This Magic Kingdom fireworks viewing information includes a map of the perfect & worst areas to look at Fortunately Ever After, pattern photographs from every spot, and different ideas for watching Walt Disney World’s hottest nighttime spectacular! (Up to date October 13, 2024.)
Fortunately Ever After made its triumphant return to Magic Kingdom final 12 months, and continues to attract excessive crowds. That is Walt Disney World’s marquee nighttime spectacular, and is immensely fashionable with each vacationers and locals, inflicting colossal crowds and congestion on Major Avenue earlier than and after fireworks. Unsurprisingly so–few issues are extra iconic to the Walt Disney World expertise than seeing fireworks explode over Cinderella Citadel.
Anticipate this to proceed for the foreseeable future, even with Disney Starlight Evening Parade debuting in 2025. If something, that new nighttime parade will exacerbate crowds for Fortunately Ever After, as extra company will likely be drawn to Magic Kingdom at night time, staking out spots for each the parade and fireworks. Suffice to say, Major Avenue will likely be a madhouse from round 8 pm to park closing in 2025!
Even now, Major Avenue is a madhouse when it’s Celebration Season in Magic Kingdom. Throughout this stretch from mid-August by way of December, the park closes early to common company on a number of nights per week, leading to fewer weekly showings of Fortunately Ever After. This dynamic is worst from October by way of late December, when crowds are naturally increased and there are extra 6 pm closures every week.
This happens as a result of, in a traditional week, company have 7 alternatives to see Fortunately Ever After. However throughout Celebration Season, there is likely to be 3-4 possibilities. Walt Disney World is actually consolidating crowds into half as many dates, which suggests almost double the demand for seeing Fortunately Ever After.
Even on a traditional night time, there isn’t sufficient viewing capability on Major Avenue and different prime areas for all the company who need to watch Fortunately Ever After, so you may think about how a lot worse that’s throughout Celebration Season. Suffice to say, you have to be ready for even heavier crowds on the dates Magic Kingdom is open late throughout the vacation season.
(See Greatest & Worst 2024 Crowd Days at Magic Kingdom for a fool-proof listing of the least and most crowded dates at Magic Kingdom between now and December 2024. This features a handful of pink flag dates to keep away from in any respect prices.)
Even previous to this, Magic Kingdom has skilled elevated crowds for the fireworks. Largely, that was a byproduct of fewer nighttime spectaculars throughout Walt Disney World as a complete, leading to many company Park Hopping to Magic Kingdom (and to a lesser extent, EPCOT) to finish their evenings.
Consequently, Magic Kingdom has created overflow viewing areas for the fireworks, a few of that are lower than splendid areas. Individuals have been tenting out hours upfront for the perfect areas, and the one final minute choices are on the Tomorrowland bridge and different sub-optimal spots just like the Major Avenue bypass hall.
Talking of this bypass hall, right here’s a have a look at how busy it was throughout the low season this August:
I don’t have nice photographs of the viewing areas within the bypass themselves as a result of they have been full of individuals and I used to be simply strolling by way of. However this was a 2/10 crowd day when wait instances for crowds weren’t dangerous in any respect. Once more, it’s all a numbers recreation–there isn’t a lot viewing house on Major Avenue, and company solely have a handful of alternatives to see Fortunately Ever After. It will get dangerous this time of 12 months, even on “sluggish” days.
With that in thoughts, this overflow hall may be superior to the “finest” spots. There’s positively extra respiratory room within the bypass hall and it’s simpler to depart (or head again into Tomorrowland) as soon as the fireworks are over. Principally, simply ensure you have an unobstructed view of Cinderella Citadel and you have to be good.
Making an attempt to look at from Major Avenue or the Central Plaza requires exhibiting up far upfront, and being packed in like sardines. Tensions may be excessive at instances, however so can also the collective pleasure and power of the gang–it actually relies on the individuals round you. We’ve had each good and dangerous experiences.
One constant adverse is after the fireworks are over. There’s a sea of individuals heading in the direction of the exit, and it’s straightforward to get separated from your loved ones, be overwhelmed should you’re making an attempt to navigate a stroller or ECV, and so forth. The congestion may be actually dangerous, and also you’re principally inching alongside, shoulder-to-shoulder, with different company. We lined this final 12 months in Avoiding Magic Kingdom’s Night Exodus. It’s even worse now that Fortunately Ever After is again.
