How early to get good spot for fireworks during value season?

[ead79]

How early do we need to get to one of the great spots for the fireworks/Spectro before they start? We will be going in mid-December, when crowds are quite light. I would love to sit on the second floor of the train station or on the Tomorrowland Terrace. How early should we get there? Is an hour early enough? The night in question, there is Spectro at 6:00 and Wishes at 7:00.

 

[pampam]

I suppose it all depends how important it is to you to view it from there. If you are taping it you may want to arrive even earlier to set up your tripod. If the park doesn't seem too busy, you can chance it and arrive later. I find another good spot is over by the Plaza restaurant. There are tables and chairs, and you can see Tinkerbell as well.

 

[LibertyBelle]

Depends on the crowd in the park. For example you generally would need to get up on the porch at the train station at least and hour and a half early to get the front. Tonight you could have walked up there 45 minutes before Spectro and gotten a great spot (but 20 minutes til it was Packed)...

 

[Bete]

I've seen people set-up 3 hours ahead to get one of the benches at the train station. By the castle, facing the castle, in front I've seen two hours because we were one of those people. Most who do this send someone out for snacks, drinks or meals and they use the time to eat while waiting. Some use themselves laying their feet or whatever to save extra spots while the kids do more riding on the attractions, etc. It's hard for kids to wait this long.

I'm a picture taker and this time out I'll be doing the video camera bit; so, I know these waits will be necessary for the best spots. If you don't have to be this fussy then the waits in less popular areas are shorter.

I think an 1-1/2 hour would be good for front row on Main Street. Some of the other areas like by Frontierland you could probably do good with an hour wait.

Weather can be a factor, too. If there's a downpour, you may be in luck. Sometimes with cold weather and some not prepared with coats, etc. you can get a good seat without waiting, as long.

You'll get different opinions on this but my approach is more or less sure proof.

 

[KathyFP]

I think an hour is a good rule of thumb

 

[ead79]

Sounds good! We'll be eating dinner at LTT, but we should be finished around 5:00 or a little earlier. I think I'll send my husband running down Main St. to save us a place while I pay the bill, LOL!