Image copyright DisneyWith only a few days left in 2017, it’s time to solidify your New Year’s Eve plans. If you’re in the Orlando area on December 31, theme parks offer a great way to ring in 2018 with both family-friendly and adult-minded options.
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Celebrate the New Year with several dining and party options at Walt Disney World Resort.
New Years’ Eve Dinner at the World Show Place Pavilion – On December 31, say farewell to 2017 at the World Show Place Restaurant in Epcot with a special New Year’s Eve buffet. The menu includes savory soups and salads such as antipasto salad with basil, grilled vegetable and bean salad, roasted Ruskin tomato basil soup, and creamy seafood-and-corn chowder. For entrees, enjoy seafood mac and cheese with butter-toasted panko and parmesan-crusted chicken breast with lemon caper sauce to gluten-free options like mojo-roasted pork, oven-baked cod or tender demi-braised beef with mushrooms and pearl onions. Kids’ menu options and an array of desserts are available as well. To book a reservation, call Disney Dining at (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463 between 8:00 AM and 9:00 PM daily.
Pricing:
- $72.90 per adult – tax and gratuity included
- $44.38 per child – tax and gratuity included
- Required Epcot admission is not included in the price
New Year’s Eve Dining is also available at the following locations:
- California Grill
- Chef Mickey’s
- Garden Grove
- II Mulino
- Monsieur Paul
- Shula’s Steak House
- Todd English’s bluezoo Lounge
- Victoria & Albert’s
- Victoria & Albert’s Chef’s Table
You can make dining reservations online or by calling (407) 939-3463.
New Year’s Eve at Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers three ways to ring in 2018:
- Disney Countdown to Midnight — Celebrate the new year at California Grill with delectable dining, live music, and a spectacular fireworks display.
- Down In New Orleans: A Disney New Year’s Eve Dining Experience — Enjoy a taste of New Orleans during a festive feast inspired by “The Princess and the Frog.”
- Pixar Party: A New Year’s Eve Celebration — Be immersed in the magic of popular Disney·Pixar films during this family-friendly holiday event.
Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks, a spectacular midnight frenzy of lights, takes place over Magic Kingdom on December 30 and 31, starting at 11:50 PM. If you can’t make it to the park, Disney will be live streaming the Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks beginning at 11:50 PM.
Over at Epcot, New Year’s Countdown Fireworks start at 11:40 PM on December 31.
Dance the night away at several parties throughout the parks. Frontierland New Year’s Celebration Dance Party offers toe-tappin’ tunes from 7:00 PM to close at Magic Kingdom.
The New Year’s Eve Dance Party at Center Stage brings an entire evening of celebration to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. A DJ dance party kicks off the night at 7:00 PM, followed by Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! at 9:00 PM. After a park-wide countdown to midnight, enjoy a special presentation of Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular and another round of DJ-led dancing until 1:00 AM.
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT
Universal Orlando welcomes 2018 with EVE, Universal CityWalk’s jam-packed New Year’s Eve celebration. Enjoy six CityWalk clubs with DJs and live bands and feast on unlimited gourmet cuisine including roasted sirloin, tenderloin, and fresh seafood.
A midnight champagne toast and dazzling fireworks display are included.
You must be at least 21 years old to attend EVE. General tickets are $139.99 per person, with a 10% discount available to Annual Passholders. VIP tickets are also available.
For more information, visit the Universal Orlando website.
On-site hotels at Universal Orlando are also offering New Year’s Eve celebrations. Here’s information on each event from Universal Orlando:
Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando
New Year’s Eve Buffet + Rock-in 2018! New Year’s Eve Lobby Party
SEAWORLD ORLANDO
On December 31, SeaWorld presents a vibrant fireworks show and festive entertainment throughout the park, including interactive DJ stations, craft beers, and delectable bites.
For more information, visit the SeaWorld Orlando website.
LEGOLAND FLORIDA
The Kids’ New Year’s Party lets you celebrate 2018 before bedtime. On December 31, enjoy an exclusive dance party and LEGO-inspired fireworks at the kid-friendly time of 8:00 PM.
For more information, visit the LEGOLAND Florida website.
As you can see, there are plenty of fun ways for Orlando residents and visitors to celebrate New Year’s Eve at the parks. Whichever option you choose, have a safe and happy New Year!