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Orlando New Year’s Eve tradition kept alive as beloved Orange Drop finds new home in Thornton Park

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Updated  December 31, 2024 11:09pm EST
Orange County
FOX 35 Orlando

Orlando New Year’s Eve tradition kept alive

Bar owners in Orlando were racing to keep the city’s New Year’s tradition alive as the annual Orange Drop relocated from its longtime home on Church Street to a new venue at The Reindeer Room in Thornton Park, a holiday pop-up bar presented by The Abbey.

The Brief

    • Orlando’s iconic Orange Drop was relocated to The Reindeer Room in Thornton Park, saving the New Year’s tradition.
    • Local bar owner Wendy Connor and her team worked within 24 hours to transport, rebuild, and install the ball.
    • The revamped celebration drew sellout crowds.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Bar owners in Orlando were racing to keep the city’s New Year’s tradition alive as the annual Orange Drop relocated from its longtime home on Church Street to a new venue at The Reindeer Room in Thornton Park, a holiday pop-up bar presented by The Abbey. 

Crews worked quickly Tuesday to dismantle and transport the iconic ball to its new location, where it is now being installed. Wendy Connor, of The Reindeer Room, spearheaded the effort to save the tradition just 24 hours before New Year’s Eve, rallying local businesses to ensure the celebration would continue.  

"It’s been a tradition for so many years, so many people were disappointed," Connor said of the news that the Church Street event was going to be canceled.

The original organizers nixed the event after closing several downtown bars, leaving the Orange Drop’s future uncertain. Connor and other business owners stepped in to salvage the event, purchasing supplies and lights at the last minute.  

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"The first time we saw the ball was 24 hours ago. [We] had to dismantle it, transport it, [and piece it together]," said Aaron Dudek, owner of Burton’s, who personally climbed a roof to retrieve the ball.  

By Tuesday afternoon, crews were installing the equipment atop The Reindeer Room, ensuring everything was ready for the big night.  

With this being the first New Year’s Eve party in Thornton Park, organizers were already expecting large crowds. With news of the ball drop spreading, they anticipated the event would sell out.  

We've got some engineers on other side, making sure the mechanics and magic will happen," Connor added.  

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