Hi Julie!
New Years Eve at Walt Disney World can be an exciting time for celebration to welcome in 2017! Wow where did 2016 go?
New Years Eve activities will vary around property with the most excitement coming in the parks. Fireworks will be a big part of the celebration and this will vary from park to park. And yes, the parks will be crowded on this night.
If you can still snag a dining reservation you might consider booking something over in Epcot or at a resort restaurant in the Grand Floridian, Contemporary, or Polynesian. When doing this you are close enough to watch the fireworks but don't have to deal with the crowds in the parks. You would still want to use the Magic Kingdom buses to return to your resort but that crowd is less then a full park crowd.
Most of the resorts will not have special activities or parties. If they do they have to be minimal since many guests who are there are families who will be choosing not to stay up late and watch the new year in. Quiet hours must remain making the resorts a fairly quiet celebration.
Since you are at Port Orleans you might consider taking the boat shuttle to Downtown Disney. There will likely be some activities there that night that might interest you. You can always enjoy a movie or a round of bowling or just some great dining and walking around seeing the sights and lights.