Complete Guide to New Year's Eve at Universal Orlando Resort + review of 2023's NYE Celebration

Are you you thinking of celebrating New Year’s Eve at Universal Orlando Resort? In this post, I’ll share everything that happened across Universal Orlando Resort and its hotels for New Year’s Eve 2023, and I’ll provide you with helpful tips that will prepare you for all the festivities.

I’m also really excited to share my New Year's experience at Universal, since 2018 was the last time I’ve been in the parks for NYE.

Stayed tuned for details on New Year’s Eve celebrations for 2024.

New Year’s Eve Celebration Details

The NYE Holiday Celebration is hosted by Universal Orlando Resort. If you've experienced the July 4 celebration that Universal Orlando offers, the NYE celebration is also similar to that.

Guests visiting Universal Studios Florida on New Year's Eve can enjoy exciting entertainment to ring in the New Year, including a high-energy band, live DJ, special appearances by favorite characters and more. Most importantly, there's the countdown and brief fireworks at midnight.

It’s important to note that Universal’s Islands of Adventure was not apart of the NYE festivities. That side of the park did however stay open until 10:00 pm.

Duration:
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USF and CityWalk close at 1:00 am
```

Tickets:

The Universal Orlando New Years Eve Celebration admission was included with a park admission ticket, as well as for Annual Passholders (Premier and Preferred)

Yes, you will need to pay for food and beverage

Universal Orlando used to hold a special paid New Year’s Eve event in the CityWalk area. That event has not returned since 2019.

Parking:

If you’re driving, plan to park in the Universal Orlando Resort parking garage

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Parking is free after 6PM
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During the NYE holiday celebration at Universal Orlando, you can still enjoy the Macy's holiday parade, go inside the Tribute Store, watch the Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle, and all the Grinchmas activities if you have a park-to-park ticket to both theme parks.

Here’s my complete guide to Universal Orlando Resort during holidays if you are interested in more information.

New Year’s Eve Celebration 2023 – CityWalk

For guests 21 and over, Universal CityWalk is an ideal place to ring in the New Year.  Celebrating in CityWalk is also a great option for those who might be in the Orlando area for NYE, but don’t want to purchase a theme park ticket.

Hard Rock Live

Hard Rock Live Orlando, is the performance venue attached to Hard Rock Cafe Orlando. This is the only New Year’s event at CityWalk with live entertainment this year.

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Pricing
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Starting at $37.50
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Time:
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9:30 pm to 12:30 am
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if you're planning on doing the theme parks all day, this is a perfect way to end the night if you're just going to Universal's Islands of Adventure.

Special NYE Menu Items

Sold at various food and beverage venues.

Free Scheduled NYE Offerings at CityWalk:

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Live music at the Waterfront Stage
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Midnight celebration at the Promenade & Plaza- 12 am

New Year’s Eve Celebration 2022- Universal Studios Florida

Free Scheduled Offerings at USF:

DJ: Music Plaza Stage

Party Zones: Music Plaza Stage

Character Meet & Greets: Music Plaza Stage

Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration: Lagoon

Midnight countdown at the Music Plaza Stage with fireworks

Free Scheduled Offerings at IOA:

The Crowds at Universal during New Year's

There’s no sugar coating it. Universal during New Year's is absolutely bonkers. There are tons of guests everywhere, EVC’s honking, strollers, wheelchairs and more.

Be prepared for it to take a little longer to walk from one area of the park to another. There’s more bottlenecking issues where you’re just standing in one spot and not moving at all. (Particularly Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.)

Lines at the food + drink stands took between 20 to 40 minutes, depending on where you wanted to eat.  A good amount of the quick service locations like Leaky Cauldron and  Richter's required you to mobile order prior to entering.

If you want to do sit down dinning at Universal or Citywalk, make those reservations well in advance before your trip.  Save time by using  Mobile Food order as much as you can via the Universal app.

If you’re hoping to ride a good amount of rides without waiting on average at least 65 minutes,  Express Pass is a must. I would also utilize single-ride lines as much as possible. Below were some of the wait times mid day on NYE.

Tips for Visiting Universal Orlando on New Year's Eve

Arrive to the Park Early

To get the most out of your ticket, it’s best to arrive at an earlier than you probably want to on New Year's Eve because the park get extremely as the day goes on.

Wear Comfortable Shoes + Clothing

You’ll. more than likely be at the park for at least 12 hours if you don’t take a mid day hotel break. Its critical to wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Pack a sweatshirt because Orlando does get chilly at night during New Year's. During the day, you should be fine wearing shorts, a t-shirt or a light long sleeve tee or leggings.

There are lockers you can rent to store your things if you don't want to carry your backpack all day.

Stay Hydrated

Don’t forget your reusable water bottle .New Year's Eve at Universal is a long and fun day, so important that you stay hydrated. Especially if you’re planning to enjoy some alcoholic drinks as ring in the New Year!

Pack Your Patience

I can’t stress it enough, Universal is more crowded than usual during the holiday week. The crowds will definitely test your patience, but it’s important to remember that everyone there around you is in the exact same position as you. There’s going to be more kids and strollers as lots of folks visiting are out of school for winter break.

Splurge on Express Pass

if you haven’t  been to Universal Orlando before, having Express Pass is the best way to beat the extremely long lines for rides. During the peak holiday season it's a game changer.

Grab a Spot Early for Shows and Parade

During the holiday season, Universal Orlando has several shows going on that you don’t want to miss out on. Even during New Year's, you can enjoy the Holiday offerings.

Whenever one of the big show’s is going on during New Year's Eve, it gets jammed packed with guests. You won't be able to move into that specific viewing area once it reaches capacity. Grab a spot at least 45 mins early.

