Castle fireworks at midnight, Winter Park Jan 1
This is leg 1 of 1, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Orlando New Year's Eve
Walt Disney World to Winter Park
Walt Disney World and Winter Park sit about 30 km (19 mi) apart in a straight line, with Winter Park to the north-east. It is leg 1 of 1 on our Orlando New Year's Eve itinerary, a 3-day trip. Here is how long it takes by car, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 30 km · 19 mi
- Est. road distance
- 36–42 km
- Est. drive time
- 25–50 min
- Direction
- Heading north-east
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By car
Most travelers on our Orlando New Year's Eve itinerary do this leg by car. We estimate 36–42 km (23–26 mi) of road and 25–50 min behind the wheel, so check live traffic before you set off.
Fly into Orlando International (MCO), about 25 minutes from Walt Disney World. On Dec 31, use the monorail, boats and Disney buses rather than driving; roads and lots back up for hours after midnight. Monorail resorts such as the Contemporary, Polynesian and Grand Floridian let you walk or ride straight back. On Jan 1, Winter Park is about 40 minutes by car or rideshare.
Open Walt Disney World → Winter Park directions in Google Maps ↗
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Winter Park
A slow Jan 1 on Park Avenue, with Tiffany glass, a lake boat tour and lakeside gardens.
Park Avenue
Winter Park's brick main street of shops, cafes and sidewalk tables, lined along Central Park and the train station.
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.
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.
Knowles Memorial Chapel
A Spanish Revival chapel on the Rollins College campus, near the shore of Lake Virginia.
Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens
The lakeside home, studio and gardens of sculptor Albin Polasek, with his work set among the plantings.
Kraft Azalea Garden
A free lakefront garden of cypress trees and azaleas on Lake Maitland, with a columned exedra at the water.
Before you leave Walt Disney World
Two nights around the Seven Seas Lagoon for castle fireworks, lagoon dinners and a monorail ride home.
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.
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.
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.
On this curated route
Where Walt Disney World → Winter Park sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Winter Park to Walt Disney World is the same 30 km in a straight line, heading south-west. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Walt Disney World to Winter Park: questions travelers ask
How far is Walt Disney World from Winter Park?
Walt Disney World is about 30 km (19 mi) from Winter Park in a straight line, with Winter Park to the north-east. By road, we estimate 36–42 km (23–26 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Walt Disney World to Winter Park?
An estimated 25–50 min, assuming 36–42 km of road at average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from Walt Disney World to Winter Park?
Our Orlando New Year's Eve itinerary includes this leg. Orlando New Year's Eve runs about 3 days across 2 stops, best in Dec 30 – Jan 1.
Guides for both ends
- Walt Disney World travel guide
- Walt Disney World weather best time to visit
- Winter Park travel guide
- Winter Park weather best time to visit
Winter Park by month
Plan Walt Disney World → Winter Park with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.