Walt Disney World fireworks: Photo Courtesy of WDW News
Walt Disney World fireworks shows are unlike any other theme park and for good reason. The Lake Buena Vista resort offers multiple shows nightly and has that magical way of putting proverbial stars in our eyes. Here’s the scoop on fireworks at Walt Disney World, locations, times, and the best places to view them in the parks.
Magic Kingdom
I’m still on the fence about the retirement of “Wishes” at Magic Kingdom. I mean, it was the first fireworks show that we all saw together as a family so it’s definitely got a soft spot in the old heart. “Happily Ever After” has been receiving some really good reviews and the transition to the laser and fireworks shows has been pretty seamless.
Happily Ever After Fireworks
Time: Nightly at 9pm unless swapped out for a holiday fireworks show
Location: On and around Cinderella Castle in the hub of the park.
Length: 18 minutes
Best Viewing Area: In front of Cinderella Castle in the hub, along Main Street U.S.A., and in Town Square. If you can’t grab a spot in those areas, you’ll have limited viewing in other locations around the park including Fantasyland and Liberty Square.
FastPass+ Available: Yes
Epcot
If it’s the history of our planet set to catchy music and fireworks you want, it’s IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth you need to watch at least once.
IllumNations: Reflections of Earth
Time: 9pm nightly
Location: World Showcase Lagoon
Length: 12 minutes
Best Viewing Area: Anywhere around the World Showcase near the Lagoon will give you a decent viewing area. Even better options are scoring a dining reservation and grabbing a table at one of the restaurants that has open air seating around the Lagoon.
FastPass+ Available: Yes. The FP+ viewing location is in between the World Showcase tower gift shops.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
If you’re a fan of Star Wars and all that that implies, you’ll love the fireworks show at DHS. It features popular music from the films and is all-around awesome.
Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular
Time: 9:30pm nightly unless replaced by a seasonal fireworks show
Location: Animation Courtyard (in front of The Great Movie Ride)
Length: 14 minutes
Best Viewing Area: In Animation Courtyard although there’s a decent view down Hollywood Boulevard as well
FastPass+ Available: No
Animal Kingdom
No fireworks shows at this time. If you want to catch a nightly show, you can watch “Rivers of Light” and “The Tree of Life Awakens”.
Seasonal & Holiday Fireworks at Walt Disney World
WDW does have a few seasonal fireworks shows based around special events in the parks. Here’s what we’ve seen in recent years.
Halloween: Technically, the show’s title is Happy HalloWishes. No matter what you call it, I call it my family’s favorite fireworks show of all time at Disney World. The fireworks once per night during the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at 9:30pm.
Christmas: A Christmas and holiday-themed fireworks show, “Holiday Wishes” is a must-see if you attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Fireworks show time as of now is 10pm. Note: Compliments of “Wishes” retiring this year, the MVMCP fireworks show name may possible change.
Fourth of July: Celebrate America! – A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky! is what you’ll see in Magic Kingdom on both July 3rd and 4th. Head to Epcot to check out a special edition of Illuminations with “something spectacular” planned for the one show wonder on Independence Day only.
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