Our information to celebrating New Yr’s Eve at Walt Disney Global covers ringing in 2026 within the parks, seeing fireworks at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, doing dance events, guidelines & tips for heading off large crowds, and extra. There’s a reason why WDW is without doubt one of the highest puts have a good time NYE and on many bucket lists, but it surely manner heavy attendance.
Since Walt Disney Global could also be some of the busiest puts on the planet for New Yr’s Eve, we additionally supply concepts for maintaining sane within the crowds and heading off them to the best extent conceivable. Yr after yr, this is without doubt one of the busiest days at Walt Disney Global, with many sights have 2-hour plus wait occasions. Chances are you’ll even wait in line 30+ mins for a restroom or eating place in case you don’t plan correctly.
Should you’re visiting Walt Disney Global to have a good time the beginning of 2026 and are searching for techniques to steer clear of the crowds, and for the most productive enjoy on New Yr’s Eve, this put up is right here that will help you out. We’ve performed NYE at WDW more than one occasions, together with remaining yr. For essentially the most section, we’ve had a blast at Walt Disney Global on NYE–you simply want suitable expectancies and to do Magic Kingdom and EPCOT within the “proper” order…
The excellent news is that Walt Disney Global has launched preliminary, reputable hours for December 30-31, 2025! Those are the minimal hours that each and every park shall be open, topic to extensions which are more likely to be made someday in early December. Those may finally end up being beautiful just about ultimate hours, however we’d be expecting previous openings at a few the parks.
Listed below are reputable hours for December 30, 2025:
- Magic Kingdom: 9 am to twelve am
- EPCOT: 9 am to 9:30 pm
- Hollywood Studios: 9 am to 9 pm
- Animal Kingdom: 8 am to six pm
- Storm Lagoon: 10 am to five pm (or Closed Because of Climate)
- Disney Springs: 10 am to 11 pm
Listed below are reputable hours for December 31, 2025:
- Magic Kingdom: 9 am to twelve am
- EPCOT: 9 am to at least one am
- Hollywood Studios: 9 am to twelve am
- Animal Kingdom: 8 am to six pm
- Storm Lagoon: 10 am to five pm (or Closed Because of Climate)
- Disney Springs: 10 am to 11:00 pm
For reference, a number of extensions had been made remaining yr, together with previous opening occasions for Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and later closings for Animal Kingdom (8 pm each days) and Magic Kingdom (1 am on New Yr’s Eve).
Having each Magic Kingdom and EPCOT open till after middle of the night on New Yr’s Eve is the appropriate means. It manner a extra staggered go out slightly than a mass exodus of everybody within the park leaving suddenly.
The ones 8 am openings also are vital to lend a hand soak up crowds in what’s at all times the busiest week of the yr. They’re additionally massively tremendous from a strategic viewpoint–although you intend on staying out overdue, we extremely suggest benefiting from early hours (and a noon ruin, if vital). Expectantly those 8 am openings go back, and no longer only for December 30-31, however for all the week.
3 of the parks–those that remember New Yr’s Eve 2026–shall be open till or previous middle of the night. In the meantime, it’s a standard ole day at Animal Kingdom.
Be expecting standard running hours on January 1, 2026 (the ones are these days boilerplate hours). New Yr’s Day is normally busy, however crowds arrive overdue (for evident causes) and get regularly worse because the day is going on. It’s generally a 9/10 or 10/10 crowd stage day when all is alleged and performed.
As for New Yr’s Eve, we extremely suggest benefiting from those later final occasions, although you wish to have to sleep in and arrive overdue to take action. As a substitute of heading for the go out like 90% of different visitors, do extra rides. No longer simply because they’ll have shorter wait occasions–even though they are going to.
The larger reason why is to attend out the crowds. Whether or not you power to the parks or take Disney transportation, leaving shall be a lot more environment friendly after 1 a.m. Severely, linger for so long as conceivable. It’s higher to ‘kill time’ whilst doing rides than status in lengthy strains for buses or caught in visitors.
Rather than that, what follows is what to anticipate at Walt Disney Global for New Yr’s Eve 2026!
The excellent news is that New Yr’s Eve is again in (nearly) complete drive at Walt Disney Global. This yr continues that pattern, with Disney’s Hollywood Studios as soon as once more doing extra to ring within the new yr with a bang.
