Wishes: The Don't Miss Fireworks of Disney World

Wishes: The Don't Miss Fireworks of Disney World

I am always surprised by the number of people who return from a Disney vacation and did not take time to see the fireworks.  Disney does them like no place else!  Excuses range from "too tired" to "crowds too big" and everything in between; however, those people who have seen the fireworks know and rave about them - and this is why the crowds for the fireworks shows are becoming more dense.  With a little planning and knowledge, one can avoid the congestion and find great places to watch the most spectacular shows Disney puts on.

"Wishes", in the Magic Kingdom, is in my opinion the best of the fireworks shows.  It features layers of fireworks creating a magnificent depth of field view, and on special nights even includes 360 degrees of  amazing bursts.  Tinkerbell flies down from the tallest spire of the castle, which is constantly changing color, and during the Christmas season covered in millions of sparkling icicles.  There is a great musical score and narration in sync with the show, and if you are in place early, a great environmental projection show on the castle walls called "The Magic, the Memories, and You!"  To take all this in there are a few different strategies, and it is worth seeing this show multiple times using these tips as the show is always enjoyable from different perspectives.

For those who have never seen "Wishes" before, it is best to see the show as it is meant to be seen - from somewhere in front of the castle or along the main street area.  This way one can see all the bursts surrounding and behind the castle, watch the flight of Tinkerbell, and experience the show as the designers and producers "imagineered" it. The one and only strategy for this is to get in place early and prepare to defend your territory.  If the show is scheduled for 10:00 pm, get in place by 9:00 pm with a snack, drink, and a smart phone for entertainment.  People who think they can grab a refreshment at the last minute or ride one last ride will not get a prime viewing spot.  It will be crowded, but worth the time and effort as the large bursts at the end of the show will be larger than anything you have experienced, and they will be right on top of you.  It is truly amazing.  Do not rush out with the crowd once the show is over, take your time to enjoy the park as it begins to close down, or ride a few extra magic hour rides if the park is open late.  The transportation after the fireworks is overwhelmed for about 30-45 minutes and there is no reason to be a part of that mob.  Unless it is a very light crowd, the only way to see the fireworks "on center" and still beat the crowd out of the park is to sit on the balcony of the train station and hurry out as soon as they are over.  These seats are tough to get and usually are taken by 8:00pm.

As one moves further off center from Main Street USA, towards Tomorrowland or Liberty Square, the viewing angle moves the bursts behind the castle off to one side or another.  This spreads the fireworks out over a larger area but away from the castle.  The trade off is far less dense of a crowd, and the ability to hop on a ride quickly immediately after the show while the crowd slowly moves out the exit.  Tomorrowland Terrace also has a dessert fireworks party nightly, that is a nice way to enjoy the show along with refreshments, but make sure you make reservations far in advance.  Other great places to watch in the park away from the crowds are on the bridge to Tomorrowland, and even parts of Fantasyland.  These are good options for people who have seen it before and want to watch the fireworks without the hassle of crowds.

All the monorail hotels have views of the fireworks, but one of the best is from the Contemporary Resort.  Guests can go out on the balcony on the main concourse level and get an amazing view of Space Mountain and the Castle with fireworks bursts appearing behind and between those two attractions.  There is great viewing from the California Grill on top of the Contemporary Hotel and also for DVC guests on top of Bay Lake Tower.

One of my favorite spots to watch is from the ferry dock at the Ticket and Transportation Center.  They dim the lights, broadcast the music and the bursts look absolutely huge.  Plus when it is over, one has a head start to their car, monorail, or resort ahead of the crowds. The only transportation not convenient from this location is bus transportation.  

If the schedule sets up right, I often watch and photograph "Illuminations" at 9:00 pm in EPCOT, hop the monorail to the TTC and get my tripod set up and ready to go on the ferry dock by 9:45 pm for the 10:00 pm showing of "Wishes."  It is funny to see the looks I get from people getting off the ferry asking what I am going to photograph or watch, then having them thank me after seeing what is truly an amazing perspective of "Wishes" high above the castle reflecting off the lagoon.

The moral of this story: do not miss seeing fireworks at Disney World, and make seeing "Wishes" a priority.  By getting in place early and being prepared, one can enjoy an amazing show up close.  Alternative viewing areas around the park, or from the monorail hotels and TTC offer amazing perspective changes and a chance to beat the crowds.  Enjoy the show, and look for me on the dock at the ferry boat!

Magical Mornings at the Magic Kingdom

One of my favorite things and times is the morning of a visit to the Magic Kingdom.  There is such a sense of anticipation in the air, and a well planned strategy for morning touring can really pay off in enjoyment of one's day.  

One of the biggest choices to make is "How will I get there?" and that truly is one of the largest obstacles for visitors.  Guests located at one of the monorail hotels (Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower, Polynesian, or Grand Floridian) have their choice pretty much made for them to take the monorail, although it is a super short walk from the Contemporary hotel.  Bus service from other hotels drops guests off right in front of the MK and should be boarded an hour early at the hotel to ensure being at the park gates at opening.  For those driving, parking at the Ticket and Transportation center produces two choices: monorail or ferry boat.  Both eventually will be crowded, but the ferry is the better choice early in the morning.  The view of the castle is beautiful, it is a short and peaceful ride, and typically the wait is much shorter than trying to board the monorail first thing in the morning.

The key is getting to the park gates at least 15-30 minutes before opening.  Guests can often ride two or three attractions plus get a set of FASTPASSES before most stragglers even show up at the park.  Skip the shopping and food on Main Street USA and come back to eat later once the crowds have pushed through.  Many touring guides will suggest strategies for specific rides early in the morning; my advice is to go ride the things you really want to do first.  Grab a FASTPASS for the headliner attractions like Space Mountain or Dumbo and ride some of the other attractions before using your FASTPASS.  Don't stop visiting attractions until the lines reach greater than 20 minutes per ride.  Once they do, its time for a break and refreshment.

While the cinnamon buns at the Main Street USA Bakery are really tasty and quite a meal all in their own, I prefer to stop at a little snack shop in Liberty Square overlooking Cinderella's castle called Sleepy Hallow.  The waffle's are a great treat and a great way to replenish energy for those who skipped or had a light breakfast.  Once refreshed, scouting out a few attractions with waits less than 30 minutes is the best way to finish out the morning.  Use a smart phone app or look at information boards around the park to get a feel for which way the crowd is moving and what is open.  Use another FASTPASS as well to bypass the lines.  

The last key to making the day great?  GET OUT!  Leave the park by lunch time and head back to the hotel or to someplace you can relax, take a swim, and get a bite to eat.  Let the late crowd struggle through the midday heat and return later in the afternoon for more rides, food, fun, and of course fireworks.  A good way to time your return is to be back an hour or two before sunset during non-summer months, and after the afternoon thundershower during the summer.  The rain always scares off many people who do not realize it rains at 3:00PM everyday in Florida.  It always amazes me at the number of people limping out dragging their families behind them at dinner time completely drained from the sun and heat of the day, while going in the return gates are the people who showed up early, conquered the park in the morning during the light crowds, escaped the heat and lines in the afternoon, and are refreshed and ready to enjoy a nice evening in the happiest place on earth!