Anyone hoping to toast 2027 from 15 stories above Bay Lake has some work ahead. The Magic of New Year’s Eve at California Grill no longer shows any open tables on the Walt Disney World website. December 31 now appears as unavailable for the early and late seatings alike, so the celebration at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is effectively sold out.
Two Seatings, Two Prices
Early diners sit from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for $299 per person, and late diners sit from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. for $379 per person. The pricier late seating sold out first, with the early slot gone soon after.
That early slot is the value play, since saving $80 doesn’t cost you the fireworks. As Disney puts it, “Fireworks viewing will take place at the end of each seating.”
The Daily-Check Strategy
Booking is closed for now, but don’t give up. Disney charges a per-person fee on reservations canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice, and no-shows are charged the full price to the card provided when booking. Guests who can’t attend are likely to cancel early, so tables could reappear in the days before December 31. Check the website or app once a day.
From Check-In to Countdown
Your evening starts on the Contemporary’s second floor, where check-in is handled through the My Disney Experience app. A cast member then accompanies your group to California Grill’s private elevator and up to the 15th floor.
Waiting at the top are a live band, a visit from Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse for photos, and, for guests 21 and older, a complimentary glass of champagne for toasting. Each seating concludes in its own viewing area overlooking the special New Year’s Eve fireworks above Magic Kingdom.
California Grill follows Signature Dining dress guidelines, so plan on clean, neat attire fit for an upscale restaurant, and leave the swimwear at the hotel. The Disney Dining Plan does not cover this event.
What’s on the Plate
All four courses were developed exclusively for the night, and Disney credits the chef’s culinary journey and California market cuisine as the inspiration.
The meal starts with sushi, featuring a Pacific Woodland Roll and a Chutoro Maki Roll. For the second course, guests pick Langoustine Gnocchetti Sardi, Wagyu Carpaccio, Fruits de Mer, Black Winter Truffle and Four Cheese Flatbread, or Tempura-Fried Coral Mushrooms. The main event comes down to Aged Wagyu Striploin, Milk-Fed Suckling Pig, Hokkaido Scallop, Petite French Quail, or Brown ‘Butter’ Agnolotti. To finish, there’s Yuzu and Champagne Pavlova, Midnight Chocolate Delice, California Winter Citrus Cheesecake, or Coconut Panna Cotta. Paid add-ons are offered too.
Plan B: Fireworks in the Parks
No table? Three parks have you covered. Magic Kingdom’s Fantasy in the Sky runs at 6:30 p.m. and 11:50 p.m. on both December 30 and December 31, and the December 30 performances could be the more relaxed pick.
On New Year’s Eve, EPCOT presents Luminous The Symphony of Us at 6:30 p.m. and Cheers to the New Year: A Sparkling Celebration at 11:54 p.m. Disney’s Hollywood Studios leaves it until the last moment with New Year Countdown Fireworks at 11:57 p.m.
The Bottom Line
Watching for cancellations every day is the only route into California Grill this New Year’s Eve. Snag a spot, and you’ll pay $299 or $379 per person for a refined, park-free countdown to 2027.
Are you heading to California Grill on December 31? We want to hear about it in the comments below!
