Welcome to planDisney, Katherine! You're just a few days away from your magical visit to the Walt Disney World Resort, and I'm sure you're full of excitement as you finalize your
countdown to the fun! I'm excited to chat with you about
Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom; it's a can't-miss fireworks show for my family and the perfect way to end a Disney day!
Katherine, the fireworks dessert parties are a great way to enjoy some sweets and sips before having access to a reserved, priority standing area for the show. For the
pre-party, guests are advised to start arriving about 90 minutes before showtime to enjoy the buffet and then be escorted to the fireworks viewing area. For the
post-show, guests are advised to start arriving about 60 minutes before to check in and be escorted to the show. Keep in mind that these are usually the earliest times to check in for the event, but the viewing area is filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so the later you arrive, the further back your spot may be in the reserved area.
With this in mind, and since you mentioned not wanting to partake in any of the desserts, I'll share that there are plenty of great viewing spots along Main Street, U.S.A. that are usually available up to about 30 minutes before showtime. In fact, just last week my girls and I headed over to catch the show about 15 minutes beforehand and Cast Members were directing guests to a viewing area directly in front of Cinderella Castle. While this is always subject to crowd levels and available areas, if you're looking to maximize your time in the park and not dedicate an hour or more to holding a spot, with some flexibility, I think you'll find you can still get a spectacular view without booking the party. Of course, you can always grab a spot earlier and enjoy an ice cream treat from
Plaza Ice Cream Parlor to pass the time while you wait for the show!
That said, if you do decide to go ahead and attend the fireworks party, you will have a magical experience and no worries about having to find a spot among the crowds. This alone might be worth it for your family!
Katherine, I hope this helps! No matter what you decide, look to the skies for a magical ending to your day and come back to
planDisney any time if you have any other questions we can help you with! We're always here to help you reach out and find your Happily Ever After!
See you real soon,
Alison