Best fireworks

[pauline1417]

Can anyone advise which park has the best fireworks and also does anyone know what days they are on? Many thanks

 

[Vizeman]

Can anyone advise which park has the best fireworks and also does anyone know what days they are on? Many thanks

IMO Epcot has the best with "Reflections Of Earth"

 

[tashasmum]

Another one for Epcot, really loud. They are on every night.

 

[jen_uk]

I agree I think Epcots fireworks are the best, the MK ones are just behind tho! The fireworks are usually on every night and its def worth seeing both.

 

[Strommie]

Another vote for IllumiNations at Epcot

 

[CoralCayTownhome]

Yep I'm an Epcot fireworks fan too

 

[OWJAY]

Sorry I prefer 'Wishes' at Magic Kingdom. They are on every night and can never get enough of them

 

[PoppyAnna]

Sorry I prefer 'Wishes' at Magic Kingdom. They are on every night and can never get enough of them

I agree 100% Especially if you have small children in your party - EPCOT is quite adult themed. Wishes is more "magical", in my opinion.

 

[crabbie1]

Another one for epcot-quite breathtaking though wishes made me cry

 

[Lizzybear]

Wishes.. I think Fantasmic knocks spots off all the fireworks though

 

[paulh]

wishes in californa is better than the one at WDW,but wishes at MK the best of the wdw fireworks
Paulh

 

[jns]

Sorry I prefer 'Wishes' at Magic Kingdom. They are on every night and can never get enough of them

Me too

 

[daipp]

Another one for Epcot here

David

 

[Melcatfish]

i love Epcot IllumiNations Reflections of Earth. The beginning where the torches get "blown out" gives me goosebumps! Loved Wishes too and Fantasmic!

Mel
x

 

[wicket2005]

Love them both. However, the advantage with Wishes is the little kiddies can see them easier because they are over the castle which is a magical sight. Illuminations has some of the 'action' on the water so sometimes it isn't possible to get a front line view so kiddies can miss some of the fireworks.

 

[Goofyish]

I could watch Illuminations every night if I could - it never fails to move me

The 15 minutes added to the end of Illuminations at Christmas is just a fantastic experience - the sheer quantity and noise from the fire works actually make your clothes 'move'.

 

[UKDEB]

I'm not sure from your question whether or not you know what fireworks are on offer.

Wishes is at MK every night, except on some special events nights, such as Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party when they show a different version (HalloWishes), On such evenings, you have to have paid for the party to see them from within the park. The timing of Wishes varies throughout the year.

IllumiNations, Reflections of Earth is the current nightly show at Epcot. I can only remember one very short spell when it wasn't shown at 9pm (and then it was 9.30pm).

Fantasmic is the nightly spectacular at MGM Studios, but it isn't a fireworks show. There are no fireworks at Animal Kingdom for obvious reasons.

As you've probably gathered, both Wishes and IllumiNations tend to garner fans in equal measure. I prefer IllumiNations, but I think it's more of an acquired taste than Wishes. I'm convinced that the music is a big part of the appeal of parades and fireworks shows and, now that I'm familiar with it, the Reflections of Earth music is one of my favourite pieces. Like Tim, watching IllumiNations never fails to move me. However, there is an extended period in the middle where there are no fireworks and, unless you have a very good view of what's happening on the lagoon, it can be a bit boring, especially for children. Reading up on the fascinating facts about the globe (which is where all the non-fireworks activity takes place) might help you to appreciate it more.

Wishes is more accessible "straight out of the bag". It's much more your regular fireworks display, although, being Disney, there are some pretty spectacular fireworks effects. Tinkerbell starts the show by making a flight from the top of the castle, but you need to be reasonably close to see her properly. It's possibly the better choice if you have young children.

Whichever you choose, your viewing location can make a big difference to your enjoyment. Make sure there is nothing to block your view, particularly trees.

At MK, anywhere down the middle of Main Street will be fine. The beauty of this vantage point is that the fireworks are designed to form a symmetry over the castle, so you get the full effect and, no matter how packed it is, you'll be able to see reasonably well because you are looking skywards. If it's really busy, you may have to lift small children. If you want to watch from the station platform, you'll have to stake out your place well in advance - possibly up to 2 hours. There are some good viewing spots to the right of the castle (the Rose Garden and the bridge to Tomorrowland, for example) where you'll get the best view of Tinkerbell's flight. Be careful if you pick a spot on the other side of the Castle because there are a lot of trees which can really spoil things. If you watch from behind the castle, you won't get the proper effect because the fireworks are launched from behind to appear as though they're above.

At Epcot, there are lots of great viewing spots. Go on a quiet night and you won't have to arrive too early to get a spot right on the railings. Before it gets dark, take a look at where the globe is located on the lagoon (they take it out mid afternoon) - some popular viewing locations (such as the bridge between UK and France) are much further from the action than others and the globe segment has much more impact from close quarters. Again, take care to avoid trees and other tall structures which could block your view.

 

[Goofyish]

If you do stay for fireworks in any of the parks, then don't rush to leave the park afterwards (like the majority). Grab a drink or a snack and find a nice spot to watch everyone rush to the exits - and queue for the resort buses and carpark trains

Once the rush has died down you can take a slow walk out of the park - this is especially nice in Epcot where you can take a slow walk round the World Showcase.

 

[wicket2005]

If you do stay for fireworks in any of the parks, then don't rush to leave the park afterwards (like the majority). Grab a drink or a snack and find a nice spot to watch everyone rush to the exits - and queue for the resort buses and carpark trains

.

Extremely good point especially in the case of Magic Kingdom. It took us nearly 1 1/2 hours to reach the car park after leaving straight after a firework display in 2005. This was terrible, we were shattered, been up since 6 am then didn't get back to hotel till 12. Last year we either got out of the park before the fireworks commenced and watched them from the ferry or on the last night (when we really wanted to see them with the castle) we hung around for a while afterwards and didn't have any problems getting a ferry back.

 

[UKDEB]

Once the rush has died down you can take a slow walk out of the park - this is especially nice in Epcot where you can take a slow walk round the World Showcase.

Sssh! Don't tell everyone! Seriously, Tim - that's a very good point. We've spent some lovely times in a virtually deserted Epcot after IllumiNations, singing and dancing to the Millennium Celebration soundtrack (much to the amusement of the CMs who seem to appear from nowhere to clean up). If you wait long enough, you might even witness the fuel dump.