HIDING FROM FIREWORKS

[Serenebean]

I think COP is a good idea. We specifically rode BTMRR to get a cool view of the fireworks...so I wouldn't do that.

 

[Bullseye]

How about just going into the "super" store on main street? You're going to hear the booming just about anywhere but at least in the store you can kill some time and not have the visual stimulus

 

[ktlm]

Carousel of progress for sure.

I think COP is a good idea. We specifically rode BTMRR to get a cool view of the fireworks...so I wouldn't do that.

I could be wrong, but I think COP is closed during MNSSHP.

 

[sandam1]

I had a piggyback question - can you see MK's fireworks from Fort Wilderness? We will be there after our AK day for the campfire and if we can see the fireworks, we may watch them since it won't be super loud there.

I don't know about Fort Wilderness specifically, but we were sitting on a courtyard room balcony at the Wilderness Lodge during the MVMCP fireworks and there were extremely LOUD. We obviously couldn't see them from where, but we could definitely hear them. Keeping in mind, however, that the party fireworks are different (and much more dramatic) than the Wishes fireworks.

 

[mickeymom629]

I agree with bringing (a bag of) earplugs - I bring them for Dinosaur!

 

[HopperFan]

Went through a few years of this. They are well heard all over but you can muffle with ear plugs, COP, Pirates - Monsters Inc can work if timed right ..... don't be anywhere from the castle and back. New Fantasyland feels like bombs going off, even the ground seems to rumble. The big ones go off not far behind BOG. Then others shoot off roofs by castle (on normal days). There are even more at parties.

We will be hiding from fireworks too on our January trip. I have planned meals for during fireworks at Epcot and Magic Kingdom. I have rides planned for Hollywood Studios. My kids like to watch them, but my Aspie melts down if the booms are too loud, so we won't be making an effort to get close to see them.

I had a piggyback question - can you see MK's fireworks from Fort Wilderness? We will be there after our AK day for the campfire and if we can see the fireworks, we may watch them since it won't be super loud there.

Also, can you see any fireworks from POP?

YES.

You can see higher Illuminations from the bridge and lakeside rooms along with the back side of Building 2 in 50's.
You can see Wishes (they are smaller) from upper levels of the buildings facing that way, we like Building 3 in 50's.
You can see DHS, although new ones are lower, from upper levels of buildings facing that way.

One year DS went back to room to avoid and he was able to see all three from our floor in Bldg 3.

 

[gmboy95]

definitely pirates....if you get done early just go through inside que and ride again

 

[RedOnion]

Is it the loud noise from the fireworks? My niece did not do well with fireworks and would not ride the attractions that were loud. Ear plugs did not fit well in her ears so we purchased the 3M Peltor Junior Earmuff for about $16 off of Amazon. They totally cancelled out the noise and she loved being able to experience everything without the loud noises!

We did this too--the exact same brand, I think; it came in different child-friendly colors--for our son, age ~5 at the time. He loved them, and we loved not having to shy away from loud noises, including fireworks, loud attractions, or dark attractions where he was nervous about being startled. For us, the problem went to zero and we had an amazing trip.

Good luck! For older kids (and adults, as one PP indicated), earplugs might also be a solid choice.

 

[SA mom]

My daughter on the autism spectrum still uses earplugs. We would occasionally hide in The Emporium. You can hear some, but sounds more like a distant thunder storm.

 

[KY_Minnie]

You could go to Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe and eat dinner or grab a snack. The talking animatronics should drown out the sound of the fireworks pretty well.

 

[mister morrow]

isn't COP going under refurbishment?

anyway, if she's tall enough and likes roller coasters, I'd definitely do Space Mountain. You won't be able to hear a lot since the queue is underground.

If not, I would do the Enchanted Tiki Room.

 

[DWillowBay]

We 'hid out' in the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor. Worked like a charm! Long show, funny and no sounds of the fireworks. I agree that if Philharmagic is available, this might be good too, for all the same reasons. I have also had much success in having my son wear the sponge earplugs. He's autistic and highly sensitive to the noise, but loves the sight of the fireworks. These have worked really well for him.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

We've watched from Wilderness Lodge beach so I assume Fort Wilderness should be OK. It's not loud, but you get an echo effect off the lake. You hear the fireworks after you see them (speed of light vs speed of sound)

Beware of Alligators if you plan to watch fireworks from a beach. I'd be well away from the water and have a person designated as the gator lookout.

There are now fences around the lagoon and lakes all throughout WDW. So no need to have a "gator lookout"!

 

[AGoofykindagirl]

Carousel of Progress would be good for regular nights, but at the Halloween party last year it was a trick or treat spot and therefore not running as an attraction. Now if they will change it this year, I have no way of knowing. I would not make it plan A.
Hope you have a great time!

 

[Deb]

CoP is generally closed for MNSSHP. I would suggest Mickey's Philharmagic if ear plugs are not an option

 

[Lothlórien]

If it is the noise, I might suggest ear muffs with high decibel blocking. I don't mind noises, but we use them at the range and they work beautifully. If they work well in that environment, they should be great for blocking the "booms" from fireworks.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

We met Mickey and Tink during one Halloween party to avoid the fireworks. We have now purchased DD (who has always disliked loud noises) ear protectors (got them at Walmart in the sports section). Problem solved - she even watched the Star Wars fireworks in January and loved them without the really loud booms

 

[married2mm]

I'm an adult & not a great fireworks fan either.
It's a combination of noises,smells & lots of bodies around.

I'm an admirer from a distance-in the car is my preference.

 

[Aliceacc]

First, though it's not what you asked, consider Peltor Noise Cancelling headphones. They worked remarkably well with my youngest:
"
Peltor Kid’s Earmuffs

• Sized for youth and infants
• Liquid foam ear cushions
• Adjustable stainless steel headband

Price:$22.69
Reviews:4.5 Stars from 272 Reviews
Purchase at:Amazon.com

She had pink ones as a toddler, then graduated to yellow. Now, at 13, she can sit through fireworks without any fear at all- and even enjoyed the Pirates and Pals fireworks cruise a few weeks ago.

@cosmicmommy , I got the recommendation years ago from a special ed teacher-- she said her autistic/aspie kids had great luck with the Peltor earmuffs. Though my daughter isn't on the spectrum, her fear was real and this was a great help for her.


OK, now as to coping strategies. My daughter was OK being inside during fireworks. As a child, that meant that one of us took her into the Main Street shops in the MK, or Norway/Mexico in Epcot. (Now, with the crowds in Norway, Mexico would be my choice.) We simply tag teamed-- one of us enjoyed the fireworks with the older two, the other went into a shop. Since we tend to hit those two parks pretty hard, a few days later we would simply switch roles.

 

[GaryDis]

There are now fences around the lagoon and lakes all throughout WDW. So no need to have a "gator lookout"!

I don't know how much faith to put in the fences, since alligators have been known to climb them.