Post-fireworks exit strategy

[hemmie]

We would really like to do both Wishes and the special Star Wars Weekends fireworks at HS next month, but with boys ages 8 & 10 and early mornings (trying to do RDs when possible given sleep requirements), I'm concerned about getting back to the hotel (AKL) as soon as possible after them.

I know the crowds exiting the park are AWFUL at the time, but given the ages of my kids, should we still try to brave the hordes and get into the bus line as soon as possible after the fireworks? Or do you think we'd be better off doing another ride or something and THEN leaving? Or will the bus lines still be really long and we will have shot ourselves in the foot?

What would you do? I am worried that night after night of not enough sleep will be very counter-productive to enjoying the Happiest Place on Earth

 

[lustergirl]

We would really like to do both Wishes and the special Star Wars Weekends fireworks at HS next month, but with boys ages 8 & 10 and early mornings (trying to do RDs when possible given sleep requirements), I'm concerned about getting back to the hotel (AKL) as soon as possible after them.

I know the crowds exiting the park are AWFUL at the time, but given the ages of my kids, should we still try to brave the hordes and get into the bus line as soon as possible after the fireworks? Or do you think we'd be better off doing another ride or something and THEN leaving? Or will the bus lines still be really long and we will have shot ourselves in the foot?

What would you do? I am worried that night after night of not enough sleep will be very counter-productive to enjoying the Happiest Place on Earth

Can't comment on DHS but at Wishes perhaps you can get a spot to view the fireworks near the exit somewhere. That is the only way you are going to be able to get back to your resort quickly, in my opinion.

Good Luck.

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

We would really like to do both Wishes and the special Star Wars Weekends fireworks at HS next month, but with boys ages 8 & 10 and early mornings (trying to do RDs when possible given sleep requirements), I'm concerned about getting back to the hotel (AKL) as soon as possible after them.

I know the crowds exiting the park are AWFUL at the time, but given the ages of my kids, should we still try to brave the hordes and get into the bus line as soon as possible after the fireworks? Or do you think we'd be better off doing another ride or something and THEN leaving? Or will the bus lines still be really long and we will have shot ourselves in the foot?

What would you do? I am worried that night after night of not enough sleep will be very counter-productive to enjoying the Happiest Place on Earth

I was wondering the same thing for DHS SW fireworks. We were trying to make it back to MK that night. I would love to hear from others on what is the best plan

 

[GenevieveRaqs]

Honestly, with the crush of people leaving after the fireworks, you have two options that will likely get you back to your room at roughly the same time.

1. Get in with the herd as soon as the show finishes, and wait with everyone else for your preferred method of transportation

OR

2. Wait out the crowd for a little bit, then jump onto your (now relatively empty) mode of transportation

Option 2 is FAR more pleasant, and, again, is likely to result in approximately the same hotel arrival time.

Also, if you're concerned about late nights and early mornings, consider building some earlier nights into your schedule. For us, we're not hopping, and we're hitting both MK and EPCOT for two days, each. That means, depending on energy levels and need for sleep, we can see the evening shows on one night at each park and turn in early on the other night without missing anything. We also try to put our AK day in the middle of the trip since that park closes early anyway. In the end, you have to be ready to go with the flow. No one is going to have fun if the kids (or the parents!) are cranky and exhausted. Better to turn in early a couple of nights than have everyone dead on their feet and having a miserable time.

 

[TimothyG]

Unless you are near the park exit, you won't get the transportation before the crowds do. It just doesn't happen.

Personally, I always find something else to do with my time because standing in a huge line waiting for a bus is just not fun at all and ruins the mood. Grab an ice cream on Main Street and people watch or do another attraction at HS. Sit on a park bench and just rest. Do souvenir shopping. Anything is better than that line. If you waste a half hour or so, the lines for the bus will be much shorter and you'll actually stand a chance of getting to sit down on the bus!

 

[hemmie]

Thanks so much for the replies - you make a compelling case for doing something else rather than exiting at the same time as everyone else. I hope energy levels are ok with that option!

I've tried to balance our late nights/early mornings with early nights/later morning starts, but I just can't predict moods and actual number of hours slept each night.

 

[LMN]

I agree- unless you are watching Wishes from the entrance (not the best view) you're not going to beat the crowds. Grab a park bench, people watch or find something else relaxing to do until the crowds leave. This is a much more pleasant way to end the evening, IMO. And I've been there, done that several times until I learned this lesson the hard way. And a perk of waiting: you get to see MK in its most magical state: nearly empty/empty!! I understand wanting to get the kids to bed, but I would take a few hours in the afternoon to have some downtime so everyone is not dog tired.

 

[hemmie]

I agree- unless you are watching Wishes from the entrance (not the best view) you're not going to beat the crowds. Grab a park bench, people watch or find something else relaxing to do until the crowds leave. This is a much more pleasant way to end the evening, IMO. And I've been there, done that several times until I learned this lesson the hard way. And a perk of waiting: you get to see MK in its most magical state: nearly empty/empty!! I understand wanting to get the kids to bed, but I would take a few hours in the afternoon to have some downtime so everyone is not dog tired.

That does sound more pleasant! I am building in afternoon breaks every day; I just wish I could force them to use it for naps (I suppose I can try!), but I suspect the AKL pool will be very enticing....

 

[RookieLady]

I like to buy an ice cream and watch the horde go by.

 

[Beida]

we buy snacks and sit for a minute then by the time we get to the buses the hope is that they'll be sending more buses or coming back already to pick up again

 

[Beida]

or you can do the wishes pirate fireworks cruise and take a taxi back from the contemporary

 

[jeffbear]

Unless it's different for the Star Wars fireworks, the last time I was at Studios for a fireworks display you could see it quite well from the area just outside the turnstiles ... and obviously get a jump on the bus stop.

 

[hemmie]

Unless it's different for the Star Wars fireworks, the last time I was at Studios for a fireworks display you could see it quite well from the area just outside the turnstiles ... and obviously get a jump on the bus stop.

Great tip! Thanks! Apparently they are "behind the hat" so that makes sense. That night is more important to me to get back fairly quickly due to me wanting to be at RD at Epcot the next day.... (whereas the morning after Wishes, the plan is to head to BB, which doesn't open until 10am).

 

[parkluvr]

My wife and kids love the fireworks at Magic Kingdom but I hate the crowds for the bus afterward. Last year we waited about 45 minutes for a bus and ended up standing up in a fully loaded bus back to the hotel. It was a little pricey, but I came up with a great plan this year. I booked Contemporary tower, so now if the line for the monorail is long I'll just walk home.