By Dr. Jenna Liphart Rhoads
Walt Disney World Theme parks are renowned for their night time firework spectaculars. Both the EPCOT and Magic Kingdom parks have distinct 15-minute shows set to music and are full of wonder. Guests commonly crowd certain areas of each park to get a front-row seat to the show and start to save spots as early as 2-3 hours before they start. During peak holiday seasons, guests may start to save firework-viewing spots even earlier. For some guests, the crowds (and the waiting) can be overwhelming. Not to mention the dash to leave the park after the nighttime shows and get to transportation (i.e. the monorail, the skyliner, the boats, and the parking lots). Did you know that there are many excellent fireworks viewing spots outside of the parks that provide relief from the crowds, the waiting, and the end of the night rush? Continue reading for a list of some of the best spots to watch fireworks at WDW outside of the parks.
EPCOT
- Disney’s Yacht Club/Beach Club and Boardwalk Resorts: Both of these resorts are between a 5-10 minute walk from the back gate of EPCOT (International gate). Guests can find a seat or stand along the circular pathway and boardwalk and look up to see the fireworks. From this location, the lighting effects from the center of the EPCOT lagoon won’t be visible, but the music is loud enough to be heard. If you are a guest staying at one of these resorts, a theme park view room may be available and the show can be seen from the comfort of your own balcony or patio.
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: For those who are looking for a sandy spot to relax and watch the fireworks, this resort offers a respite from the crowds. There are several small beaches along the lagoon that provide good views of the show to the west of the Riviera Resort. To locate the best viewing area, stick to the west side of the lagoon.
- The Skyliner: If you time it right, the Skyliner transportation system can provide a birds-eye view of the fireworks and the lightshow from the lagoon. Guests in the Skyliner heading towards the Riviera and the Skyliner hub won’t be in the air long enough to catch the entire show, but this spot still provides a crowd-free and unique experience.
- Disney’s Riviera Resort: To get the best view of EPCOT’s fireworks display, you need to be a guest staying at the Riviera resort because the view is actually from the balcony of guest rooms above the lobby. Standard-view guest rooms and suites face EPCOT and guests can be treated to a view of the show.
Magic Kingdom
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort: This resort is the closest to the Magic Kingdom and has an observation deck off of the fourth floor lobby for fireworks viewing. As with the other Walt Disney World Resorts, booking a theme park view room provides a private experience to see the show. This resort also boasts the California Grill restaurant which has an observation deck for guests to view the show during or after their meal.
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa: Guests staying at this resort can book a water or theme park view room and see the show from their own balcony or patio, as well as hear the music that accompanies the show. Guests who are not staying at the resort, or who do not have a view of Magic Kingdom from their room, can head to the resort’s grassy areas around the resort to see the show.
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort: A unique feature of this resort is that during the nightly fireworks display the accompanying music is piped-in at the on-property beach. Guests staying in water view rooms or suites at this resort can also see the fireworks from their own balcony.
With so many options available to see both of the breathtaking shows, guests are sure to find a viewing area that provides them the most magical experience possible.
For more on-site tips to make your Disney vacation, the most magical it can be, please contact us at Royal Carriage Vacations about planning your magical Disney vacation!
