Did you know that you can watch the amazing Magic Kingdom New Year’s Eve fireworks without ever having to step foot in the park OR without even having to go out on December 31st? It sounds crazy, I know, but it’s completely true!
You can catch the magical New Year’s Eve fireworks shown at Magic Kingdom the day before! Disney previews the NYE fireworks show the day before, on December 30. This year they performed the NYE firework show on Sunday (the day before the big event) at 6:30pm and then again at 11:50pm.
Now, you might be thinking “big deal, they show the fireworks a day before… the park is STILL going to be crazy busy because it’s a holiday weekend!” Well, guess what? You don’t have to be at Magic kingdom to see them (heck, you don’t even need a park ticket to)!
You’re probably dying to know, how this is possible! Well, lucky for you I’m about to share the deets! The NYE fireworks are not your typical Happily Ever After show that is performed nightly at the park. Nope, these fireworks are quite different and VERY special (remember, I said that they were amazing?). These are 360 degree fireworks, meaning they are launched all around Magic kingdom (including the Seven Seas Lagoon right in front of the park), which when viewed from inside MK, gives the illusion that they are shooting out all around you, a pretty AMAZING sight!
Since the fireworks are launched from all around the park, it makes viewing them all the more better (and magical)! A very good spot to view them, if you don’t want to deal with the crowds (or if you don’t have a park ticket) is from the beach at the Polynesian Resort. The resort pipes in the music ever so softly, so you actually see the show with the exact same songs! You even hear Mickey and friends countdown from 10 as they ring in the new year!
If this sounds like something you want to try next year, let me give you a few helpful tips!
Plan to park at the TTC (Ticket and Transportation Center) - It’s the holidays, so you just don’t know how parking at the Poly will be, and you don’t want to risk being turned away and THEN having to figure out your next move (where to park)!
Arrive early - We parked at the TTC at 5:30pm and then walked right next door to the Polynesian (it’s a very quick walk. If you have never done it… find the path at the far left side of where the bag check is… but DON’T go through bag check)!
Get a drink or snack - We grabbed a drink at Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace and by the time we ordered it was just a bit past 6pm
With drink (or Dole Whip) in hand, head straight to the beach to stake out a spot - I was surprised how many people were already there waiting.
Bring a towel/blanket - the whole beach is open and tons of people were sitting on the sand…. Sounds super appealing in the day, but at night the moist sand seemed more like a nightmare than a treat! People sitting on the beach stayed sitting the whole show through, which seemed like an awesome way to view the fireworks (with a towel, of course)!
This firework show was unbelievable. I highly recommend catching it at some point! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or send me an email!
Have a happy day!
