Disability fireworks viewing at Epcot

[laurenelisewhitaker]

Has anyone been and can tell me if they have this area open for us? I know they still do it at MK, just not sure about Epcot.

 

[SueM in MN]

They are again marked on the EPCOT park maps for guests with disabilities
EPCOT MAP

 

[c_los75]

They are again marked on the EPCOT park maps for guests with disabilities
EPCOT MAPView attachment 611810

Thanks for the reply.

I was going to ask the same question, as I've memorized the wheelchair viewing areas at DLR, but didn't know of the ones at WDW since I'm going for my first time next month.

 

[Selket]

I've watched some Disney YouTube streamers who have said their best experience for Harmonious was watching it head on directly in front of the circular screen as much as possible. Some of the effects of that screen weren't noticeable if you were off to the side. There does seem to be a disability viewing spot there. From what they've said, I'd think the one near Germany would offer the least desirable view of the 3 there on the map and the one off to the side near Canada would be ok I think...but not as good as the one straight ahead of Spaceship Earth. This is just "optimal" viewing - I'm sure the show is beautiful from anywhere you end up!

 

[gap2368]

Here is where the magic kingdom area is you enter where the red line is they have been opening it an hour before fireworks and it fills up fast if you want front row I would get there 30-45 minutes before they open. They only had two rows of about 8-10 groups in each row

And you did not have to have a wheelchair ECV to use the area anyone with a disability ( DAS ) can

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

I guess time will tell how crowded these get and how early one needs to get a spot. This will be our first trip with a family member in a wheel chair, so it's all a bit stressful not knowing exactly how things work. I'm also not sure what the rest of us do - I don't want to leave her alone, but I'm sure the entire family isn't supposed to cram into the handicapped area. Are there CMs in the area explaining the "procedure" to us newbies?

 

[gap2368]

I guess time will tell how crowded these get and how early one needs to get a spot. This will be our first trip with a family member in a wheel chair, so it's all a bit stressful not knowing exactly how things work. I'm also not sure what the rest of us do - I don't want to leave her alone, but I'm sure the entire family isn't supposed to cram into the handicapped area. Are there CMs in the area explaining the "procedure" to us newbies?

Once in the area you are free to leave and come back as you wish. I was alone and let to use the bathroom and came back to my spot. Some people family did not show up untill right before the fireworks started. About an hour before hand is when the CM showers up and they were there to help in anyway they could. You can have up to 5 people with the disabled person anymore then that they will not let you in

 

[Selket]

I'm also not sure what the rest of us do - I don't want to leave her alone, but I'm sure the entire family isn't supposed to cram into the handicapped area. Are there CMs in the area explaining the "procedure" to us newbies?

I'm usually by myself or with one other person in the WC area (with a rental ECV). I think as mentioned you can have several people with you but you can always choose to leave one person with the person in a WC and the rest of the family can go elsewhere if they choose - just pick a place to meet up (or use the handy cell phone to figure it out lol).

I guess in theory if the person in the WC can stand for awhile, you could watch the show from the place of your choosing - if the person is able to stand for the duration of the show. I was thinking about this because I'd like to see the projections on Main Street when watching the new MK fireworks so I thought I might just find a spot on Main Street and stand next to the ECV for the fireworks if the knees will cooperate. I think the new MK fireworks might be better from further away from the hub... but YMMV on that.

 

[SueM in MN]

In the past, the EPCOT areas often filled up quickly. The CM(s) come about an hour before the fireworks are scheduled to begin.
if it’s a ’quiet’ night, they might not fill up until soon before the show begins. On a ‘busy’ night, the area might be full within a few minutes of opening.
Depending on how full it is, the CMs will usually have the guests using wheelchairs, ECVs or other mobility devices lined up across the front of the viewing area with space right behind for 1 or 2 members of their group to stand. The rest of their party would stand farther back in the viewing area. In our past experience, the viewing area as you enter World Showcase is the busiest and may have 3 or even 4 rows of mobility devices with space for 1 or 2 members of their party to crouch or kneel next to them once the show begins.

Usually up to 5 guests can accompany the person with a disability, but they can and sometimes do limit it to 2 when it’s really busy.
If you leave to use the restroom, etc, tell the CM so they save your spot (or leave at least one member of your party in the area). In the area near the entrance to World Showcase, it might not be possible to leave once you have gotten a spot - especially in the first 2 rows.

Most of the guests coming there are nice, but there are occasional dinks - like people who hog the front by lining up their whole group along the fence and refusing to move some back so guests with wheelchairs can be at the front. Or, bringing 5 people in with the guest in an ECV and then bringing a few more in at a time until their entire very large party is inside.

