WDW Daily News

There are a variety of great options for fireworks and family fun on New Year’s Eve. But if guests are partygoers, they may want to consider “Disney Countdown to Midnight – A New Year’s Eve Celebration” at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

This ticketed event will take place Dec. 31, 2016, beginning at 8 p.m. at the hotel’s Convention Center. There, guests can ring in 2017 in the Fantasia Ballroom by dancing to music spanning from the ’60s to today, and trying “best-of-the-best” bites and wine pairings from California Grill, Flying Fish, Cítricos and Narcoossee’s. Guests can also enjoy the group Alter Ego as they perform their extravagant music- and dance-filled revue, then stroll outside to catch a unique musical act playing songs of today with a retro twist. The event will be highlighted with Magic Kingdom® Park fireworks viewing and a champagne toast. There will also be themed photo backdrops and props to help you capture the memories of the evening and receive a souvenir to commemorate the night. Plus complimentary transportation will be provided for select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

Tickets for this special evening are extremely limited. If guests have a resort reservation, you can reserve tickets starting today. Reservations will open to all Guests on July 4. To purchase or for more information, visit DisneyWorld.com or call 407-939-3463.

Guests can celebrate America’s birthday with a red, white and blue extravaganza at Walt Disney World Resort. There will be no shortage of nighttime fun, as fireworks will dance across the skies above the Florida vacation kingdom. Here’s a look a what’s in store:

Magic Kingdom

The celebration begins with “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky,” July 3 and 4 at Magic Kingdom. The 14-minute fireworks spectacular rockets into the sky above Cinderella Castle at 9 p.m. both nights.

The fireworks are set to an exciting musical score produced in a concert band style. This score was specifically created to stir a sense of pride in being American, show producers say, while at the same time, inviting guests from around the world to feel part of the celebration.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Guests can enjoy the all-new “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” fireworks nightly, with the show beginning at a special time of 9:30 p.m. for the holiday weekend, July 3 and 4. The next generation of Star Wars-themed fireworks shows, “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular,” dazzles with new themed fireworks, lasers, special effects and video projections of iconic characters and scenes from the complete saga, all set to the unforgettable score of the film series.

Epcot

Guests visiting Epcot on July 4 will have the opportunity to meet some of their favorite Disney characters dressed in patriotic attire throughout the afternoon at the American Adventure Pavilion. Voices of Liberty, the eight-part a capella group, will have special performances at American Gardens Theatre at 12:30, 1:45 and 3 p.m. They also will perform inside the American Adventure Rotunda at 4:15 and 5 p.m. that day. Guests also will have the opportunity to catch the Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps outside at 1, 2:15, 3:30, 4 and 4:45 p.m.

That evening, the spectacular fireworks and laser show “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” lights the night at 10 p.m. with a heart-pounding grand finale in a salute to America.

Additional Patriotic Entertainment

Other patriotic offerings that guests can enjoy year-round in the parks include indoor attractions that offer shows about the history of America, dining options and entertainment.

Guests at Epcot’s American Adventure Pavilion will find various ways to explore America’s past and present with “We, The People,” a journey through pivotal moments in America’s history narrated by Audio-Animatronic figures of Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain, and “The Kinsey Collection,” an exhibit that showcases 400 years of African-American achievement through rare art, documents, books and artifacts.

At Magic Kingdom, The Hall of Presidents: A Celebration of Liberty’s Leaders gives guests an entertaining lesson in American history. Guests also can get a taste of traditional New England-inspired foods at Liberty Tree Tavern, a restaurant situated in a colonial-style inn that serves lunch and dinner daily. After nightfall, dancing patriots, a stately bald eagle, glittering lights and the patriotic music of the Main Street Electrical Parade all honor America as the parade’s stunning final float lights Main Street, U.S.A. nightly.