MK for fireworks

[Davey Jones II]

During our upcming trip later this month, we will be at MK on party days. However, we are thinking about park hopping to MK after AK on Monday October 24th to see the fireworks (probably from Fantasyland) and also do some rides after the show. When should we arrive, how are the wait times right after the fireworks, and what other advice can you offer? Thanks!

P.S.: If the wait times are really short during the fireworks, we might opt to do some rides instead of watching the show.

 

[kmrobins03]

In my experience, lines are shorter during the fireworks and after fireworks there is usually a mad rush of people to queue in some rides (like space mountain & seven dwarves). Timing makes all the difference

 

[Davey Jones II]

In my experience, lines are shorter during the fireworks and after fireworks there is usually a mad rush of people to queue in some rides (like space mountain & seven dwarves). Timing makes all the difference

Makes sense. What about an hour before the fireworks? Given that a mob of people stake out spots to watch it, wouldn't that mean shorter wait times (for rides) as well?

 

[scrappinginontario]

I’m not sure there is a one-size-fits-all answer as a lot has to do with:
- how many nights is the park closing early that week due to parties? and,
- how late is the park open (if at all) after the fireworks?

Our experience has been that if the park has parties that week then it’s absolutely slammed on non-party nights by guests wanting the nighttime experience of fireworks (FW) and longer park hours. (You are wise to have booked MK on party days. Those were key for us to get things done.)

YMMV but, when we hopped to MK on a non-party where the park was open 2 hours after FWs, lines were long for everything before, during and after the fireworks. (Eg small world 60+ mins and People Mover 45+ mins) We ended up leaving after a couple hours having ridden nothing and just needing away from people.

Hopefully your experience is different but from 75+ visits to the MK, that night stands out. It was also pre-reservations though so hopefully park reservations will make your experience better than ours.

If your experience is different, I would recommend riding headliners during the fireworks or, watching the fireworks from Fantasyland and the moment they’re done, hopping in line for SDMT.

Another key factor is firework time and park closing. If the park closes within sn hour of the FWs, many will watch and leave. If the park is open more than an hour after the FWs, many will watch then spill out into the park.

Final tip, wait times are inflated close to park closing. Our experience earlier this year:
- FWs were at 8:15
- park closing was 9:00
- watched FWs from Fantasyland
- immediately after FWs got in line for SDMT. Posted wait was 80 mins. Rode in 20.
- got back in line and rode in 10
- park was closed so made our way out

Hope this helps.

 

[Davey Jones II]

I’m not sure there is a one-size-fits-all answer as a lot has to do with:
- how many nights is the park closing early that week due to parties? and,
- how late is the park open (if at all) after the fireworks?

Our experience has been that if the park has parties that week then it’s absolutely slammed on non-party nights by guests wanting the nighttime experience of fireworks (FW) and longer park hours. (You are wise to have booked MK on party days. Those were key for us to get things done.)

YMMV but, when we hopped to MK on a non-party where the park was open 2 hours after FWs, lines were long for everything before, during and after the fireworks. (Eg small world 60+ mins and People Mover 45+ mins) We ended up leaving after a couple hours having ridden nothing and just needing away from people.

Hopefully your experience is different but from 75+ visits to the MK, that night stands out. It was also pre-reservations though so hopefully park reservations will make your experience better than ours.

If your experience is different, I would recommend riding headliners during the fireworks or, watching the fireworks from Fantasyland and the moment they’re done, hopping in line for SDMT.

Another key factor is firework time and park closing. If the park closes within sn hour of the FWs, many will watch and leave. If the park is open more than an hour after the FWs, many will watch then spill out into the park.

Final tip, wait times are inflated close to park closing. Our experience earlier this year:
- FWs were at 8:15
- park closing was 9:00
- watched FWs from Fantasyland
- immediately after FWs got in line for SDMT. Posted wait was 80 mins. Rode in 20.
- got back in line and rode in 10
- park was closed so made our way out

Hope this helps.

It does, thanks. If we go to MK, we will probably follow your blueprint (but I'm going to lobby for a hop to Epcot that night instead).