To ensure we are equipping our readers with all the information they need, we will continue to report on all travel, safety, and COVID-related news that could impact a Disney Parks visit.

We’re just a couple of days away from the start of a new year. New Year’s Eve is traditionally a time of year where friends and family gather to celebrate, but the last couple of years have been anything but traditional with the ongoing pandemic.

Happy New Year!

In fact, according to The Washington Post, health experts are urging the public to rethink their holiday plans as cases of the Delta and Omicron variants continue to surge.

The Washington Post has reported that “Leaders and public health experts across the country are urging Americans to scrap their New Year’s Eve plans and stay home for the second year in a row as new cases of the coronavirus spread at a record-setting pace.” This comes as the nation hit an all-time high on Tuesday, with a seven-day average of new infections topping 266,000.

2022 Ears

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker noted in a recent news conference that “Omicron and delta are coming to your party…So you need to think twice about how many people will be gathered together, keeping social distancing if you’re at a party. And if you can’t, leave.” Dr. Anthony Fauci said in a recent interview that “When you’re talking about a New Year’s Eve party where you have 30, 40, 50 people celebrating, you do not know the status of their vaccination, I would recommend strongly: Stay away from that this year.”

Happy New Year!

We are already starting to see some New Year’s Eve plans change around the area ahead of the big night. In Downtown Orlando, the Orange Ball drop will not take place as was previously scheduled. However, according to WKMG, the cancelation is due to construction in the area and not due to COVID. The Washington Post reports that other notable gatherings, however, are being modified, including the famous Ball Drop in Times Square. Attendance is being limited to 15,000, and all attendees must be fully vaccinated and wear face masks at all times.

New Years Eve fireworks in 2019

In Disney World, several special events are currently set to take place across the parks and resorts on December 31st, including midnight fireworks at both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT as well as dining events and parties at The Edison, Raglan Road, and City Works Eatery & Pour House in Disney Springs.

©House of Blues

We’ll continue to keep a close watch on this story as it develops, so be sure to follow along for all of the latest news and updates from around Disney World.

Click here to read about what New Year’s Eve will look like at Disney World!

Are you going to be in Disney World on New Year’s Eve? Let us know in the comments.