Hi, Christina! Welcome back to planDisney!
The magic is calling you to the East Coast, and I couldn't be more excited to help you with your planning question! I live near the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks, but I haven't always been an Annual Passholder with easy access. So, you've got just the gal to give you some ideas about viewing fireworks outside of the parks.
First, you absolutely must view Magic Kingdom Park's
Happily Ever After inside of the park at least once while you're on property. It's magical from anywhere, but it's best when you can see the projections on Cinderella Castle. It returns just in time for your vacation.
Here are some of my favorite fireworks viewing spots outside of Magic Kingdom Park that you should consider for your non-park day:
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Disney's Polynesian Village Resort: I highly recommend checking out the Happily Ever After fireworks from the beach off of the Seven Seas Lagoon. Find a hammock, and take in the show's sights and sounds (the Resort hotel pipes in music) with a Dole Whip in hand. My favorite part about this option is that you'll get a front-row seat to the magical
Electrical Water Pageant after the nighttime spectacular. This water parade is so cute, and it gives major Main Street Electrical Parade vibes.
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Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: The best spot to view the fireworks from this Resort hotel on the Monorail loop is to head down to the Resort's boat launch. However, although I haven't experienced it for myself, there are a few tables inside the restaurant
Narcoossee's that have a perfect view of the fireworks as well.
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Disney's Contemporary Resort: This is hands down one of my favorite spots to view the fireworks. The vantage point from the top of this Resort hotel is unlike any other. And now, with the addition of the glowing
TRON Lightcyle / Run, the skyline of Magic Kingdom Park is absolutely beautiful. I recommend making a reservation for
California Grill where you can view the fireworks from the observation decks. No worries if your reservation is way before or after the fireworks; simply show your reservation or receipt to the Cast Members at the restaurant's check-in desk.
AN EXTRA GEM: Other honorable mentions are watching the Magic Kingdom Park fireworks from the Transportation and Ticket Center near the ferry dock or actually watching the fireworks from the ferry itself. Some of the other theme parks have their own nighttime spectaculars that you can spy outside of the parks, too. Watch EPCOT Forever from a bridge at
Disney's BoardWalk. Or take in a partial view of fireworks from a distance at
Dahlia Lounge at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort's Gran Destino Tower.
Christina, I hope that you have a BLAST at Walt Disney World! If you have more questions,
give me a holler here at planDisney.
Magic always,
LeAndra