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.

Walt Disney World, Epcot

At Epcot, the New Year's Eve Countdown Spectacular offers a variety of different entertainment throughout the park.

There are also two showings of "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth" at 7:30 pm and 11:40 pm with a special New Year's countdown and an "Auld Lang Syne" finale at the later performance at the World Showcase Lagoon.

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

Downtown Disney, Cirque du Soleil®

On New Year's Eve, there is an extra special performance of La Nouba™ by Cirque du Soleil® starting at 8:00 pm. The show includes a champagne toast and special limited edition souvenir program with a limited edition autographed insert.

Tickets are from $87.00 (plus tax) for adults (10 and up) and from $74.00 (plus tax) for children.

Walt Disney World Resort, Disney's Boardwalk

It you want to dance the night away, why not go to the New Year's Eve dance party at the Art Deco styled Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney's Boardwalk.

Bands including The Big Ide will play music from the 80s, 90s to the present day. Snacks are served and at midnight there is a grand champagne toast.

Guests must 21 with a valid ID and tickets go on sale at the Atlantic Dance box office at 12 noon on December 31.

Universal CityWalk

This year, Cyndi Lauper and Tower of Power headline the New Year's Eve celebrations at Universal CityWalk®.

At midnight you can toast in the New Year countdown with champagne and party favours while watching the firework display.

Included in the admission is access to all of CityWalk's nightclubs including Bob Marley's, Pat O'Briens, Red Coconut Club, Latin Quarter, CityJazz and the Groove. There is also an all-you-can-eat feast including filet mignon, jumbo shrimp plus many more dishes from the CityWalk restaurants.

The doors open at 8:00pm and the party continues until 2:00am.

If you want to go skating there is an outdoor ice rink (skate rentals are available) or you can watch comedians at the CityJazz club.

Tickets cost $109.00 (plus tax) and you must be 21 or over with a valid photo ID. A special VIP ticket costs $169.00 (plus tax) which includes alcoholic beverages and access to certain VIP areas.

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.