Need help understanding fireworks and schedules

[KBecks]

OK, so there are all kinds of fireworks and night shows... Wishes at MK and Illuminations at Epcot and Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios and then there's the night parade at MK and the Candlelight thing at Epcot and

I feel so confused!

On our first trip, the host company had a private dinner for us in the American Experience (with the most amazing balloon maker) and then we watched Illuminations from a gated off area and it was nice. It was very late for our kids but it worked out fairly well.

I'm wondering if we should try... we will probably go the Osborne lights...

I wonder about wishes..


Howe do you know when these shows are??? The Disney site says to check on the day of but that's crazy for planning your trip.

Thanks so much for any advice. Wishes and Fantasmic both sound cool. We will probably not do Illuminations as we have seen it once already. Thank you for any advice and tips!

 

[luvmy2sams]

The times for fireworks and night shows will be on the weekly Times Guides that are available at all of the parks. I've always been able to find these times on the Disney park hours page months in advance as well. All times are subject to change, but with the exception of additional shows being held around the holidays, the schedule that's online has been accurate for us.

You'll get a range of opinions on everything, but my recommendation is to check out some of the things out if you've never seen them before. We've visited during the holidays numerous times, so there are some things (parades, Fantasmic) that we don't make an effort to see unless it just happens to fit. However, there are a few things that we try to see at least once during our visits.

Osborne Lights are a definite must-do for us. The lights are turned on around dusk each evening and can be viewed anytime until the park closes each night. There isn't a wait time because you're simply walking through the streets to view the lights. Very cool to watch as the lights are synched to music and put on shows every few minutes. We've been known to enter DHS just to see the lights.

Wishes is our favorite fireworks show, and we try to see it as many times as possible. Our favorite spot to view the show from our resort beach (the Poly). However, you should see it at least once from Main Street or the Hub. Having
Cinderella Castle as its backdrop makes the show.

You'll most likely encounter lines for Fantasmic. During the holiday season, there are often two shows, and the lines began approximately 90 minutes before the show opens. If you opt for a Fantasmic dining package, you can get reserved seating. However, many state that the seats aren't that great. We've always just lined up and entered about an hour before showtime. This show isn't on the top of our list. In fact, we haven't seen it since 2009, and it's not on our list for our next two trips. Others will disagree, I'm sure.

We always do the Candlelight Processional during our holiday visits. The performances are wonderful, and it has become part of our Christmas Eve tradition. Depending on when you'll be at Epcot, you may or may not need reserved seating. Since we've recently attended on Christmas Eve, we opt for the Candlelight Processional dining package to ensure that we have reserved seating. You can hear the presentation from the American Pavillion, however, so you could always find a table in the vicinity and just listen.

 

[DixieBelle]

check here in july.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours.htm.
this is the other half of this website. usually hours and schedules are announced 6 months in advance. usually the hours are stable, but they can be tweaked by disney as they get a clearer picture of guest levels. almost always in december, the hours are added to, not taken away. days when the MK closes at 7 are a special event, the MVMCP.
we love christmas at WDW. it is our favorite time of year to visit. just pack for sun and cold and enjoy!
HTH

 

[Robo]

Howe do you know when these shows are???

The evening spectaculars and major parades are listed 6 months in advance on the calendars.

While NO calendar is (or could be) 100% accurate,
the WDW Travel Agent Calendar is consistently the earliest-listed
and best-maintained (frequently updated) of all of the on-line calendars.

Here's the entire year of Travel Agency Calendar listings.

The months' dates will automatically update to the newest info (as in, change from 2012 to 2013)
as soon as that new month's info becomes available.
__________________

January TA Calendar

February TA Calendar

March TA Calendar

April TA Calendar

May TA Calendar

June TA Calendar

July TA Calendar

August TA Calendar

September TA Calendar

October TA Calendar

November TA Calendar

December TA Calendar

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OTHER EVENTS not listed on the calendars:

This is a great site to keep BOOKMARKED for future reference.

The following site posts the stage shows, in-park and other on-property shows and their times for the CURRENT week.
(It is updated every weekend.)
The times may be "similar" for other dates as well.

Click below-

Steve Soares' TIMES GUIDE Site

or go to wdwent.com

Click on the colored links for the various parks
to open their listings and view their show times.

Be sure to check back to the site as the actual dates of your trip get closer.
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