We’re gearing up for New Year’s Eve; and those of us lucky enough to ring in the New Year at our favorite Disney parks and resorts should be aware of the evening’s festivities.
Many of the exclusive options may already be booked solid, so we’ll also offer some unique alternate ideas.
Walt Disney World
are underway in Walt Disney World.
Epcot
Stroll around World Showcase where you’ll find a variety of DJs. The lineup includes DJ Scooter (Top 40) at the Future World Fountain Stage, DJ Mark Sanchez (European Techno/Pop) on the Italy Stage, DJ Carlos Carrion (Latin Dance/Top 40) in the America Gardens Theatre, and DJ David Griffiths (British Revolution Style) on the United Kingdom Stage, and more. Enjoy two showings of IllumiNations with a holiday finale at 6:30PM and New Year’s countdown at 11:40PM.
Monsieur Paul: Opening at Noon, Monsieur Paul will serve a three-course menu for $75 (plus tax and gratuity) until 6:30PM. At 9PM and 9:30PM, there’s a special four-course menu to ring in the New Year for $195 (plus tax and gratuity). See menus here.
View of IllumiNations from Monsieur Paul
La Hacienda de San Angel: On the waterfront in Mexico this location will host a New Year’s Eve dinner.
Biergarten: This festive stop in Germany has announced special lunch and dinner options.
Le Cellier Steakhouse: This popular restaurant in Canada will hold three festive seatings.
World Showplace: This unique venue will offer a buffet dinner (4:30-10:30PM) and dancing.
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom will feature Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season at 9PM with a special presentation of Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks at 11:50PM.
Tomorrrowland Terrace: This spot with excellent views of Cinderella’s Castle is offering a special ticketed dinner and fireworks party.
Wishes from the Dessert Party Vantage Point
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Enjoy an evening of dancing, music, and fireworks while touring this festive Disney theme park. Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests can rock in the New Year with Mulch, Sweat and Shears, the resident landscaping rock and roll band. Enjoy sets of classic rock and roll, special effects, a DJ spinning dance tracks, and fireworks. The party starts a 6PM.
Hollywood & Vine: Holiday buffet lunch and dinner meals.
Party with the Little Einsteins
Downtown Disney
Enjoy a festive atmosphere at Downtown Disney. Look for a DJ at the Cirque du Soleil Stage, Keith Park’s Living Statues, and special New Year’s Eve celebrations at House of Blues, Bongo’s Cuban Café, Paradiso 37, and Raglan Road.
DisneyQuest: Want to really impress the kids? Choose an evening of fun, games, music, and dancing at DisneyQuest featuring Wreck-It Ralph! With 5 floors of electronic games (innovative and classic), you’ll be able to play as you ring in the New Year from 8PM-1AM. You’ll have access to all of the DisneyQuest attractions and games, Disney character meet ‘n greets, a New Year’s Eve countdown, food, and refreshments for $55 in advance or $65 per person at the door. Call 407-934-7639 for tickets or visit the Box Office.
Splitsville: Bowl and dine at this fun entertainment complex. Watch for New Year’s specials.
Bongos: Check out this restaurant for New Year’s Eve specials.
Portobello: Holiday prix fixe menus available at lunch and dinner.
Raglan Road: Rings in the Irish New Year at 7PM, followed by a midnight celebration with complimentary champagne toast. Music starts at 6PM.
Dancing Podium and Live Music Stage at Raglan Road
Cirque du Soleil: Attend the 6 or 9PM shows.
House of Blues: Michael Ray and Jill’s Cashbox will take the stage on New Year’s Eve starting at 9:30PM. Cost is $27.
Resorts
Hang out at one of the amazing Disney resorts or stop by for a meal!
Maya Grill: This Coronado Springs Resort restaurant is offering a special dinner menu. See menu here.
Whispering Canyon Cafe? This fun restaurant at the Wilderness Lodge is offering special lunch and dinner options.
