New Year’s Eve 2017 at Orlando Theme Parks: What’s Happening at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and more

in Disney, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World

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With 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:

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:

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

Enjoy a rockin’ feast in The Kitchen restaurant that includes our ROCK-in 2018! New Year’s Eve Lobby Party.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017
Time: 5pm – 11pm
Location: The Kitchen
Reservations: Call 407-503-DINE | Reserve Online | View Full Menu 
ROCK-in 2018! New Year’s Eve Lobby Party
Come rock in the New Year at our popular lobby party featuring specially prepared desserts and family-friendly entertainment. Watch the countdown live from Times Square via satellite and welcome in 2018 with a champagne toast.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017
Time: 8pm – 1am
Location: Velvet Bar
Reservations: Call 407-503-3200 | Reserve Online
Loews Royal Pacific Resort 
New Year’s Eve Buffet + Orchid Court Dessert Buffet
Join us for an “Around the World Celebration” feast and family-friendly entertainment in Islands Dining Room. Our Orchid Court New Year’s Eve Dessert Buffet is included.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017
Time: 5pm – midnight
Location: Islands Dining Room & Orchid Court Lounge
Reservations: Call 407-503-DINE | Reserve Online | View Full Menu 
Orchid Court New Year’s Eve Dessert Buffet
Ring in the New Year with us in Orchid Court Lounge, where you’ll enjoy a special dessert buffet and more before welcoming in 2018 with a champagne toast!
Date: Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017
Time: 7pm – midnight
Location: Orchid Court Lounge
Reservations: Call 407-503-DINE
Jake’s “Best of 2017” Beer Dinner
 Come join us in Jake’s American Bar on New Year’s Eve for a special five-course dinner featuring favorite beer pairings from each Jake’s Beer Dinner in 2017. Our Orchid Court New Year’s Eve Dessert Buffet is included.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017
Time: 7pm – 1am
Location: Jake’s American Bar
Reservations: Call 407-503-DINE | Reserve Online | View Full Menu
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort 
New Year’s Eve Buffet
Join us in Amatista Cookhouse for an “Around the World Celebration” feast. Featured family-friendly entertainment includes appearances by Universal Orlando characters, face painter, and balloonist.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017
Time: 5pm – midnight
Location: Amatista Cookhouse
Reservations: Call 407-503-1200 | Reserve Online | View Full Menu
New Year’s Eve Celebration
Join us in Strong Water Tavern for a celebration of the Caribbean and ring in the New Year with live music, dancing, champagne toast and balloon drop.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017
Time: 10pm – 2am
Location: Strong Water Tavern
Reservations: Call 407-503-DINE | Reserve Online
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
New Year’s Eve Buffet
Our Bayliner Diner Party Spectacular includes a special holiday feast and a variety of entertainment for the entire family to welcome in the new year.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017
Time: 8pm – 12:30am
Location: Bayliner Diner

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!

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