In mild of all this, we’ve some short-term recommendation should you’re visiting throughout the peak season at any time within the first few months after Fortunately Ever After returns (see our Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar should you’re not sure whether or not you’re visiting throughout a busy time) and have an aversion to crowds or congestion.
If you wish to watch Fortunately Ever After from Major Avenue, we’d advocate doing so from the City Sq. finish (entrance of the park, farther away from Cinderella Citadel). When the fireworks finish, both exit the park instantly to beat the gang, duck into the City Sq. Theater to Meet Mickey Mouse, or wait out the gang off the primary walkways earlier than swimming upstream and heading to Tomorrowland or Fantasyland to do points of interest with decrease wait instances.
Alternatively, begin in Tomorrowland or Fantasyland and watch Fortunately Ever After from there. As you may see in our really useful areas beneath, we love the center of Fantasyland between the citadel partitions as a low-stress, congestion-free method of seeing Fortunately Ever After and being immersed within the present, with pyro exploding in entrance of and behind you.
Now there’s one other model new location so as to add to that listing as an immersive fireworks location: the plaza round TRON Lightcycle Run. That is inferior to the center of Fantasyland, but it surely’s new and distinctive, with TRON’s lightcycles whizz by overhead and the dancing lights of the Add Conduit cover. As an added bonus to each of those areas, it’s straightforward to leap in line for Area Mountain or Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare instantly because the fireworks finish to expertise both with lower-than-normal wait instances.
Turning to the fireworks viewing map, not a lot modifications for the return of Fortunately Ever After. Though Walt Disney World touted the Major Avenue projections, they don’t actually change the equation. These are a pleasant addition, however shouldn’t change the place you watch Fortunately Ever After. You’ll nonetheless need to watch from the inexperienced areas if in any respect doable.
Whereas inexperienced areas will supply the target finest view, that’s a theoretical finest view. If you happen to’re shorter or have youngsters, it’ll be tougher for them to see. Even should you’re Conan O’Brien or Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, it is likely to be uncomfortably congested within the inexperienced areas, particularly as individuals attempt to begin shifting after the fireworks finish and it’s basically gridlock.
With that mentioned, Magic Kingdom fireworks may be the spotlight of a visit to Walt Disney World, however discovering good spots may be troublesome. I’ve watched and photographed the fireworks within the Magic Kingdom over 100 instances, and have gotten a good suggestion of the perfect and worst spots from which to view the fireworks.
The map beneath works form of like a stoplight (with orange added). Contemplate yellow on the map the “stoplight” model of go, with inexperienced on the map being the cream of the crop for views (okay, that half isn’t actually like a stoplight). Orange on the map is a step down from yellow, however nonetheless isn’t dangerous.
Purple is dangerous–it’s best to keep away from these spots. There are quite a few different “quiet” spots across the Magic Kingdom the place you may see components of the fireworks, but it surely’s extremely vital to know that all the Magic Kingdom fireworks reveals have been designed to be considered straight-on from Major Avenue, USA.
Watching from elsewhere within the park might make it easier to keep away from the crowds or allow you to have a enjoyable expertise whereas watching (driving Massive Thunder Mountain or the TTA PeopleMover throughout the fireworks is superior), however you completely will miss components of the present.
Fortunately Ever After options projections on Cinderella Citadel and Major Avenue, and also you’ll miss a few of the present by not having the ability to see the projections. It’s nonetheless lovely to look at and may be considered from wherever, however we’d advocate viewing it for the primary time in entrance of Cinderella Citadel, the place the projections may be seen the perfect.
As a result of that, we haven’t included different spots in the remainder of the park on this map–with one exception. If avoiding crowds is de facto vital to you, contemplate certainly one of these different areas across the park, as Major Avenue, USA is crowded earlier than, throughout, and after the fireworks.
Word that this map is a tough thought of the perfect spots. Fireworks map-making is just not a precise science (I actually drew this with a brush in Photoshop!) and clearly consulting the map to the diploma that you just blindly stand instantly behind a tree as a result of the map lists that spot as a yellow can be silly. Don’t pull a “Michael Scott” and drive your proverbial “fireworks automotive” right into a lake since you’re following this submit verbatim, as if it have been GPS. 😉
Keep away from stray bushes and different obstructions, as this map doesn’t account for these besides in closely obstructed areas. If you happen to can not see the entrance of Cinderella Citadel from the place you’re standing with none obstructions–even when it’s a inexperienced zone–transfer to a spot the place it’s seen.
