Tips for watching Fireworks

[marcar12]

We will be visiting the Magic Kingdom on a Friday in March, and watching the fireworks is a priority! Can you give me your best tips or strategies for viewing them? We were planning to do a dessert party, but I am re-thinking that due to the cost. There are 6 of us. My youngest child is 8.
Any great spots you recommend?
How early should we get there?

Thanks!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

It's likely to be relatively crowded on a Friday night in March (never know for certain, which means Main St will be elbow to elbow. We've resigned ourselves to doing the dessert parties and enjoying the fireworks/projections from the reserved area for the party goers. It's expensive, for sure. And the reserved area is still pretty full, but not like Main Street. And for the most part, if you get to the dessert party viewing area maybe 20-30 minutes before the show, you can have a spot and actually sit before things get started.

If it's only the fireworks that are a priority, and you don't care as much about the projections or music, find a spot on the far side of the castle - way less crowded, and way louder because you're closer to the actual fireworks! We did that location once last year, and it was OK.....

 

[scrappinginontario]

Arrive a minimum of 60 mins in advance. (75-90 is better) and have a seat. Arriving early is key.

 

[marcar12]

Arrive a minimum of 60 mins in advance. (75-90 is better) and have a seat. Arriving early is key.

So we can sit down for over an hour at the spot we want to watch fireworks from?

 

[Dug720]

So we can sit down for over an hour at the spot we want to watch fireworks from?

Not if it's in the middle of Main Street.

 

[scrappinginontario]

So we can sit down for over an hour at the spot we want to watch fireworks from?

In the hub, yes.

Not if it's in the middle of Main Street.

Guests will begin standing in their spot on Main St well before the fireworks begin. We’re hub people so not sure how early they start but Main Street will fill well before the actual fireworks begin.

 

[Dug720]

Guests will begin standing in their spot on Main St well before the fireworks begin. We’re hub people so not sure how early they start but Main Street will fill well before the actual fireworks begin.

Standing is one thing (not sure 90 minutes in the center of Main Street. Sitting is another.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Standing is one thing (not sure 90 minutes in the center of Main Street. Sitting is another.

It's why our preference is to pay the premium, get some sweets, and have the dessert party viewing area where we can sit to wait for the show. After a long day of parks, just standing in a crowd for 60-90 minutes before it starts is not something we want to do. Our choice, tho......

 

[Miffy]

I think 90 minutes ahead of time is more like it to get a good spot in the hub . . . but keep in mind that a seemingly good spot could turn out to be not so good when the people just in front of you hold up their cameras or, worse, tablets and video the entire show.

I've never done the dessert party so I can't comment on that.

I have, however, watched the fireworks from behind the castle. It's not ideal--you don't get the projections and there's only a partial view--but it is way less crowded and you can probably sit if you get there early enough.

 

[MidnightMeeko]

If the projections on the castle are not important to you then I recommend avoiding Main Street entirely. It will be very densely packed. As others have stated, a good spot can quickly turn into a bad spot depending on who is around you. The cast members also have the unfortunate job of routing traffic during the performance and keeping people off of certain pathways, so that the traffic can move through. I think behind the castle is a lot more relaxing, though be warned the booms are extra loud.

 

[Dug720]

the people just in front of you hold up their cameras or, worse, tablets and video the entire show

Or put their kids on their shoulders. Tablets are annoying, but at least you can see on the screen. You can't see through a kid.

 

[Mickey'sTown]

We will be visiting the Magic Kingdom on a Friday in March, and watching the fireworks is a priority! Can you give me your best tips or strategies for viewing them? We were planning to do a dessert party, but I am re-thinking that due to the cost. There are 6 of us. My youngest child is 8.
Any great spots you recommend?
How early should we get there?

Thanks!

The one time we tried the Disney dessert party we were disappointed. Was not worth it for the food