Hi Will! Welcome to
planDisney! It's great to have you stop by!
There is nothing quite like the magic of watching
Happily Ever After in front of Cinderella Castle. With Main Street, U.S.A. in the backdrop, watching the dazzling fireworks light up the night sky in tune with the incredible soundtrack is truly an experience to enjoy.
While it highly depends on the crowds during the time of your visit, I would recommend getting to the hub area about 45 minutes to an hour before it starts. This should give you ample time to grab a good spot somewhere in front of the castle. There have been times when I popped over about 15 to 30 minutes before it started and found an okay spot, but heading over earlier will be the way to go. Also, with the addition of the new nighttime parade, this may affect where you can stand and wait for the show. Currently,
Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away is occurring an hour before and after Happily Ever After. This may change by the time you arrive, but keep this in mind when planning your stay.
While I haven't seen many Guests with blankets, I have noticed some will sit down while waiting for the show to start. Just keep in mind that there are walkways dedicated for Guests to get around the park. There will be Cast Members directing traffic and ensuring that Guests are not blocking these areas. You may be asked to move over slightly as the crowds begin to grow.
Will, I hope you have a magical time during your stay. One of my fondest memories is holding my daughter in my arms as we watched Happily Ever After for the first time a number of years ago.
Happy planning!
Greg