How long in advance to get a spot for fireworks at MK?

[friedela]

Our last FP is Enchanted Tales with Belle and we weren't paying attention to the fireworks time when we booked it The FP+ is at 6:00 PM, fireworks are at 7:55 PM... how far in advance do we need to be getting a spot to see the fireworks? Should we be ok? I am a photographer and so I am brining my tripod and DSLR, it's super important to me that I get some amazing shots of the fireworks but now I'm worried we're not going to be able to see anything. WWYD?

BTW, I so appreciate these boards and all the help you guys offer to us newbies! I had NO idea how much effort and planning went into Disneyworld!

 

[Robo]

The MK fireworks map below is from my WDW Maps sticky post at the top of this forum.
Arrive 35-60 min. before the show.
If your trip is during a very busy time, allow an addition 1/2 hour.

Setup your ‘pod on top of a trash can.
You can stand next to it, and nobody will trip over it.

 

[BrianL]

Our last FP is Enchanted Tales with Belle and we weren't paying attention to the fireworks time when we booked it The FP+ is at 6:00 PM, fireworks are at 7:55 PM... how far in advance do we need to be getting a spot to see the fireworks? Should we be ok? I am a photographer and so I am brining my tripod and DSLR, it's super important to me that I get some amazing shots of the fireworks but now I'm worried we're not going to be able to see anything. WWYD?

BTW, I so appreciate these boards and all the help you guys offer to us newbies! I had NO idea how much effort and planning went into Disneyworld!

I think you'll be fine. Belle will take about 20 minutes or so, but if you get to the Hub about an hour beforehand you should be okay unless it is super busy. There is a great spot back by Casey's Corner that used to be for FastPass viewing only, but is now open. It's a little area surrounded by railings and bushes, with spots of artificial turf. Usually, people don't crowd in there because the think it's reserved. It is not. The other side is still for the desert party viewing only. Do get to your ETWB FB as early as possible (usually you can enter an FP queue 5 minutes early) so that you can get out as early as possible, but don't stress too much.

 

[friedela]

I think you'll be fine. Belle will take about 20 minutes or so, but if you get to the Hub about an hour beforehand you should be okay unless it is super busy. There is a great spot back by Casey's Corner that used to be for FastPass viewing only, but is now open. It's a little area surrounded by railings and bushes, with spots of artificial turf. Usually, people don't crowd in there because the think it's reserved. It is not. The other side is still for the desert party viewing only. Do get to your ETWD FB as early as possible (usually you can enter an FP queue 5 minutes early) so that you can get out as early as possible, but don't stress too much.

Is it here, Brian?

This spot seems to be in front of the statue of Mickey and Walt, does it get in the way of the view at all?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Is it here, Brian?



This spot seems to be in front of the statue of Mickey and Walt, does it get in the way of the view at all?

That is correct @friedela. Quick FYI, Disney just introduced a trial program that allows Club Level guests to pay an additional fee for extra FPs and reserved nighttime show viewing. The MK reserved area is the Plaza Garden West area in front of Casey's (that you have circled above). I suspect it will be a portion of the garden, not the whole garden, but we'll have to wait and see just how it works. That program starts 3/13/2018.

 

[friedela]

That is correct @friedela. Quick FYI, Disney just introduced a trial program that allows Club Level guests to pay an additional fee for extra FPs and reserved nighttime show viewing. The MK reserved area is the Plaza Garden West area in front of Casey's (that you have circled above). I suspect it will be a portion of the garden, not the whole garden, but we'll have to wait and see just how it works. That program starts 3/13/2018.

ok that's alright, we are going Feb 24-Mar 3! Perfect timing to still get that spot! But is the statue of Mickey and Walt in the way though? It looks like it would be blocking the view of the castle and might interfere with pictures.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

ok that's alright, we are going Feb 24-Mar 3! Perfect timing to still get that spot! But is the statue of Mickey and Walt in the way though? It looks like it would be blocking the view of the castle and might interfere with pictures.

FWIW, below are some pics taken from the Plaza Garden West on 1/1.

In my book, the view doesn't really get much better than this. Various light/speaker poles are really your only obstacle for a clear view, not the Partners statue.

Hope this helps visualize the view.

 

[Robo]

ok that's alright, we are going Feb 24-Mar 3! Perfect timing to still get that spot! But is the statue of Mickey and Walt in the way though? It looks like it would be blocking the view of the castle and might interfere with pictures.

There are lots of things in the way, no matter where you are positioned.

You can try to find the clearest angle, and nothing fully blocks the view,
but light poles, speakers and other elements in the hub will be a part of any wider photos.

The images on the castle are quite over-sized so that most are not "ruined" by obstructions.

 

[friedela]

The MK fireworks map below is from my WDW Maps sticky post at the top of this forum.
Arrive 35-60 min. before the show.
If your trip is during a very busy time, allow an addition 1/2 hour.

Setup your ‘pod on top of a trash can.
You can stand next to it, and nobody will trip over it.

View attachment 299472

Thanks Robo! Why are the red spots at the very front of the castle considered poor viewing spots? Too close to take it all in?

 

[friedela]

FWIW, below are some pics taken from the Plaza Garden West on 1/1.

In my book, the view doesn't really get much better than this. Various light/speaker poles are really your only obstacle for a clear view, not the Partners statue.

Hope this helps visualize the view.

That looks great!

 

[Robo]

Thanks Robo! Why are the red spots at the very front of the castle considered poor viewing spots? Too close to take it all in?

The major fireworks are blocked by the castle, itself.

 

[friedela]

The major fireworks are blocked by the castle, itself.

Ahh gotcha.
I found this image on the net, I wonder if this was taken at the Casey's garden area? Actually now that I look at it the angle is totally different from the ones GADDisneyDad posted. But this is a pretty awesome spot too!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Lol, that photo is heavily photo-shopped and pre-Hub expansion. Definitely not accurate today.

 

[Sugart]

I'm starting tmrw to wait for the 4th of July fireworks.

 

[friedela]

Lol, that photo is heavily photo-shopped and pre-Hub expansion. Definitely not accurate today.

Yep! It was taken in 2014.I will try in front of Casey's then, thank you guys for the awesome tip!

 

[friedela]

I'm starting tmrw to wait for the 4th of July fireworks.

???

 

[BrianL]

That is correct @friedela. Quick FYI, Disney just introduced a trial program that allows Club Level guests to pay an additional fee for extra FPs and reserved nighttime show viewing. The MK reserved area is the Plaza Garden West area in front of Casey's (that you have circled above). I suspect it will be a portion of the garden, not the whole garden, but we'll have to wait and see just how it works. That program starts 3/13/2018.

Thanks. I didn't realize they were offering that for the Nighttime Spectaculars, so that could change the availability of that area. It's definitely a great area to view from. Friedela, if you can't get in it, then near it will still be good, but you may have to be earlier.

 

[BrianL]

???

I think he's just making a joke. 4th of July is a very popular night for fireworks.

 

[DisneyChris2016]

Within that fenced in area near Casey's, is there anything kids could stand on to bring them up to adult height? Ledges, etc.? Trying to find the best way to let my kids see the projections without us having to hold them.

 

[friedela]

I think he's just making a joke. 4th of July is a very popular night for fireworks.

Ahhh. lol. Don't mind the Canadian