New Year’s Eve Celebration at Epcot

Every year, our family has a tradition of celebrating New Year’s Eve and watching the fireworks away from home. This year, inspired by the incredible fireworks we experienced at Magic Kingdom during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, we decided to head back to Walt Disney World to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks. This time, instead of revisiting Magic Kingdom, we chose to experience the festivities at Epcot’s World Showcase.

Planning the Trip

Our decision to choose Epcot over Magic Kingdom came after extensive research. Online forums and groups warned about the intense crowds and potential park closures due to capacity. While we come from the NYC metro area and are no strangers to crowds, we weren’t thrilled at the thought of having to spend 14+ hours inside a packed park in case the park did not allow late entries. Fortunately, Epcot’s larger size and history of rarely reaching capacity convinced us to give it a shot.

We stayed at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, a Disney Good Neighbor Hotel. This afforded us early entry to the parks, but as an off-site resort, we couldn’t secure Lightning Lane reservations until three days before our trip. As expected all reservations were sold out by the time we could make the reservations. Determined to make the most of our visit, we planned to rope drop and aim for Epcot’s top attractions, especially the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride.

Our Day in the Park

Our day started early, securing a boarding group (#19!) for Guardians of the Galaxy through the virtual queue at 7 a.m. We arrived at Epcot ready to rope drop Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. By the time we reached the France pavilion, the line stretched far beyond, with a 140-minute wait. Unfortunately, we had to leave the line when our boarding group for Guardians of the Galaxy was called at 9:30 a.m. Thankfully, the wait time for Guardians was short, and the ride itself was phenomenal — an absolute highlight of our trip.

No lines during virtue que!

After Guardians, we got lucky with a last-minute reservation at Space 220, a restaurant we’d been eager to try despite mixed reviews. While Disney dining experiences can be hit or miss, Space 220 delivered. The food was surprisingly good, and the immersive space-themed atmosphere made it well worth the $55 per adult and $29 per child price tag.

Post-lunch, we walked around for about half an hour before heading back to our hotel for a much needed rest. Having flied into Orlando the day before, Eli was already so tired from rope-dropping to the park early in the morning and we had to make sure that he took a good nap before heading back to Epcot for evening festivities.

We returned to Epcot around 5 p.m., just in time to enjoy the sunset and the festive energy of the park. For dinner, we decided to “eat around the world,” sampling small dishes from the World Showcase’s various countries. This culinary adventure was a treat, and I highly recommend it for anyone visiting Epcot.

With ride wait times still high, we chose attractions with shorter lines. The Seas with Nemo & Friends was a delightful break, featuring a charming ride and an impressive aquarium to explore afterward. Turtle Talk with Crush was another hit, as Eli loved interacting with Crush and even got his question answered!

As the evening progressed, dance parties erupted throughout the World Showcase. Each “country” had its own unique vibe, but Eli’s favorite was the party in China, complete with a smoke-breathing dragon and fire displays. Watching him dance his heart out to the music made the night even more special.

We also managed to squeeze in two more rides: Soarin’ Around the World and Living with the Land. Both were spectacular, but Living with the Land was a pleasant surprise with its fascinating look at innovative agriculture and conservation efforts.

When it came time for the fireworks, we positioned ourselves near the France pavilion for a prime view. The display was breathtaking, with each country represented by its national colors.

After the fireworks, we joined the crowd rushing to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. With no wait time, we walked right onto the ride, which was a perfect way to end the night. While the ride was enjoyable, we were glad we hadn’t waited 140 minutes for it earlier in the day.

Thoughts on Epcot on NYE

Despite our initial concerns, New Year’s Eve at Epcot exceeded our expectations. While the park was crowded, it never felt overwhelming, thanks to excellent crowd management by Disney’s cast members. Compared to the chaos of Times Square, Epcot’s atmosphere was far more enjoyable. Additionally, driving to the park turned out to be a smart choice. We opted for premium parking ($55), which made exiting the park quick and stress-free. By 12:30 a.m., we were back on the highway, heading to the comfort of our hotel.

Tips

Arrive Early: Take advantage of early entry to maximize your day.
Use the App: Monitor ride wait times and explore low-wait attractions.
Plan for Breaks: Resting mid-day can make a long day much more manageable.
Try the Food: The World Showcase offers a diverse range of dishes worth sampling.
Stay Flexible: Be prepared to pivot your plans based on wait times and crowd levels.
Consider Premium Parking: It’s worth the convenience, especially on busy days.

Bottom Line

Epcot on New Year’s Eve was a magical experience for our family. From thrilling rides to vibrant dance parties and stunning fireworks, it was a celebration we’ll never forget. If you’re considering spending New Year’s at Epcot, I say go for it! Plan ahead, pace yourself, and get ready to make unforgettable memories.