Best Spots for Fireworks?

[jsantini]

Hey All,

Any advice on the best quiet spots to watch fireworks, including Illum. and Wishes?

Thanks!

 

[DisGirl819]

I would like to know too!
When I read the title to your post (without looking to see the zero responses yet) I got out my park maps and a pen...I was ready to mark spots on the maps!

 

[Robo]

Wishes:

If all you want to see is FIREWORKS, you can stand at MOST areas in the MK.
(And a wide variety of places OUTSIDE the MK.)

But if you are NOT at CERTAIN SPECIFIC LOCATIONS, you will MISS the "full impact" of the SHOW called "Wishes".

Wishes has two fireworks "STAGES":
One fires its missiles from a location FAR BEHIND any public area of MK.
The other fires its missiles from the ROOF-TOPS of Fantasyland/Liberty Square/the Castle.
The guests' VIEWING ANGLE will affect "if and how" these two stages can be viewed together (they are designed to be viewed "together".)

There is a full AUDIO TRACK that is synchronized with the fireworks.
It is the "motivation" for the unique fireworks effects that change with each MOOD and SECTION of the audio track.

The audio, and positioning of the two fireworks "stages" relative to the viewer will affect the impact of the show.

The front of the CASTLE ITSELF is part of the "show".
There is an elaborate lighting system that is used to change the color of the castle to suit each MOOD, and even "textures" and shapes are projected on the castle at key points in the show (Mickey's Sorcerer's HAT is a great one).

Tinkerbell's flight (which used to take place PRIOR to the old fireworks show at MK) is now WITHIN "Wishes". She doesn't fly EVERY night, but she OFTEN flies and you should be in a position to see her.

The SWEET-SPOT for Wishes is: starting from approx. the "bridge to Tomorrowland" ...on up Main Street to the "Main Street Cinema" (Pal Mickey Store).
That is simply the "optimum viewing" area.

There are MANY other places to watch, but they are all compromises that diminish the "full effect" of the show in one way or more:

Some have little or no SOUND.
Some have obstructed views of the fireworks.
Some only allow viewing of one of the two fireworks "stages".
Some places (like the Main Street train station) don't turn off the lights in the area, so there will likely be lights in your field-of-vision.
Some don't allow a view of the castle-front and/or Tinkerbell when she flies.

So, if you don't MIND this, you can choose from a multitude of "viewing spots" throughout the MK.

My point is that the show is designed for "FULL EFFECT" to be seen from the "Sweet spot" areas I described. (But, yes, those can be C-R-O-W-D-E-D!)

Wishes is the only fireworks show that can be (for the most part) seen from outside the presenting park.
Good viewing can be found at the beach of the Polynesian Resort (walk along the sidewalk there until you see a view of the castle unobstructed by trees.)
The Ohana restaurant at the Poly offers good views (and they pipe in the audio of the show). Same goes for the California Grill Restaurant (and outdoor terrace) at the Contemporary Resort.
At Grand Floridian, "Narcoossee's" is the restaurant with the MK and Wishes views (and sound).

The MK parking lot (TTC) offers views, as well as do other outdoor spots for several miles in any direction of MK. But without the sound, you miss a lot of the "show".
Best analogy:
Sitting across the highway from a Drive-In Theater and "watching the movie" with binoculars. You can do it, but it LACKS something.

-----------------------------------

IllumiNations:

Great viewing from:
Bridge between UK and France (under this bridge is where the so-called "IllumiNations Cruise" boats view the show.

The plaza area on the water (lagoon) at Italy.

Near Norway is prime.

Area to left of UK "Pub" (this is also near a roped-off Wheelchair viewing area.)

Front area of WS near the "twin gift shops" (very crowded here). Many times guests are asked to SIT on the pavement so others behind them can see.

Actually too many "good" spots to list.

Just remember that you don't want to stand under tree-limbs (obstructed sky-views) or DOWN-WIND of all that fireworks fall-out and SMOKE.

"Outside the park " viewing:
MOST of effects of IllumiNations take place ON (or just a few feet above) the surface of the water of the WS lagoon.
Except for the very first "Comet" firework effect, and several other major "sky-blasts" (some quite LOUD), IllumiNations can't really be enjoyed from outside Epcot's World Showcase.
One favorite outside spot to view the few "sky-blasts" is on the bridge coming toward Epcot's International Gateway from the Boardwalk Resort. You can't hear any of the music track, which is a very important part of the show.
You can't see very much either, and there will be very long periods of time where you see nothing at all.
-----------------------------------

Fantasmic!:

Simple. The show is all about STORY.
You "must" see it from inside the Fantasmic! Amphitheater to appreciate the show.
Arrive early (45-70 minutes before show-time) to get seats closer to front and center, but this is a HUGE show and can be enjoyed from most anywhere in the theater.
On nights when there are two showings, the second one will virtually always be much less crowded and easier to sit closer to front-and-center (if you want.)
The final "sky-blast" fireworks can be seen from outside the theater (on the parking lot side of MGM) but not really worth making a trip to see them.

