HEA and SW Spectacular Viewing Spot Question

[higdonk]

Ok so my main question is which nighttime firework/show is it easier to stake out a GOOD viewing spot for without purchasing a dessert party. I am not at all familiar with where the SW show good viewing spots are, I just know I have to be in front of the theater. But does that mean I will be shoulder to shoulder in 90+ heat with people at 9:30 at night? Or are there little known good spots to stake out at DHS? I have read that for HEA that in front of Casey's is good. Basically I am thinking of doing one of the two dessert parties but not both and since for us the biggest bang for the buck is going to be which makes it easier to see the fireworks show I want to know which one is easier to see without the dessert party? 3 out of 5 of us are celiac so the draw is definitely not the desserts although we wish we could eat them all, sadly we can't. So viewing and which is the better value for avoiding the crowd craziness is a HUGE factor for us. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

Kate

 

[Robo]

Ok so my main question is which nighttime firework/show is it easier to stake out a GOOD viewing spot for without purchasing a dessert party.
1. I am not at all familiar with where the SW show good viewing spots are, I just know I have to be in front of the theater.
2. But does that mean I will be shoulder to shoulder in 90+ heat with people at 9:30 at night?
3. Or are there little known good spots to stake out at DHS?

1. Map below.
2. Yes.
3. Spots farther away and/or to the far sides will have projections blocked.
Some worse than others.

[/QUOTE]

 

[Robo]

1. I have read that for HEA that in front of Casey's is good.
2. Basically I am thinking of doing one of the two dessert parties but not both and since for us the biggest bang for the buck is going to be which makes it easier to see the fireworks show
3. I want to know which one is easier to see without the dessert party?

1. Map below.
2. Some like to do the dessert parties, we never do.
3. HEA will have a much larger choice of viewing area without the Dessert Party.

 

[higdonk]

Thanks Robo! I had seen the HEA map but not the the DHS map, so this is helpful.

 

[Robo]

Thanks Robo! I had seen the HEA map but not the the DHS map, so this is helpful.

Unfortunately, the viewing area at DHS is very, very small.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Also, let the chefs know you need something without gluten. They should have a platter of special desserts prepared for you.

 

[disneyholic family]

how do you get into that former fastpass area on the left (the mirror image of the dessert party area)?
what's labeled on your map as "all guests open viewing"
that is, where is the best approach to get into that area?

 

[Accident]

how do you get into that former fastpass area on the left (the mirror image of the dessert party area)?
what's labeled on your map as "all guests open viewing"
that is, where is the best approach to get into that area?

the entrances are on the castle side (3 of them) and the side opposite of main street. You walk up and step into it. The hard part is how much crowd is between you and the entrance to get through in order to do it. easier for a couple teens or older, harder with young kinds, mobility devices and strollers to get through the crowd (aka you want to be earlier to get there. but then again that early and you can easily get a little closer where it's easier to see the animations as well. So it's a rough call. It's a great spot to picnic and snack while waiting if you want to tie it into your meal time.

 

[Accident]

I just wanted to note that there seems to be some work to the hollywood stage going on. It almost looks like they might be preparing to remove it or at least make it smaller. the tents behind it are gone, it has bushes is rolling boxes around it but at the moment it's still in use and no announcement the stage show is going away so it might just be a reconfiguration.

It's actually very easy to get into the "hub area of hollywood". especially if you ask someone with a flashlight where there is a spot and they will help part the crowd to get you one, even after the show starts.

 

[disneyholic family]

the entrances are on the castle side (3 of them) and the side opposite of main street. You walk up and step into it. The hard part is how much crowd is between you and the entrance to get through in order to do it. easier for a couple teens or older, harder with young kinds, mobility devices and strollers to get through the crowd (aka you want to be earlier to get there. but then again that early and you can easily get a little closer where it's easier to see the animations as well. So it's a rough call. It's a great spot to picnic and snack while waiting if you want to tie it into your meal time.

i love the picnic idea...
you're right though....if we get there that early, we'll try for a closer area....
although given the toddlers in tow, having the bathrooms by caseys not far away makes the grassy area more appealing..

I just wanted to note that there seems to be some work to the hollywood stage going on. It almost looks like they might be preparing to remove it or at least make it smaller. the tents behind it are gone, it has bushes is rolling boxes around it but at the moment it's still in use and no announcement the stage show is going away so it might just be a reconfiguration.

It's actually very easy to get into the "hub area of hollywood". especially if you ask someone with a flashlight where there is a spot and they will help part the crowd to get you one, even after the show starts.

somehow i doubt they'll be able to part the crowd for a group of 8 including two strollers!!

 

[Accident]

somehow i doubt they'll be able to part the crowd for a group of 8 including two strollers!!

you'll be surprised how many people don't bother going to the front when they see the street full. You would have fit about 2 weeks ago when I last saw it easily.. especially about 15 minutes prior when they got everyone to stand up and there was twice the space for people.

 

[disneyholic family]

you'll be surprised how many people don't bother going to the front when they see the street full. You would have fit about 2 weeks ago when I last saw it easily.. especially about 15 minutes prior when they got everyone to stand up and there was twice the space for people.

good to know....thanks!!

 

[wdw&sonny]

Tell me more about the picnic idea....we will be there September 14. We were planning on getting Casey's and picniqueueing (eating and waiting).
Where and when should we do this? Can we spread a blanket?

 

[Robo]

Tell me more about the picnic idea....we will be there September 14. We were planning on getting Casey's and picniqueueing (eating and waiting).
Where and when should we do this?
Can we spread a blanket?

If there's room. (I doubt that there will be much room.)

 

[Accident]

Tell me more about the picnic idea....we will be there September 14. We were planning on getting Casey's and picniqueueing (eating and waiting).
Where and when should we do this? Can we spread a blanket?

If there is room, why not? they' don't make you stand until about 20-30 minutes prior to the show. It really depends on the crowd that night so have a plan b which involves less space needed.

 

[Liz Z]

Also, let the chefs know you need something without gluten. They should have a platter of special desserts prepared for you.

my daughter and i were thinking about doing the dessert party ( have already done one a couple of years ago) but i have just been diagnosed with Type 2.

Is there a possibility that the chefs might be able to prepare sugar free or desserts made with splenda or stevia?

Thank you

Liz