Hey Howdy Hey Margaret and welcome to planDisney!
There is no better way to ring in the New Year than in the Disney Parks! Both EPCOT and Magic Kingdom typically have big celebrations, with fireworks shows and other special events to ring in the New Year. As you have found out, these are very popular events and park tickets do tend to sell out quickly. This may be tough to get tickets to EPCOT on that day but let's go over a few strategies to try.
At this time, it looks like
ticket sales for EPCOT have stopped as well as options to purchase the Park Hopper Option when buying tickets for another park. You can always try to
call Disney to ask about availability as plans do change and some things may open up. If you are onsite, you can also try to walk up to the ticket window and inquire about availability but just be prepared with a backup plan if either of these options does not work.
If you still want to ring in the New Year with EPCOT fireworks from outside of the parks, there are a few locations you may want to check out. The first recommendation I have is over at the
Dahlia Lounge at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. This rooftop bar gives you great views of the Walt Disney World property and views of the EPCOT fireworks. This location looks like it is open until 12:00 AM on December 31st and does not take reservations. Make sure to arrive early to get your spot outside for the best views.
Another option to look into is over at
Disney's BoardWalk. This location is close to Disney's BoardWalk Inn Resort and has a wide variety of dining and entertainment in the evenings. It is just a short walk away from the International Gateway, the back entrance of EPCOT, and has several other areas that may give you a view of the show. There is a bridge between the BoardWalk and the Beach Club Resort that may allow a bit better viewpoints.
I hope you can snag tickets to get into the park but if not, there are a few options so you can still be part of the celebration. Best of luck and please feel free to stop back if you have any other questions!
To Infinity and Beyond,
Nick