As the final days of the year arrive, preparations are well underway across the Walt Disney World Resort for one of the most anticipated moments on the calendar: welcoming a brand-new year. With Christmas week now in full swing, attendance across the resort has surged, and guests are filling the parks from rope drop through park close.
Crowds have been especially noticeable this week, with the Lightning Lane pass selection selling out on several consecutive days. That trend points to sustained demand even as multiple attractions across Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom remain unavailable. Despite those closures, guests continue to plan visits in high numbers as 2025 draws to a close.
This year has marked a period of change for Walt Disney World, setting the stage for even larger shifts beginning in 2026. Announced projects signal a long-term transformation that will reshape the resort by the end of the decade. Planned additions include Piston Peak National Park in Frontierland, Monstropolis arriving at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the Tropical Americas replacing DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, bringing the Family Madrigal into the park. By 2030, guests can expect a resort that looks and feels very different from today.
Before those updates take center stage, however, attention is turning to New Year’s Eve itself. Walt Disney World offers several options for guests hoping to mark the occasion inside the parks. According to planDisney, Magic Kingdom and EPCOT remain the primary destinations for ringing in the New Year.
“Both Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT are known for their incredible New Year’s Eve celebrations, complete with fireworks that light up the sky. At Magic Kingdom, the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks are a beloved tradition, usually presented on both December 30 and 31, so you might even have two chances to experience them!” planDisney shared earlier this year. “The show typically takes place around midnight, and the park can reach capacity early in the day, so I definitely recommend arriving bright and early to soak in the magic.”
Magic Kingdom’s offerings are only part of the experience. EPCOT also plays a major role in the festivities, particularly around World Showcase Lagoon.
“At EPCOT, the celebration is equally magical. The Cheers to the New Year: A Sparkling Celebration fireworks bring an amazing midnight countdown and a grand finale over World Showcase Lagoon,” planDisney added. “DJs and dance parties often happen throughout the different pavilions for an around-the-world celebration!”
In addition to the fireworks, EPCOT traditionally features multiple DJ stages spread throughout World Showcase, giving guests several locations to gather before midnight. This year, early preparations are already visible in one popular pavilion. According to Kenny the Pirate, construction has begun on the New Year’s Eve stage in the Italy pavilion, even though the holiday itself is still more than a week away.
“Erected in the Italy pavilion, this lighting surrounds where the La Befana storyteller shares the Epiphany tradition,” Kenny the Pirate shared. The setup is hard to miss for guests visiting EPCOT ahead of New Year’s Eve, especially those spending time in World Showcase before Christmas has even arrived.
With holiday crowds already in place and visible signs of upcoming celebrations, Walt Disney World is moving quickly from Christmas into New Year’s mode as 2025 comes to an end.
How do you feel about the changes coming to Disney World next year? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!
The Italy pavilion is the least interesting. It needs an IP dark ride. I’m suggesting one based on Hercules. Of course, an attraction based on the pastoral sequence from Fantasia would be lovely, too.