A Guide to New Year's Eve Celebrations at Orlando's Theme Parks

Ten's of thousands of visitors and locals will enjoy spectacular New Year's Eve celebrations throughout Orlando's theme parks, enjoying all-day celebrations, spectacular fireworks, and DJ dance parties.

Celebrating New Year's Eve In Central Florida Theme Parks

As we countdown the final days to the biggest party night of the year, there is nowhere better to celebrate New Year's Eve than Orlando and especially the theme parks where visitors from throughout the world will join together with locals and party like its 2024 with DJ Dance Parties, and Spectacular Fireworks Shows.

New Year’s Eve is an exciting time to be in Orlando's Theme Parks, yes, the parks are going to be crazy busy, but there is something truly amazing about celebrating NYE in the parks, and we've got you covered with the biggest and best things do do in the theme parks.

Walt Disney World

Universal Orlando Resort

SeaWorld Orlando

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

LEGOLAND Florida

Walt Disney World

As we countdown to a new year, we're only days away from the biggest party night of the year, and Walt Disney World is ready to welcome the new year in spectacular style.

Walt Disney World really is one of the best place in the world to celebrate New Year's Eve, yes it's crazy busy, and can be very chaotic, but the atmosphere is amazing, and quite honestly there is nowhere else quite like it in the world, and you will love it.

Just don't expect to enjoy many rides, but the entertainment and fireworks more than make up for it!!

Here's everything you need to know about celebrating New Year's Eve 2023- 2024 at Walt Disney World, so get your party hat and blowers ready for the party of the year!

Walt Disney World New Year's Eve Park Hours

Magic Kingdom

Early Entry: 7:30 am to 8:00 am

Park Hours: 8:00 am to 1:00 am

EPCOT

Early Entry: 8:30 am to 9:00 am

Park Hours: 9:00 am to 1:00 am

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Early Entry: 8:00 am to 8:30 am

Park Hours: 8:30 am to 12:00 am

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Early Entry: 7:30 am to 8:00 am

Park Hours: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm

Disney's Blizzard Beach

Closed Due To Low Temperatures

Disney Springs

10.00 am to 11.30 pm

New Year's Eve at Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom is always the most popular park at Walt Disney World on New Year's Eve, and expect it to be crowded, very crowded!

If you plan on celebrating New Year's Eve at Magic Kingdom, we recommend you arrive early as the park could reach capacity at any time throughout the day.

Magic Kingdom Dance Parties

Walt Disney World have not announced the details for this year's dance parties, but in the past dance parties have usually been held in front of Cinderella's Castle, Frontierland and Tomorrowland, hosted by DJs from 7 p.m. to midnight.

This is a memorable, family-fun way to celebrate the countdown to midnight.

Magic Kingdom Fantasy In The Sky Fireworks

Each New Year's Eve at Magic Kingdom, the new year starts with a massive bang as the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasy in the Sky fireworks light up the sky high above Lake Buena Vista.

These fireworks are a must see, and quite literally fill the sky with the most incredible fireworks you will ever see, with the fireworks shot over the castle as well as all around the park perimeter. Even the midnight countdown is done in fireworks that form the actual numbers!

Fantasy In The Sky Fireworks: 6:30 p.m. & 11:50 p.m.

Magic Kingdom show their New Year's Eve Fireworks on December 30, as well as December 31, allowing you to view the fireworks at EPCOT as well as the Magic Kingdom if you can't decide between either theme parks New Year's Eve fireworks, giving you the best of both worlds!

In addition to the Dance Parties and New Year's Eve Fireworks, don't miss Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade at 12 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.

New Year's Eve at EPCOT

EPCOT is by far the most exciting place to be on New Year’s Eve at Disney World, though with lots of activities come lots of people. As one of the largest parks, EPCOT is perhaps best suited for crowds. We think the crowds are worth managing for these fun-filled festivities! There’s no need to choose ... you can take part in all of these activities for a complete night of celebration.

EPCOT New Year's Eve Parties

New Year's Eve in World Showcase is pretty amazing, experience the New Year not only in Orlando, but in the time zones of the countries throughout World Showcase including the United Kingdom at 7 p.m. EST!

