Disney New Year's Eve 2025 Celebrations Revealed
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If you went into your My Disney Experiences App this week you might have had a pop-up notification about New Year in the parks. If you're ringing in the New Year at Walt Disney World this festive season, expect late nights, packed parks, and some of the biggest celebrations of the year. From special fireworks to DJ dance parties and extended park hours, 31st December is one of the most energetic, and busiest, days on Disney property.
Here's what UK visitors can expect across the resort as Disney counts down to midnight.
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Best Park For New Year’s Eve2025 At A Glance
Park | Best For | Highlight | Crowd Level | Why Choose It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
EPCOT | Adults, couples, families with older teens | DJ dance parties around World Showcase with fireworks for midnight countdown | Very High | Feels like a global New Year’s party, really unique and a lively atmosphere |
Magic Kingdom | Families | Two nights of Fantasy in the Sky fireworks | Extremely high | Offers flexibility for families to enjoy a proper New Year’s celebration without waiting until midnight |
Hollywood Studios | Families with teens, party lovers. | Pixar dance party and New Year’s countdown fireworks | High | It’s a more chilled party vibe than EPCOT, and there are some character meets and greets and a different music vibe |
EPCOT: DJs, Dance Floors & Midnight Fireworks
EPCOT is one of the most popular places to spend New Year's Eve, especially for adults, couples, and older teens. Across World Showcase, you'll find:
DJ-led dance parties in multiple country pavilions
Live entertainment and themed music zones
A lively, festival-style atmosphere throughout the evening
The night builds towards Cheers to the New Year: A Sparkling Celebration, a special fireworks spectacular that replaces EPCOT's regular Luminous The Symphony of Us night time show. It’ll start just before midnight, with the countdown beginning at 11:54pm.
EPCOT is a very popular park for New Year’s Eve and it often reaches capacity on 31st December. Arriving earlier in the day gives you the best chance of getting in, so planning a full day to stay put for the evening celebrations is best if this is where you want to be.
Magic Kingdom: Two Chances to See the Fireworks
Magic Kingdom takes a slightly different approach to New Year celebrations, offering two showings of its New Year's Eve fireworks.
Fantasy in the Sky runs on both 30 and 31 December at 7:30pm and 11:50pm.
Both nights feature the same spectacular, giving guests more flexibility. So if you want to experience Magic Kingdom’s limited time New Year fireworks you can do so on the 30th December and then catch the New Year’s show in Hollywood Studios or EPCOT on New Year’s Eve.
Expect Magic Kingdom to be busy for the earlier showing on both days and leave time to get a spot for the show. The later showing of Fantasy in the Sky fireworks in Magic Kingdom will likely be quieter on the late night showing on the 30th December.
Magic Kingdom is a popular choice for families, especially those with younger children who may not want to stay out until midnight on New Year's Eve itself. Magic Kingdom offers that chance for families to ring in the New Year early and take younger children home to bed.
Special edition fireworks nights are extremely busy, with Main Street U.S.A. filling up early, so do leave at least an hour to get a spot, if you want to see the castle projections and the fireworks.
Hollywood Studios: Dance Parties & Countdown Fireworks
Disney's Hollywood Studios leans into a party vibe easily for New Year's Eve. Expect a similar theme to Jollywood Nights, with
Highlights of the night will include:
Live DJs and dance zones around the park
A Pixar-themed dance party
Special character appearances throughout the evening
A dedicated New Year's Eve Countdown Fireworks display beginning at 11:57pm.
It's a great option if you're looking for something more upbeat and less fireworks-focused than EPCOT or Magic Kingdom.
A Note On Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom does not have fireworks and will close at it’s normal time on New Year’s Eve, so don’t plan to head here if you are looking to join in the festivities. If you are looking for a normal park day and you don’t want to head to any Disney New Year’s Eve events, Animal Kingdom is likely to be a quieter park to visit on the 31st December during the day. The Tree of Life Awakenings will still be on, so if you just want a relaxed park day, head here.
Disney Parks Opening Times New Year’s Eve
Three of Disney’s 4 theme parks have New Year’s celebrations, and opening times on this day are different:
Magic Kingdom: 08:00 - 01:00
EPCOT: 09:00 - 01:00
Hollywood Studios: 09:00 - 00:00
Animal Kingdom: 08:00 - 19:00
What UK Travellers Should Know
All of the New Year’s festivities, including the one-off fireworks specials are all included in the price of your admission, (and in the cost you already paid for your Magic Ticket).
Here are the key bits of information you need to know to make sure your New Year’s Eve goes well inside the Disney Parks:
Valid park admission is required to watch the fireworks in a park
Parks can and do reach capacity - hopping later in the day is not guaranteed
Entertainment schedules can change with little notice, especially if the weather changes
If you're travelling from the UK, it's worth planning New Year's Eve as a full park day rather than trying to arrive later and facing disappointment.
Magic in a Minute
New Year's Eve at Walt Disney World is loud, late, and unforgettable with fireworks, DJs, and celebrations across EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. Just be sure to plan ahead, arrive early, and set expectations for crowds.