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The shows at Universal that you want to keep an eye on are the Macy’s Holiday Parade, Cinematic Celebration, Grinchmas & the Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle if you have a park-to-park ticket.

Of course, you’ll want to get a spot early for the countdown to midnight.

Leave the Park Late

Even though families with little ones tend to leave, believe it or not, most guests lasted at the park until after midnight! It ended up taking me around 45 minutes to get out of the parking garage when I got to my car at 1:45 am.

Overall Review of Universal Orlando’s New Year’s Eve Celebration

If you like to party, or are looking for a place to dance, be entertained, and safely have fun on New Years Eve, Universal Orlando is a great option to consider.  If you have children, it's a family friendly NYE experience.

Universal Orlando's Holiday NYE Celebration reminds me of a Mardi Gras concert night when it's someone popular expected to perform! NYE just had characters out dancing, fireworks, & stationary holiday floats out.

It's a unique way to spend New Years Eve if you're willing to embrace the very large crowds, & just go with flow of organized chaos.

The atmosphere was very festive. I felt safe as a female there alone.  I personally, never encountered any problems or drunkly disturbances of any kind. If there were any, I did not see it. There were lots of guests and team members wishing those around them a "Happy New Year" all night.

Although its a family friendly celebration, I personally wouldn’t bring young children who need a stroller after 10 pm. It's so jammed packed. Trying to navigate a stroller through the crowd is nearly impossible. It's of course doable, but might lend to a more stressful night.

As long as you mentally prepare yourself ahead of time that it'll be packed with people, you’ll truly have an awesome time. I had a blast, and plan to attend next year!

New Year’s Eve Celebation 2023 – Universal Orlando Hotels

All of Universal Orlando’s on-site hotels have their own special New Year’s Eve celebrations! Here’s what was was available at each hotel for 2023.

Stayed tuned for details on New Year’s Eve celebrations for 2024.

Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites

New Year’s Eve Meal Special at Beach Break Café

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Date: December 31
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Time: 5 pm – Close
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Menu:

 Herb-encrusted New York striploin served with red wine au jus, oven-roasted fingerling potatoes, asparagus, and biscuit

Price:

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$18 pre tax per adult
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$10 pre tax per kid (ages 3 – 9)
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Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites

New Year’s Eve Meal Special at Pier 8 Market

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Date: December 31
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Time: 5 pm – Close
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Menu:

Herb-encrusted New York striploin served with red wine au jus, oven-roasted fingerling potatoes, asparagus, and biscuit

Price:

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 $18 pre tax per adult
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 $10 pre tax per kid (ages 3 – 9)
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Universal’s Aventura Hotel

Aventura’s New Year’s Eve Celebration

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Date: December 31
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Time: 8 pm – 1 am
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Entertainment:
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 DJ
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Price:

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$150  adult (21+ only)  pre tax 
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Cabana Bay Beach Resort

New Year’s Eve in Bayliner Diner

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Date: December 31
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Time: Noon – 11 pm
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Menu:

Turkey, stuffing, cranberry compote, broccoli, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuit

Add pecan or pumpkin pie for $4.50 more per person

Price:

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$21.99 adult pre tax
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$11.99 kid  (ages 3 – 9)  pre tax
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New Year’s Eve Party Spectacular in Bayliner Diner

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Date: December 31
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Time: 8 pm – 12:30 am
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Entertainment:

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Live DJ 
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Party favors 
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Balloon twisters
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Face painting 
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Midnight balloon drop
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Price:

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Free to attend! 
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Exclusive to guests staying at Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

New Year’s Eve Buffet in Amatista Cookhouse

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Date: December 31
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Time: 5 pm – 10 pm
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Reservations: needed 
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Menu
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Price:

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$90 adult pre tax
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$45 kid (ages 3 – 9) pre tax
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Gratuity not included
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Adults 21+ can add all-you-care-to-enjoy mimosa and Cubanita cocktails for an additional  $21

New Year’s Eve Celebration in Strong Water Tavern

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Date: December 31
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Time: 10 pm – 2 am
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Available for adults ages 21+ only
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Price:

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$120.00 per person pre tax 
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Gratuity IS included 
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New Year’s Day Breakfast Buffet in Amatista Cookhouse

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Date: January 1
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Time: 7 am – 11 am