At EPCOT, the entire area along the World Showcase Lagon has a fence, so guests can park their mobility device along the fence and no one can stand in front of them. I’ve suggested people check out an area earlier in the day to go to in the evening. The most direct views of the projections will be closest to the entry into World Showcase, but those are also most congested, so some guests might choose to trade a less congested area for a not so perfect view.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

I guess in theory if the person in the WC can stand for awhile, you could watch the show from the place of your choosing - if the person is able to stand for the duration of the show. I was thinking about this because I'd like to see the projections on Main Street when watching the new MK fireworks so I thought I might just find a spot on Main Street and stand next to the ECV for the fireworks if the knees will cooperate. I think the new MK fireworks might be better from further away from the hub... but YMMV on that.

Our situation is evolving, so I wouldn't be willing to chance it by hoping we can all stand but you may be right about viewing location for MK. DD (the one new to wheelchair) is much more interested in Epcot that MK, so HarmonioUS is our goal. She's not a fan of the Norway ride (RIP Maelstrom ) but we'd book the dessert party if it were an option. (Not wild about menu at R&C, not wild about view at SRT) I guess 'stressing' about Disney is easier for me than stressing about the need for the wheelchair...

 

[Selket]

DD (the one new to wheelchair) is much more interested in Epcot that MK, so HarmonioUS is our goal.

If Harmonious is a top priority for her I'd plan to be in that front (directly in front of Spaceship Earth) viewing area so that she is facing the round projection screen and up against the fence. You'll need to be there very early in line as Sue mentioned. Maybe even two hours (more? less?) before the actual show. I always liked the dessert party so I had a good viewing spot but the current viewing areas from those Epcot restaurants are not the best perhaps.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

How soon does the area open? I can sit there for awhile but I will have to leave to use the restroom. I'm lucky I can just leave my walker and walk to the restroom and back. I can't stand for very long. I'll let the CM know.

 

[gap2368]

How soon does the area open? I can sit there for awhile but I will have to leave to use the restroom. I'm lucky I can just leave my walker and walk to the restroom and back. I can't stand for very long. I'll let the CM ]

When I was there last it opened one hour before fireworks

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just an FYI, when I was in Epcot in January, a CM told me that the one by Italy is frequently unavailable due to private parties.

 

[SueM in MN]

How soon does the area open? I can sit there for awhile but I will have to leave to use the restroom. I'm lucky I can just leave my walker and walk to the restroom and back. I can't stand for very long. I'll let the CM know.

Yes. Let the CM monitoring the area know that you need to leave for a few minutes.

When I was there last it opened one hour before fireworks

That has been our experience too.
Depending on the night, it may fill up pretty soon after opening or, there may still be spots left just before the show starts.

Just an FYI, when I was in Epcot in January, a CM told me that the one by Italy is frequently unavailable due to private parties.

there are a couple of areas used by private parties right in front of Italy that are not marked on the map, but I believe the one in front of Italy closest to Germany are also used for disability viewing.
Do you know if they were talking about that area or the one that is marked on the map in front of Germany?

 

[Smiley525]

What about people without wheelchairs, but that need to sit?

 

[lanejudy]

WDW's stance is "if you need a seat bring it with you." DAS does not offer access to seating. That's why stamina needs are often lumped with mobility and recommended to rent a wheelchair or mobility device. WDW has removed benches around the parks over the years, making it very hard to find a seat without entering a dining establishment. In my experience, any available seating that is good for parades or fireworks will be taken a good hour prior as people claim those spot early.

 

[Smiley525]

WDW's stance is "if you need a seat bring it with you." DAS does not offer access to seating. That's why stamina needs are often lumped with mobility and recommended to rent a wheelchair or mobility device. WDW has removed benches around the parks over the years, making it very hard to find a seat without entering a dining establishment. In my experience, any available seating that is good for parades or fireworks will be taken a good hour prior as people claim those spot early.

It’s so frustrating-I’m not going to push around a rollator all day so I can sit when needed (which is only if I have to stay still) they don’t even allow you to bring little portable chairs

 

[Simba's Mom]

there are a couple of areas used by private parties right in front of Italy that are not marked on the map, but I believe the one in front of Italy closest to Germany are also used for disability viewing.
Do you know if they were talking about that area or the one that is marked on the map in front of Germany?

I don't know, but I was on an ECV, and asked a CM about viewing areas reserved for disabled viewing of Harmonius. She said "There's one near Italy, but that area is often closed due to private parties." And since Italy and Germany are right next to each other, I'm not positive of exactly where she meant. Surprisingly, she didn't mention the one near UK or Canada that's circled-Next time I hope I can get a park guide map for guests with disabilities.

 

[Selket]

We used the one between Canada and Mexico in December and probably showed up about 30 mins beforehand. It was very busy there already and I think if you want to be up near the fence you probably want to go in when it opens. I was ok standing for the fireworks so I parked behind people at the very back near one of the store entrances (that was off limits - you can't go through the store to get to the disability area). My friend who uses a rollator was with me and did the same thing. There were people back there who couldn't stand but then people stand in front of them in the walkway (not us - we stood elsewhere). Just FYI so that you're not frustrated because there are a lot of people standing in that area when the show starts. The only way to be sure no one stands in front of you is to be along the fence I think.