Unique places to watch fireworks

[krystalleigh1]

I know the "recommended" places to watch Wishes (California Grill) and Illuminations (Rose and Crown), but where are some unique, or different places to watch?

 

[Simba's Mom]

If you watch Wishes from Fantasyland, boy will you get a unique perspective! It's not for the faint of heart. The night I was there I felt like I was in the middle of a bombing (maybe I'm just a wuss). Fireworks on all sides of me-and meanwhile there was a woman running around with a walkie-talkie, I think her job was to make sure none of the fireworks were falling in the wrong spot.
As for Illuminations, the only "unique" spot I can think of is on the upper deck of Japan, in front of the MatsuNoMa Lounge. There are always 10-20 people up there, and it's pretty different (but not scary like "Wishes" is).

 

[Robo]

I know the "recommended" places to watch Wishes (California Grill) and Illuminations (Rose and Crown), but where are some unique, or different places to watch?

For Wishes...
While riding BTM or Splash in Frontierland.

While riding Dumbo in Fantasyland.

But getting the TIMING right to be aboard these during the performance (and, of course, these attractions must still be operating.)
MK closes on many nights with Wishes, so it might not work out.

That said, I much prefer to see Wishes from the Hub area... if its the first time of the 20th time.


IllumiNations does not offer too many "unique" angles or perspectives, unless you count just watching it from a different spot around the lagoon each time.
Its a show seen best when the surface of the water is visable.

 

[Mickey1122]

I don't really like the spot up by the Japanse Restaurant. (Up the stairs) You don't get a great view. I like how Illuminations always feels like it is coming right at you all around the lagoon.
A really unique Illuminations viewing that we had was during Christmas season. We had seen the show the previous two nights and had just returned to our Dolphin room after the Osborn Lights. We had a room on the 10th floor that had an amazing view of Epcot. You could see every pavilion and landmark, as well as the entire Epcot Resort area. (We got a really nice upgrade! You could even see Spaceship Earth telling you goodnight in different languages before bed.) That was a different viewing. We saw the lights go out as the announcer blew out the candles. You couldn't see every firework, but it was still fun. The only part that was better than in Epcot was the finale. If you haven't been during Christmas, they let off many, many fireworks and the sky keeps on lighting up. They shot off dozens of rockets in that 30 seconds. You could appreciate just how big those fireworks were and how fast they were going off. It was amazing.

 

[JulielovesDisney]

For Illuminations, if you go to the Future World side of the lagoon in between those two brown shops, you get closer to the fireworks, and there aren't any trees to obstuct your view, which might happen at one of the countries. We sit there sometimes, and sometimes the CM's will let you go up to the railing, sometimes they keep that closed off. A lot of people sit there, so you might want to get there a little earlier if you are at WDW during a busy time.

For Wishes, I think anywhere will provide a different view. At Fantasyland you're very close to them. Frontierland or Libert Square might be more good spots. They might not be as crowded as the hub is too.

Also for Illuminations, if you leave the park through the back way (between France and England) and go over to the Yacht/Beach/Boardwalk resorts, there are a few bridges that you can go over and watch on. You can't see a lot, but you can see some of the closer country pavillions light up and the high fireworks. And you can usually hear the music too. Just make sure that you have another way to get home or it's an EMH night, because they might not let you into Epcot once Illuminations is done.

 

[mmmcq]

Like others have mentioned, we now consider Fantasyland to be a very unique spot. We accidentally saw Wishes there two trips ago when we were riding Dumbo. If you go to the right of Dumbo there are tables near the rest rooms and what used to be a restaurant (unless it's been refurbished into something else during the past two years.) We sat at tables there in 2004 and it was such a different experience with the fireworks going off literally over your head. I didn't feel we were in any danger. We loved it.

 

[cardaway]

For Illuminations, if you go to the Future World side of the lagoon in between those two brown shops, you get closer to the fireworks, and there aren't any trees to obstuct your view, which might happen at one of the countries. We sit there sometimes, and sometimes the CM's will let you go up to the railing, sometimes they keep that closed off. A lot of people sit there, so you might want to get there a little earlier if you are at WDW during a busy time.

This is our favorite spot. I believe this is the area used by the character bus during the day.

Get to the area about 30 min before show time, before they drop the rope. Once they get clearance from the fire marshal for the area they drop the rope and let you fill the area. It's ground seating only, no standing, but it's the best view in the park IMO. I believe it's closer than any of the other areas and you can really feel the concussion from some of the bigger shells.

As for Wishes, there is nothing like back of the hub in front of the castle. In every other place you can't see the whole thing.

 

[kimbac3]

We were in Fantasyland during Wishes on our last night. We thought it was cool. It felt like the fireworks were surrounding us!!
Kimba

 

[whogirl'smom]

We watched Illuminations from Rose and Crown after dinner there, and I wasn't too thrilled being squashed with all those people in the viewing area. I think next time we'll just stake out a spot on the bridge beforehand. I couldn't see the water surface all the time, and people's heads kept geting in the way--I wound up thinking "that's it?", which I haven't heard anyone else here say. So, I'm assuming you need to be right at the railing around the lagoon with nothing at all in front of you to get the best effect. Am I right? Maybe I was expecting too much with all the build up from reading the boards. My advice is just find a spot early enough so no one is in your viewing area.

 

[Simba's Mom]

One nice part of watching Wishes in Fantasyland is that it's a good time to get on Dumbo with a minimum of wait. I got to ride Dumbo 3 times in a row without getting off because there were so few people. And I did get to see the beginning of Wishes from Dumbo. That was cool!

 

[winterman]

We watched Wishes from the ferry to TTC. It was a GREAT view. After we docked we walked just beyond the gates at the dock to see the rest. This has the added advantage of beating the crowds at closing of MK.

 

[adreayoung]

I've always enjoyed watching them in front of Liberty Tree Tavern just b/c that's where I watched them every day for 8 months so that has a special place in my heart- I also like watching it in front of the hub

 

[balletomane]

I agree that being by Dumbo during the fireworks is a very unique experience BUT be careful. I ended up with cinder in my eye and it was a bit painful that night and into the next day.

 

[°O°Joe]

another ride that's cool to view Wishes! from is the Astro Orbiter... timing isn't easy on this one though... unless there's nobody in line...

It's a unique perspective because you're so high...

 

[chipscamping buddy]

We LOVE to do Wishes from Fantasyland now. We usually will go over to Mrs Potts about 15 minutes early and we can get some dessert and sit at a table to watch the fireworks. It is a great view and no crowds at all.

For Illuminations, there are so many great spots all around, that we just keep doing things until 8:55 and then go find a spot to watch. I have never been disappointed by a viewing spot.

 

[Boomer1]

Although not the best place if you want to hear the audio we like to watch the fireworks portion from the marina at Fort Wilderness. Its a great way to end the day sitting in a beach chair with a mug of hot chocolate just enjoying the show, particularly during Christmas when they have a late showing of Cristmas wishes.

 

[english rose 47]

We have to take into consideration 2 of the 3 kids are scared of the loud noise so too close is not an option as we learned this July4th.Had the most perfect up close spot ever for the show at local park. DGS had to be taken out of park he totally freaked. Although I,m thinking those Big ear things( which we have ) might help. Or maybe we'll just take him back to hotel at least at Pop you see some of Illuminations!!

 

[SteveN73]

I once watched Wishes with friends from a boat on a "specialty cruise" on Seven Seas Lagoon. The view was right up Main Street. It was farther away but the atmosphere on the boat was magical due to all the lights of the Contemporary/Poly/GF. Very nice memories