With so many frogciting additions coming to the Orlando theme parks next year, including Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away at Magic Kingdom Park, Zootopia: Better Zoogether! at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park and, of course, Universal Epic Universe(!!!), we're hopping with excitement for 2025!
Now while you could count down to the new year at one of the awesome theme parks here, we know from experience that sometimes it can be a tad overwhelming.
While many parks do host spectacular celebrations leading up to midnight, for frogs who are crowd-averse (or for those who think it's just not worth the hassle), it might be best to seek options elsewhere. That's why we've put together this list of places that are just as fun but slightly more laid-back — and fairly affordable — to ring in the new year!
Low-Key Options for Spending New Year's Eve in Orlando
See a Spectacular Show
Cirque du Soleil — Drawn to Life debuted at Disney Springs just three years ago. If you haven't seen it yet, now's the time! This show has all of the Cirque theatrics, athletics and storytelling, combined with Disney music, animation and magic. Get transported into the world of Disney's timeless stories in the way only Cirque du Soleil knows how this New Year's Eve by gathering your loved ones for an unfrogettable leap into this amazing new show.
On Dec. 31, Drawn to Life will be performed once at 1:30 p.m. and again at 4 p.m. Tickets starting at $117 are available for both performances (but are going quickly so hop on it!) and we can promise you — there are no bad seats in the house!
Rock Your New Year's Eve
If you're seeing the 4 p.m. Cirque show (or even if you're not), House of Blues Orlando is keeping the party going right next to the theater with its very own New Year's Celebration for frogs of all ages. Head on over at 5 p.m for free live music. Catch a local band rocking out the Front Porch Stage in The Courtyard or enjoy a solo acoustic act playing inside on the Restaurant Stage. At 8:30 p.m., Joey Fatone & AJ McLean will be bringing down the House with A Legendary New Years Eve 2025 presented by XL106.7 & Magic 107.7. Tickets starting at $106 are still available. Lastly, at 9 p.m., the party starts with New Year's Eve '25 at Our House! Craft cocktails, drafts and more will be flowing while DJ Rincon spins Top 40 all night long at this free event. Don't miss the countdown, the ball drop, the toast and everything in between!
Ring in 2025 at Hard Rock Live
Amplify your New Year's Eve with Orlando's award-winning DJ Angel of Boom spinning tunes, complimentary party favors and the Times Square ball countdown at midnight complete with a balloon drop all included. Concession snacks and cash bar will be available for purchase all evening long. No ticket or reservation is required and all ages are welcome! If you're planning on hopping around the theme parks all day, this is a perfect way to end the night.
Dine in Polynesian Paradise
If you're trying to avoid the theme parks, there are still plenty of other celebrations hoppening around Universal Orlando Resort before the clock strikes 12. Islands Dining Room at Loews Royal Pacific Resort is hosting a New Year's Eve Buffet from 5 to 10 p.m. The price is $90 per adult, $45 per child (ages 3 to 9) and complimentary for tadpoles under the age of 3. Entertainment will include a ukulele player, hula dancer and balloon artist. Reservations are still available so hop to it!
Save Some Green at Endless Summer
If you're looking for a special New Year's meal that isn't reflected in the price, hop on over to Universal's Endless Summer Resort. Beach Break Café at Surfside Inn and Suites and Pier 8 Market at Dockside Inn and Suites are both offering celebratory dinners, featuring New York strip steak, rosemary garlic smashed potatoes, broccolini, bourguignon demi-glace and a roll. You can also add pecan or pumpkin pie for $5.50 more per person! The price for either meal is $22 for adults and $13 for tadpoles 3 to 9 years old and is available from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Make It a Retro New Year (for Cabana Bay Beach Resort Guests Only)
If you're staying at Cabana Bay, you're in luck! The hotel is hosting a New Year's Eve Party Spectacular at Bayliner Diner from 8 to 12:30 p.m. The celebration is complimentary to attend but a carving dining special will be available starting at 5 p.m. that's $22.99 for adults and $12.99 for tadpoles ages 3 to 9. Entertainment will include a live DJ, balloon twisters, face painters, party favors and, of course, a midnight balloon drop!
Amp Up Your New Year's Eve at Hard Rock Hotel
The party is going on all night long at Hard Rock Hotel! Enjoy a delicious meal at The Kitchen for their New Year's Eve Buffet from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. The meal (which includes admission to the New Year's Eve Lobby Party) is $175 for adults, $80 for tadpoles ages 3 to 9 and complimentary for tadpoles under the age of 3. Then, rock in the new year with the New Year's Eve Lobby Party which goes from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. The event is $100 for adults, $50 for tadpoles ages 3 to 9 and complimentary for tadpoles under the age of three and will have a DJ, a balloon artist and roaming magicians!
"LEGO" of 2022 in Winter Haven
Just about an hour and a half southwest of Orlando is a New Year's celebration perfect for tadpoles with a bedtime! From Dec. 26 to 31, LEGOLAND Florida Resort will be hosting a Bricktastic DJ Dance Party and presenting Brick-bursting Kids' New Year's Eve Fireworks at 8 p.m. (with a preshow at 7 p.m.). Grab a pair of special viewing glasses and watch as sparks fly over Pirates' Cove. This offering is part of LEGOLAND Florida's Holiday celebration so if you want to spend the day here, you'll also get to enjoy festive shows, special character experiences, holiday activities and delicious seasonal treats! Save some green by purchasing your park tickets through Undercover Tourist.
Celebrate the New Year in 360°
Escape the hustle and bustle of New Year’s Eve by watching the party from 400 feet in the air. Hop aboard The Wheel at ICON Park, an observation wheel that offers unfrogettable views of Central Florida, and countdown to 2025 with a spectacular light show that will illuminate the huge Ferris wheel in bright colors. The Wheel stays open until 1 a.m. on New Year’s Eve for those frogs who want to watch fireworks across the region from the comfort of its air-conditioned capsules. While you're at ICON Park, stop by Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE Orlando for a fun-filled day that's sure to keep the tadpoles entertained.
Do you have any other recommendations for chill ways to ring in 2025 in Orlando? Let us know in the comments below. Have a hoppin' new year, everybody!
Related: A Complete Guide to Walt Disney World New Year's Eve Events
Keep hopping!