As famous above, each Magic Kingdom and EPCOT had been as soon as once more open till after middle of the night remaining yr. This added hour is excellent as a liberate valve for crowds and to cut back the load on transportation infrastructure. (This yr, we’d love to peer EPCOT keep open till 2 am!)
At EPCOT, have a good time the night time away on December 31 with DJ dance events round Global Exhibit within the Italy, Japan, China, and United Kingdom pavilions. Experience Luminous: The Symphony of Us at 6:30 pm ahead of “Cheers to the New Yr: A Glowing Birthday celebration” kicks off its international countdown at 11:54 pm.
Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there shall be a high-energy DJ dance birthday party in entrance of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway on December 31. You’ll additionally be capable of dance into the brand new yr with a scorching countdown second.
Closing yr, Disney’s Hollywood Studios additionally added New Yr’s Eve Fireworks to the agenda at 11:57 pm. That is one thing that used to occur, however that we had no longer noticed in numerous years. It’s extra restricted that the fireworks at EPCOT or Magic Kingdom, however greater than DHS has performed in the previous couple of years. A pleasant contact for visitors doing DHS to steer clear of the crowds at EPCOT or Magic Kingdom. Our hope is this returns for December 31, 2025, however that has no longer but been showed.
On a favorable observe, Fantasmic is now again and that’ll be offered at 8 pm and 9:30 pm on New Yr’s Eve. We recommend seeing the second one display for decrease crowds. Fantasmic is incredible, so don’t omit it!
At Magic Kingdom, get a headstart on celebrations starting December 30 when fireworks shall be offered two times nightly.
Even if showtimes haven’t begun to be posted for 2025, fireworks can be offered at 6:30 pm and 11:50 pm on each December 30 and December 31. Those showtimes are nearly undoubtedly proper, as they’re the traditional fireworks occasions.
Generally, the 6:30 pm showtime is the traditional Christmas-time fireworks and 11:50 is Myth within the Sky. That may exchange this yr, with the chance that each displays are Myth within the Sky.
Some other new wildcard this yr is Disney Starlight Night time Parade.
This new middle of the night parade debuted over the summer season at Magic Kingdom, so it didn’t exist remaining yr. Previous precedent for earlier night time parades is dicey, however we might be expecting just one showtime of Starlight on December 30-31, 2025. That is because of the want to transparent congestion from Major Boulevard; having the second one parade and Myth within the Sky too shut in combination can create crowdflow issues.
Along with middle of the night spectaculars at Magic Kingdom, there can be dance events across the park. Places have no longer but been introduced, however normally there are dance events at the Cinderella Fort level, above Nation Undergo Musical Jamboree in Frontierland, and close to Area Mountain in Tomorrowland. Closing yr, those had been moderately subdued and uncrowded.
When you have purchased tickets, you’re most certainly already acutely aware of the Lightning Lane Multi-Go gadget. You’ll indubitably wish to use that on NYE, and anyone on your birthday party will want to stand up round 6:50 am for optimum use.
We all know that’s going to be difficult on an evening while you’re most probably staying up till 1 am, but it surely’ll considerably strengthen your discuss with to the parks. See our Information to Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney Global for more information, technique, and so forth.
Right here’s the entirety you wish to have to grasp to navigate New Yr’s Eve at Walt Disney Global…
Heading off Crowds
We gained’t bury the lede: crowds between Christmas and New Yr’s Eve at Walt Disney Global are terrible.
It’s mass hysteria…and everybody has noisemakers! We’ve visited Walt Disney Global for New Yr’s Eve a number of occasions, and whilst it’s at all times extremely busy, it’s additionally extremely amusing. The crowds are a problem, however further leisure to lend a hand with crowds (parades, characters, fireworks, displays, and so forth.) is a large plus.
You are going to stumble upon congestion, extremely lengthy strains (even for restrooms), and different visitors struggling meltdowns as they didn’t be expecting the strains or crowds. In reality, the parks get so busy that every so often they’re closed to new visitors at quite a lot of issues within the day by the use of phased closings.
It doesn’t matter what tips there may well be to steer clear of crowds, it’s unimaginable to steer clear of them utterly until you lock your self on your lodge room. Past that, no tip, irrespective of how just right, is as just right of a tip as “discuss with in early September or overdue January as a substitute.” If heading off crowds is your paramount worry, you must be heading off the weeks across the vacations, no longer studying this information.
