2009 New Years Eve Events at Walt Disney World

Parks fill to capacity early on New Years Eve. TheMouseForLess recommends arriving at your preferred park early and staying throughout the day. While the Walt Disney World Resort guarantees onsite guests will have park entry, it does not guarantee entry into a specific park. To make a long day more comfortable, pack warmer clothes for the evening and stow them in one of the theme park lockers.

If previous years are an indication, park-goers may be given party favors and noise makers to ring in the new year. There will also be elaborate light displays that will decorate the skies over each park (except Animal Kingdom) at the stroke of midnight. Park visitors can expect live entertainment in the parks.

The schedule below will be filled in as events, dates and times become available

Magic Kingdom

2009 Hours for Dec 30: 8 am – 12 am
2009 Houea for Dec 31: 8:00 am - 2:00 am
Morning Extra Magic Hours: 12/30 & 31 - 7 am - 8 am
Park Schedule

• Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade - 12:00 pm & 3:30 pm
• Spectromagic Parade - 7 pm & 10:30 pm
• Holiday Wishes Fireworks - 8:30 pm
• Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks - 11:50 pm

Dinner and Dessert Parties in the Magic Kingdom

Event: New Years Eve Dinner (December 31)
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; check-in: 6:15 pm
Cost: $139.99 (ages 10 and older) and $69.99 for children (ages 3-9)

Celebrate the New Year at Walt Disney World with an all-you-care-to-enjoy dinner, dessert and exclusive viewing of the Wishes fireworks show. It’s a two-hour dining experience at the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station that’s offered one time only. The Dinner and Dessert Party includes artisan breads, fruit, cheeses, sushi, salads, seared tuna, beef short-ribs and carved pork. There will also be a child-friendly section available during the party. You’ll then be able to choose from a wide-range of desserts and toast the New Year with a non-alcoholic sparkling beverage before the amazing fireworks display.

Event: New Years Eve Dessert Party (December 31)
Time: 9:50 p.m
Cost: $35.99 (ages 10 and older) and $19.99 children (ages 3-9)

There’s also a Fantasy in the Sky Dessert Party at Magic Kingdom. The Party includes a self-service buffet featuring sweets and beverages and non-alcoholic sparkling drinks to toast the New Year.

Additonal Party Info: Park tickets are required for the parties and it’s probably best to arrive as early as possible. The Disney Dining Plan is not currently being accepted and pre-payment will be required when reserving seats for the night. To make an advance reservation call (407) WDW-DINE.

Epcot

2009 Hours Dec 31: 9:00 am - 1 am
Park Schedule

• Special version of Illuminations - 7:30 pm & 11:40 pm

Note: In 2009 the count down image was displayed by laser light onto Spaceship Earth and a 30 second firework display took place over each World Showcase pavilion, one at a time, in the order of when midnight occurred in each country.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

2009 Hours Dec 31: 9 am – 12 am; Evening Extra Magic Hours: 12 am - 3 am.
Park Schedule

• Fantasmic - 6:30 pm, 8 pm, 10 pm
• The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights - 6:00 pm and 12 am
• A special “Lights, Camera, Happy New Year” fireworks show - 11:55 pm

Revelers can “rock on” with live performances by in-park by “Mulch, Sweat and Shears,” plus a DJ spinning tunes at Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat. Mulch, Sweat and Shears sets are 8, 9, 10 and 11 p.m.; DJ starts at 6:30 p.m.

Animal Kingdom

2009 Hours Dec 31: 9 am – 7 pm
Morning Extra Magic Hours: 7 am - 8 am
Park Schedule

• Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade - 3:45 pm

Downtown Disney

Cirque du Soleil fans can celebrate the New Year La Nouba style on December 31, 2009 with two presentations of the theatrical production, at 6 and 9 p.m. The shows will feature a special finale and guests will receive an exclusive gift. The building will have a festive decor and specialty drinks will be available for purchase. Tickets range from $89.46 – $134.19 (child) and $103.31 – $158.69 (adult), depending on category (Front & Center, Category 1 - 3), and are available online, at the box office, or by calling 407-939-7328. View a video of last years celebration.

House of Blues
Time: Doors open at 8:30 p.m; Show is at 9:30 p.m.
Event: The Wailers 40 Years of Fams Tour with The Supervillians
Cost: $37.50 - $42.50 (standing only); $75 to $95 (seating)
For tickets or more information, click check online.
Ruth King performing at the Front Porch Bar. Show is at 6:00 p.m. Price is free and all ages are invited.

Atlantic Dance Hall - Disney's BoardWalk

Dance your way into the new year from 8 p.m.to 2 a.m at the Boardwalk's Atlantic Dance Hall. Admission is $35 per person and includes a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. VIP admission is $65 per person and includes private access to a VIP area, complimentary miniature desserts and coffee, and an exclusive fireworks viewing location. For more information call 407-939-2431.

Walt Disney World Disney Resorts

Children's Activity Centers: Child care centers for children 4-12, located at the Deluxe resorts, will stay open until 2 a.m on New Year's Eve. For reservations call 407-WDW-PLAY or contact the resort's Lobby Concierge.

Grand Floridian Resort: Victoria and Albert's will be hosting a New Year's Eve celebration dinner from 6:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m which includes an 8 – 10 course meal with caviar from around the world and a collection of some of the most eclectic and famous champagnes available. Chef Scott Hunnel and his team will also make a personal appearance. The cost of dinner with wine and gratuity included is $395 plus tax. Reservations for those age 10 and up can be made by calling 407-WDW-DINE. Dress code applies.

Coronado Springs Resort: Winner of The Best Trendy Bar in Orlando, Rix Lounge, will be hosting "NYE 2010: A Decade of Style". Door opens at 9:00 pm. Wear your best outfit from the last decade. $500 cash prize for best dressed. Free champagne toast at midnight and live DJ. Cost is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information, call 407-939-3806 ext 6 or go online to purchase tickets.

The Dolphin Resort: The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin celebrate the holidays with special menus in several restaurants. Call (407) 934-1609 for more information.

Garden Grove - 5:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Families with children really surely enjoy the fabulous New Years Eve buffet that will be offered in Garden Grove this year! The lovable Disney characters will stop by for pictures and autographs!

Shula's Steak House - 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Guests seated for this New Years Eve celebration will enjoy party favors and a four-course a prix fixe menu. A children's menu will also be offer for kids age 3 - 9.

Il Mulino New York Trattoria - 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Il Mulino will feature a preset menu only. Dining time will be limited to two hours. Guests dining after 9:00 pm will enjoy party favors and Champagne toast at Midnight.

View a complete listing of Swan and Dolphin Holiday menus.

Some may find this NYE WDW Meal Guide, published on Associated Content, useful for planning meals. Walt Disney World has not released the restaurants that will be participating in 2009, and events on this page are from previous years.