"Last Night at WDW" - What to do when MK isn't an option...

[Weather_Lady]

Hello, all! We're in the throes of planning our next WDW jaunt (which will linclude me, DH, son 10 and daughter 8). Our dates are not very flexible, and we'll be arriving on the Sunday after Thanksgiving 2016 and leaving the following Saturday. Doing MVMCP is not in our plans or our budget, so our usual "stay up late on our final night and take in the Magic Kingdom fireworks" itinerary is not going to be an option, since the party will close the park early on our final two nights (Thursday and Friday). Besides, from what I've read, the party has grown so crowded that investing in it doesn't guarantee any kind of laid-back, so-late-we-almost-have-the-park-to-ourselves, last-night-worthy experience, and that's what we're looking for.

If we can't be in the Magic Kingdom, what's a good way to end our trip on a high note? We've never seen Fantasmic. Is it worth the crowds and the hassles I've read about? What about Illuminations at Epcot (or will that be "too boring" in the kids' estimation)? Is it possible to watch the MK fireworks from afar (e.g., California Grill) and feel like it's a "big finish"? Or perhaps Rivers of Light will be open by then... I guess on the bright side, whatever we do will be new to the kids because they've never seen the nighttime shows in any park besides MK. In your opinions, what's the best way to celebrate the end of our trip, and end on a high note, that doesn't involve the MK?

 

[Schneewittchen]

Not sure how tight the budget is, but you can see the fireworks from the Contemporary, so it might be nice to have a late dinner at that resort and then take a stroll outdoors.

Or try the Hoop Dee Doo Revue at Fort Wilderness and try to catch the Electrical Water Pageant.

 

[SeanWM48]

i believe there is a great view of the fireworks from the beach at the polynesian. i've never stayed there but heard great things about it. do a dinner there (they have a show/dinner called Spirit of Aloha) and stay for dessert and the fireworks. probably a fairly cost effective way of making a big night out of it compared to doing a park

 

[LAKid53]

Of all those options, I'd pick Illuminations, especially if your kids have never seen it. If you decide to go with Fantasmic!, go to the later show since it is usually less crowded.

We tend to spend our last night at Disney Springs...doing some shopping and brew drinking at Raglan Road.

 

[SAV]

If it is an option, Illuminations is the way to go. I like it better than Wishes. My kids both loved it.

Our family isn't a fan of Fantasmic! It's an OK show, but not worth the time/hassle getting in and out. We see it once every couple of trips if that.

Our family had a blast late night at Disney Springs, just strolling around taking it all in. But my kids are a bit older(youngest is 11), so it's hard to say if they would dig it not knowing them.

 

[JohnD]

Correct me if I'm wrong but won't AK be open at night by then? The Rivers of Light show should be running by then as well as nighttime Safari. All new. Seems to me that would be the place to go on your final night.

 

[RememberWhen]

Illuminations is pretty great. Not at all boring. The walk out can be pretty rough unless you're headed out the back entrance.
My family didn't care for fantasmic. It was crowded and our seats weren't great, so we couldn't really see anything.
The new stuff at animal kingdom could be pretty great.
Or a fun dinner at a monorail resort and catching the fireworks from a beach somewhere.
Have a great trip!

 

[mouse_luv]

My choice is always EPCOT, Illuminations is my fave and being in the WS late at night is one of the best things to me.

 

[lostpro9het]

Honestly, if the Star Wars fireworks at HS are still going on then I would HIGHLY recommend them! We caught it last night and, IMO, that show might be the best firework display Disney offers on a nightly basis.

 

[officialtom]

Epcot and illuminations for sure!!

But also, HOLD UP. You've never seen Fantasmic?!?! It is on par with illuminations for us. It's an absolute must see and is definitely worth whatever you've heard about the crowds. We usually manage to get a FP for it somehow (we currently have one for Jan 29 through a late afternoon ADR at Mama Melrose's). The seats aren't comfortable, but having all of the characters in one place, and the classic Disney scenes depicted... it's hugely nostalgic. You should definitely take the time to see it during your next trip!!

 

[smk]

I have to be in the MK first and last on my vacations. So, I would go for saving some money to add tickets to the party....OR.... stay another day and go to the MK!

 

[71dsp]

If you haven't seen Fantasmic, I highly recommend it! It's a must-do for us, and we do it every trip. If you have room in the budget, look into doing a Fantasmic dining package with Mama Melrose or Hollywood Brown Derby. You get a seating area that's reserved for the dining package, and while the seats aren't totally amazing compared to the regular seats, we don't spend time waiting in line before the show. We usually get there after they've started seating and sit about half way up. The way the seats are arranged, nearly all the seats are good. We like the show, although our son was scared of some parts when he was really young.

We like Illuminations too, but to get a good viewing area, we end up having to stake our claim a good 45 minutes to an hour before the show, so that's kind of a bummer. The show is great, but if you cannot get right up front, you miss much of the good stuff, IMO.

BTW, we'll be at WDW next year at the same time you're going! We can't wait!

 

[71dsp]

One other note, we've watched Wishes from the California Grill observation deck a few times. We really like it, but it's no substitute for being in Magic Kingdom and watching it. There are areas within the Contemporary where you can view the fireworks, but we've never done that, so I cannot help you there. Kind of figure you want to be in one of the parks anyway, so Fantasmic gets my vote.

 

[ekutchey]

If you have not seen Fanastimic, it is a must!! Also you can book a dining and Fanastimic package at HS and get early entrance for great seating and no waiting in those lines.

However if you can I highly recommend dining at California Grill during Wishes it is a fabulous experience that you won't forget or regard!! My 10 year son loves experiencing this!! Check out the dessert menu the trio is his favorite!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Definitely do Fantasmic. Although Illuminations is my personal favorite, I think the kids would love Fantastmic. And I don't know what all the supposed drama is about getting in and out. We don't like to wait in lines. We go to the later show, get in at the last minute, get as good a seat as we can (there really isn't a bad one in the house) and enjoy.

 

[totaldisneygirl]

I agree! Watching the Fireworks from the Contemporary would be fun and magical. However, if you're interested in a night show, I think Fantasmic! is AMAZING and definitely worth the time. Get there early for good seating and maybe look into a Fantasmic! Dinner Package of sorts to help with that. We did it at Mama Melrose in August of 2014 and while we did arrive 45 minutes prior to show time, I don't know if we were at an advantage.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Epcot and illuminations for sure!!

But also, HOLD UP. You've never seen Fantasmic?!?! It is on par with illuminations for us. It's an absolute must see and is definitely worth whatever you've heard about the crowds. We usually manage to get a FP for it somehow (we currently have one for Jan 29 through a late afternoon ADR at Mama Melrose's). The seats aren't comfortable, but having all of the characters in one place, and the classic Disney scenes depicted... it's hugely nostalgic. You should definitely take the time to see it during your next trip!!

Nope -- we've only been to WDW three times since Fantasmic! debuted in the late 90s. The first time, it was a multi-generational trip during Easter break and we just didn't get to it. The last two have been with kids in tow. We like to be up early for rope drop and the children have been 4 (and 6), and then 6 (and 8) on our last two trips, so late nights are tough for them. As a result, we only stay up late one night during our visit -- that last one -- and we've always opted to spend that night in the Magic Kingdom.