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New Year’s Eve Preliminary Observations

Credit: Paula K

What better place is there to ring in the New Year than Walt Disney World? Last year, all four of the Theme Parks closed early so that crowds would not gather. Fireworks had not yet returned either. There has been no official announcement on what might take place at Walt Disney World on December 31, 2021, but there are a few signs that some of the festivities might be back. Here’s what we know so far.

Credit: Disney

We’ll start with the Magic Kingdom. The Park will open on December 31 at 9:00 a.m., and it will stay open until midnight. In past years, Fantasy in the Sky started a few minutes before midnight, and ended right as the clock hit midnight. Staring at Cinderella Castle as the clock hits 12:00 for a New Year is about as magical as it gets. Fireworks at 11:45 are not currently listed, but it is interesting to note that Disney Enchantment is scheduled to run early that evening, at 6:30 p.m.

EPCOT is another popular place to ring in a New Year. The December 31 hours are listed as 10:00 a.m. until midnight. Harmonious is scheduled several hours early at 6:30 p.m. As a comparison, the new nighttime spectacular is scheduled for 9:45 p.m. on January 1. There was a special holiday ending when IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth was running. We don’t yet know if there will be an extra ending for Harmonious, if Disney has something new planned, or if there will be nothing special at EPCOT at midnight.

Credit: Paula K

On December 31, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open from 9:00 a.m. until midnight. Fireworks have not yet returned to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There are never any fireworks at Disney’s Animal Kingdom because they would scare the animals. The Park will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

Credit: Paula K

In past years, Disney has livestreamed Fantasy in the Sky at the Magic Kingdom on Disney Parks Blog. That is usually announced a day or two ahead of time. We’re hoping that they will do that again this New Year’s Eve.

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About Paula K

I grew up in Western Massachusetts. When I was nine my family went to Disneyland and I was hooked. I grew up, attended New England College in Henniker, NH and eventually moved to Virginia. I worked as a disc jockey, married and became a full time mom when our daughter was born. Fast forward several years. In 2010 we moved to Central Florida and my Disney obsession grew. I now work as a freelance writer and spend my spare time in the parks. Under the name Paula Brown I penned the novels Dream Wanderers and The Coffee Cruiser. I also am a co-author of Dining at Walt Disney World: The Definitive Guide. I'm obsessed with Star Wars, so this is a good time to live in Central Florida. I've been a vegetarian for well over a decade, a choice that my daughter eventually made as well. While my husband still hasn't joined us fully he has given up most meats except for seafood. I was relieved to find that vegetarian dining is not difficult at Walt Disney World.