Guide to fireworks at WDW

[Lulubelle17]

Hello! Could someone please give me a breakdown of all the fireworks shows at all the different parks? I have seen Wishes, but I didn't realize that every park has their own version. Or do they??? Thank you!

 

[monkyby87]

I'm not an expert, but for now aside from Wishes the only current fireworks are the Symphony in the Stars at HS and Illuminations at Epcot. Symphony in the Stars is a Star Wars themed fireworks display that just debuted this past December. It is at 8:00 p.m. each night, but so far is only schedule out into March. It may continue into later months, but nobody knows for sure. Illuminations at Epcot takes place at the close of WS, usually around 9:00 p.m. Right now AK does not have anything, but will be adding a Rivers of Light show towards the middle of this year, though not many details are known about that right now.

In my opinion, Symphony in the Stars is the best fireworks display I have ever seen.

EDIT: For watching the Star Wars fireworks at HS, a good spot is around Echo Lake. They're kind of meant to be viewed from the main strip, but Echo Lake is a great place, as they are shot off from behind the Theater. For Illuminations, they take place in the center of the lake, and it's more of a fireworks/laser/light show than just pure fireworks. Those can be viewed from pretty much anywhere, though everyone has their own opinion as to the best viewing spot.

 

[SureAsLiz]

Magic Kingdom
Wishes - the regular nightly fireworks show featuring scores and characters from a variety of different Disney stories

Seasonal:
Hallowishes - Halloween themed fireworks only shows during MNSSHP
Holiday Wishes - Christmas themed fireworks shown during MVMCP and the weekish prior to Christmas
Disney's Celebrate America - Special show for the 4th of July (also shown on the 3rd)
Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks - Special show for New Years Eve

Hollywood Studios
Fantasmic! - Nighttime show featuring various Disney stories. The general idea is based off Fantasia. This show is a combination of pyrotechnics, stage performances, and water screens.

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular - New Star Wars themed fireworks show set to open Summer 2016 (no date right now). This show will feature fireworks, pyrotechnics, special effects, and projections. The announcement did not mention anything about an end date, so as of right now I am assuming it is ongoing

Seasonal:
Symphony in the Stars - Star Wars themed fireworks previously only shown during SWW. Currently scheduled nightly until April 30th [updated from March 19th] (unknown if it will continue permanently, become seasonal, or finish for good)
Frozen Fireworks Spectacular - Frozen themed fireworks shown during the Frozen Summer Fun celebration. Unknown if will be back this summer. New Star Wars show will be happening instead summer 2016
Rockin' 4th of July - A 1 night show to a rock n roll soundtrack featuring various artists from across the country. Previous years featured Mulch, Sweat, and Shears playing live, but they were removed last year.

Epcot
Illuminations: Reflections of Earth - Nightly fireworks show at Epcot. Tells the story of the creation and future of earth and society. This is an award winning show featuring fireworks, lasers, and lights all around World Showcase Lagoon

Seasonal:
There are special endings for holidays throughout the year including New Years, 4th of July, and Christmas

Animal Kingdom
Rivers of Light - Not a fireworks show. An upcoming nighttime show that will probably feature some pyrotechnics, water screens, and various other performers. Set to open in a few months

 

[monkyby87]

Thanks SureAsLiz, much more comprehensive and explanatory than mine

 

[BLLB]

Where is the viewing area for Symphony in the Stars? We are regular visitors to WDW, but have never atttended fireworks at DHS.

 

[monkyby87]

Where is the viewing area for Symphony in the Stars? We are regular visitors to WDW, but have never atttended fireworks at DHS.

There isn't a set viewing area, but as I mentioned, around Echo Lake is a really good spot. Most people will view them from the main boulevard. They're shot off from behind the Theater, so really anywhere that you can see the Theater well is a good spot. But I saw them Monday night from Echo Lake and it was great. Currently there is a dessert party you can reserve a spot in before to view them, but I'm not sure if that's really the best spot to view them even.

 

[SureAsLiz]

Where is the viewing area for Symphony in the Stars? We are regular visitors to WDW, but have never atttended fireworks at DHS.

DHS fireworks viewing is all down Hollywood Boulevard (the main street when you walk in)

The fireworks are shot over the Chinese Theatre, so you want to be able to see that. Just like in MK, you don't want to be too close to the theatre.

There is a dessert party area, but it isn't necessarily the best. I prefer to be near the Hollywood/Sunset intersection in a spot that has few palm trees in the way.

They can also be watched from the Echo Lake area, but they are designed to be viewed from the front.

 

[Lulubelle17]

Thank you! So what is the schedule for Fantasmic and Symphony in the Stars, are they on the same night but at different times or do they alternate?

 

[monkyby87]

Once again SureAsLiz, you're really hit the nail on the head here

The dessert party area really just seems like an attempt to make the fireworks more of an event. It's really not the best place to view them, but was probably one of the few areas they could block off without messing up the flow of the traffic in the park. Since they're meant to be viewed from Hollywood Boulevard, they can't really block off a section of that.

 

[monkyby87]

Thank you! So what is the schedule for Fantasmic and Symphony in the Stars, are they on the same night but at different times or do they alternate?

So far, and correct me if I'm wrong everyone, but Symphony in the Stars has only been at 8:00 p.m., with Fantasmic being at 7:00 p.m. the same night. So you could in theory view Fantasmic and then zoom over after it's over to see Symphony in the Stars.