This information provides highest case state of affairs guidelines for making essentially the most out of the location. It’s no longer written from the viewpoint of getting essentially the most superb time ever with out a crowds–it’s about making lemonade out of lemons.
We can’t reiterate that sufficient. You might imagine that the entire guidelines beneath don’t seem to be sensible so that you can apply, but if it’s ‘consume or be eaten’, you’ll to find your self converting the definition of what’s “sensible” for you. (And sure, we did simply examine an afternoon all through New Yr’s week at Walt Disney Global to cannibalism.)
With all of that stated, there are a few things you’ll be able to do to steer clear of one of the chaos.
1. Arrive Early, Keep Past due – Park running hours are tied immediately to expected crowd ranges, which Disney is beautiful adept at predicting based totally upon bookings and different components. If day-to-day running hours are lengthy, be expecting heavy crowds.
Regardless of this, crowds are at all times lightest within the morning, getting regularly worse till about 1 pm, then tapering down the remainder of the day, with crowds once more being gentle the remaining couple hours each and every park is open. The sooner a park opens, the fewer busy it’s at opening, and the later a park closes, the fewer busy it’s at final.
In different phrases, if the Magic Kingdom is open till 1 a.m. and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is open till 11 p.m., Magic Kingdom shall be much less busy between middle of the night and 1 a.m. than Disney’s Hollywood Studios shall be between 10 and 11 p.m. This makes it the most productive time of yr for buying the Park Hopper choice while you acquire Disney tickets, as this fashion you’ll be able to get started on the park open the earliest, and hop to the park open newest.
2. Nap Noon – If the Magic Kingdom is open till 1 a.m., you most likely aren’t going to stick all the day. On the other hand, you shouldn’t choose from arriving early and staying overdue. You must reduce out noon portion, going again in your lodge to take a snooze all through the busiest and freshest hours of the day.
That is one explanation why we propose a monorail loop lodge for New Yr’s Eve in case your finances permits. Disney’s Fresh Lodge and the Grand Floridian are each simple walks, more or less 10-Quarter-hour from Magic Kingdom. You’ll be able to learn what different accommodations may well be just right choices in our Walt Disney Global Lodge Information. Without reference to the place you keep, understand that phased closings of the Walt Disney Global theme parks can affect your talent to reenter–particularly in case you’re no longer staying on-site–so watch out.
3. Devour Noon – Like sights and restrooms, there are lengthy strains at eating places. That is in particular true all through the high lunch hours. Don’t consume lunch at midday. Devour when eating places first open or later within the afternoon. The most productive time of day goes to be round 3 or 4 p.m.
4. Use Lightning Lanes Noon – Since strains are longest noon, it follows that you simply’ll get essentially the most software out of Lightning Lane Multi-Go when the parks are busiest. Make trip reservations accordingly, and use standby strains to the best extent conceivable previous within the day.
5. In finding “Hidden Gem” Restrooms – You understand it says one thing about your lifestyles if you end up writing about restrooms at Walt Disney Global, however such is my lot. We actually have a weblog put up titled the Most sensible 10 Bathrooms at Walt Disney Global as a result of we’re simply that thorough. 😉
The purpose here’s that you simply must steer clear of the “evident” ones in hotspots all through essentially the most crowded occasions of the day, when there actually are ~30 minute waits for restrooms. Don’t head to the restroom in undeniable view in Fantasyland. You’re simply soliciting for bother. Take a look at a park map, and find the restrooms which are off the crushed trail, and head to these. On our remaining discuss with for New Yr’s Eve, we had been ready to seek out “choices” with minimum waits this fashion.
I’m neatly conscious that this turns out like a humorous or foolish tip, however we’ll see who’s guffawing while you stumble upon that first large line and your bladder can’t remaining 25 extra mins.
6. Do Unpopular Points of interest – One of the vital giant causes that going to Walt Disney Global all through busy occasions of the yr doesn’t trouble us is most certainly that a few of our favourite sights aren’t all that in style, so our waits are about the similar year-round. When you have superior style, chances are you’ll to find the similar is correct for you.
Now we have Walt Disney Global Itineraries & Traveling Plans for each and every unmarried park that duvet the highlights for an excellent day, together with a large number of those much less in style sights. Those plans steadiness potency with having a super day within the park, so chances are you’ll want to tweak it a tad for New Yr’s Eve.
Within the Magic Kingdom, those lost sight of gemstones are: Carousel of Development, Nation Undergo Musical Jamboree, Corridor of Presidents, and Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room for displays. For leisurely rides, take a look at the Walt Disney Global Railroad and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover.
