Best places to stand to watch Fireworks?

[Piglet99645]

Great news for me: There are 8:40 pm fireworks on June 8th (grad night), which is the day we arrive.... so totally worth it to me to get the extra day on the park-hopper and do dinner and fireworks at the park instead of telling the kids "no, you have to wait until tomorrow."

Anyway......... I want a good view but I also don't want to be stuck in the park trying to get out. Where is the best place to stand/sit with three kids to watch the fireworks?

Or, where is your favorite spot?

 

[oc_tony]

If a quick and easy exit is your number one priority, then you might try watching from the Main St train station. It isn't the best view, but you can get out ahead of the masses once the show ends. The effects on the castle, as well as the flying Dumbo and Tinkerbell, are difficult to see, but everything that happens in the sky is perfectly visible, and the audio is fine too.

Of course, the best location is near the castle in the hub, but those spots are usually claimed pretty early. If you do a late dinner (7:45-8:00) at the Plaza Inn, you can watch from your table. Pick a table on an elevated level, with as few trees obstructing your view as possible. You can also watch from the small world area.

Have a great visit.

 

[Piglet99645]

If a quick and easy exit is your number one priority, then you might try watching from the Main St train station.

Of course, the best location is near the castle in the hub, but those spots are usually claimed pretty early. If you do a late dinner (7:45-8:00) at the Plaza Inn, you can watch from your table. Pick a table on an elevated level, with as few trees obstructing your view as possible.

THERE IS A FLYING DUMBO???? I don't think I've ever seen the DL fireworks. WDW Magic Kingdom had the Tinkerbell and my son was enchanted. We MUST be close enough to see that!!!

I love the Plaza Inn suggestion..... although we are having breakfast there the next morning......

How early is early to claim a spot to watch fireworks?

 

[mama2dutchies]

Are we allowed to do that if we aren't part of grad night?

Meaning I'm there the following week and there is a june 16 grad night.. we aren't with a grad and I thought the park closed to everyone but the grads/guests around 5 or 7?

 

[Piglet99645]

Are we allowed to do that if we aren't part of grad night?

Meaning I'm there the following week and there is a june 16 grad night.. we aren't with a grad and I thought the park closed to everyone but the grads/guests around 5 or 7?

The park hours have just been posted, and the park is open until 9. Fireworks at 8:40.

I would wait until the park hours for June 16 are posted, but I'd be optimistic.

 

[oc_tony]

THERE IS A FLYING DUMBO???? I don't think I've ever seen the DL fireworks. WDW Magic Kingdom had the Tinkerbell and my son was enchanted. We MUST be close enough to see that!!!

I love the Plaza Inn suggestion..... although we are having breakfast there the next morning......

How early is early to claim a spot to watch fireworks?

Yup, if I'm not mistaken, DL will be showing their summer fireworks show called "Magical" during your visit. The closer you are to the castle (backside or frontside), the better you'll be able to see Dumbo. It's pretty cool. For spots in the hub, it's not unreasonable to stake your claim at least an hour ahead of time. IMHO, The Matterhorn side of the castle is better for a less obstructed view.

 

[lapdwife]

Top floor of the parking structure! We've gone up there even when staying on property.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Are we allowed to do that if we aren't part of grad night?

Meaning I'm there the following week and there is a june 16 grad night.. we aren't with a grad and I thought the park closed to everyone but the grads/guests around 5 or 7?

The park closing hours at DL during a Grad Night is 9pm. If you are still in the park before 9pm, you can still see the fireworks inside DL. When the fireworks end, the park will be closed and all the guests will be leaving the park. Grad nights mostly don't start around midnight since DL needs time to escort all the regular guests from the park and get it ready for Grad night. You will have no problem seeing the fireworks from inside the park if you are still in there.

Yup, if I'm not mistaken, DL will be showing their summer fireworks show called "Magical" during your visit. The closer you are to the castle (backside or frontside), the better you'll be able to see Dumbo. It's pretty cool. For spots in the hub, it's not unreasonable to stake your claim at least an hour ahead of time. IMHO, The Matterhorn side of the castle is better for a less obstructed view.

Just as oc_tony said that DL will be presenting "Magical: Disney's New Nighttime Spectacular of Magical Celebrations" fireworks during the summertime. Even though it is not as better as RDCT which is a favorite to most of the DISers, it does have both Tink and Dumbo in the same show. It is so amazing to see Dumbo fly in the sky during Magical. If you are in front of SB castle which is the best spot to see the fireworks, you can see Dumbo with no problem. People do wait as long as 2+ hours to see the firework show. I am one of those crazy people who would wait 2+ hours for a firework show. If you show up 1 hour until the firework show, you will be able to get a front row spot, but after that it will be really hard to get a front row spot. The TL side is one of the best sides to see the fireworks from the Hub. The Frontierland side can have less view since you the fireworks can be blocked by the trees from the Carnation Plaza Gardens side.

 

[princessaw]

You might not be able to get out of the park very quickly, but we've always had a GREAT view from right in front of Small world!!

 

[jacs1234]

We always try to watch the fireworks from in front of the castle. Then after the fireworks, we just sit and watch the crowds go by until it is easier to get out.

