New Year’s Eve 2015 At Walt Disney World: What Special Events Are Happening At The Parks?

New Year’s Eve 2015 is almost upon everyone and it’s time to start figuring out what you plan to do to ring in the new year, if you haven’t already. There are plenty of people in Orlando at Walt Disney World, and you don’t have to do without the big festivities if you’re one of them. Disney has plenty of options to let you welcome 2016 in magical style.

Three of the four Walt Disney World theme parks will have New Year’s Eve-type events of some kind. Obviously, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will not be shooting off fireworks or anything like that due to not wanting to frighten the animals.

First off, the four parks all have extended hours if you’re looking to have as much fun as possible with the attractions, rides, shows, and characters.

• Magic Kingdom: 8 a.m. – 2 a.m.
• Epcot: 8 a.m. – 1 a.m. (World Showcase opens at 9 a.m.)
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 8 a.m. – 12 a.m.
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Magic Kingdom will also be opening earlier at 7 a.m. for Disney Resort guests for Extra Magic Hours. Hollywood Studios will stay open from 12 a.m. until 2 a.m. for Disney Resort guests to give them even more fun.

It’s exceedingly warm in the Walt Disney World area right now, so if you’re looking to cool off, one of the water parks is open on New Year’s Eve too. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon will be open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., according to the operating hours on the official site.

Please remember that the Disney Parks have been extremely crowded and always are at this time of year.

Now, there will be a lot going on around Walt Disney World on New Year’s Eve 2015, and the only problem is figuring out where you’d like to be. Even bigger crowds are expected for the parks for New Year’s Eve and phase closings could happen. If crowds get too big, you won’t be allowed in the parks at all, so get there early and stay put.

In order to do these things though, you need to know what the schedule is at Walt Disney World for New Year’s Eve 2014, and that’s what you can find out in the following information.

According to the Disney Parks Blog, the three other theme parks will all have some fireworks and late-night events to enjoy.

Magic Kingdom

“You can get a head start on the festivities, with a special New Year’s Eve eve presentation of ‘Fantasy in the Sky’ fireworks at 11:50 p.m. on Wednesday, December 30. The same show will be repeated on December 31. For families looking to wrap things up a little earlier, both nights will also feature the Holiday Wishes New Year’s Celebration at 6:30 p.m., complete with expanded fireworks and a New Year’s Eve countdown.”

Epcot

Epcot is bringing a lot to whomever may be inside those park gates for New Year’s Eve. With Future World and the countries of World Showcase, there are plenty of options to celebrate.

“It’s a night-long party throughout Epcot, with unique entertainment including a DJ and light show at the Future World Fountain Stage, dancing under flame effects and a smoke-billowing dragon in China, a British blast to the past in United Kingdom, Euro-pop and lasers in Italy, a Latin band and DJ on the America Gardens Stage and a ‘Silent DJ’ party in Japan. Cap it all off with one of two showings of ‘IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.’ The 6:00 p.m. show will include our holiday finale, while the 11:40 p.m. performance will be followed by a countdown and pyrotechnic salute to the New Year.”

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The center stage in front of the Great Movie Ride will have a character dance party happening with a DJ and lots of other surprise guests. Disney characters will dance the night away with all those visiting the park, and it leads up to a great nighttime spectacular. The fireworks will be “set to the soundtrack of favorite films and memorable moments” from across the park.

“Symphony in the Stars,” the Star Wars-themed fireworks, will not take place on New Year’s Eve.

Disney World’s website also shows that numerous restaurants around the property have different New Year’s Eve celebrations in place as well. Here are some of the locations where you can enjoy the new year in style.

• California Grill – Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• La Hacienda de San Angel – Epcot
• Monsieur Paul – Epcot
• Il Mulino Trattoria – Epcot
• Narcoosee’s – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Le Cellier – Epcot
• Atlantic Dance Hall – Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

Oh, there is one more big event happening at Walt Disney World that could help you ring in the new year, and it includes the one and only Vanessa Williams.

It’s called “Countdown to Midnight” and takes place at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Convention Center. There will be food, fun, drinks, comedy, music, and more. Disney fans will love a comedy reunion at the Adventurer’s Club and then headliner Vanessa Williams bringing 2015 to a close and starting 2016.

Walt Disney World has a lot for anyone and everyone to do on New Year’s Eve 2015, so don’t miss out on all the fun. Sure, you may be able to only pick one (or two), but you can’t go wrong by bringing one year to an end and beginning another with the magic of Disney.

[Image via Disney]