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Reservations: needed 
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Price:

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 $27 adult pre tax
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 $16 child (ages 3 – 9) pre tax 
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 Gratuity not included
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Adults 21+ can add all-you-care-to-enjoy mimosa and Cubanita cocktails for an additional  $21

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

New Year’s Eve Party on the Piazza

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Date: December 31
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Time: 8:30 pm – Midnight
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Price:

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 $180 adult pre tax
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$130 for ages 10 – 20 pre tax
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$45 kid (ages 3 – 9) pre tax
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Entertainment: 
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- ```
DJ
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New Year’s Eve Prix Fixe Menu in Mama Della’s Ristorante

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Date: December 31
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Special New Year’s Eve meal offered. Regular menu items also available

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Time: 5:30 pm – 10 pm
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Reservations needed 
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Price:

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$85 adult pre tax
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$41 child (ages 3 – 9) pre tax
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Gratuity not included
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Hard Rock Hotel

New Year’s Eve Buffet in The Kitchen

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Date: December 31
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Time: 5 pm – 11 pm
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Reservations needed 
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Menu
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Price:

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$150  adult pre tax
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$75 kid  (ages 3 – 9) pre tax
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Gratuity not included
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New Year’s Day Acoustic Brunch

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Date: January 1
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Time: 7 am – 2 pm
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Menu
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Reservation needed
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Price:

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$49 adult pre tax
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$19 kid (ages 3 – 9) pre tax
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ROCK-IN 2023: New Year’s Eve Lobby Party

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Date: December 31
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Time: 6 pm – 1 am
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Entertainment:

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DJ
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Roaming magicians
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Face painters
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Midnight balloon drop
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Price:

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 $80 adult pre tax
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$50 kid (ages 3 – 9) pre tax
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Loews Royal Pacific Resort

New Year’s Eve Buffet in Islands Dining Room

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Date: December 31
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Time: 6 pm – 10 pm
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Reservation needed
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Menu
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Price:

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$90 adult pre tax
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$45 kid (ages 3-9) pre tax
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Add access dessert celebration in the Tahitian room for an additional $20

Add all-you-can-drink Bloody Marys and for an additional $21

Wantilan New Year’s Eve Luau

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Date: December 31
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Time: 6 pm
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Reservation needed

Price:

Regular – $99.00 per adult and $39.00 per kid

Premium – $119.00 per adult and $59.00 per kid

New Year’s Eve Dessert Celebration in Tahitian Room

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Date: December 31
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Time: 7 pm – 1 am
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Price: 
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$40 adult pre tax
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New Year’s Day Breakfast Buffet in Islands Dining Room

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Date: January 1
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Time: 7 am – 11 am
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Reservation needed
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Price:

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$27 adult pre tax
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$16 kid (ages 3-9) pre tax
```

New Years at Universal Orlando FAQ’S

Does Universal Orlando do Fireworks on New Years?

Yes! Located on the Universal Studios Florida side. There's fireworks during the Cinematic Celebration.  As part of the NYE countdown celebration to midnight, there's a brief firework show.

Is New Year's Eve Busy at Universal Orlando?

YES! It’s during the busiest week of the year for the parks. Anticipating the crowds ahead of time will help to ease the tension, and you’ll be able enjoy your time in the park.

Is New Year's Day Busy at Universal Orlando?

New Year’s Day in the morning is a great time for the parks (one of my favorite times to go). Lots of guests sleep in from partying the night before. It will for sure pick up, and become very busy in the afternoon/evening.

The Holiday season at at Universal Orlando is truly magical! You’ve picked a special time to visit the parks. I hope this New Year's guide makes planning easy and enjoyable.

For more information about the Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/holidays

Insider’s Guide to Celebrating New Year’s Eve at Universal Orlando