 

[iKristin]

Last trip I found a great hidden spot to watch the fireworks that i will share

I'm gonna post a photo of the map because I can't for the life of me get the name of the building to pop in my head. It's the red and yellow colored place on the corner of main street right before the turn off for Adventureland. Anyways!! There is a couple planters diagonal from it and everytime the fireworks are going on the cast members put benches on either side of the planters to block the walk way and keep control of the crowd movement. Well standing behind this planter give you a PERFECT view of the castle and the fireworks because no one can stand directly in front of you, and even if they stand in front of the planter, the land is slanted so you can still see perfectly. Okay!! So in the photo, right in the middle of the 'map' photo, you will see a white sign and then two planters , one on either side. It's the planter on the left hand side, the smaller one with bushes in it. Not the two with the trees in them. Hope that helps anyone

http://i52.tinypic.com/2mczkfd.png

 

[ptlycloudy]

Do they still block off the castle entrance and let people sit on the ground in front? I was thinking this might be an option for us since I will be using a cane due to recovering from a broken ankle. Standing for a long time isn't an option for me, so I am looking for spots where I can sit with my family.

 

[mikeandkarla]

Another question. On nights of Fantasmic! show at 9 and fireworks at 930, where do you watch the fireworks from after Fantasmic! at 925? Is it a good view of the fireworks from where you see Fantasmic!?

 

[jd99]

As a WDW veteran who hadn't been to DL since I was a kid, I was shocked the last time w went to DL and how people just sat down in front of the castle all through the hub and basically blocked any chance of you walking through. I probably ran over 20 people's feet with our stroller! This year we are going to watch from anywhere but near the castle!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Do they still block off the castle entrance and let people sit on the ground in front? I was thinking this might be an option for us since I will be using a cane due to recovering from a broken ankle. Standing for a long time isn't an option for me, so I am looking for spots where I can sit with my family.

Almost around 1 1/2 hours, the CMs blocked off the front entrance of SB castle to set up for the fireworks. For the viewing areas in front of SB castle, the curbs are one of the best spots to sit down for awhile and watch the fireworks. The curb right in front of the castle are the closest spot to see the fireworks since the sidewalk will be used for the guests to walk from TL to Frontierland. This makes it easy for people who don't want to watch the fireworks and move to another land. Also there are the benches right by the partners statue which could be a good idea. But people wait as long as 3+ hours for the bench seats. The CMs will make everyone stand up for the fireworks.

Another question. On nights of Fantasmic! show at 9 and fireworks at 930, where do you watch the fireworks from after Fantasmic! at 925? Is it a good view of the fireworks from where you see Fantasmic!?

If you just have finished watching the first F! show and the fireworks started at 9:30pm, it is a good idea to watch the fireworks from the ROA since you will not be able to get to the Hub and watch it from there. Even though you won't be able to see the full effect of the fireworks when you watch it in front of SB caslte, you will be able to see the fireworks from the ROA.

 

[ptlycloudy]

Thanks for the info. I think sitting at the curb will work great. I can stand for the fireworks, just didn't want to stand for excessive periods of time waiting.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Thanks for the info. I think sitting at the curb will work great. I can stand for the fireworks, just didn't want to stand for excessive periods of time waiting.

The curb in front of SB castle is a good spot to see the fireworks and it is one of the spots that the guests will claim early. But don't get the spot on the left side which is Frontierland side of the Hub since the trees in front of you can block your view. Close to 1 1/2 to 2 hours the curb spots will be claimed by the guests so it is a good idea to show up around those times to get one. Around 10 to 15 min. until the fireworks start, the CMs in front of SB castle will ask all the guests to stand up for the show. You won't have to worry about standing up that long.

 

[damaris13]

If you just have finished watching the first F! show and the fireworks started at 9:30pm, it is a good idea to watch the fireworks from the ROA since you will not be able to get to the Hub and watch it from there. Even though you won't be able to see the full effect of the fireworks when you watch it in front of SB caslte, you will be able to see the fireworks from the ROA.

We'll be there with our DD2, and I know that she would love to see Dumbo and Tink fly. On the other hand, I know she will also be excited to see Fantasmic again (we saw it WDW last year, and despite it being the later show and wanting to sleep, she was enthralled). I'm thinking we might have to choose between the two or see the later F. Suggestions?

 

[kikiq]

Anyway......... I want a good view but I also don't want to be stuck in the park trying to get out. Where is the best place to stand/sit with three kids to watch the fireworks?

I would try to get a place somewhere in front of the castle. DL really uses the front of the castle as well as the area around the hub and Mainstreet in their fireworks. The CMs set up crowd control early. The sidewalk in front of the castle is clear and one way. As they rope off Main Street into viewing sections, they attempt to move the people in on the right side facing the castle and out on the left. We've actually been one of those obnoxious people going against the flow to get to the Carnation Plaza for the swing band with a stroller..never again. If you have been to WDW/MK and attempted to get out after fireworks, I understand your concern, it's not that bad.

 

[mvf-m11c]

We'll be there with our DD2, and I know that she would love to see Dumbo and Tink fly. On the other hand, I know she will also be excited to see Fantasmic again (we saw it WDW last year, and despite it being the later show and wanting to sleep, she was enthralled). I'm thinking we might have to choose between the two or see the later F. Suggestions?

F! at DL is completely different than WDW F!. You will love DL F! with Murphy, PP scene, etc. It does suck that it is not in a seating area like DHS.

For your suggestion, if you do care about seeing the fireworks in front of SB castle and still want to see F! in a good view. The best way to watch both shows in the same night is to get a spot in front of SB castle for the fireworks and after the fireworks, head on over to the ROA for the 2nd show of F!. This is one of the best ways to see both shows in a good view on the same night. This also includes that you position yourself in a good spot for the fireworks and than head on over to the ROA for the 2nd show of F!. So you have to get a spot on the left side of the Hub which is the Frontierland side. You can do F! first and see the fireworks from the ROA, but you won't be able to see the full effects of the fireworks.