Preffered fireworks viewing...reservations?

[dani77]

I booked my WDW vacation using the UK website. It comes with preffered fireworks viewing. Sounds like the viewing area in MK is quite good. But how do I do it? Do I get a voucher that I can present upon arriving there, do I have to call to make a reservation for a certain day or how does it work?
Hope someone can help me out here. Thanks!

 

[Cyrano]

Glad you posted this as I am interested in whether the preferred viewing at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT is worth doing and how you go about booking ?

 

[Duck In Blue]

You need to phone Disney and "book" a place on the day you want to see them (if I remember rightly the number is on the voucher). They will give you a confirmation number (just like a dining reservation) and then you turn up on the day and give your voucher and your name should be on the list. You can (or at least could) do the same with Illuminations at EPCOT. The day we went, we forgot the voucher but they still let us in anyway!

I'm not convinced that the viewing locations are that good to be honest. The big advantage is that you avoid the pushing and shoving of the crowds. The area in the Magic Kingdom is a bit obstructed with trees if you are trying to look at the castle, but if you are just watching the sky you should be fine!

Hope you have a great time!

 

[dani77]

You need to phone Disney and "book" a place on the day you want to see them (if I remember rightly the number is on the voucher). They will give you a confirmation number (just like a dining reservation) and then you turn up on the day and give your voucher and your name should be on the list. You can (or at least could) do the same with Illuminations at EPCOT. The day we went, we forgot the voucher but they still let us in anyway!

And how do I get the voucher? Will it be sent to my with the rest of my travel documents a few weeks before my departure?

I'm not convinced that the viewing locations are that good to be honest. The big advantage is that you avoid the pushing and shoving of the crowds. The area in the Magic Kingdom is a bit obstructed with trees if you are trying to look at the castle

On another board I read that they got rid of those trees now and the view is unobstructed

 

[wayneg]

Yes the vouchers come in your travel pack from Disney Travel company.
We have had this option last 3 times we have booked with them, never used them, I heard the viewing has improved but still not something I will do, I never have problems seeing firworks.

 

[dani77]

Great, thanks for the quick replies! I will be park hopping on my first full day at WDW which is a sunday. Epcot first and then to MK late afternoon for evening EMH. Since the estimated crowd level for MK that day is a whooping 8.4 I figured getting the reserved spot for Wishes might be a good idea

 

[Duck In Blue]

Yes, the voucher comes with your other final paperwork a couple of weeks before you go. Good to hear those trees have gone!

We have used them twice at both MK and EPCOT and it seems hit and miss just how busy it gets in there. The first time at MK there were only 4 of us in there but last time it was really busy, if you want a space at the front (by the railings) then I'd aim to get there about 30 minutes before. EPCOT was busy both times and as a lot of Illuminations happens at water level it's worth getting a front spot!

 

[2Tiggies]

On another board I read that they got rid of those trees now and the view is unobstructed

They did get rid of the trees and the view is much improved, although I wouldn't say unobstructed. You are set quite low down and while it is true that the fireworks are above you, there are railings, signs and all kinds of other features from the surrounding areas of the park itself, including lamp posts and lights, which are in the way, depending where you sit. I wouldn't sit there if you were wanting to take photos as the odds of getting a decent shot are pretty close to nil.

With that said, we do always book it, but we don't only watch Wishes once. It is lovely to have an evening where we can just sit and relax without the crowds and enjoy it. However if it were my only night to watch it, I would rather sit and wait elsewhere for a good view where you get more of the atmosphere and a much better view.

Epcot's location is on the Morocco boat landing and you do get a good view from there. As someone else said, it is hit and miss as to how busy it gets in these locations. We have been there and the viewing area has been jam packed - and then last year the night we went we were the only ones there - and I mean not another soul in the roped off area. It was like real VIP viewing

Just a point to keep in mind if you happen to turn up for your booked viewing and realise you left your vouchers behind (we have managed to do this at MK every year ) as long as you have your KTTW cards with you as your ID, they have a list with your names on and will let you in on that

 

[irenep]

There's a phone number on the voucher that you can use to book before you go. We waited until we were there as I wasn't sure when to go and couldn't get our first choice of date so make sure you do it well in advance if going at a busy time.

I quite liked the MK viewing area but it is quite low down so we watched from the ramp down to the viewing area which was much better (but you can't beat the hub)

Didn't actually do the Epcot area in the end as the wind was blowing that way and it looked like it got really smokey! Always check the wind direction at Epcot!

 

[UKDEB]

last year the night we went we were the only ones there - and I mean not another soul in the roped off area. It was like real VIP viewing

That's the way to do it! I bet you had people looking and wondering who the hell you were!

 

[2Tiggies]

That's the way to do it! I bet you had people looking and wondering who the hell you were!

You joke? Standing in this roped off area with not one but TWO CM's (there are always two) 'guarding' the entrance, we got plenty attention.