Happily Ever After and Fireworks Strategy Question

[happybear025]

Hello! I have been to Disney a LOT but only as an adult, not with kids in mind!

This summer, I am going on a trip with my sister, niece (12) and nephew (10). We will be a total group of 7 with adults.

I have never attempted to get a "good" fireworks viewing location, but after watching the video of Happily Ever After I'm totally blown away! I consider this a must-do for Anna and Sam (niece and nephew)

How long before the show should I stake out a spot? Touringplans says we are going on a 5-crowd-level MK day, July 1st.

Which spots are amenable to kids? Can you lay down a blanket on main street and wait? (that doesn't seem likely) Where was the DIS vid of this filmed, that seems like a good spot. Is that up the stairs in that little balcony before the railroad, or if not, would that be a good spot or is the view blocked there?

Any exit crowd strategies? The only one I know is to walk through the shops


Sorry so many questions, I have never staked out spots or prioritized fireworks viewing and any and all help/advice/tips would be SO appreciated!! )

 

[Tiki Birdland]

good question. Will be bringing mine 3 kids in July and want to pick a good location too! I heard that the grassy area in front on Casey's Corner is a good location. But, would like to hear from the veterans on this.

 

[jaysmom4285]

There's a sticky at the top of this forum with Maps by Robo. You can find an excellent MK fireworks viewing map that indicates the best viewing areas. The balcony in front of the railroad is probably too far away to view the projection show very well, although the fireworks viewing would be okay. And that balcony is sometimes closed for private events. Somewhere in the Hub or near the end of Main Street would be your best bet.

 

[mckennarose]

We saw it the week it debuted and you definitely want to be closer to the castle, but not so close that you're on that downward slope toward the castle. There are projections on the turrets too, and we were in line with the first set of them and had a great view. We never watched Wishes that close, but the viewing area is different with this show.
Some of our family members watched it from closer to the exit and felt they missed out, so they went another night to get up front.
I saw people staking spots as early as 7-7:30, but we were able to walk up around 8:30 with no problem. I don't know if that will be the norm, people grabbing spots that early, because we saw it the first week and I expected larger crowds. Although now that I've seen how amazing it is, I wouldn't be surprised!
We exit through the Main St. bypass, if it's open, over by the Plaza.

 

[Klayfish]

I haven't seen HEA, I'll be there the same time as you...in fact our first MK day is the day before yours, June 30th. From all I've read, the hub is the best place to be. Robo has some good maps, check those out. You can bring a blanket if you wanted to sit on it instead of the ground, but I don't think it would be welcomed for you to spread it out picnic style.

Don't rely on the "crowd calendars", they're just guesses, don't have any real accuracy value. It may be a lot more crowded. We plan to be in the hub 45-60 minutes early. I've read that for HEA, you can be 30 minutes early and still get a good spot, but we'll show up a bit earlier than that.

Exit strategy when leaving from the hub? You could use the shops, but a lot of people do, so sometimes that's crowded. Otherwise, just grin and bear it (I don't really find it all that big of a deal), or wait 15 minutes for the bulk of the crowd to clear, then head out.

 

[mesaboy2]

My experience as of last night: you should find a spot in the Hub at least an hour in advance. Probably earlier in early July, and no way I believe a "5" at that time of year.

After the show is over, allow at least 15 minutes for the crowds to clear to comfortable levels.