with the suitable angle and simply wish to have enjoyable (bear in mind: you’re seemingly 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 12 months’s go to to Walt Disney World a number of enjoyable, even when you do need to take care of the crowds!
It’s additionally value remembering that the majority Christmas leisure nonetheless runs between Christmas and New 12 months’s Eve (some runs even additional into January), so take a look at our Final Information to Christmas at Walt Disney World for extra planning suggestions with regard to which vacation leisure you may wish to see on New 12 months’s Eve. For Walt Disney World journey planning suggestions and complete recommendation, ensure to learn our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information.
Your Ideas
Have you ever ever visited Walt Disney World for New 12 months’s Eve? Would you ever do it? Planning on ringing in 2025 at Walt Disney World? Do you agree with our method to do Magic Kingdom on December 30 and EPCOT on December 31? Have any further suggestions for making probably the most out of the expertise, or concerning which fireworks reveals to see? Listening to from you is half the enjoyable, so please share your ideas and questions within the feedback!