Hobby Horse Race at Whispering Canyon Cafe
Atlantic Dance Hall: An adults-only (21 and over) affair, this party at the BoardWalk resort includes dancing from 8PM – 2AM. A video DJ, party favors, champagne toast, and limited viewing of Epcot’s fireworks are also offered.
Flying Fish Cafe: A BoardWalk restaurant offering a holiday prix fixe menu option.
Yachtsman Steakhouse: Enjoy a holiday prix fixe menu at this Yacht Club restaurant.
California Grill: Boasting an exceptional view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks, this Contemporary Resort restaurant celebrates with a special dinner. This one is pricey (over $500 per person)!
Citricos: At the Grand Floridian, Citricos is offering a holiday prix fixe menu at 5PM and 7:30PM. In the Chef’s Domain, savor a private four-course menu at one of two seatings.
Narcoossee’s: Nestled on the waterfront at the Grand Floridian, Narcoossee’s offers a private fireworks viewing area in addition to a dinner celebration.
Victoria & Albert’s: This award-winning restaurant serves up a special meal created by Chef Scott Hunnel.
Champagne Pour at Chef's Table.
Garden Grove: At the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, Garden Grove will host a character dinner buffet.
Il Mulino New York Trattoria: This Italian restaurant at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort will host a holiday prix fixe menu from 7-11PM. Call 407-934-1199 for reservations. Seatings from 5-6:30PM will order from the regular menu. A prix fixe menu will be offered to guests seated from 7-11PM.
Shula’s: Enjoy a romantic evening at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort. From 5-6:15PM, Shula’s will serve dishes from their regular menu. A four-course prix fixe menu and party favors will be enjoyed by guests. Seatings 7-11PM for $125 per person. Kids ages 3-9 will have their own menu. Reserve at 407-934-1362.
Todd English’s bluezoo: At the Walt Disney World Dolphin, bluezoo will be serving a holiday menu item.
Seating
Oscar’s: On New Year’s Eve, Oscar’s will serve an exceptionally delectable dinner buffet at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando. This special feast will include contemporary American dishes and a special dessert finale. $75 per person. $25 per child 12 and under. Tax and gratuity additional. Reservations: 407-597-5450. See menu here.
Bull & Bear: Celebrate the advent of the New Year at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando with an exclusive prix fixe menu consisting of seven inspired and distinctive courses, served on New Year’s Eve from 6-10PM at Bull & Bear. A vegetarian option will be made available, as well. $195 per person. Wine pairing programs are available. Tax and gratuity additional. Reservations required: 407-597-5500. See menu here.
Sir Harry’s: Carry on your New Year’s Eve celebration from the Bull & Bear to Sir Harry’s until 2AM. This adults-only celebration at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando includes live entertainment and a balloon drop at midnight in Peacock Alley. Exclusive to guests of The Bull & Bear.
Disneyland
A great place to ring in the New Year! Featuring a special fireworks display and lots of special menu choices. Let’s take a look…
Jolly Holiday Bakery: Stop by for a celebratory cupcake with dark chocolate cake, Nutella filling, Belgian white chocolate frosting with black and silver decorations, silver disco dust, a chocolate Mickey, chocolate truffle, and bow tie! This cupcake will also be sold at Fidler, Fifer & Practical Cafe and Pacific Wharf Café in Disney California Adventure, and White Water Snacks at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel.
Carnation Café: A festive menu includes surf and turf with shrimp and sirloin steak
French Market: Menu will include roasted pork chop with Calvados applesauce, braised greens, and sweet potato soufflé.
Blue Bayou: Celebrates with a seafood pot pie dish.
Louisiana Lemonade at Blue Bayou
Cafe Orleans: Plans to serve a flat iron steak with bone marrow demi-glace, garlic mashed potatoes, and acorn squash.
Flo’s V8 Café: At Disney California Adventure park, this restaurant will offer meat loaf with Coca-Cola barbecue sauce and two sides.
