Best places to view nighttime shows without using FP seating?

12_Ears_Dad

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
What's the best places to watch the nighttime shows without using FP or ADR? keep in mind while answering we have small children.
 

CAPTAIN HOOK

Well-Known Member
MK - Main Street USA. Get there early to get a spot on the kerbside for the MSEP. Put the kids on your shoulders for the fireworks
EPCOT - Rose & Crown - you'll need a dining reservation. Otherwise get to the lagoon early for a prime spot
DHS - Fantasmic - all seated arena
 
My favorite at MK is the train station. You can see all the way down main street for the MSEP, and the fireworks view is quite good. If that isn't an option I go over in Liberty Square for MSEP. There is a spot with a bench and a long brick planter right in front of the place to get baked potatoes (forget it's name). A lot of people get right up to the rope but we sit on the planter edge, and then stand the grandkids on it when the parade comes. There's no one behind you there.
At Epcot where we go varies. There are several places that can be reserved for private parties around the lagoon, but seldom, especially on week days, are they all in use. I usually will find one of them as they all have nice views.
 

wendysue

Well-Known Member
My favorite at MK is the train station. You can see all the way down main street for the MSEP, and the fireworks view is quite good. If that isn't an option I go over in Liberty Square for MSEP. There is a spot with a bench and a long brick planter right in front of the place to get baked potatoes (forget it's name). A lot of people get right up to the rope but we sit on the planter edge, and then stand the grandkids on it when the parade comes. There's no one behind you there.
At Epcot where we go varies. There are several places that can be reserved for private parties around the lagoon, but seldom, especially on week days, are they all in use. I usually will find one of them as they all have nice views.

Very good idea. This is where we stood at the MVMCP last November. However, the CM's made all the kids get off for "safety reasons". :(
 

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
If you don't need a direct view of the castle watching the fireworks from behind the castle is nice. I stood on the bridge by 7 Dwarfs Mine train and had view of the backside of Cinderella's Castle and the Beast's Castle.
 

BrerJon

Well-Known Member
I'll second Fantasyland as the place to be. Watch them from in front of the Beast's Castle... you'll have no crowds blocking your view, very few people to contest with, the fireworks going off all around you, not just in front, and you still get to see a castle framed by them, and the kids will find it super magical.

The only problem is if you want to see the projection show too on the same night you would have to choose a spot near the Liberty Square bridge then as soon as it finishes head round to Fantasyland during the break between shows, and having little kids might make that more difficult.
 

JohnD

Well-Known Member
Not trying to start an argument, but how can you ruin the view of something that's in the air? Barring buildings, etc....

Well, first there's Celebrate the Magic which requires looking straight ahead to see the projections on the castle.
Second, people want to see the fireworks going up behind the castle, not the fireworks going up behind a child on someone's shoulders. I would add holding up your phone or, worse, iPad to video record them.
 

draybook

Well-Known Member
Well, first there's Celebrate the Magic which requires looking straight ahead to see the projections on the castle.
Second, people want to see the fireworks going up behind the castle, not the fireworks going up behind a child on someone's shoulders. I would add holding up your phone or, worse, iPad to video record them.

No, no, I'm not encouraging having a child on your shoulders. I was too vague in my comment. I meant to say that why would you need to put a child on your shoulders to see something that's in the sky?
 

JohnD

Well-Known Member
No, no, I'm not encouraging having a child on your shoulders. I was too vague in my comment. I meant to say that why would you need to put a child on your shoulders to see something that's in the sky?

Okay, I see what you mean. The "catch 22" is that a child can't see the fireworks and the castle with people standing in front. But then putting a child on a parent's shoulders creates the opposite problem. I agree that there are plenty of other places where you can stand to get a good view.
 

George

Liker of Things
Premium Member
No, no, I'm not encouraging having a child on your shoulders. I was too vague in my comment. I meant to say that why would you need to put a child on your shoulders to see something that's in the sky?

In my case I have the child hold my detachable retinas above her little head allowing me to see over everything.
 

Chernaboggles

Well-Known Member
I'll add another vote to the people suggesting Fantasyland, over Beast's Castle.

Mr.Chernaboggles and I also like standing behind the carousel looking towards Cinderella's Castle, because a lot of the fireworks go off right over your head and it's quite fun. VERY loud, so your mileage may vary with little kids, but it's exciting if they don't mind the noise.

If you want to see Celebrate The Magic, you can always watch the fireworks FIRST and then catch the second showing (obviously check the schedule, but we found they usually do a second one not long after Wishes). So many people bail right after Wishes that the second CtM is usually much easier to get a good spot for, and it lets the crowd thin out a bit before you head out for the night.
 

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