MK Entrance Gate Area
As of Jan. 9, 2017, the MK Rope Drop Welcome Show is held on the Castle Stage (directly in front of the castle.)
MK guests are admitted onto Main Street USA 60-75 minutes before the posted opening time
so that they can stroll, shop, or otherwise await "Rope Drop Time."
At that time, the ropes in the Hub that are blocking the entrances to all of the MK lands will be dropped, and guests will be admitted into the attraction areas.
MK Hub
MK - PARADE ROUTE
The 3 O'Clock Parade (Festival of Fantasy) and both the
MVMCP and
MNSSHP parades start near Spalsh Mtn. and exit near the Firehouse.
Less crowded than on Main Street, but still spectacular viewing can be found near the Hall of Presidents, or deep into Frontierland, past the Country Bears.
(But at night, from those locations you won't be able to see the spectacular, not-to-be-missed show "Celebrate the Magic," that is actually projected on the front of the Castle... which begins about 15 minutes before the fireworks.)
Below is a rough estimate of the
Happily Ever After Fireworks viewing spots
on the south side of Cinderella Castle.
The projections presented on the castle facade can only be seen from this front side.
You also want to be able to see the spectacular show that is actually projected on the front of the Castle,
"Once Upon a Time," which is scheduled within an hour before and/or after the fireworks.
MK-Tony's Dining Pkg. Parade Viewing Area (facing East)
MK-Tony's Porch and Backstage Pathway gate (facing East)
MK-Backstage Pathway: Noodle Station Route (facing West)
MK-Backstage Pathway: Crystal Palace Route (facing North)
This is a "utility pathway" that is seldom opened to guests
except in the case of extreme Main St. overcrowding.
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MK- 3 Backstage Pathways:
Adventureland/Frontierland Path and Tomorrowland Path are seldom opened to guests
except in the case of extreme Main St. overcrowding.
(Possibly on/near New Years, Christmas, July 4th, Easter.)
The broken line indicates a possible backstage passage just to the east of Pirate's entrance.
MK - from NOODLE STATION > PARADE ROUTE
Guests at the Dessert Party will be at a distance of 180-220 feet (2/3 of a football field) from the parade, with guests standing between them and the parade entries.
Shown is the "old version" of the Hub, before the 2015 rebuild. The views are still
similar, but there can now be more "guest activity" (as guests walk by) between the
Noodle Station and the parade route.
MK - from NOODLE STATION - Castle View for Celebrate the Magic
Shown is the "old version" of the Hub, before the 2015 rebuild.
The views are still similar, however.
MK Hub Rope Drop to Peter Pan's Flight
Three Routes to Peter Pan.
If the "through the castle route" (green) is closed, choose whichever of the others you prefer.
"West of the castle" path (blue) may be a bit shorter than the Liberty Square (orange) route,
but how the CMs open the ropes may affect which way you can go the earliest.
MK Hub Rope Drop to Space Mtn. (facing East)
Shown is the "old version" of the Hub, before the 2015 rebuild.
MK Main Street to Space Mtn. (facing East)
Shown is the "old version" of the Hub, before the 2015 rebuild.
MK Main Street to Seven Dwarf's Mine Train
Shown is the "old version" of the Hub, before the 2015 rebuild.
MK - Tomorrowland
Magic Kingdom / TTC Parking Lot
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Magic Kingdom Fireworks Viewing
from Outside the Magic Kingdom
The "
Happily Ever After" evening spectacular at MK
features many projections on the front facade of Cinderella Castle
in addition to the many fireworks in the show. Since those projections
will not be seen from viewing locations outside the MK park, seeing the
"full effect" of "Happily Ever After" will dictate viewing the show at least once
from a good vantage point inside MK, on Main Street, preferably in or near the Hub.
The Beach at the Polynesian Resort offers a great view
of the FIREWORKS portions of the MK Fireworks spectaculars.
However, the area with the most direct and centered MK view is now much smaller than it used to be due to the construction of the DVC on-the-water rooms.
That specific small area might be restricted to Poly guests on evenings like New Year's Eve, July 3rd and 4th, and possibly other of the most crowded of fireworks "event nights."
They do "pipe in" the audio of the shows, but most nights it is nearly inaudible on the Poly beach.
Here's a photo I took from the Poly Beach-
MK Fireworks (MVMCP Christmas Finale)
Also, for a "drink and viewing" from the Poly there is
Trader Sam's Grog Grotto (
HERE.)
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More Viewing Spots-
You can see the MK fireworks shows very well from the TTC
(and they pipe-in clear, crisp audio from the show.)
Note: you are not allowed to stand directly in the actual Ferry loading area.
You can see the MK fireworks from the boat-dock and an outside
observation deck near Narcoossee's restaurant at the Grand Floridian.
There is rumored to be an upcoming paid "Wishes Dessert Party" that will be held on that boat dock.
The Narcoossee's Deck shown is now reserved only for guests of the restaurant.
Good viewing from the Gasparilla Grill Patio overlooking the Marina.
The sound of the show is piped into the red circled area too.
(But, it is generally at rather low audio levels.)
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At the
Contemporary, there is viewing on an outdoor
observation area on the 4th floor.
The California Grill observation areas are reserved for patrons that day of the Grill or Bar.
(The audio of the fireworks show is also piped in to these locations.)
(Fireworks shown above are simulated.)
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At
Wilderness Lodge, the "secret place" to watch the MK fireworks is from the northern area of the Cast Member (CM) Parking Lot.
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At the
Fort Wilderness Campgrounds Marina (angle shown on the map below,) some of the view (especially of the "Fantasyland" pyro)
is blocked by the now unused Discovery Island in Bay Lake and by the high-rise buildings of the Contemporary Resort.
But, the view from the Ft. Wilderness' sand beach (farther north) is more open.
Still the tree-level can block the views of the lower-firing pyro.
Here are the angles of the views in the Bay Lake area.
Below are the angles of the views in the Seven Seas Lagoon area.
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As for viewing the MK fireworks from INSIDE the dining area of restaurants (you need ADRs, and most are usually busy during the shows)...
you can see (and hear) them at California Grill at Contemporary,
'Ohana at the Poly, at Trader Sam's and Trader Sam's outdoor patio at the Poly, Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian,
and (if you have access there) the Top of the World at Bay Lake Tower.
. Much thanks!!!!