 

[DisGirl819]

Robo,
thanks for the great info!

However, did I miss something or was your post missing information about where good spots to view Wishes are?? You mentioned places outside the park, but what are the good places within the park, especially ones that MAY be less crowded.

Thanks again!

 

[Robo]

Robo,
thanks for the great info!

However, did I miss something or was your post missing information about where good spots to view Wishes are?? You mentioned places outside the park, but what are the good places within the park, especially ones that MAY be less crowded.

Thanks again!

WHAT?

You didn't enjoy the "Reader's Digest CONDENSED version" of my post?



Go back and read it again... I just edited in the FULL "unabridged" version.

(And thanks for pointing out my inadvertent "edit" of the info.)

 

[DisGirl819]

WHAT?

You didn't enjoy the "Reader's Digest CONDENSED version" of my post?



Go back and read it again... I just edited in the FULL "unabridged" version.

(And thanks for pointing out my inadvertent "edit" of the info.)

Thanks for the edit...makes MUCH more sense now!

 

[KarenCPA]

Is there space designated for those in wheelchairs to view Wishes, Illum and Fantasmic from "sweet spots"? I can just imagine getting settled and then having some stranger just walk up and stand in front of me. Also, if there is a special area, can my family stand with/behind me there? karen

 

[Robo]

Is there space designated for those in wheelchairs to view Wishes, Illum and Fantasmic from "sweet spots"? I can just imagine getting settled and then having some stranger just walk up and stand in front of me. Also, if there is a special area, can my family stand with/behind me there? karen

Yes, absolutely for IllumiNations and Fantasmic!

I'm not SURE about Wishes, but from my quick web research, I don't think so. But if you go to the BRIDGE leading to Tomorrowland from the Hub, position yourself up against the FENCE and face the Castle, nobody COULD stand in front of you because of the fence.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/guide.php?pg=BCE203

quote-
Access: Viewing of the fireworks is possible from all over the park, though the best views will be from the area in front of Cinderella Castle. If in a wheelchair or ECV, the difficulty will be in finding a place where your view will not be obstructed by people standing in front of you.

 

[TCKK]

Thanks Robo for the information. We copied and pasted it for our use.

 

[Robo]

Thanks Robo for the information. We copied and pasted it for our use.

You're welcome.

I LOVE THESE SHOWS!

 

[SueM in MN]

The wheelchair accessible viewing spots for Illuminations and for Spectromagic are marked on the park maps.
We seldom use them though because they are usually crowded, with the wheelchairs parked side by side touching each other (not something my DD will tolerate) and you usually need to be in place at least an hour before the show to get a spot (also something my DD will not tolerate). The "busy-ness" varies, so you might hit a night that is not so busy. For Illuminations, there are many good spots all around the World Showcase. Just pull up by the fence and make yourself comfortable. Before the show begins, you can see the barges that fireworks will be shot off from. Just scout out a spot where you have an un-obstructed view of those barges and you should have a good view. Also, be aware of which way the wind is blowing - if it's towards you, you will get a pretty heavy dose of smoke.

I have never heard of any handicapped viewing spots for Wishes. People have posted in the past that they asked at Guest Services and were told that there is none (since the fireworks are in the air above you, WDW apparently did not feel one was needed).

 

[o2bacelt]

Just and FYI.

We were in the TTC while Wishes was going on, our not-yet 2 year old doesn't like fireworks, Illuminations viewing from the Rose & Crown sent her inside with my mom (where one of the great wait staff taught my daughter to cover her ears and say "loud.") but we were able to actually listen to the music from Wishes at the TTC. I don't know if it's broadcast down where the ferry boats pick up but you can hear it from the monorail station and just outside it.

 

[Disgirl83]

I just wanted to confirm that Ohana's did pipe in the Wishes soundtrack during the fireworks. This is the first time I have heard this. If so this would be a great alternative to the california grill!!

 

[DonnaL]

Another great spot to watch is from the Rose Garden.....you're below the castle, but, get the full effect of the special effect lighting on the castle during the show. It's also a great place to watch Tink fly because you're almost directly below her as she comes out of the castle. If you're really lucky....you can even snag a bench from the pavilion there and pull it over to the end of the pavilion to watch.

 

[Sonno]

If you want a nice quiet place to watch Wishes, grab a swinging bench on the beach at the Polynesian. You can see the castle all lit up and the fireworks overhead reflecting off the Seven Seas Lagoon. And the best part, no people. It's a nice romantic moment... and it's free!