Okay, let’s have a look at some particular spots…
1. Entrance and Middle – It is a surprisingly nice space that often fills up over an hour upfront, with little visitors having the ability to get in or out after that. Past needing to stake out this fireworks spot extremely early, it does include a draw back, which is that you just’re so near Cinderella Citadel that it blocks a few of the pyro.
To get a visible thought of how perspective distortion works for these fireworks, discover the peak of the bursts above Cinderella Citadel as we transfer farther away from the Citadel. On this shot, they’re instantly behind it, however they transfer progressively increased as we transfer again. If you happen to sit this shut, you’ll miss share of the pyro.
2. Companions Statue – I’m an enormous fan of this location, as you’re far sufficient again to see the pyro completely, however not too distant for the projections and different results.
It affords a fantastic view, however company usually stake this location out hours upfront. Moreover, the gridlock earlier than and instantly after the fireworks could make coming into and leaving this space downright uncomfortable on busy nights.
3. Hub Grass – Availability of the Plaza Gardens–or Hub Grass because it’s recognized amongst Millennials–is hit and miss. One aspect is at all times reserved for Fortunately Ever After dessert events, however the different is usually obtainable. (Sooner or later, it would possibly be an choice with Genie+ or Lightning Lanes, however that’s to be decided.) The Plaza Gardens supply view, however don’t anticipate to have the ability to watch from right here.
With that mentioned, the walkway instantly in entrance of the Plaza Gardens–and behind the fountains pictured above–is one other nice, publicly obtainable viewpoint. Stake out a spot behind the railing and also you gained’t have anybody block your view, both!
4. “The Hump” – Positioned between the 2 FastPass+ viewing areas (and a bit to the south), this spot isn’t very massive. Because it’s a straight-on view, it’s extremely fashionable. This location is nice not simply because it’s the excellent distance from Cinderella Citadel, but additionally as a result of Major Avenue, USA slopes downward between right here and Cinderella Citadel, making this a little bit of a “excessive level.”
You may see this within the photograph, because the heads in entrance of me are clearly decrease than me (and I’m not tall in any respect). Solid Members usually forestall company from lingering on this space earlier than Fortunately Ever After (they’re often directing visitors), so it may be fairly straightforward to snag this location ~half-hour earlier than the fireworks, relying upon whenever you go to.
5. Fortunately Ever After Dessert Celebration (Tomorrowland Terrace) – Since Disney annexed this space for the Fireworks Dessert Events a number of years in the past, I’ve heard a number of individuals seek advice from this as the perfect place to view the fireworks. That is completely not true. I feel individuals would possibly simply assume it’s a fantastic spot as a result of it’s now non-public, and it stands to cause that Disney would have chosen the perfect spot for his or her non-public viewing space.
In actuality, there weren’t some other possible options…not like you may rope off the center of Major Avenue for a dessert social gathering. Many of the views from the Dessert Celebration space hinder the decrease a part of Cinderella Citadel, and all of them are fairly far off-center. To make issues worse, the roof on the Terrace can hinder your view should you aren’t in a position to seize a “entrance row” desk by the water. This space borders on being a yellow location should you sit as near the Major Avenue aspect (reasonably than the Tomorrowland aspect) of the Terrace as doable.
6. Finish of Major Avenue – This location affords all the similar benefits as “The Hump,” besides there is no such thing as a hump right here to provide you an elevated view. All it takes is one shoulder-kid in entrance of you and also you’ve obtained an obstructed view. If you happen to’re tall otherwise you don’t find yourself with anybody tall in entrance of you, this location remains to be very good.
The upside to this view is you can get a few of the Major Avenue projections in your view with out dropping any of the pyro, and nonetheless seeing the projections on Cinderella Citadel fairly clearly. If you happen to’re watching one of many laborious ticket occasions’ fireworks (Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Celebration and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Celebration) these buildings can really block out the 180-degree perimeter fireworks bursts that happen throughout these reveals, so that you don’t need to go this far again. Perimeter bursts are additionally part of the Fourth of July and New 12 months’s reveals, so keep away from being within the a part of Major Avenue with buildings then, too.
7. Center of Major Avenue – Projections lining the facades of buildings make the center of Major Avenue USA extra engaging, however there’s are comparatively primary by way of their visuals and are extra about colours and patterns. Moreover, standing farther again on Major Avenue means the buildings themselves block out a few of the fireworks.
