New Year’s Eve 2015/2016 at Walt Disney World
By Dave Shute
2015 NEW YEAR’S EVE AT DISNEY WORLD
New Year’s Eve festivities and fireworks will happen on December 31, 2015 at Disney World’s Epcot, Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios theme parks, and also at the Magic Kingdom on December 30.
The Animal Kingdom has no special New Year’s Eve fireworks, but will–for the first time– be offering a “New Year’s Eve Street Parti” in Africa’s Harambe Market from 3:30p to 8:30p.
Hours may be extended, but here’s what’s currently scheduled:
- Epcot is scheduled to be open until 1a on New Year’s Eve; Disney’s Hollywood Studios until midnight for the general public, and 2a for Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests; and the Magic Kingdom until 2a
- The Magic Kingdom will have Wishes at 6.30p, and special New Year’s Eve fireworks at 11.50p
- Epcot will have its Illuminations fireworks show at 6p and 11.40p, plus DJs in various pavilions.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have fireworks at midnight
- Note that alcohol is not available at the Magic Kingdom, but is available at Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Magic Kingdom will have the same fireworks at the same times on 12/30. This date will likely be a little less crowded than 12/31.
DISNEY WORLD PARK CLOSURES ON NEW YEAR’S EVE
Disney closes parks due to crowding often on New Year’s Eve. “Closes” means closed to additional guests–those in the parks do not have to leave.
See this for more on how Disney World park closings work.
The Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are the most likely parks to close, and Animal Kingdom the least likely.
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63 comments
Where are some of the best places to veiw NYE fireworks outside of the park?
None, really, Jeannine.
Jeanine, I recommend checking the Disney tourist blog, they give lots of suggestions, including viewing areas outside the park. Quite frankly, I’m shocked that anyone running a website like this would give such a blunt, unhelpful answer.
We are going to do NYE at Epcot with our two children. Where would be the best place to dine that evening before fireworks?
Brooke, I would choose based on cuisine or what looks like fun to you.
If you like mexican food, you can go and sit there and order your food before the show at 9pm, they have the best open view to the fireworks showcase in the park, so you can enjoy a good food, drinks and the best sits for the show!! cheers!!
Hi Dave
Just found your website very nice Dave.
My question is we are going to Disney for 3 weeks over Christmas, what would be the best way to do our park tickets. We have never done Disney for 3 weeks before so its all a bit new to us .
We arrive on 21 December 2015 and go home on the 11th January 2016 and we would like to do all the parks to see the Christmas magic.
we are coming from the UK.
Hope you can point us in the right direction
Thanks Dave
Barry
Barry, there are special ticket deals available to UK residents that I don’t track. A UK-focused Disney forum/board, thedibb.com, can help. Tell ’em Dave from yourfirstvisit.net sent you!!
which park will be the least crowded? Other than AK
Danny, all but AK will be mobbed so much that you won’t be able to tell if one is “less” crowded. That said, my guess is HS.
Approx what time does Disney typically have to close the park to new visitors?
C, can’t tell you. Mid-late morning is likely the earliest…
Hi Dave, where is the best spot to view the new years eve fireworks at Epcot (Without wasting an unreasonable amount of time reserving a spot)? We have been there many times and have never seemed to find a good location.
Andrew, on New Years Eve there’s no such thing, sadly.
How do I reserve a spot
A spot for what, Viviana?
Will all 3 parks have hats and horns do you think? Or just Epcot and Magic Kingdom?
Alex, all three parks, I’d expect.
Hi Dave. My family is going to Disney the last week of December. We were thinking of getting a reservation at Epcot to see the fireworks but would prefer the Magic Kingdom. Is there anywhere in the Magic Kingdom that we can get reservations to secure a spot to watch the fireworks there? Any information would be helpful.
Well, Veronica, that is, by far, the worst week of the year to go. There’s no reserved viewing for the MK fireworks.
Dave, taking my boys for their first time in March, what parks do you think an 11 and 13 year old would like to go? Also they are very picky eaters… They like pizza, fries, nuggets…where can I take them to dine those kind of foods. Thanks
Milean, at the age they should enjoy pretty much everything. See this for more specifics.
You’ll find fries and nuggets at multiple locations in every park. Pizza is also available, particularly at Pizzafari at the Animal Kingom and Toy Story Pizza Planet in Hollywood Studios
Will Epcot have special NYE fireworks or just the normal illuminations show?
Kimberly, they add on a special NYE segment to the end of IllumiNations
Hi Dave. Congrats, the webpage is very helpful. One question, I will Be at a Walt Disney World resort hotel for NYE. We want to go to MAgic Kingdom for the fireworks, we are planning to go in the late afternoon til midnight. ‘Cause spending the WHOLE day there would be very tired. Is it likely that we will be turned away, even though we will be staying On-Site at the Art of Contemporary? Thank you for your answer.
Marlene–Contemporary or Art of Animation? If the Contemporary you should be fine as you can walk (no guarantees, though). Odds are a little worse at Art of Animation.
My Bad. Art Of Animation is. So, what do you recommend? Anyway go in the morning so we dont have troubles?
Marlene, since there are no guarantees, yes…
What would be a good time to go to magic kingdom to ensure that we get in on NYE? Obviously we would go first thing in the morning, but are there lines waiting to get in at 6am? I’m not sure what to expect.
Melissa, the lines to get in will ebb and flow. Closures are most common mid morning and mid afternoon, but can happen anytime
I’m thinking of spending New Year’s Eve in Epcot but I’m concerned about being stuck in traffic leaving Epcot/Disney Property. We usually park at the Boardwalk and come enter the back side of Epcot next to England. Have never done this on NYE. Do you think parking there would help not being stuck in traffic?
Ken, I’d expect the BoardWalk lot to be filled and/or reserved for those with a hotel or dining reservation. How about parking at the Studios? It’s open til 2a (midnight for regular folks, 2a for WDW resort guests) so won’t see the 100% exit at MN that Epcot will see.
Hey dave, do i have to buy special event tickets for these days? Im going to pass my nye there for the first time and i was wondering if i had to buy special tickets or it would be the regular tickets for these days…
Natalia, you don;t need special event tickets–just regular park tickets.
We were “gifted” a trip to Disney World by my in-laws. She booked the dates, which are 12/31/15 – 1/5/16. Based on our flight arrival time on December 31st, which park should we go to since it won’t be a full day? We should be arriving at whatever park we choose around noon. Thanks for your input!
Monica, 12/31 is the busiest day of the year at WDW. The least crowded park will be AK, but be sure to get your FastPass+ !!
Will the first fireworks show be the same as the midnight show at Epcot? Thanks!
Crystal, yes they will.
Hi Dave, We will be staying at Dysney’s Caribbean Beach and have a toddler and a 9 month old. Which park would be best to spend NYE with the little ones? Thanks!
Alex, the crowds will be so massive (four hour peak waits will not be uncommon) that I would not take kids that age anywhere on NYE except AK.
We are staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge on NYE and planned an early dinner there (4pm) and have fast passes at HS starting at the 630-730pm slot. Given the likely crowds to get in, do you think 2 hours is enough time to get there and through the long entry lines? Thanks!
Mark, you should be OK.
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