Skip the Fireworks?

[MouseOfCards]

If going to WDW during a busy time of year (when ride waits are 2+ hours), is it better to skip the fireworks and catch the rides instead? Also, are all the rides open during fireworks time?

 

[Puffin]

It all depends on how many days you spend at the resort and if you have small children with you or not. But I don't think there's a real need to chose one or the other.

 

[subtchr]

As Puffin says, it is completely up to your family and what they value. I adore the night time spectaculars at Disney. They are so much more than just fireworks. The incorporation of music and other elements (but mostly music!) makes them an emotional as well as visual experience for us. Visiting Disney is so much more than "rides".

Also, with FP+ and efficient touring, you can avoid those 2+ hour waits. We never wait more than 30-40 minutes for anything, and rarely that much.

Whichever you decide, have a great trip!

 

[Delirium]

A lot of variables need to be considered to properly answer your question.

• How long is your trip? In other words, do you have more than one opportunity to be in MK at that time of night?
• Do you have park hoppers? Will you be able to hop over to MK, from another park, specifically for the fireworks?
• Will your family situation allow you to stay in the park AFTER the fireworks, and take advantage of somewhat shorter lines after the mass exodus?
• Will you be able to be at MK at rope drop, resulting in the ability to knock out several rides before the crowds build for the day.

We used to be ones that skipped the parade and fireworks, thinking that would be a great time to ride. Then, one time, on an extended stay, we were able to do both. And, we realized that we always wanted to see the fireworks and parade at least one time each trip. So, we adjusted the way we planned the trip to allow us to do both. One MK night is reserved for parade/fireworks. Others are reserved for rides.

That said, if I had to choose, and could only do one per trip, the amount of time saved riding during the fireworks does not make up for the memories that watching the fireworks provides.

 

[mom2rtk]

Only you can say whether extra ride access is worth the tradeoff of skipping the fireworks. I know my trip would not be complete without a good view of fireworks over the castle. Many others are perfectly fine missing it.

 

[Spork24]

It's true that many rides have shorter waits once everyone starts lining up for the electrical parade and wishes, especially in fantasyland. But I love to watch wishes at least once.

Imo the other parks have less of an advantage due to the fireworks, but there is some.

 

[mrzrich]

I have never stood in a 2 hour line (or a 1 hour line for that matter) and I always manage to see the night time entertainment.

What you need is a good plan

 

[HopperFan]

Regarding MK, many of us have seen the fireworks so many times we opt to continue on the rides. While some lines will be shorter, many will not be that much different. I think it boils down to how important the fireworks (and view) are to you.

 

[Alesia]

We always go when the parks are busy and we never wait more than 30 minutes for anything - in fact, it's very rarely more than 20 minutes. If you plan smartly, you will have plenty of time for everything.

 

[Mom2J&J]

Question for those of you who are experienced Disney planners: What resource do you use to help make your plan? (ie. Touring Plans, EasyWDW, Jake)

They all seem to be a bit different, so I'd love your opinions.

 

[Alesia]

Question for those of you who are experienced Disney planners: What resource do you use to help make your plan? (ie. Touring Plans, EasyWDW, Jake)

They all seem to be a bit different, so I'd love your opinions.

easywdw.com has the best crowd calendar. The touring plans calendar has been pretty much useless for me for years.

As far as making a touring plan, it's really simple:

1. Start with the cheat sheets at easywdw.com and take out anything that doesn't interest you. Keep everything else in the same order.
2. As far as figuring out timing, a good rule of thumb is: 4 rides in the first hour the park is open, 3 rides in the second hour, and 2 rides in each hour after that.
3. Don't forget to leave time to eat. Figure 45 minutes for counter service and 90 minutes for table service.
4. Use the first 2 posts of mesaboy2's Fastpass thread to decide which attractions you want fastpasses for.
5. That's it.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Just because wait times are long during the day doesn't mean that they are also that long at night. The crowds do start to die down in the evening and the lines become very manageable. You don't have to miss the parade and/or fireworks to ride more rides.

Here's just an example of what we were able to accomplish on a recent crowd level 9 summer evening from 8 pm to midnight without FP+. It happened to be a morning EMH day so a lot of guests had tired out and had left or were leaving when we arrived.

Big Thunder 3x
Splash Mtn 2x
Space Mtn 2x
Mine Train (10 min wait right a closing time)
Pirates
Jungle Cruise
Haunted Mansion
Pooh
Peter Pan
Speedway
Barnstormer 2x

We also watched the parade and fireworks and had a couple of Dole Whips.

 

[DSLRuser]

If going to WDW during a busy time of year (when ride waits are 2+ hours), is it better to skip the fireworks and catch the rides instead? Also, are all the rides open during fireworks time?

Yes. Sort of.

We will be in Magic kingdom 3 nights out of 8. 1 of those nights will be used to watch parades and fireworks. the other 2 nights we will be off riding attractions.

 

[bc7ate9]

We always skip fireworks. We are perfectly happy from catching a glimpse of them from the People Mover or Dumbo or Splash Mountain. They're just not important to us.

 

[Robo]

Also, are all the rides open during fireworks time?

Not always.
It depends on whether the fireworks begin at "park closing time," or not.

If the park is scheduled to close at, say, 9PM (with no PM EMH) and the fireworks are scheduled begin at 9PM,
the rides will stop operating as soon as the last guest who was in the line at 9PM has ridden that ride.

If the park is scheduled to close at, say, 10PM and the fireworks are scheduled begin at 9PM,
the rides will continue operating through the fireworks show, up until the posted park closing time, with the rides to stop operating as soon as the last guest who was in the line at 10PM has ridden that ride.

 

[Parker Clan]

We've done a few different things regarding fireworks at MK the last five years (we go in August every year)... We have most recently enjoyed riding Big Thunder Mountain while the fireworks are going on, it's a really neat experience! We have also watched them from the ferry on the way back to the parking lot.. That way you miss the heavy crowds but don't miss the fireworks completely!
We've also watched them from Fantasy and which is pretty cool. It depends on all the other factors PP mentioned for sure!

 

[Baptist]

I love Wishes! But as many previous posters have mentioned, it's never been a choice (we always ride and watch the night-time spectaculars).

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Lothlórien]

If going to WDW during a busy time of year (when ride waits are 2+ hours), is it better to skip the fireworks and catch the rides instead? Also, are all the rides open during fireworks time?

We have done this many times and we have never regret it.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think you can do both, but I also think you need to have a basic plan to do so. We hit MK att D, or actually now we book BOG pre park opening. Afte breakfast we get in whatever line we want, Peter Pan is a good one, as is Mine Train, and then we just start knocking attractions off, one by one. By then the FP kick in and we are good. We generally last until after the parade and then leave for the day. WE come back another day, later in the day. WE have FP booked for the three popular attractions we missed the previous day, plan dinner in teh park, and stay for the evening shows. I don't think that the parades and fireworks were too much to compromise for. I know folks who have never seen a parade because they use that time for attractions. They were fine with that, but we are parade people.

 

[Ermise]

We always skip fireworks. We are perfectly happy from catching a glimpse of them from the People Mover or Dumbo or Splash Mountain. They're just not important to us.

We are the same way. On our last trip in November we happened to be riding Big Thunder Mountain when the fireworks were going off and it is one of the most magical experience we have had. It was truly awesome.