Orlando New Year's Eve

Destination 01

Walt Disney World

8 places

Two nights around the Seven Seas Lagoon for castle fireworks, lagoon dinners and a monorail ride home.

• Photo: Benjamin D. Esham (bdesham) · CC BY-SA 4.0

  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.

  DoMagic Kingdom$$$$2 hr11 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.
• Photo: Eden, Janine and Jim · CC BY 2.0

  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.

  DoEPCOT$$$$2 hr10:30 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.
• Photo: Sam Howzit · CC BY 2.0

  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.

  SeeSeven Seas LagoonFree1.5 hr11 p.m. to midnight

• 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.

  EatContemporary Resort$$$$2 hrDinner

• 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.

  EatGrand Floridian$$$$3 hrDinner

• '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.

  EatSeven Seas Lagoon$$$1.5 hrEarly dinner
• Photo: Sam Howzit · CC BY 2.0

  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.

  DrinkSeven Seas Lagoon$$60 minAfternoon
• Photo: Quarax · CC BY-SA 4.0

  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.

  StayContemporary Resort$$$$Dec 30 to Jan 2

Destination 02

Winter Park

6 places

A slow Jan 1 on Park Avenue, with Tiffany glass, a lake boat tour and lakeside gardens.

• Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Park Avenue

  Winter Park's brick main street of shops, cafes and sidewalk tables, lined along Central Park and the train station.

  Tip Walk it on Jan 1 morning before lunch crowds; some shops keep holiday hours.

  DoDowntown Winter Park$$1.5 hrJan 1 late morning
• Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

  A museum of Louis Comfort Tiffany's work, including the Tiffany chapel interior from the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.

  Tip Check holiday hours before Jan 1; it often closes on major holidays.

  SeeDowntown Winter Park$1.5 hrMidday
• Photo: Thomsonmg2000 · CC0

  Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour

  An hour-long pontoon tour, running since 1938, through Winter Park's chain of lakes and the canals between them.

  Tip Tours leave hourly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; arrive early on Jan 1, as boats fill first come.

  DoLake Osceola$60 minJan 1 morning
• Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY 2.5

  Knowles Memorial Chapel

  A Spanish Revival chapel on the Rollins College campus, near the shore of Lake Virginia.

  Tip The campus is quiet on Jan 1; walk down from Park Avenue along Holt Avenue.

  SeeRollins CollegeFree30 minAfternoon
• Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY 2.5

  Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens

  The lakeside home, studio and gardens of sculptor Albin Polasek, with his work set among the plantings.

  Tip Check holiday hours before you go; the gardens are best in soft afternoon light.

  SeeLake Osceola$60 minAfternoon

• Kraft Azalea Garden

  A free lakefront garden of cypress trees and azaleas on Lake Maitland, with a columned exedra at the water.

  Tip Stop here at sunset on Jan 1; parking is a small lot off Alabama Drive.

  SeeLake MaitlandFree40 minSunset