Any ideas on escaping MK after FITS?

[hipporina]

Im trying to figure out the best way to get out of MK following FITS, without giving up seeing Tink fly. We have 2 young DS, so we don't want to stick around while the crowds clear out. Is there somewhere good to go where we can see Spectro, Tink, and FITS and still get out quick? We don't want to get stuck waiting forever for a bus!

Kristy

 

[polyfan]

We actually continue walking around the park. No one rushes you out and most people are headed out of the park. We walk around while they are cleaning and when the crowd thins we go out. By then there is not much of a wait for anything.

 

[bobcat]

Since you want to see Tink fly I suggest getting a spot around the Plaza restaurant. You can see Tink, just make sure a tree doesn't block your view. You can see the wire she comes down on. After the fireworks you will have to fight the crowds down main street as you exit.

Another option would be to watch from the bridge to Tomorrowland. Tink will fly right in front of you and you can then walk to Toontown and catch the train to Main Street.

The main crowds leave after the fireworks and while you may be able to be at the front of the crowd you will still be waiting quite a while for a bus. You need to decide what you want more; to see FITS and Tink or to beat the crowds. It is really hard to do both if you don't wait for the crowds to clear a bit. Depending on the crowds you could be waiting 30-45min for a bus. Personally I would rather use that time in the parks then spending it in line for a bus. Even when my kids were smaller we would find something to do after the fireworks for about a half hour while the crowds cleared. That could include getting an ice cream, hopping in line for one last ride in Fantasyland, or sitting and watching the castle change colors.

 

[ktglads]

Unless you can hurdle strollers and race with the best of them (long story, trust me), it is much easier just to hang back for about 15, 20 minutes and then try to leave. Depending on if you are waiting for a resort bus or not, you may still have to wait. Even if you are just sitting on a bench in MK, at least you are sitting and not standing in line. After a long day, I would rather sit and wait rather than stand in line and then have to stand on a crowded bus.

 

[Ursula]

My family & I were there last week for Spectomagic. We had planned on only seeing the parade and getting out before the fireworks. Well, we got trapped in the park and couldn't get out It was kind of scary. My DD (7) got quite upset and started to cry. We finally gave up trying to find a way out and just stayed put and left with the rest of the crowd after the fireworks.

 

[Ryanzmama]

I agree with the previous posters- we prefer to hang back and wait for most of the crowd to leave and then make our way out.. no one rushes you and it is a magical feeling being there after dark with the castle changing colors...

Just one clarification to a previous post- if there are fireworks - the train does not run. The train's path apparently crosses the landing area of some fireworks so on nights when there are fireworks the train stops early. We were there just this past Saturday & took the last train ride before the fireworks- I think it was about an hour before the fireworks started- but it could have been a half hour or so- time flies when you are in MK! So don't count on something getting you from Toontown (which is quite a ways from the front entrance after a long day!) to the front except for your own steam!

Hope that helps!
Linda

 

[Ratpack]

I have to agree to hang back. We were there last summer with DD4 and that is what we did after FITS. We got photos of each other with the Castle in the background while others fought to exit. Then when Main Street was almost vacant, we took an easy walk to the monorail to the TTC and a bus to WL. Boats had stopped running already.

 

[hipporina]

Thanks for all the input. I guess it will be best to just keep the kids up a little later and wait for the crowds to thin out. It is totally against my personality, but it sounds like it will be easiest.

Kristy

 

[MelissathePooh]

I used to believe in the hang back philosophy until the nightmare that was Tuesday May 6th in the MK. We made it through the parade and fireworks and decided to wait around until the crowd thinned out - only problem was everyone else decided to wait around too.

It was sooooo crowded - even though thousands of people were herding out the gates - thousands more were hanging around! We didn't even attempt to get out until 1 1/2 hours later and it was still a zoo outside the gates!

Either hang around the trainstation and watch the fireworks - giving up seeing Tink, fight the crowds or be prepared to out-wait everyone else!

Melissa

 

[Disney Panda]

We got a spot on the second level of the train station (for the 5/10 show). We could see everything really well but had to stand. We got there very early but every seat was taken (can't remember the time exactly). You can get out of the park real quick from that spot.

 

[Safari Steve]

TTC is a great place to watch FITS from. They play the same music, and you will beat the parking lot crowd by a long shot. Depending on timing, you may even get to see the Electrical Water Pageant.
If you're staying at a WDW hotel, check the closing times. If you're there in the winter, when sunset is earlier and MK fireworks are before 8pm, you can watch them from the TTC, grab the monorail to Epcot, and take the Epcot bus to your WDW hotel.
That's the best solution I can offer, I know it won't work for the summer unless you're staying off-site, but I figured I'd put it out there for people who are staying offsite or visiting in months with fewer daylight hours.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

FITS?? That's a new abbreviation to me..... what does that stand for?

 

[Safari Steve]

Fantasy in the Sky, the MK fireworks show.

 

[Antonia]

I agree with hangin back and waiting for the crowds to clear. A couple of years ago after an e-night that was particularly light due to cooler weather in January - we took our time leaving the park. We watched the castle change colors and it was just magical - very few people around. As we came down Main Street there was virtually no one, but the workers and one other family. The bakery workers invited us in for coffee and pastries and so there were 8 of us in the bakery. They said - linger - take your time. As our family and the other meandered down Main Street towards the exit, it was so neat. The Christmas decorations were still hanging over Main Street. I told my family to enjoy this moment because I doubted that we would ever experience being on Main Street with just 8 people. It was like a dream. We headed to the monorail - the other family went some other way. When we got to the monorail - we were the only 4 people to get on. The driver said some on up here to the front so we rode with the driver. He took us for a spin and said that after he let us out - he would be parking the monorail for the night. This evening turned out to be so special - so my advice is to wait it out - you never know how magical it could be.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Thanks. I think that's just the first time I've seen it abbreviated FITS.