Fireworks Worth It?

[Dallas_Lady]

This totally depends on your kids. Mine were also very bedtime flexible at those ages and could stay up without problems, especially with a good midday nap. If it was late and they were sleepy, we'd just let them sleep in the stroller. Can your kids do that?

Another question... have they seen fireworks before? My best friend took her then 2 year old to WDW to see fireworks for the very first time. She was terrified and screamed and cried as they tried to get her out of there ASAP.

 

[J'aime Paris]

Are your children noise sensitive at all? Something to consider at their ages. We went with another family and their 3 year old son cried and cried while holding his ears. Poor guy! It's almost impossible to leave, you can be quite packed in.

 

[Crystal824]

I'm not sure how long your trip is, but I do think the fireworks are worth it if you can swing it. My kids are pretty good stroller sleepers so they ended up sleeping through Wishes on our last trip. Other kids aren't as flexible so you know your kid best. Maybe pick one night time show depending on the length of your trip and have an easy day the next day.

 

[ajwolfe]

Personally I think the fireworks are worth it. My kids never had an issue with being up late at night to watch them so it wasn't even a question of whether we would stay and watch them. I'm always surprised on here how many people I see suggesting parents skip fireworks with their kids, but then when you are there watching them there are kids everywhere and not everyone appears to be having a meltdown.
The long and the short of it is that you should do what you think is best for your kids. You know if they can nap in a stroller well, etc.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

I would look at the times. The SW Fireworks at HS tend to be earlier than Wishes. We pulled up a bench right outside the park entrance to be ahead of the exiting crowd. The POFQ bus stop is very close to the entrance for a quick getaway. We were lucky and a bus was right there at the end of the fireworks and we were gone before most people were out of the park.

 

[ssmurphy28]

Our kids were the same age when we visited last January. We saved the Main Street Electric Parade and Wishes for our last night, knowing we could sleep in a bit before catching our flight home the next day.

It was probably the highlight of the trip for everyone. The parade was totally worth it. The kids absolutely loved it! I regretted not taking in anymore parades while we were there. However, these events tend to start quite a bit later in the evening during summer months, so it may not be practical.

That being said, when we took our oldest son when he was 1, we only did Illuminations because it was scheduled a little earlier than Wishes was (that was early June 2013). So we got to enjoy at least one Fireworks, and still get to bed at a reasonable time. So, that could be a good option. Either way, I would recommend not booking anything for first thing in the morning after keeping your kids out past their bedtime.

 

[muenginerd]

The way you described it probably not worth it..... Can you catch fireworks on your last night and then it's not a disaster if the kids go to bed late, they can sleep on the trip home?

Will kids sleep in the strollers for you and you can wait out the crowds in the park? I'm alittle more jaded as we have festivals with fireworks almost every weekend during the summer here. So I would probably skip it if I was in your shoes. Although anything Disney is always magical.

DD is 1.5, she's seen a lot of fireworks and honestly now could probably care less. She still comes out with us to all the festivals. But it's nice she'll sleep anywhere so I'll just throw her in a carrier on my back. She'll sleep through the rest of the evening and daddy and I finish out the night heading home around midnight. We just transfer from carrier to car seat and car seat to bed. DD barely wakes up. We talked about when we take the kids to Disney. It'll probably be the same plan because we know both our girls will sleep in a stroller. See the fireworks and such, then hang out in the park while the crowds disperse. Kids sleep and mom and dad get a fun little night time stroll around. We head to the buses after most the crowd has cleared out.

I also second the noise factor that some people have brought up. Make sure your kids are up to it. We have DD#1 (1.5 years old) and DD#2 (4 months old). We have headphones for each girl. Put them on them and nothing bothers them. DD#1 slept through a few fireworks shows and concerts last year with her headphones.

 

[Paigesmom2013]

Worth it for you? Yes. For them? No. We went in February with an 8pm Wishes. Our 5 year old was mesmerized. The almost 3 year old didn't care to get out of the stroller and look. If you think they would sleep in the stroller and not be bothered, then I say stay. After a full day of activity, my youngest was "checked out" and that was fine with us.

 

[Angeliki19]

We have gone to WDW with kids at those ages and our tradition has always been to stay up late for Wishes on the last night of the trip. Like a PP said, I figure this way if they are cranky the next day, its just a travel day anyway and not ruining the vacation. This year my kids are 5 and 7 and we will be choosing two "nighttime" experiences to stay up late for. We will skip the rest. My kids are just not the type to sleep late the next day after a late night, so the only way I can ensure that they get a good night's rest is if they go to bed early. We go to WDW every year almost so I am not worried about it.... I know we will stay later in the parks when they are older. It will give me something to look forward to when they have outgrown princesses and pirates! Sniff, sniff.

If this is a once in a lifetime trip, I would try to do it on your last night. Otherwise, don't worry about skipping them now. There is so much to see and do for kids of all ages.. they will have a great time!!! The key to going with little ones is remembering that less is more.