New Year's at Disney (Orlando): Universal CityWalk or Pleasure Island?

Question

We're a family, ages 24-56. We're NOT looking to go clubbing. Mom's with us, and we just want to be able to walk around, possibly see some entertainment, have some food and fun. Or, should we go to another Disney theme park?

Answer 1

I think your family would have a great time at any of the Walt Disney World theme parks or Downtown Disney. There's plenty going on. Downtown Disney has Pleasure Island, which is maily all night clubs, but that's not the only part to Downtown Disney. There's the Marketplace and West Side. There's a great selection of restaurants, tons of fun shops, and places with entertainment, like the House of Blues, Bongos Cuban Cafe, or the Cirque du Soleil Big Top. Each of the parks also has it's own great selection restaurants, shops, and rides and shows, of course. But at New Year's come special things take place...

Epcot celebrates the New Year "around the world" with DJs and evening dance parties located throughout World Showcase and lasting late into the evening, as well as a special presentation of the "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth" lights, lasers and fireworks display.

Disney-MGM Studios celebrates New Year's Eve not only with multiple presentations of "Fantasmic!," a spectacular of Disney movies and music, but also with a special "Lights! Camera! Happy New Year!" fireworks spectacular, as well as a DJ dance party around the Sorcerer Hat Stage. Park guests have the opportunity to experience Disney-MGM Studios right up until the New Year officially gets underway at midnight.

Magic Kingdom features special presentations of the "SpectroMagic" parade and multiple nighttime fireworks displays. "Holiday Wishes" lights up the sky early in the evening, and guests who make it to midnight can see "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks, which begins just before the New Year kicks off.

Cirque du Soleil will present a special edition of La Nouba on New Year's Eve. This December 31, 2006, attendees at the 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. performances of the show will be treated to a champagne toast, a limited-edition full-color souvenir program and a special grand finale. (Book tickets for this show in advance.)

I would suggest going to Downtown Disney. Maybe have dinner at Fulton's Crab House or Bongos Cuban Cafe, and then head over to the Big Top to see the special performance of Cirque du Soleil: La Nouba. It's the most incredible show! The Magic Kingdom would be a lot of fun, too, though. It would be amazing to see "Fantasy in the Sky." It's a special fireworks show only brought back during the New Year's and Fourth of July celebrations.

Hope I could help!

Answer 2

Given your age range, I would recommend CityWalk because it's more than just the clubs. They have movie theaters there as well as restaurants and I'm sure there will be a big party going on as well.

When I lived in Orlando, my preference, any night of the week, was CityWalk over Pleasure Island.

Answer 3

most of the events listed above especially city walk and pleasure island will be an extra charge that night. City walk had most of their events partitioned off form the non payers and they really missed out on a lot especially the free food drinks etc....My Favorite was finally seeing Styx live. Cindi Lauper will be at City Walk this year (not sure who at Disney) . Now MGM will have the Osborne Chriostmas lights festival still up and Epcot will have the candelight precission Christmas show (both are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!) Neither ones of those are extra so you would be better off going to a different park and MK will be packed because of their special firewwork show at midnight.

Answer 4

If you aren't looking for clubbing, you can rule out CityWalk, and Pleasure Island. Those will both get very rowdy the closer it gets to New Years. If you still want to go to one, I'd pick City Walk, its a little bit more open, and there are plenty of places to just hang out, and stay out of the craziness.