Fireworks reserved viewing area ??

[scrapperkimmydee]

I noticed there are benches facing the front of the castle for fireworks, obviously for some special group of some sort.

Who's in that group? Is it for tours or VIPs or ???

Along that note...do any of the tours have a special place for fireworks and/or parade viewing?

 

[Nonsuch]

...Is it for tours or VIPs or ???

You have almost answered your own question. Guests on a VIP Tour may reserve those benches for fireworks.

 

[scrapperkimmydee]

so, the tours where you hire your own private tour-guide, not the Walk In Walt's Footsteps-type tour?

 

[Nonsuch]

so, the tours where you hire your own private tour-guide, not the Walk In Walt's Footsteps-type tour?

Correct.
Disneyland Resort VIP Tours

 

[ParkHopper1]

BE a VIP, know someone up in the Disney Food Chain, or pay for a premium VIP tour guide. There was a regular guided tour a while back that included seating in that section as a perk but it has since been discontinued.

 

[scrapperkimmydee]

I was hoping there'd be a tour we could do that gave us nice spots for the fireworks. We did a Christmas tour a while back and got to sit in a roped off section to watch the parade. And eat a gingerbread cookie and drink hot chocolate!

It'd probably be cheaper to just use a day to save a spot all day than to hire the VIP tour guide.