How crowded are the fireworks at parties?

[M&E]

Hi!

On our last trip we didn't get to see the fireworks (from in front of the castle) since we waited too long to find a spot. We ended up going on some rides and watching the fireworks from behind the castle which was nice also, but I want to make sure we see them this year. I am getting way too old to stand in one spot for over an hour, squished between people trying to not get pushed around. So, I currently have a reservation for the fireworks party at MK on Aug. 16. This is the one where we have the desserts first and then watch the fireworks. I am willing to pay for the luxury of a less crowded reserved seat (yes, I know there aren't actual chairs). I now notice that there are two Halloween parties during the week we are there. The cost isn't that much more than the dessert party ticket. I don't think we would really trick or treat much and there would only be one or two characters that we would even possibly meet. Not interested in the parade. But how cool to have a couple hours late at night to ride rides !?!?

My question is this... What are the fireworks crowds like at Halloween parties? How long before the fireworks would we have to claim a spot? Will we be packed in and fighting (not literally, of course) to not lose our spot? We don't have to be directly in front of the castle, but want a view near the front. The two dates we could chose from would be Tuesday the 18th (second party) or Friday the 21st (third party). Also, I realize the fireworks would be different at a Halloween party than at a regular park day and I don't think that really matters to us as long as we see some fireworks in front of the castle.

Thanks!

 

[Bjkandma]

Never did the dessert parties, but have gone to the Halloween party two years in a row.

Disney seems to over sell the Halloween party. It was extremely crowded in 2018 and thought it might have just been a "bad" day. Tried again in 2019 and will never do it again. Last year Disney sold a tickhat was good for all the parties (except Halloween night) and it made the parties beyond crowded. We still had to find "the perfect spot" and it requires us waiting over an hour for the fireworks.

If you have never seen the Halloween fireworks and party, it may be worth it to do once. Personally, I don't think the parties are worth the extra money.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

The new fireworks show last year (Disney's Not So Spooky Spectacular) introduced castle projections and a Jack Skellington puppet "host" on the main castle stage. The prior fireworks show (HalloWishes) did not have a material castle projection element. So, the new show did introduce a greater "need" to be in the castle/hub area to see the full visual of the show as intended vs the prior show. Conditions are generally not as crowded as a typical regular Happily Ever After night, but a lot of people at any given MNSSHP are going to come to the Hub to watch the show.

To me, it's always hard to peg exactly what that means for "when to arrive." We generally try to stay flexible and adapt to whatever conditions we see on the ground and whatever else we happen to be doing at the time.

 

[mom2rtk]

Most people attending a hard ticket party are there for the elements that are unique to the party. The fireworks are a big part of that. Expect it to be very busy.

 

[MomOTwins]

stand in one spot for over an hour, squished between people trying to not get pushed around

This. Unless it is pouring down rain, it will be this crowded.

 

[M&E]

ok. I think we will stick with the dessert party since our main priority is a not so squished fireworks show.

Slightly off topic, but does anyone know if they will continue After hours parties into the summer (August)? I have read that those have very light crowds. Ideally we would do the dessert party on one night and the after hours another night. But maybe I should stop looking for that? Since they are offering the Halloween party do they not do the after hours parties? If they don't do the after hours parties, then maybe I would keep the dessert part and book the Halloween party also. We could use the dessert party to have a relaxed fireworks show and then the Halloween party to focus on rides. Thoughts?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

ok. I think we will stick with the dessert party since our main priority is a not so squished fireworks show.

Slightly off topic, but does anyone know if they will continue After hours parties into the summer (August)? I have read that those have very light crowds. Ideally we would do the dessert party on one night and the after hours another night. But maybe I should stop looking for that? Since they are offering the Halloween party do they not do the after hours parties? If they don't do the after hours parties, then maybe I would keep the dessert part and book the Halloween party also. We could use the dessert party to have a relaxed fireworks show and then the Halloween party to focus on rides. Thoughts?

They have offered DAH and MNSSHP at the same time in the past - generally in August and September - but dates are typically few and far between relative to other times during the year. You can see prior year date patterns here: https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...m-faq-discussion-thread.3713652/post-59898158

 

[M&E]

They have offered DAH and MNSSHP at the same time in the past - generally in August and September - but dates are typically few and far between relative to other times during the year. You can see prior year date patterns here: https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...m-faq-discussion-thread.3713652/post-59898158

Thank you!