Crystal Palace for fireworks?

[BMAEC]

We have 7:15 dinner reservations at Crystal Palace. This will be our only night to see the Happily Ever After Fireworks at MK because our other MK day is a MVMCP night. I started wondering if this reservation was too late and would interfere with getting a good spot to watch the fireworks, but then read that you can watch them from the restaurant? What do you think about this ADR time for fireworks? Are the fireworks “not the same” as being out in the open? I’ve never been so really need advice on how best to view them since it’s our one shot on this trip. This was sort of a bonus ADR and we’d be paying off the dining plan since we already have our other TS credits scheduled, so it wouldn’t be a big deal to cancel it but didn’t want to do that before getting advice. Thanks!!

 

[Nancyg56]

Crystal Palace is a large restaurant. I am not at all sure you get much of a view from inside. I have not seen HEA, however I have read over and over that you should get a view that lets you see the Castle because much of the show is projections. AS far as timeing, we always plan about an hour to get a decent spot for WIshes, but I am not sure how early folks need to be in front of the Castle for HEA. I would think you have time unless your ADR goes really long.

 

[Ben E N]

The fact that there is a covered porch outside the restaurant means that from anywhere in the restaurant, your view above you would be of the porch covering, not the fireworks.
The fireworks by themselves are not bad at all, but yes, about 65% of the "coolness" of the show is in the projections, which need to be viewed from in front of the castle.

 

[BMAEC]

Thank you for your replies! This is very helpful!

 

[AnakinsDad]

Is there a way to know what time the fireworks begin months in advance? We too have a 7pm reservation, but I thought we could get out before the show starts...

 

[BMAEC]

Right now for my date on Disney’s website the posted time for fireworks is 9 pm. You can look up your date and see what the schedule is currently, but I'm not sure how often the time of the fireworks is changed. I've heard MK hours can change closer to trip time, but I'm not sure if that's just for park opening or if it ever affects fireworks time.

 

[SG131]

I can tell you we tried it last August, and we made it but barely and it was stressful! It just so happened that they were running behind that day. It had rained so people sat longer at the tables. It took about 30 min to get seated. We finished our meal in a timely fashion but only saw one character. The manager had to track down the others for us. We pretty much walked out as the fireworks were starting and didn’t have a very good spot to see the projections.

 

[crabbygal902]

In our experience, CP often runs behind in ADRs in the evenings. If fireworks are at 9, that would be a rushed meal at best.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I was nearing the end of a meal at CP when fireworks were happening.
Couldn't see a thing but could hear them.
When you walk out of the restaurant you can see them.
Its always been my opinion that you don't need to have a "good spot" to see the fireworks shows at MK.
At Epcot yes you do because its taking place on the water around the World Showcase Lagoon but at MK they are easily visible.
If they are really important to you though then I guess get a slightly earlier ADR.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Right now for my date on Disney’s website the posted time for fireworks is 9 pm. You can look up your date and see what the schedule is currently, but I'm not sure how often the time of the fireworks is changed. I've heard MK hours can change closer to trip time, but I'm not sure if that's just for park opening or if it ever affects fireworks time.

Fireworks time won't change unless there's a weather delay.
It doesn't matter if MK park hours are extended.
9pm now is gonna be 9pm the day of.