Tips about leaving the parks after fireworks

[mexican-mouseketeers]

We will be going to WDW from april 28th to may 5th and are planning to stay and watch the fireworks.

It will be 4 moms with 4 kids (all 4 yo). I am thinking that it will be better to be the last out than to leave with the hordes the moment the fireworks end.

Also we would like to watch the fireworks in the far end of the park (is there a good location there?) so we can leisurely stroll to the front.

Is there anything open after the fireworks? I mean like an eatery, the bakery or something?

We are staying at POFQ and won´t have a car, so we would much rather spend that time inside the park, at least sitting on a bench, that on the loooong bus line.

TIA

Julie

 

[OKW Lover]

It would help us if you specified which park you are asking about. I suspect you are refering to the MK, but it might be Epcot as well.

If at the MK, you can watch the fireworks from several places besides Main Street. We like the Tomorrowland bridge or in front of Liberty Tree Tavern. And yes, do take you time exiting the park. In fact, just stay where you watched the fireworks from and wait until you see that 90+% of the people have left the area. Then slowly wander toward the exit.

If at Epcot, any place around World Showcase is good as long as the you are not down-wind. A similar exit strategy should work there too.

 

[slimplaw]

We take our time leaving the parks after fireworks. No hurry to get to the bus since there will be a long line. Often the large store is open up front and you may walk through it. Snack carts will be closed, so if you want anything to snack on buy it earlier. Depending on how late it is, we have been known to go to the Contemporary from MK and catch a bus to DTD, walk around a bit and then go on to our resort. You could ride the boat to POFQ from DTD if it is before 11:00pm.

 

[Lizziejane]

Hanging back until the crowds have left is far better than exiting in the throngs! Many of the stores on Main Street are still open, even though the official closing time has come and gone.

We've only been to WDW twice before, but we always finish our trips with MK. We're in no hurry to leave, so we "hang back" until the crowds have left; we stop off at the Main Street Bakery and buy some last-minute treats to take back to the resort, and then we get some final shots of Main Street without the 45,000 strangers in our pictures!

 

[Goofyish]

Another vote here for hanging back in the parks, especially if you are staying on-site and are using the buses etc. Those bus and boat lines can be horrendous!

We love to grab a snack or drink, find a nice place to sit and watch all the crowds rushing for the exits

Epcot is my favourite place after park closing - taking the slow walk back round World Showcase after all the crowds have left is a magical experience

 

[Buttercup Roberts]

The only good place to watch the new Wishes fireworks show is somewhere where you can see the whole castle. This is a big change from the past, where great viewing spots could be had in Toontown, Fantasyland, and Liberty Square. It does make you have to sardine in with the horde.

But by all means just sit down and watch the castle and enjoy the music for about 15 minutes after the show's over. Then as you go down Main St., the ice cream store, Casey's Corner, and all the shops will stay open for about 45 minutes. By the time you get to the POFQ bus, you should be able to actually sit down on a real seat for your ride home, always a plus!

The only people who need to hurry out are the unfortunate souls trying to get back to WL or Ft.W on a boat. Maybe the policy has changed, but in the past we've been told the last boat of the night leaves one hour after park closing. I know that sounds like a lot, but Wishes *starts* at park closing. Doesn't give you any time to shop or dink around at all.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I very much agree with the above replies. Linger, enjoy the atmosphere. If you are in the hub area, about an hour after the fireworks, you can enjoy the Kiss Goodnight at the Castle. That is always such a nice way to end the day. And they will never strand you at the park. I have left with a few other DIS'ers, last guests out of the park. A security person asked where we were staying, if we were taking a bus. We said, yes, we hope so, LOL. He said, I figured so. There was bus waiting outside, just for us, various resorts. Disney does it nice.

And the fireworks locations mentioned are great too. Enjoy.

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

Another vote for waiting on crowds to clear a bit.

 

[lovethattink]

It's best to either make a mad dash for the resort transporation immediately after fireworks, or take it easy and hang back until the parks clear. The stores are still open.

Another thing you can do once you get to the bus, is wait for the next bus if the kids would have to stand. It's hard enough for an adult to stand on the bus, it's even harder for a 4 year old.

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

I very much agree with the above replies. Linger, enjoy the atmosphere. If you are in the hub area, about an hour after the fireworks, you can enjoy the Kiss Goodnight at the Castle. That is always such a nice way to end the day. And they will never strand you at the park. I have left with a few other DIS'ers, last guests out of the park. A security person asked where we were staying, if we were taking a bus. We said, yes, we hope so, LOL. He said, I figured so. There was bus waiting outside, just for us, various resorts. Disney does it nice.

And the fireworks locations mentioned are great too. Enjoy.

Where exactly is the Kiss goodnight at the castle? Near the Walt Disney and Mickey statue? Is it anything like the ending at the Disneyland fun Sing Along video? (in case you are familiar with it) At the ending various characters wave goodbye and leave through the castle and then Mickey and Minnie kiss goodnight and follow the rest. My dd would love to watch that.

Thank you every one, we are definetly leaving the park late after your suggestions.

Julie

 

[Dan Murphy]

Here is a video link to the KG. It is a bit different now, slightly different wording/music, but still pretty darn neat. If you 'get' Disney, it will give you a lump, if you don't 'get' Disney, you'll wonder why you stayed so late, LOL.


http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/media/quicktim/kiss.mov

From www.ourlaughingplace.com


(Requires Quicktime)

 

[kdk1188]

Just thought I would offer another option...my family and I watched the MK fireworks from a boat. We boarded the boat at the Grand Floridian and had a nice boat ride for about a half hour or more until we anchored near MK. We had an absolutely spectacular view of the fireworks and the boat has a radio which allows you to hear all the music so you don't miss a thing. We also caught the electrical parade (the water one) on the boat ride back. The kids loved every minute of it as did the adults and we didn't deal with any crowds at all. The cost was about $120 and with four of you splitting it, it's worth every penny.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Once the park is pretty empty, there are still lines for the monorail and trams. So, take your time. Epcot and MK are beautiful at night once the throng of people exit.

 

[marcbelt]

Pueden checar si hay "Extra Magic Hours" en el parque que estan. Si es asi, pueden aprovechar y subirse a los juegos que no pudieron durante el dia.

Los dias de EMH varian de parque en parque, pero lo pueden ver en Disney.com

Saludos

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

Thanks everyone y gracias.

Julie

 

[disneyfam]

For the MK after wishes to not have to deal with the looonnngg bus lines, what we did when we stayed at POR is walk to the Contemporary and get a cab.

The Contemporary is maybe a 5 minute walk (if that) and the cab to POR only cost $11.00. Well worth the $11 with tired children!

Cynde

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

For the MK after wishes to not have to deal with the looonnngg bus lines, what we did when we stayed at POR is walk to the Contemporary and get a cab.

The Contemporary is maybe a 5 minute walk (if that) and the cab to POR only cost $11.00. Well worth the $11 with tired children!

Cynde

That is a good suggestion too, we have done the walk to the CR when we stayed there, but I would be worried about taking a cab, since I don´t know if they have at least boosters for kids. My dd is 4, but is still harnessed in a 5 pt carseat, so I would definetly wouldn´t have her ride a taxi if she wasn´t properly restrained, so I guess I will check if taxis in Orlando have boosters or carseats in them.

Julie