What the heck happened?! The holidays begin at Disney World NEXT WEEK!
Holidays at Disney World!
Crazy enough, we’re about to enter the holiday season, and we’re beyond excited! Christmas decor is about to be put up all around Disney World and Christmas music will fill the air as you enter each park. We’re looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas, but we what we need to talk about is New Year’s Eve. Disney just revealed the New Year’s Eve park hours and fireworks schedule, and it’s time to start planning!
Disney has finally announced details for New Year’s Eve, and it looks like Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios will all stay open late on Thursday, December 31st. We also know that each park will have countdown fireworks to welcome in 2027. As for Animal Kingdom, it looks like that park will operate as a normal day. So, if you’re looking for a celebration, you’ll want to go to the other three.
New Year’s Eve at EPCOT
If you’re planning on going to Disney World on New Year’s Eve, early entry begins at 8:30 AM at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, AND Hollywood Studios. Early entry for Animal Kingdom begins at 7:30 AM. Check out the hours for each Disney World park for December 31st:
- Magic Kingdom: 9 AM to 12 AM
- EPCOT: 9 AM to 1 AM
- Hollywood Studios: 9 AM to 12 AM
- Animal Kingdom: 8 AM to 6 PM
Note that Magic Kingdom will also close at 12 AM on Wednesday, December 30th. EPCOT and Hollywood Studios will still close at 9 PM on that night.
New Year’s Eve at EPCOT
If you’re planning on celebrating at either Disney Springs or Blizzard Beach, know that Disney Springs will be open from 10 AM to 11 PM. Blizzard Beach will be open from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Disney Springs!
Now, let’s talk nighttime spectaculars, because that’s what the celebration is all about. Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios will each end the night with a New Year’s Eve countdown fireworks show. These are the showtimes Disney lists for December 31st:
- Fantasy in the Sky at Magic Kingdom: 6:30 PM and 11:50 PM
- Cheers to the New Year: A Sparkling Celebration at EPCOT: 11:54 PM
- New Year Countdown Fireworks at Hollywood Studios: 11:57 PM
Fantasy in the Sky will also take place at Magic Kingdom at the exact same times on December 30th!
Fantasy in the Sky
We also want to note that EPCOT and Hollywood Studios will still have their regular nighttime entertainment prior to the fireworks celebration. Luminous: The Symphony of Us will still happen at EPCOT, except at 6:30 PM. At Hollywood Studios, Fantasmic! will take place at 8:00 PM and 9:30 PM, and Wonderful World of Animation at 9:00 PM. Notice how there will be NO Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom. Instead, there will be two showtimes of Fantasy in the Sky!
New Year’s Eve in Magic Kingdom
Something else that we noticed on the showtime calendar in regard to the holidays is that Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks have been confirmed for regular Magic Kingdom guests at 8 PM from December 23rd through December 29th. The exclusive fireworks show takes place at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, but comes for regular guests on those specific dates.
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks
Another show that takes place during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. It’s also supposed to come for regular park day guests at some point during December, but Disney hasn’t posted dates or showtimes just yet. Parades tend to populate later, which we can see with Festival of Fantasy, because it isn’t listed either. We’re assuming it’s just the normal delay.
Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
We seriously can’t wait for the holidays to arrive at Disney World, and we can’t believe it’s already going to be NEXT WEEK! For all of the latest Disney news and updates, make sure to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog.
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Do you have New Year’s Eve plans at Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
