Magic Kingdom End of Night Fireworks

[Spamcastle]

What is my best course of action to get good viewing spots for the nightly fireworks. It seems everytime we find a spot we get pushed around and stepped on by inconsiderate people. I see there is no longer a LL option for premium seating. Is there a area that they condine off if we arrive early enough?

 

[Genie+]

They aren’t managing crowd control as well anymore. They used to keep more walkways open, and not let 1,000 people arriving 2 minutes before showtime in to crowd a 20’ x 8’ space between the white box areas (they’d let a reasonable number of people in and then close again). They used to not let people stop on the middle of the bridges after showtime… they used to enforce that type of stuff more strongly. No matter how early we arrive and where we pick, they end up letting hundreds of people come smash us in and stand on our feet. Don’t remember that being typical 5-10 years ago. I don’t remember getting food and drinks smooshed and spilt on us all the time. Seems par for the course now.

 

[Hurricane Hanna]

What is my best course of action to get good viewing spots for the nightly fireworks. It seems everytime we find a spot we get pushed around and stepped on by inconsiderate people. I see there is no longer a LL option for premium seating. Is there a area that they condine off if we arrive early enough?

Yeah! It's rough in there. I won't risk it with little kids. We've been doing a fireworks viewing dessert party for the last few years. No one really needs a smorgasbord of unlimited mediocre sweets, but it provides a reserved spot with no one pushing or elbowing me or my children. There are some decent spots outside of the hub and even outside of the park, but the view has limitations.

 

[Hurricane Hanna]

They aren’t managing crowd control as well anymore. They used to keep more walkways open, and not let 1,000 people arriving 2 minutes before showtime in to crowd a 20’ x 8’ space between the white box areas (they’d let a reasonable number of people in and then close again). They used to not let people stop on the middle of the bridges after showtime… they used to enforce that type of stuff more strongly. No matter how early we arrive and where we pick, they end up letting hundreds of people come smash us in and stand on our feet. Don’t remember that being typical 5-10 years ago. I don’t remember getting food and drinks smooshed and spilt on us all the time. Seems par for the course now.

There is nothing wrong with your memory. It's definitely worse. It makes me think of a mosh pit, and I'm definitely too old for that.

 

[team bradfield]

There is nothing wrong with your memory. It's definitely worse. It makes me think of a mosh pit, and I'm definitely too old for that.

agree, we stay at FW, in most of our campsites we can hear them all and see the higher elevation shots, been to the MK fireworks several times back in 2003/04/05 but it got bad in 07, we are hobbit size, people have no respect, its all about me, never again

 

[Skippyboo]

I watched from Tomorrowland when I was in MK 2 weeks ago. I have seen the projections enough and rather not be in that mob of people. It’s also on the resort tv.

 

[ShannyMcB]

Fourth floor of the contemporary viewing deck, still need to get there early but less pushing and shoving. If your budget allows fireworks cruise is awesome, if you have a large travel party (or can find another family to join you) the private is often less expensive than the dessert options

 

[flowergirl45]

Are the actual fireworks on the resort tv? Or just the soundtrack?

 

[Skippyboo]

Are the actual fireworks on the resort tv? Or just the soundtrack?

It’s the whole HEA. There’s a fireworks and story time channel on your resort tv. It might be on the on demand section. It’s been a while since I watched it on the hotel tv.

 

[HopperFan]

What is my best course of action to get good viewing spots for the nightly fireworks. It seems everytime we find a spot we get pushed around and stepped on by inconsiderate people. I see there is no longer a LL option for premium seating. Is there a area that they condine off if we arrive early enough?

For this you must book a Dessert Party ~ otherwise it is survival of the fittest.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

We did the desert party and did not find the "worth" in it, because that is a LOT of $$$ just so you're are not cramped. The viewing area is still pretty crowded but you are not shoulder-to-shoulder. But you still get the dad's that put their child on their shoulders blocking the view of people behind them. The trouble is you have no idea if that dad will be in front of you until it's too late, because there really is not a lot of space once the show starts, to move to a new location. Also, you have a choice, either hurry up and shove your food down so you can be the first group to enter the viewing area, or try to enjoy the party, but knowing you will be at the back of the viewing area. If you are only interested in the fireworks, there are a lot less crowded areas that you can view from. One of our favorite spots is the beginning of main street, you get to see the castle, the fireworks and the projections on the main street buildings. The bridge to tomorrow land is also nice.

 

[PollyannaMom]

The bridge to tomorrow land is also nice.

That's where we usually watch from as well.

Occasionally, we even leave the park and watch some of the fireworks from the bus area. - Obviously, you don't see everything, but if it's the second time in our trip, it's often enough. (Plus, you're first in line back to your hotel.)

 

[katyjeka]

Our favorite place to watch fireworks is on a fireworks cruise. As a family we love the fireworks but don't care for the projections. Nothing is more relaxing than watching fireworks with just your group. The snacks are simple drinks, chips, cookies, and we usually take them with us when we leave to enjoy at the pool later in the week. We've always had nice "captains" who usually take you on a mini cruise around the lake. It's worth every penny!!!!

 

[Hurricane Hanna]

We did the desert party and did not find the "worth" in it, because that is a LOT of $$$ just so you're are not cramped. The viewing area is still pretty crowded but you are not shoulder-to-shoulder. But you still get the dad's that put their child on their shoulders blocking the view of people behind them. The trouble is you have no idea if that dad will be in front of you until it's too late, because there really is not a lot of space once the show starts, to move to a new location. Also, you have a choice, either hurry up and shove your food down so you can be the first group to enter the viewing area, or try to enjoy the party, but knowing you will be at the back of the viewing area. If you are only interested in the fireworks, there are a lot less crowded areas that you can view from. One of our favorite spots is the beginning of main street, you get to see the castle, the fireworks and the projections on the main street buildings. The bridge to tomorrow land is also nice.

I don't disagree with you, but want to point out that there is more than one type of fireworks dessert party. There is one called Sweets and Eats, where you are assigned a table for eating and you stay there during the show. No one gets up and blocks anyone else. The one you mention is the Pre-Party, where you eat first and then move to an assigned standing area. There is also a Post-Party, where guests stand in the assigned standing area but have their desserts after the fireworks. No one is rushed to finish quickly.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I have a question about arrival time. Arrive at 8:20 is suggested, but to wait for an hour for the fireworks to begin is so long. Does anyone know how much leeway there is in the arrival time?