New Year's Eve in Florida 2006

Florida is a great place to celebrate the New Year, there are so many places to go. According to priceline.com in 2005, Florida took six of the top 20 spots when it comes to Americans celebrating New Year's Eve and 2006 should be no different.

Thousands flock to the major theme parks like Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, Universal Studios and Busch Gardens and coastal resorts like Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Key West.

Most local communities and hotels hold First Night New Year's Eve parties.

The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year in Florida so it is important to make sure you arrive at the parks early as often they will close when they reach capacity and it also makes sense to make dinner reservations well in advance. If planning on going to Walt Disney World, do not think about park hopping, you need to plan on staying in the park all day.

Pleasure Island

At Disney's Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney, every night of the year is like New Year's Eve but on December 31 there is an extra special New Year's Eve party.

Join in the fun in the seven clubs and in the streets with live music and DJs. Dance to everything from top 40, Latin, tropical, hip-hop, 70s and 80s hits and techno music.

There is also live comedy, street performers and special food for the night including lime-marinated chicken, grilled mahi-mahi tacos and petite steak sandwiches.

You can join in the countdown in the various nightclubs or the street parties. At midnight there is a champagne toast and a spectacular fireworks display.

Gates open at 8:00 pm and the party goes on until 2:00 am. To enter, you must be 21 or over with a valid ID and tickets are priced at $89.00 (plus tax).

Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom

On New Year's Eve there are two night-time parades and two sets of fireworks. If you have young children, then you can still get into the New Year's Eve spirit by watching one of the earlier shows or you can stay up and see in the New Year in style.

The "SpectroMagic" parades are at 7:00 pm and 10:30 pm and the usual "Wishes" night-time fireworks spectacular is at 8:30 pm. There is also a second special New Year's Eve "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks display just before midnight.

The park closes at 1:00 am and the shows are included in the normal admission charges.

Walt Disney World, Disney-MGM Studios

There are live performances at the Sorcerer Hat Stage.

There are three Fantasmic shows at 6:30 pm, 8:30 pm and 10:30 pm and then just before midnight there is a special "Lights, Camera, Fireworks!" fireworks display. Don't forget to pick up your complimentary hat and horn on Mickey Avenue when you arrive.

The park closes at 1:00 am and the shows are included in the normal admission charges.

See sidebar for other New Year's Eve venues or click here for the dates of all the seasonal celebrations in Florida in 2006 and 2007.