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Florida, United States

Walt Disney World

Two nights around the Seven Seas Lagoon for castle fireworks, lagoon dinners and a monorail ride home. This guide pulls together 1 sight, 2 activities and 3 places to eat from our curated routes.

Plan Walt Disney World with friendsBrowse 8 places
Walt Disney World, Florida, United States
Places
8

1 See · 2 Do · 3 Eat · 1 Drink · 1 Stay

Curated routes
1

Orlando New Year's Eve

Best season
Dec 30 – Jan 1

from our route notes

Warmest month
May

32°C / 89°F avg high

Coolest month
January

21°C / 69°F avg high

Wettest month
June

about 208 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Walt Disney World

8 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Walt Disney World in Seven Seas Lagoon.

  • Polynesian Village beach in Walt Disney WorldPhoto: Sam Howzit · CC BY 2.0
    See

    Polynesian Village beach

    A white-sand beach on the Seven Seas Lagoon facing the castle, where the Magic Kingdom fireworks can be seen without a park ticket.

    Tip Resort parking is limited to guests and diners; come by monorail and bring a blanket.

    • Seven Seas Lagoon
    • Free
    • 1.5 hr
    • 11 p.m. to midnight

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Walt Disney World across Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.

  • Magic Kingdom New Year's Eve fireworks in Walt Disney WorldPhoto: Benjamin D. Esham (bdesham) · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Do

    Magic Kingdom New Year's Eve fireworks

    An extended Fantasy in the Sky fireworks show over Cinderella Castle, timed to finish at midnight on Dec 31.

    Tip A park ticket is required, and Magic Kingdom can close to new arrivals; be inside by late afternoon.

    • Magic Kingdom
    • $$$$
    • 2 hr
    • 11 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.
  • EPCOT World Showcase Lagoon in Walt Disney WorldPhoto: Eden, Janine and Jim · CC BY 2.0
    Do

    EPCOT World Showcase Lagoon

    EPCOT's New Year's Eve show over World Showcase Lagoon, timed to midnight, with the countries' pavilions lit around the water.

    Tip Claim a rail spot near the lagoon by 10:30 p.m.; the bridge by the United Kingdom fills early.

    • EPCOT
    • $$$$
    • 2 hr
    • 10:30 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.

Eat

3 places to eat across Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian and Seven Seas Lagoon, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Eat

    California Grill

    A dining room at the top of the Contemporary Resort with views over the Magic Kingdom and the Seven Seas Lagoon.

    Tip Book the New Year's Eve dinner as soon as Disney reservations open; it fills months ahead.

    • Contemporary Resort
    • $$$$
    • 2 hr
    • Dinner
  • Eat

    Victoria & Albert's

    A long-running tasting-menu restaurant in the Grand Floridian, the most formal dinner at Walt Disney World.

    Tip Dress up and book well ahead; holiday seatings sell out first.

    • Grand Floridian
    • $$$$
    • 3 hr
    • Dinner
  • Eat

    'Ohana

    A family-style Polynesian dinner of skewered meats and noodles at the Polynesian Village Resort, near the lagoon.

    Tip Book an early table on Dec 31, then walk out to the beach for the fireworks.

    • Seven Seas Lagoon
    • $$$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Early dinner

Drink

1 bar or café in Seven Seas Lagoon for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

  • Trader Sam's Grog Grotto in Walt Disney WorldPhoto: Sam Howzit · CC BY 2.0
    Drink

    Trader Sam's Grog Grotto

    A small tiki bar in the Polynesian Village Resort, full of props and drinks that set off sound and light effects.

    Tip Seats are first come; expect a long wait on Dec 31, so go in the afternoon.

    • Seven Seas Lagoon
    • $$
    • 60 min
    • Afternoon

Stay

Places to stay in Walt Disney World in Contemporary Resort.

  • Disney's Contemporary Resort in Walt Disney WorldPhoto: Quarax · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Stay

    Disney's Contemporary Resort

    A 1971 A-frame hotel the monorail runs straight through, a short walk from Magic Kingdom.

    Tip Ask for a Magic Kingdom-view room; you can walk back after the fireworks instead of waiting for buses.

    • Contemporary Resort
    • $$$$
    • Dec 30 to Jan 2

How to fit Walt Disney World into a trip

Walt Disney World is stop 1 of 2 on our Orlando New Year's Eve route. Follow it as-is or lift Walt Disney World into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Walt Disney World month by month

Average daily highs run from 21°C / 69°F in January to 32°C / 89°F in May. June is the wettest month, with about 208 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Walt Disney World weather and the best time to visit →

Near Walt Disney World

8 other destinations from our guides within about 350 km (217 mi), measured in a straight line.

Walt Disney World questions, answered

How many days do you need in Walt Disney World?

Our route notes suggest 2 nights in Walt Disney World. On our Orlando New Year's Eve route it is stop 1 of 2 in a 3-day trip. The listed visit times for our 8 places add up to roughly 13 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Walt Disney World best known for?

Two nights around the Seven Seas Lagoon for castle fireworks, lagoon dinners and a monorail ride home. Standouts on our list: Polynesian Village beach (A white-sand beach on the Seven Seas Lagoon facing the castle, where the Magic Kingdom fireworks can be seen without a park ticket); Magic Kingdom New Year's Eve fireworks (An extended Fantasy in the Sky fireworks show over Cinderella Castle, timed to finish at midnight on Dec 31); EPCOT World Showcase Lagoon (EPCOT's New Year's Eve show over World Showcase Lagoon, timed to midnight, with the countries' pavilions lit around the water).

When is the best time to visit Walt Disney World?

Our Orlando New Year's Eve route is best Dec 30 – Jan 1. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in May (32°C / 89°F), the coolest in January (21°C / 69°F) and the most rain in June (about 208 mm).

What are the best things to do in Walt Disney World?

Start with Magic Kingdom New Year's Eve fireworks, EPCOT World Showcase Lagoon and Polynesian Village beach. Our guide lists 8 places in all, from 1 sight, 2 activities, 3 places to eat, 1 bar or café and 1 place to stay.

Where should a group eat in Walt Disney World?

Our picks: California Grill (Contemporary Resort); Victoria & Albert's (Grand Floridian); 'Ohana (Seven Seas Lagoon). Book the New Year's Eve dinner as soon as Disney reservations open; it fills months ahead (California Grill).

What is near Walt Disney World?

The closest destinations in our guides are Winter Park (about 30 km / 19 mi), Downtown Tampa & the Riverwalk (about 101 km / 63 mi) and Downtown St. Petersburg (about 125 km / 78 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Walt Disney World with your crew

Open the Orlando New Year's Eve route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 8 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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