Spending New Year’s Eve at Walt Disney World is Not Goofy

If you are like me, I don’t even begin to think about making plans for New Year’s Eve until the stockings have been hung by the chimney with care.  Now that the stockings have not only been hung, filled and the contents revealed, it is time to get planning as 2011 will be here before we know it.

Walt Disney World Resort (map) is a very popular destination for holiday travelers, and many travelers choose to extend their stay into the new year.  While you might think spending New Year’s Eve at a theme park might be fun, and it is, I encourage you to think outside the park and explore some of the many celebrations  Disney World offers.

In Downtown Disney guests can choose to create their own celebration at one of the many restaurants in the area.  Party like its 2011 BC at T-REX, a restaurant filled with prehistoric animatronics or celebrate into the the wee hours at my favorite Irish dining spot, Raglan Road. While you wait for Father Time, how about spending some quality time with Old Man River aboard Fulton’s Crab House, a replicated riverboat restaurant serving fine seafood dishes.

Toast to an amazing new year at an amazing performance of La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil at Downtown Disney’s West Side (map).  This avant-garde circus style performance is loaded with acrobatics and athletic grace by 65 international performance artists.  At one of two performances on New Year’s Eve (6 or 9 pm), guests will share a champagne toast and receive a special commemorative La Nouba pin, created for the occasion.  For tickets and  additional information, contact 407-939-7328 or visit online.

A cyber celebration awaits as DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive theme park (map) has five floors of virtual reality and 3D encounters to play right into the new year.  Starting at 8 pm, the party will run until 1 am and includes party favors, a coupon for a personal pizza and soft drink, a DJ dance party and countdown as well as all the favorite video games and interactive attractions.

Don’t think of this as hanging out in an arcade of year’s past, this  is one-of-a-kind gaming experience theme park where you will design your own roller coaster at Cyber Space Mountain or fly through the streets of Agrabah aboard Aladdin’s Magic Carpet Ride as search for the magic lamp or battle supervillains in the virtual reality comic book of  Ride the Comix. One of the favorite attractions, Virtual Jungle Cruise, has guests plunging down a river into a prehistoric world filled dinosaurs and the 4D effects might even have you feel a splash of the water.  Tickets for this family event are available online, at the DisneyQuest Box Office or by calling 407-WDISNEY.  With a little advance planning you can save some money, as day of the event tickets are slightly higher.

If you are 21 or over, put on your dancing shoes and glide your way into Atlantic Dance Hall (map) at Disney’s BoardWalk .  This nightclub plays the hottest sounds of the 80′s, 90′s and today hosted by popular DJ’s and live bands while guests dance the night away.

As a special New Year’s celebration, guests paying for main floor access will also receive party favors and a champagne toast at midnight.  A premium, VIP ticket is also available and will allow guests into a private, upstairs area with guaranteed seating, limited viewing of Epcot fireworks with coffee, tea, hot chocolate with desserts and a premium bar.   Contact 407- WDW-DINE for additional information.

While in the Boardwalk area, try one of the dining experiences available like Big River Grille and Brewing Works, the only working brewpub at Walt Disney Resort that serves up all your favorite pub fare.  Floor-to-ceiling windows allow a glimpse of the beer-making process of one of the establishments five signature beers.  Youngsters and non-beer lovers will be thrilled with the root beer that is also brewed on premise.

Diners wanting something slightly more international can take a walk on the Greek side at Kouzzina featuring the personal favorites and family recipes of the only female iron chef, Cat Coura.  Don’t miss my personal favorite seared Greek cheese, Saganaki, while you toast to the New Year with one of Cat’s signature cocktails a Ouzo-tini, Greek Island Iced Tea or House-blend Sangria.  Why not cut to the chase with a shot of chilled Ouzo, an anise-flavored liqueur – Opa!

With paid admission to Epcot, (map) dining guests can enjoy a special six-course, prix-fixe meal, with or without wine and spirits, and featuring live music at one of the newest Epcot dining establishments, La Hacienda de San Angel beginning at 9 pm.  While this appears to me to be more of an adult experience, pricing is available for children aged 3-9.

At the France Pavilion of Epcot and Bistro de Paris guests can also enjoy a special prix-fixe menu.  This upscale restaurant is located one flight up from the street entrance French restaurant, Les Chefs de France and serves inventive twists to traditional French dinners.  The quiet  setting lends a romantic atmosphere and it should be noted that there is no children’s menu at this white-tablecloth bistro.

Speaking of romance, it doesn’t get any more romantic than at California Grill, located at the Contemporary Hotel, and known for its fabulous cuisine.  Because of its proximity to the Magic Kingdom, the California Grill offers fabulous views of the fireworks and Cinderella’s Castle.  Perhaps this is why so many marriage proposals take place at this restaurant.

A special New Year’s Eve event will be offered featuring food stations, an open bar, a casino style game room, DJ with dancing and other live entertainment, and don’t forget the incredible view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks.  I have to admit, things might get a little Goofy, as visits from classic Disney characters are also scheduled.  Reservations can be made for this all-inclusive event at 407-WDW-DINE.

If you still hear the call of the theme parks, go with it and remember most of the Disney parks have extended hours, live entertainment and additional firework displays planned, including a special,  “Lights, Camera, Happy New Year!” display at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Remember, however, the animals at Animal Kingdom are wild animals, not party animals, and the park will close at 8 pm.

Photo Selections: WDW News