On the plus aspect, the world of Major Avenue between the clock (above left) and Emporium doesn’t replenish almost as quick as views nearer to Cinderella Citadel, and shifting again a bit can permit a few of the aspect bursts to come into sight. Undoubtedly not a nasty spot!
8. Major Avenue, USA Prepare Station – This location is yellow, however just like the Companions location, it’s a combined bag. On the plus aspect, you may seize a seat right here and have a spot to view Fortunately Ever After. If you happen to rating a great place right here, you gained’t have anybody popping up on the final minute and blocking your view.
On the adverse aspect, there’s usually a flagpole obstructing your view of the fireworks and it may be troublesome to see the projections. Additionally, individuals stake out these seats hours upfront, and the ambiance isn’t the perfect (the Prepare Station lights stay on and the soundtrack isn’t as loud right here as elsewhere). On prime of that, the Prepare Station is usually unavailable lately because it’s reserved for VIP viewing or just closed at random.
Personally, I solely go up right here when the flagpole is out, and even then, it’s just for photographs. Nevertheless, if you wish to loosen up and absorb the ambiance of Major Avenue for a pair hours, staking out a spot right here is usually a good technique to do it…and it retains you away from crowds.
9. Ticket & Transportation Middle Dock – This location is denoted by the inexperienced arrow on the underside of the map. It’s inexperienced for a cause, and that’s as a result of this is likely one of the two finest spots for viewing the Magic Kingdom fireworks reveals. Evaluating the photograph from this location to the primary location must be indication of perspective distortion in motion. These bursts within the first photograph which are behind Cinderella Citadel are the identical bursts that on this photograph look like method above the Citadel!
The professionals for watching the fireworks from listed here are that you just don’t want park admission and the view is straight-on and spectacular. The cons are that the lighting isn’t dimmed and there are sometimes bugs. On nights once we don’t have tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Celebration or Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Celebration, we sometimes watch the fireworks from this location.
10. Fantasyland Citadel Partitions – Cinderella Citadel the centerpiece of Fortunately Ever After, and the fireworks lose their emotional impression with out the Citadel. Nevertheless, there’s one location within the park, however outdoors of Major Avenue the place you don’t lose that emotional impression. Instantly behind Cinderella Citadel!
It’s a completely totally different perspective of the present, and far much less crowded again there. That is our favourite “secret spot” (to the extent that Magic Kingdom’s hottest land is usually a secret) as a result of it feels such as you’re within the midst of the fireworks, with bursts each in entrance of and behind you. You’ll additionally get pleasure from pyro over Beast’s Citadel above Be Our Visitor Restaurant, which is cool. I nonetheless favor viewing from the entrance of Cinderella Citadel as you do lose a bit again right here, however when you’ve seen it as soon as from the entrance, going again between the New Fantasyland partitions is a good place to look at for a second-viewing.
11. Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover – There are a number of points of interest from which you’ll see the Magic Kingdom fireworks. Essentially the most memorable ones are most likely Massive Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain. Nevertheless, timing is troublesome attributable to wait instances and glimpses of pyro will likely be transient.
The best, finest, and most extended view will likely be aboard the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, which incorporates a number of outside segments with direct views of Cinderella Citadel. That is one other one to your second or third viewing of Fortunately Ever After. By way of “secret spots,” it’s very beneath the radar–there’ll possible be no line for the PeopleMover throughout the fireworks and you’ll probably re-ride with out getting off the attraction!
12. Resort Views – When you get outdoors Magic Kingdom, the scope and scale of the pyro is superb. Positive, you miss the projections and it’s not as immersive, however that’s made up for in different methods.
The seaside of Disney’s Polynesian Resort, High of the World Lounge at Bay Lake Tower, and numerous eating places across the monorail resorts are all different fashionable “free” fireworks viewing areas. See Greatest Eating places for Magic Kingdom Fireworks Views for added suggestions.
So there you’ve got my “overview” of some fireworks viewing spots across the Magic Kingdom (and outdoors it!), together with some photographs to again me up. Whereas it must be clear that there are some spots which are higher than others, you actually can’t screw up too badly should you can see the face of Cinderella Citadel.
In case you are looking for the perfect fireworks spots for different parks, take a look at our Greatest Epcot Fireworks Viewing Spots and Viewing Information for Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios posts.
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Your Ideas
The place is your favourite spot to look at the Magic Kingdom fireworks? Do you wish to go for a standard Major Avenue location, or do you decide to keep away from the crowds and watch from elsewhere? Any points of interest that you just suppose are enhanced throughout the fireworks? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
