Oh, boy! Oh, boy! Fran, your question brings me so much joy! I am so glad you came by and asked planDisney to help with your ideas for a very magical birthday surprise.
Celebrating a birthday with
Happily Ever After is like having the best candles ever!
California Grill inside
Disney's Contemporary Resort has the most spectacular view. The
theme park calendar has not been updated yet for October 20, but it shows the fireworks will be at 8:30 p.m. the Sunday before. It's good to know as you make your dining reservation.
It looks like you are arriving at Walt Disney World Resort on October 18. If you are staying at a
Disney Resorts Collection or other qualified hotel, you can start making dining reservations on Monday, August 19 for any day of your stay (up to 10 days). If you are staying somewhere else, you can book 60 days ahead of time, which is Wednesday, August 21.
California Grill is extremely popular. I recommend being
online or on the
My Disney Experience app at 5:45 a.m. Eastern. The
dining reservations are typically released at "approximately 6:00 a.m." The reservations fill up quite quickly, especially during the fireworks.
Now, if the reservation during the fireworks does not work out, all is not lost. Did you know if you have dinner at California Grill earlier in the evening, you can check back with the host stand about accessing the outdoor viewing area? It's breathtaking! Just keep your receipt and head back to the check-in location on the second floor before it's time for the fireworks to light up the sky. They will escort you back to the 15th floor.
You can also consider
Narcoossee's at
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This restaurant has an incredible menu, especially if you love seafood. It has an amazing view of Cinderella Castle across the Seven Seas Lagoon.
Both restaurants will have you oohing and ahhing with every burst of color. The absolute best views are in Magic Kingdom Park, where you can see the fireworks and castle projections. With
Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Seats & Sweets, you can have the best of everything: views, sweets and seats. Dreams do come true!
I hope your surprise is perfect in every way! Remember to pick up a celebration pin so everyone knows your wife is celebrating. And please come back to
planDisney with any other questions. We are celebrating with you!
Thinking of the Happiest Things!
Jana