Thinking about Disney World this fall or winter? Want to make sure you get to see the parades, fireworks and other evening spectacles? Everyone knows their shows are fabulous so of course everyone wants to watch them. This means crowds of people everywhere you want to be, right?
Want some insider tips?
Know your show times… IllumiNations runs every night at Epcot at 9. Parades and fireworks can vary as they are more frequent in summer and during holidays. If you are visiting in the off season, check those times and plan accordingly. You can visit Disney’s calendar page, enter the date you are visiting and the whole day’s entertainment schedule will pop up.
Timing is key… If you want to sit curbside for a parade, arrive at least 45 minutes early. For Fantasmic! you’ll need to be at the stadium an hour early on a busy day.
Location…Location… The crowds are always thinner in Frontierland than along Main Street. The bridge between Tomorrowland and Main Street is the perfect place to watch Tinker Bell’s flight and the fireworks. The lagoon at Illulminations has plenty of good viewing, but make sure you’re not under a tree that will limit your view of the fireworks. Know what to expect… Mickey rides the first float at the Magic Kingdom, so don’t run late if you want to see him. The final fireworks salvo at Illuminations is not to be missed.
On a budget… Don’t pay for park-hopper tickets just so you can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks. Instead stop by the beach at the Polynesian Resort across the Seven Seas Lagoon. You won’t be able to see the parade from here but the fireworks view is spectacular. Plus a beach is more comfortable than a curb! And if you have little ones, the noise level is much better.