When it hits midnight in each country's pavilion, listen for a festive announcement and watch for a burst of colorful fireworks.

There will be live DJs hosting dance parties throughout the park. DJ Dance parties usually kick off after sunset. Dance the night away as you sip and savor some of your favorite flavors around World Showcase. These parties add excitement to the countdown to Midnight!

Live Music at American Gardens Theatre

American Gardens Theatre typically hosts a variety of performances throughout the night for the ultimate NYE entertainment.

New Year's Eve Fireworks

At EPCOT you can catch the new Luminous The Symphony of Us nighttime spectacular at 6:30 p.m.

Plus, The Countdown Fireworks show at EPCOT is spectacular, with an amazing atmosphere as the crowds gather throughout World Showcase to countdown to Midnight with the countdown typically projected onto Spaceship Earth as fireworks light up the sky.

Luminous The Symphony of Us: 6:30 p.m.

Cheers to the New Year A Sparkling Celebration: 11:40 p.m.

New Year's Eve at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a more laid-back atmosphere, and the park is much less crowded on New Year's Eve than Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.

Guests can enjoy a DJ dance party in front of the Chinese Theater, with a countdown to midnight moment, including a short burst of fireworks.

New Year's Eve at Disney's Animal Kingdom

At Animal Kingdom there is no special entertainment or notable celebrations for New Year's Eve, but if your looking for the best park where you can enjoy the rides and entertainment without the huge crowds on New Year's Eve, then Animal Kingdom is the park to visit!

Universal Orlando Resort

Closing out 2023, Universal Orlando will be hosting New Year’s Eve celebrations at Islands Of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida, and CityWalk.

Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios will be open New Year's Eve until 1 am, hosting a high-energy party night in the Music Plaza are of the park, including live band, DJ, special appearances by the Universal characters and more.

As the clock inches closer to Midnight, there will be a special countdown and then as the clock strikes 12, there will be a small pyrotechnics display at midnight.

Islands Of Adventure

Universal's islands of Adventure will also be open unitl 1 am on New Year's Eve, with a DJ in the Port of Entry area, hyping the crowd towards 2024, including a special countdown as the clock strikes Midnight.

The New year's Eve celebrations at both parks are included in regular admission to the parks.

Universal CityWalk

New Year's Eve at CityWalk is going to be epci with live music on the Waterfront Stage, and a DJ party on the Promenade.

To ring in the New Year, CityWalk will also host a  countdown to midnight, featuring a confetti storm to mark the arrival of 2024. The party runs until 2 am, with free admission!

SeaWorld Orlando

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at SeaWorld Orlando, including a spectacular fireworks display at Midnight.

New Year's Eve is the perfect time to embrace the connection to the sea, marine life, and the world as SeaWorld gives 2024 a wondrous welcome with fireworks, festive entertainment, and more.

The New Year’s Eve Celebration at SeaWorld Orlando kick off at 9 am until park close at 1 am. Enjoy an unforgettable day and evening filled with exciting shows, amazing animals, and thrilling rides, and then countdown to Midnight with a spectacular fireworks display that can be seen from a variety of viewing areas around the park.

Entry is included with valid park ticket.

Busch Gardens Tampa

Join Busch Gardens on December 31 from 9 am until 1 am for a New Year’s Eve Celebration featuring unforgettable fun during the day and fireworks at night, the park is giving 2023 a wondrous welcome with bold fireworks, entertainment and more.

Enjoy all the festive activities of Busch Gardens Christmas Town with millions of twinkling lights, holiday shows, specialty dining and fan-favorite thrill rides.

Then, ring in the new year with a special fireworks show at Midnight, featuring a fantastic soundtrack sure to help you ring in the New Year with cheer.

LEGOLAND Florida

Join in the family festivities at Kids New Year's Eve At LEGOLAND Florida. Join in the festivities and celebrate the New Year early with rides, activities, and a whole lot of fun, highlight of the day is an early fireworks display at 8 pm illuminating the sky and welcoming in 2024!

For the latest news and events from throughout Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you updated throughout the day, every day.

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