Steakhouse 55: At the Disneyland Hotel, Steakhouse 55 will have a prixe fixe, three-course menu for $65 (spinach salad with warm bacon vinaigrette, filet, lobster, and chocolate paté).
Storyteller’s Café: At Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, this restaurant plans to serve a prixe fixe two-course dinner (porcini-rubbed rib-eye with scampi-style prawns, mashed potatoes, Cabernet demi-glace, and a duo of dark chocolate and Bailey’s crème brûlée with espresso cookies for $29.99.
Napa Rose: New Year’s Eve Bash! The 5:30–7PM seating boasts a four-course dinner and festive decorations. Cost is $125 plus tax and gratuity. Or choose the 8:15PM seating, which includes a dance party, hats, and party favors. The five-course tasting menu is $220 plus tax and gratuity, plus $65 for a flight of world-class wines for pairing. For reservations, call 714-300-7170. Valet is complimentary.
Alternate Options for New Year’s Eve Disney Plans
Not sure the status quo is right for you? Check out some alternative choices…
- Avoid the crowds and spend a leisurely evening at your resort. If available, order room service or pizza delivery. Possible activities include swimming, attending a campfire or outdoor movie, or splurging on a fun snack to eat at midnight!
- Choose an out-of-the-way restaurant that has availability. Discover delicious eats at a location that is new to your family! Make it an adventure; take a boat from Downtown Disney to Old Key West to dine at Olivia’s Cafe.
If it's a warm evening, dine on the Patio at Olivia's
- At Disney World, book a fireworks cruise or watch the fireworks from the Polynesian Resort’s beachfront.
- At the Disneyland Hotel, visit Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki bar!
- See a movie in the early evening.
My family will be at Cinderella’s Royal Table for a late dinner. What’s your New Year’s Eve plan? Share in the comments below!
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We have a dinner reservation for Raglan Road, then we’ll head back to POR for the evening. So looking forward to getting out of the snow and into some warmer weather!
Was at Epcot on New Year’s Eve a few years ago. Wow…. Loads of fun..
Amazing place to be…
Sounds like there are lots of great places to be on New Year’s Eve.
Frank
Frank – Wow, I’ll have to put an Epcot New year’s Eve on my wish list for another year! Glad to hear you had such a great time!!
Martha, I hear ya. It’s been cold here in Nashville. I grew up in Rochester NY so I’m all too familiar with snow. 😉 I love your NYE plans!! Raglan Road is a very festive place to hang out. I’ll be headed back to POR in the wee hours of the morning. 😉
Last year we had breakfast at Boma and spent several hours at the Animal Kingdom lodge. They had so many fun things for the kids to do. We rang in 2013 on our balcony at the Contemporary. We splurged for MK view and could see fireworks all over the “world”!!! It was so nice! A few years before we spent the day at Epcot and had a sparkling cider toast watching fireworks from Poly beach! Love Disney NYE!
Jenn – Oh, I love breakfast at Boma. And having the Contemporary MK view balcony on NYE — a worthy splurge! Watching fireworks from the Poly Beach is one of my favorite places to chill out at WDW. This will be my first NYE in WDW; I can’t wait!! Thanks for sharing!
I would love to know what is included at California Grille that costs $500 per person. I have spent a lot for dinner in the past, but $500 is really steep. I would love to see the menu.
I had actually tried to book Cali Grill, but never would have paid that kind of money. With the reviews that are out there, I’m even thinking of canceling the reservation we made for several days later. I am happy with our NYE plans, though. Dinner at family favorite Kona then the beach for fireworks:) Happy Holidays, everyone!
Lynne – I’ll see if I can dig up more details about CG for NYE. 😉
Georgeanne – We’re doing CG later that week. I’m hoping that it’s better than the reviews we’ve seen thus far. Kona dinner and fireworks on the beach — perfect!!
One of these years I want to get a Bay Lake Tower Grand Villa on NYE and have a party there where you can see the fireworks from the room.
Mark D. — Oh, I love the grand villa idea. Now THAT would be a party!!