Walt Disney World has confirmed that a special fireworks display will once again be part of the New Year’s Eve celebration at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. After making a return in 2024, the countdown fireworks are scheduled again for the upcoming holiday, providing guests with another option for ringing in the new year within the parks. This article covers the details of the event, what you can expect from the show, and how it compares to other New Year’s Eve offerings at Walt Disney World.
Show Details and Schedule
The New Year’s Eve fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are officially titled “New Year’s Countdown Fireworks.” The show is scheduled to begin just before midnight on December 31st, starting at 11:57 PM. This brief but festive presentation is designed to provide a celebratory moment for guests in the park as the clock strikes twelve.
The show takes place in the center of the park, with the Chinese Theatre serving as the primary backdrop for projections and lighting effects. This central location allows for viewing from various points along Hollywood Boulevard and near the park’s hub.
What to Expect from the Show
Based on last year’s performance, guests can anticipate a show that combines projections, lasers, and rooftop pyrotechnics. The display is not a traditional, large-scale fireworks show like those seen at Magic Kingdom or EPCOT. Disney’s Hollywood Studios no longer utilizes its former large-scale fireworks launch site, which means the pyrotechnics are smaller and launched from the rooftops of buildings surrounding the Chinese Theatre.
The three-minute show focuses on a high-energy countdown sequence synchronized with music, lighting, and projections on the theater’s facade. While it provides a festive atmosphere to celebrate the new year, it is a much more localized and smaller-scale production compared to the grand spectacles at the other parks.
Comparing with Other Park Offerings
For guests seeking an impressive, large-scale fireworks display to celebrate New Year’s Eve at Walt Disney World, EPCOT remains the premier destination. The “Cheers to the New Year” spectacular at EPCOT features fireworks launched from multiple barges around World Showcase Lagoon, creating a massive and immersive show. Magic Kingdom also presents its “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks, a beloved and high-energy show that lights up the sky above Cinderella Castle.
The offering at Disney’s Hollywood Studios serves as a good alternative for those who are already in the park and want to be part of a countdown moment without navigating the larger crowds at EPCOT or Magic Kingdom.
A Festive Finale at Hollywood Studios
The return of the New Year’s Eve countdown fireworks to Disney’s Hollywood Studios provides another enjoyable option for guests celebrating the holiday at Walt Disney World. While the show is more modest in scale, it offers a fun and energetic way to welcome 2026.
Knowing what to expect can help you plan your evening, whether you choose the focused celebration at Hollywood Studios or one of the grander fireworks displays at the other parks.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