In Epcot, Dwelling with the Land, American Journey, Impressions de France, and Reflections of China are all nice, even though the remaining 3 most certainly gained’t hang a ton of pastime for children.
In Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the entire out of doors stadium-style level displays (Good looks and the Beast Survive Level and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Impressive) will steer clear of crowds, however timing them shall be tough. There’s additionally the brand new Little Mermaid: A Musical Journey and Villains Unfairly Ever After, however the ones are lower-capacity and in style.
Similar is going for displays at Animal Kingdom. The massive ones can soak up crowds beautiful neatly, while we’d be expecting lengthy strains for the brand new Zootopia: Higher Zoogether in addition to all headliners.
Animal Kingdom does no longer have a tendency to be busy on New Yr’s Eve for the reason that park doesn’t do anything else to ring within the new yr, however this in truth exacerbates crowds previous within the week. Accordingly, we propose visiting Animal Kingdom within the morning thru noon of New Yr’s Eve when you’ve got Park Hopper tickets. That’s the easiest way to steer clear of crowds!
The most productive park for lost sight of gemstones is the Magic Kingdom, however the most productive park generally for heading off New Yr’s Eve crowds is Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Epcot could also be strangely just right at soaking up crowds, however its headliners do get obscenely lengthy strains on New Yr’s Eve. Disney’s Hollywood Studios doesn’t get as huge of New Yr’s Eve crowds, but it surely’s additionally no longer in particular just right at dealing with crowds.
No matter you do, we extremely suggest creating a plan of assault (some guidelines for this may also be present in our “When to Talk over with Walt Disney Global” put up), having lifelike expectancies about what you’ll get performed, and maintaining a favorable angle.
New Yr’s Eve Leisure
For New Yr’s Eve, Magic Kingdom and Epcot each and every have particular fireworks displays. The Magic Kingdom additionally does its New Yr’s Eve fireworks display, Myth within the Sky, on December 30.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the traditional middle of the night leisure will run, with out a particular fireworks. Disney’s Hollywood Studios may also have a good time New Yr’s Eve with a distinct dance birthday party starting at the Heart Level in the course of the park. This may increasingly run till park shut, ringing within the new yr!
Animal Kingdom may also most effective run its standard middle of the night leisure, which is basically simply the Tree of Lifestyles Wintry weather Awakenings. That is the only park that closes ahead of middle of the night, so don’t move right here if you wish to have a good time NYE.
The fireworks displays at Magic Kingdom and Epcot are so intense that some visitors may imagine dressed in shades and earplugs whilst gazing. They’re significantly just right–so just right that they simply may permit you to disregard the ones loopy crowds (k, most certainly no longer!). Different New Yr’s Eve leisure is in point of fact simply introduced to attract some other folks clear of Magic Kingdom & Epcot, and supply an alternate.
We aren’t even going to hassle overlaying those quite a lot of choices. Should you’re braving the crowds for a discuss with all through the vacation week, you shouldn’t even imagine squandering precious time with anything else but even so the fireworks on New Yr’s Eve…until you in point of fact simply hate superior fireworks displays.
Should you’ll be visiting for each December 30 and New Yr’s Eve, watch the Magic Kingdom’s Myth within the Sky fireworks on December 30. It is a no brainer. The Magic Kingdom will nonetheless be busy, however no longer as busy as it’ll be on New Yr’s Eve.
Plus, seeing the fireworks on December 30 frees you as much as watch at Epcot on New Yr’s Eve. Should you’re most effective visiting for New Yr’s Eve, our select continues to be with Myth within the Sky, as we expect it’s the most productive display, and value coping with the Magic Kingdom crowds.
Between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the selection for New Yr’s Eve is simple. We like Epcot on New Yr’s Eve.
Along with the fireworks, there shall be particular displays and DJs in Epcot (each Long run Global and Global Exhibit–the Silent DJ Dance Celebration has change into in point of fact in style, so be able to lineup for headphones), and extra bar-booths all over the park to lend a hand have a good time the New Yr previous to the fireworks displays.
The explanation that that is now a no brainer (it didn’t was once) is as a result of Disney’s Hollywood Studios is working its standard projections displays for New Yr’s Eve and isn’t doing anything else particular–except the dance birthday party. (Sundown Season’s Greetings may also nonetheless be working for New Yr’s Eve.) It must be relatively much less crowded than Epcot (however nonetheless crowded), despite the fact that.
