Epcot Firework Viewing

[CB2@disney]

We are arriving on Dec 31st mid-afternoon. I was thinking of going into one of the parks (EPCOT) but my son doesn't really like big crowds. I know at firework time on New Years Eve the crowds will be huge around the lake. Is there some place back from the lake where the crowd might not be as big that you still can get a good view of the fireworks in the sky? We'll do Epcot again during our visit when the crowds aren't as big to hear the story and the music. So that's not so important. There is just something about seeing fireworks on New Years Eve. I was thinking Epcot b/c being the larger park I think the crowd will feel less well, crowded.

 

[wdwmagic]

It is going to be busy throughout the park, but you can see the fireworks easily from the back row of the crowds anywhere in World Showcase. If you are not concerned about a front row spot, I would arrive at somewhere in World Showcase around 15 minutes prior to the show, and stand at the back of that crowd. You will be about 10 people deep, but will not have any of the waiting around.

 

[tizzo]

We are arriving on Dec 31st mid-afternoon. I was thinking of going into one of the parks (EPCOT) but my son doesn't really like big crowds. I know at firework time on New Years Eve the crowds will be huge around the lake. Is there some place back from the lake where the crowd might not be as big that you still can get a good view of the fireworks in the sky? We'll do Epcot again during our visit when the crowds aren't as big to hear the story and the music. So that's not so important. There is just something about seeing fireworks on New Years Eve. I was thinking Epcot b/c being the larger park I think the crowd will feel less well, crowded.

If it were me - given you'll be arriving late, that your son doesn't like big crowds, and that it will be New Years Eve (I've never been, but understand it to be quite a zoo) - I'd probably consider not entering a park at all that day, and instead maybe taking in Wishes (or whatever is running in it's place on New Years Eve), which can be viewed from several spots outside the park. Just a thought.

 

[Jakester]

If you want to see a good New Years Show, Id recommend doing the Poly for Fantasy in the Sky that'll shoot off *from the main launch zone, over the castle, the seven seas lagoon, and the permitter of Magic Kingdom* at 11:50pm, and its amazing to see all those fireworks surrounding the park.
Ive done New Years at Magic Kingdom for 09 - 10, 10 - 11, 11 - 12, and the show is always worth seeing.

Poly may be busy, but not as busy as the parks will be on 12-31

 

[CB2@disney]

Are you allowed to hang out at a Resort that you aren't a guest at? We are staying at Port Orleans French Quarter.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

Are you allowed to hang out at a Resort that you aren't a guest at? We are staying at Port Orleans French Quarter.

You are. DH & I watch the fireworks from the Poly one night each year.

As for IllumiNations, we were able to watch them from the steps in the Canada pavilion, and it was the perfect spot. We walked up right as the show was starting. I have no idea if that spot will be available for New Years, but when we were there it was farther back from the crowds.

 

[raven]

Try the Odyssey bridge. After the normal show (Illuminations), the fireworks go off behind each country then are way above the lagoon in the middle. I watched it from here a few years ago and the crowds were minimal.