 

[SureAsLiz]

Thank you! So what is the schedule for Fantasmic and Symphony in the Stars, are they on the same night but at different times or do they alternate?

They both happen nightly. SitS shows an hour after Fantasmic!

Currently that means Fantasmic! is at 7 and SitS is at 8. In the past during SWW they had 2 showing of F! and SitS was in between.

It is possible to watch both in one night

 

[SureAsLiz]

Once again SureAsLiz, you're really hit the nail on the head here

haha thanks! I won't say how much time I have spent watching these shows to gather this knowledge, but fireworks are my favorite thing at WDW

 

[monkyby87]

haha thanks! I won't say how much time I have spent watching these shows to gather this knowledge, but fireworks are my favorite thing at WDW

They are great, and SitS is my current favorite. The fact that they happen every night at each park is incredible.

 

[Lulubelle17]

They both happen nightly. SitS shows an hour after Fantasmic!

Currently that means Fantasmic! is at 7 and SitS is at 8. In the past during SWW they had 2 showing of F! and SitS was in between.

It is possible to watch both in one night

I see! So, do they happen ion different areas of the park and have different viewing areas?

 

[SureAsLiz]

I see! So, do they happen ion different areas of the park and have different viewing areas?

Yep!
Fantasmic! takes place in the amphitheater behind the Beauty in the Beast stage, where SithS takes place over the Chinese Theatre.


The yellow shows F! and the pink SithS

 

[BostonEd]

Is it worth checking out SitS from outside the park, if you're in the area but not hopping into HS? Parking lot or walkway or somewhere else?

 

[SureAsLiz]

Is it worth checking out SitS from outside the park, if you're in the area but not hopping into HS? Parking lot or walkway or somewhere else?

I haven't personally done it, so someone else may be able to chime in.

The soundtrack is a big part of what makes this show so spectacular and you will miss out on that outside the park. There are also some low pyrotechnics that you may not be able to see from outside, so you would miss a portion of the show.

I did watch them testing the fireworks from the MK docks, so the main show is high enough to be seen outside.

If at all possible, I would try to schedule it in for a DHS day - or if you want to watch fireworks without entering a park, stick with Wishes since there are several locations to both see and hear outside of MK

 

[monkyby87]

I haven't personally done it, so someone else may be able to chime in.

The soundtrack is a big part of what makes this show so spectacular and you will miss out on that outside the park. There are also some low pyrotechnics that you may not be able to see from outside, so you would miss a portion of the show.

I did watch them testing the fireworks from the MK docks, so the main show is high enough to be seen outside.

If at all possible, I would try to schedule it in for a DHS day - or if you want to watch fireworks without entering a park, stick with Wishes since there are several locations to both see and hear outside of MK

SureAsLiz has been on the money today The soundtrack and dialogue during the show adds so much to it. The fireworks themselves are fantastic, but the soundtrack mixed in is what really puts it above the rest. You could argue that all of the Disney fireworks are enhanced by the music during them, but it's especially true for SitS.

 

[AngiTN]

Magic Kingdom
Wishes - the regular nightly fireworks show featuring scores and characters from a variety of different Disney stories

Seasonal:
Hallowishes - Halloween themed fireworks only shows during MNSSHP
Holiday Wishes - Christmas themed fireworks shown during MVMCP and the weekish prior to Christmas
Disney's Celebrate America - Special show for the 4th of July (also shown on the 3rd)
Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks - Special show for New Years Eve

Hollywood Studios
Fantasmic! - Nighttime show featuring various Disney stories. The general idea is based off Fantasia. This show is a combination of pyrotechnics, stage performances, and water screens.

Seasonal:
Symphony in the Stars - Star Wars themed fireworks previously only shown during SWW. Currently being shown for an indefinite period
Frozen Fireworks Spectacular - Frozen themed fireworks shown during the Frozen Summer Fun celebration. Unknown if will be back this summer.
Rockin' 4th of July - A 1 night show to a rock n roll soundtrack featuring various artists from across the country. Previous years featured Mulch, Sweat, and Shears playing live, but they were removed last year.

Epcot
Illuminations: Reflections of Earth - Nightly fireworks show at Epcot. Tells the story of the creation and future of earth and society. This is an award winning show featuring fireworks, lasers, and lights all around World Showcase Lagoon

Seasonal:
There are special endings for holidays throughout the year including New Years, 4th of July, and Christmas

Animal Kingdom
Rivers of Light - Not a fireworks show. An upcoming nighttime show that will probably feature some pyrotechnics, water screens, and various other performers. Set to open in a few months

Only item to add is that right now, there is an end to SW fireworks. They are not indefinite. Right now they are not scheduled past March 19.
Hopefully they get extended but no idea
Just wanted to mention that so folks going later aren't surprised if they do not extend them.

ETA - They have also permitted for a new spot to launch HS fireworks. Right now they use a temporary location that requires them to close areas of the park. Once the new location is readied they will no longer have to close areas of the park. It may also slightly change where they appear (not sure). I'm hoping that is the reason they have not added them to the schedule past March. Once the new spot is ready they'll add them. At least that's my hope

 

[SureAsLiz]

Only item to add is that right now, there is an end to SW fireworks. They are not indefinite. Right now they are not scheduled past March 19.
Hopefully they get extended but no idea
Just wanted to mention that so folks going later aren't surprised if they do not extend them.

You're right, I should have used a better word there. I will fix that. Thanks