Best place to see Fireworks in Magic Kingdom??

[huggiebear23]

Hi, I was wondering where the place to see Spectro Magic and the Fireworks?

 

[Robo]

Because the SpectroMagic parade STARTS at the front and moves SLOWLY to the back of MK, there is big difference in "wait time" between the end of the parade (depending on where YOU are standing) and the beginning of Wishes (which can be seen at the SAME TIME throughout the park).

Following example based on a 9pm start of Spectromagic:

If you watch from near the Main Street Train Station at the FRONT of MK:
Parade Starts- 9:00pm
Parade Over- 9:20pm
>>"Between" wait time- 40 minutes
Wishes Starts- 10:00pm
Wishes Over- 10:13pm

If you watch from near the Splash Mountain at the BACK of MK:
Parade Starts- 9:25pm
Parade Over- 9:45pm
>>"Between" wait time- 15 minutes
Wishes Starts- 10:00pm
Wishes Over- 10:13pm

The preferred spot to watch Wishes is from Main Street or somewhere around the "Hub" (the circular area right in front of the Castle where the other "Lands" are entered.)
The real "SWEET SPOT" is exactly in front of the ICE CREAM shop.
(Don't stand under the umbrella tables, just NEAR them.)
From this spot, the fireworks appear "centered" over the castle from there (very crowded).
Up Main Street as far as the PAL MICKEY store is great viewing as well.
This is where Wishes is DESIGNED to be fully appreciated.
The Castle's front facade (with added lighting and projections) is actually a part of the show.

NOTE: If you go up toward the train station any FARTHER than the PAL MICKEY store... they DON"T turn off the LIGHTS of Main Street in that area. So you'll be viewing with hundreds of lights still in your line-of-sight.

The next-preferred spot is on the bridge between the Hub and Tomorrowland (on the Hub end, not Tomorrowland.)

"Tinkerbell" also flies from the top of the castle over to just above the "Noodle Station" open-air restaurant at one point early in the show.

The reason to see Wishes at least ONCE from the "sweet spot(s)" is that there are "front" fireworks (fired from the roofs of Fantasyland) that are best viewed from in front of the castle.
There are "rear" fireworks that are aimed to erupt behind (and centered over) the Castle.
So, if you can withstand the CRUSH of people, and don't mind the longer "in-between" wait time after the parade goes by, the Main Street area is tops for viewing "Wishes".

WARNING: No matter how tempting in may seem... Do NOT stand on the sidewalk between the Hub and Frontierland OR on the sidewalk between the Hub and Adventureland... the (nearly INVISIBLE in the dark) trees BLOCK the main fireworks and the sound is ABSENT/MUFFLED here (by design?).

AND in spite of how good the idea may look before the show, unless you KNOW EXACTLY what you're doing, do not attempt to view Wishes from the Noodle Station seating area.
The main fireworks are hidden from MOST of the seats at this restaurant area and they don't kill the lights or pipe in the music.

There are PLENTY of other places to see both SpectroMagic and Wishes.
Many here have their favorites.
MY spot is way back in Frontierland by the "Turkey Leg Stand" (we don't eat the legs, but its a great place to view the parade!) As I stated above, the parade reaches this spot by about 9:25pm.

Then, RIGHT after the parade ends, we jog across the "bridge" to Splash Mountain and take a quick ride ("nobody" is in the queue, most folks are still at the parade route).

Then, after the Splash ride, we walk back to the "bridge" from Frontierland and usually get there just in time to see ALL of "Wishes" from there.
The SOUND is supplied back there, and you can see nearly everything (including Tinkerbell).
The things you MISS back there are the fun/beautiful castle-front effects and the symmetry of being in the "center of the stage" for the fireworks.
But the fireworks are HUGE, regardless, and the BIGGEST ones ("rear" fireworks) are actually sent UP from the back of MK, near BTMRR and Splash.

 

[Greg K.]

About 90 minutes before Spectro, we found ourselves in the railroad station on Main Street. We went upstairs to look around. There's a terrace up there with a few tables and chairs. It was deserted. We had a perfect view of the castle. Sweeeeet! We staked it out, and stayed up there, our party of four took turns to get up and walk around and shop or get something to eat, while others in our group held the spot.

We had a terrific view of the parade and the fireworks that followed. And then, we were among the first out of the park and onto the bus when it was over. The result? The fireworks were at 10, finished at about 10:15, and we were back at our hotel, the Board Walk Villas, at about 10:30!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

WE LOVE LOVE LOVE to sit at the Tomoorwland Noodles Station area. There are a bunch of tables under the uncovered area facing the castle and Tink flies RIGHT ABOVE YOUR HEAD!!! we are always only 2 of about 8 people there! GREAT spot and you get to SIT!!!

 

[Robo]

WE LOVE LOVE LOVE to sit at the Tomoorwland Noodles Station area. There are a bunch of tables under the uncovered area facing the castle and Tink flies RIGHT ABOVE YOUR HEAD!!! we are always only 2 of about 8 people there! GREAT spot and you get to SIT!!!

Yep. That's the only spot there that's any good. (and it IS good.)

All of the tables back under the roof have their veiw of the Fireworks cut off BY the roof.

All of the tables to the RIGHT of that area (even if they are not unde the roof) have their veiw of the Fireworks cut off by the large PYLONS that decorate the entrance to Tomorrowland.

 

[Kath816]

You guys are the BEST! We're going with friends in October. They think I am the Disney expert. It's you all that make me look good!! I don't usually stay for fireworks because of the crowds. Last time we watched from the Poly beach - if we heard the music, it would have been perfect! So, I am going to print this out and study. Robo, THANK YOU for the detailed locations.

Also, a question, are these still the best spots for the Halloween fireworks as we'll be at MVSHP?

 

[DOOM1001]

I always watch Spectromagic in Frontierland since it gets there at about 9:20(if the parade starts at 9pm).It's usually done by 9:40-9:45, I then cut through the bathrooms between Frontierland and Adventureland and head straight for the front of the castle(not close or the castle will block the fireworks), and wait about 10 minutes for the 10pm start time!!

 

[Robo]

are these still the best spots for the Halloween fireworks as we'll be at MVSHP?

They'll look great from the same areas as regular "Wishes" does.

 

[fesslerl]

What about the Electrical Water Pageant. I read that it passes by Magic Kingdom at 10:20 pm (only during extended MK park hours) Has anyone ever seen it from MK. If so, from where did you watch it. Wondering where would be the best spot to try to see it.

 

[Robo]

What about the Electrical Water Pageant. I read that it passes by Magic Kingdom at 10:20 pm (only during extended MK park hours) Has anyone ever seen it from MK. If so, from where did you watch it. Wondering where would be the best spot to try to see it.

Just walk down to the railing along the lake.
I'd go over to the bus-loading area (the side where All Star and Pop load) and you'll have an unobstructed view.

 

[fesslerl]

Just walk down to the railing along the lake.
I'd go over to the bus-loading area (the side where All Star and Pop load) and you'll have an unobstructed view.

thanks for answering what may have been a dumb question. We've only been to MK once and that was 7 years ago.

 

[Sonno]

/bump