Epcot’s Global Exhibit can hang a large number of other folks, but it surely nonetheless manages to refill, and turns into tough to navigate. In concept, Epcot is excellent…in fact, it’s crowded and that many under the influence of alcohol visitors with noisemakers turns into grating after about hour 4 of status elbow to elbow with them.
In the long run, we nonetheless like Epcot, in particular in case you simply plan on arriving within the overdue afternoon, gazing the New Yr’s fireworks, and bouncing. Learn our Easiest Epcot Fireworks Viewing Places put up for extra perception into choosing a place for the Epcot fireworks.
Plan to get to anyplace you’re going to look at those fireworks displays no less than two hours prematurely. Most likely extra. In Magic Kingdom, we noticed other folks saving high places for the displays within the early afternoon. That is just a little over the top, but it surely must provide you with an concept of the way in style the displays are. You indubitably will be unable to walk as much as a just right location Quarter-hour (and even an hour) ahead of the fireworks get started.
That is very true within the Magic Kingdom, which is extra crowded than Epcot, which is extra crowded than Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Now we have a weblog put up detailing our favourite viewing spots for Magic Kingdom fireworks, and this holds true for the Myth within the Sky New Yr’s Eve fireworks.
For many of us, leaving is the worst a part of the New Yr’s Eve enjoy. We don’t imply the considered heading house from the Florida sunshine to dreary, chilly climate.
On this case, we’re regarding leaving the park. After the fireworks, there’s a mass exodus, as everybody heads for the go out, suddenly. Don’t be a part of this herd. As a result of such a lot of individuals are leaving suddenly, you’re going to look forward to some time for a bus, monorail, or boat–would you slightly wait outdoor the park in a sea of humanity, or inside of whilst doing rides?
The entire parks are open for an hour or two after the fireworks. Take that point to let the crowds die down outdoor, and revel in decrease crowds throughout the park.
Talking of going outdoor the parks, there also are nice choices for fireworks viewing. Bay Lake Tower warrants citing right here, because the Most sensible of the Global Living room is an implausible, moderately uncrowded spot for fireworks.
I captured the picture above on New Yr’s Eve from there. This doesn’t do you a lot just right in case you’re already at Walt Disney Global and aren’t staying at Bay Lake Tower on Disney Holiday Membership issues (it’s most effective open to visitors staying there on December 30 and New Yr’s Eve).
On the other hand, in case you are reserving a travel for subsequent yr, it’s a super reason why to provide Bay Lake Tower severe idea. Polynesian is every other just right method to guide, as its seaside provides a super over-the-water view. In a similar way, the Price tag & Transportation Heart is a great selection in case you’re no longer staying at some of the monorail loop motels–or don’t have park tickets.
All of our warnings apart, you’ll be able to have a large number of amusing spending the week between Christmas and New Yr’s at Walt Disney Global, and it indubitably is some of the highest puts to be for New Yr’s Eve. It’s all about creating a sport plan and rolling with the punches. No longer the entirety will move in step with plan, and it may be a irritating enjoy in case you let the crowds get to you.
On the other hand, in case you move into the travel with the appropriate angle and simply wish to have amusing (be mindful: you’re most probably having extra amusing than other folks again at house, it doesn’t matter what occurs!), you most likely will. The fireworks and the opposite supplementary leisure make a New Yr’s discuss with to Walt Disney Global a large number of amusing, although you do need to take care of the crowds!
It’s additionally price remembering that the majority Christmas leisure nonetheless runs between Christmas and New Yr’s Eve (some runs even additional into January), so take a look at our Final Information to Christmas at Walt Disney Global for extra making plans guidelines in regards to which vacation leisure chances are you’ll wish to see on New Yr’s Eve. For Walt Disney Global travel making plans guidelines and complete recommendation, you’ll want to learn our Walt Disney Global Go back and forth Making plans Information.
Your Ideas
Have you ever ever visited Walt Disney Global for New Yr’s Eve? Would you ever do it? Making plans on ringing in 2026 at Walt Disney Global? Do you believe our option to do Magic Kingdom on December 30 and EPCOT on December 31? Have any further guidelines for making essentially the most out of the enjoy, or referring to which fireworks displays to peer? Listening to from you is part the joys, so please percentage your ideas and questions within the feedback!
