Magic Kingdom fireworks viewing

[DreamingoftheCastle]

Was wondering if anyone has some advice about a good viewing spot for Happily Ever After where we can still see all aspects well and hear the music, but not be part of a massive shoulder-to-shoulder crowd? My teenage daughter is diagnosed with anxiety and doesn’t like tight crowds. (We’ve been in the past a few years ago to see Wishes, so we do know what to expect crowd wise.) She claims she can handle being in the Hub area or Main Street to see all the parts of the show, but I don’t know that she’ll be able to enjoy it as much as she might from a different location. Any advice?

 

[DisDreaming4116]

I'd suggest getting a spot very early in the hub with one of the short metal fences in front of you. That obviously will prevent people from being in front of you (and helps with the view) but it will be crowded in there, just as it is everywhere else with that good of a view. At least it eliminates one direction people can be in your personal space.

 

[AnneK]

I also deal with bad crowd anxiety, so my family opted to book the Plaza Garden View Dessert Party. Our only opportunity to see Happily Ever After will be on a Saturday (Dec. 9th) which is also the last day of the Pop Warner crowds. From what I understand, the roped off viewing area gives you plenty of room to stretch and breath and enjoy the show.

 

[DVC Jen]

We did this is July and you are right. It was a fantastic view of the castle and fireworks. I always have a difficult time seeing as I am not quite 5 ft tall.

 

[BrianL]

Go to the former Fast Pass viewing area in front of Casey's. It's a fenced in area with patches of astroturf. A lot of people think it's for something special, so it doesn't fill in. I went in there and found a spot at the back, but few people came in after me. When we all stood for the show it was easy to see and not shoulder to shoulder.

 

[gap2368]

Go toe the former Fast Pass viewing area in front of Casey's. It's a fenced in area with patches of astroturf. A lot of people think it's for something special, so it doesn't fill in. I went in there and found a spot at the back, but few people came in after me. When we all stood for the show it was easy to see and not shoulder to shoulder.

This is what I did worked grest for me. I have problems in crowded area too

 

[MickeyWaffles]

People have suggested great spots.

One thing I’d add. I would expect MORE crowds than you experienced a few years ago at Wishes because HEA is still new and Wishes had been around for years.

In Sept, a few days before Irma hit (low parks crowds in general) , HEA was much more crowded than Wishes had been during much busier times (in my experience.) It’s still a novelty and will be for some time I think.

 

[SinCityMMAFan]

I also deal with bad crowd anxiety, so my family opted to book the Plaza Garden View Dessert Party. Our only opportunity to see Happily Ever After will be on a Saturday (Dec. 9th) which is also the last day of the Pop Warner crowds. From what I understand, the roped off viewing area gives you plenty of room to stretch and breath and enjoy the show.

Yes you get a really nice view from the Plaza Garden View Dessert Party reserved area. Me and my GF did it this past May for Wishes and we thought it was worth every penny that we are doing it again for Happily Ever After on Dec. 18th. We got there 15 minutes prior to the dessert party, got seated ate our plates of goodies then headed on down to the viewing area 30 minutes or so before the fireworks started and got a nice place on the grass area and layed a blanket down and sat on that for the fireworks and nobody was in our way and nobody was right up against us.

 

[Kalia]

When I went in October it was packed with people everywhere. I was astonished at quite how many people there were, packed all the way from the Disney statue and all down Main Street. The Hallowe’en Party meant that there was only HEA twice a week and I hear that increased crowds a lot so I would expect that to still be the case now because of the Christmas party. I would go for somewhere beside a shop entrance on Main Street so if it all got too much you could pop inside out of the crowds.

 

[whiporee]

I don't want to spend your money, but I'd spring for the Plaza Garden party as well. Nothing is cramped, the deserts are pretty good, and there's no real way to avoid a mob scene during the fireworks if you want to see the projection show, too.

 

[bcactus]

Check out Robo's map post. It has great photos for fireworks viewing

 

[DreamingoftheCastle]

Thank you so much for the ideas! If we opt for in front of Casey’s or near a shop entrance, how early should I plan on claiming my spot?

 

[AnneK]

An hour, minimum. Also be prepared for all the last minute folks to shove their way in front of you.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

Go to the former Fast Pass viewing area in front of Casey's. It's a fenced in area with patches of astroturf. A lot of people think it's for something special, so it doesn't fill in. I went in there and found a spot at the back, but few people came in after me. When we all stood for the show it was easy to see and not shoulder to shoulder.

I tried to google images for this location. It kept showing the new outdoor eating area at Casey's and then a small grassy area completely fenced in. Is that the spot you are talking about?

 

[Robo]

- the new outdoor eating area at Casey's and then a small grassy area completely fenced in. Is that the spot you are talking about?

Labeled as "All Guests Open Viewing" on the map below.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

Do they keep the walkways around the hub clear of people?

 

[BrianL]

I tried to google images for this location. It kept showing the new outdoor eating area at Casey's and then a small grassy area completely fenced in. Is that the spot you are talking about?

Yup. Like Robo shows on his map, that's it. There are breaks in the fence. Just walk right in and grab a spot. The "grass" spots will go first, but there will usually still be concrete. I think the fence scares some people away because they think it is for something special. It offers a great view!

 

[BrianL]

Do they keep the walkways around the hub clear of people?

There are areas that they do keep clear. Some areas are taped off and they allow standing inside the tape. CMs will direct people not to stand in the walking paths.

 

[DisDreaming4116]

There are areas that they do keep clear. Some areas are taped off and they allow standing inside the tape. CMs will direct people not to stand in the walking paths.

And those CM's earn every dollar they make (and then some) when trying to keep people inside the tape or moving elsewhere.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

Yup. Like Robo shows on his map, that's it. There are breaks in the fence. Just walk right in and grab a spot. The "grass" spots will go first, but there will usually still be concrete. I think the fence scares some people away because they think it is for something special. It offers a great view!

Okay thanks. I have us in our viewing spot at 7pm, for the 8pm show. Hopefully an hour prior will be sufficient. Going to be there Feb 4th.