Castle closure before fireworks (how soon before show?)

[noryglory]

How much time before the fireworks do they shut access to the castle, and therefore, allow people to congregate in the sidewalk area in front? If one wanted to sit and relax and wait for the show...

Someone mentioned they made it standing room only, but can a person sit and wait in the interim, then stand when showtime approaches and more people begin waiting?

 

[PryncessChrysty]

It's been my experience that they close the castle after the 2nd showing of the parade. What I've usually seen happen is all of the people that were watching the 2nd parade, especially those in the HUB area, just stick around in the same spot, or come in closer to the castle for the fireworks. There's about 1 1/2 - 2 hrs in between the last parade and the fireworks.
Usually, everyone that's in the street area between the castle and the HUB are seated, and stay seated throughout the show. There is room to sit in the HUB, but once the show starts, it's better to stand.

 

[noryglory]

Ah, that makes a lot of sense. Thanks for helping me figure it out.

 

[Janomi]

Just an FYI, I got caught leaving the park right before fireworks started, and they are now using the circular sidewalk around the hub as a walkway. The movement is counterclockwise from the castle. Be warned though, it's a traffic circle of slow moving bodies. Took me almost 20 minutes to get from one side (Tomorrowland) back out onto Main Street, since the traffic was one way only. I felt like cattle. MOO!

 

[Eeyorecln]

Just an FYI, I got caught leaving the park right before fireworks started, and they are now using the circular sidewalk around the hub as a walkway. The movement is counterclockwise from the castle. Be warned though, it's a traffic circle of slow moving bodies. Took me almost 20 minutes to get from one side (Tomorrowland) back out onto Main Street, since the traffic was one way only. I felt like cattle. MOO!

I'm not sure which walkway you're talking about. Does that mean that people are walking in front of you while your watching the Fireworks? I would think that would be distracting to all the stuff going on at the castle to have people walking in front of it.

 

[Janomi]

When I left, the fireworks did not start yet. The street area was designated for people watching the fireworks, and the sidewalk was used for traffic. Before, traffic would flow right through the center (near the Walt/Mickey statue), and that time, I did walk through while the fireworks were going on. Hope this clears up any confusion.

 

[noryglory]

So I can "reserve" a spot by waiting in the street once the castle is closed? Correct?

 

[Janomi]

As long as you are inside the designated viewing area you can stop/rest/relax until the fireworks start (within the ropes). It's on a first come first served basis...plan to camp out for awhile. The hub will start filling up about 1.5 hrs before the actual start time.