Need help with fireworks viewing!

[MIALIAS]

Hi

We have a trip set for February - 5 adults and a 4yr old.

Have never done anything “extra” for fireworks. Between our 4yr old and an adult who has never been to MK...what experiences have you had and what do you recommend between:

Member fireworks cruise
Ferrytale fireworks
Pirates and pals
VIP cruise
Fireworks cruise basic
Fireworks cruise premium
Dessert party at MK

Thank you for all your insight to come!!

 

[ptlohmysoul]

The Dessert party at MK with garden viewing - good close viewing to see the castle. Just be sure the 4yo is ok with the noise of fireworks (some kids don't like them). We really liked this and will likely do it again on a future trip.

 

[Chuck S]

I'll second that Dessert Party with Garden View. You'll have an all you can eat dessert buffet (along with some fruit and cheese) then they will escort you to the garden viewing area for a great view of the castle.

 

[pineapplepalms]

We've done the Fireworks Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing a couple of times and love it. We have a 2 year old so he's still free for now, but the cost does add up with more adults in the group ($138 for 2 adults, and I believe the child rate is a little bit less). The viewing area is great and you get a nice view of the castle projections without battling the crowds. We're doing it again on our next trip!

 

[disneynutz]

It depends on your budget. You can view from BLT TOTWL for free.

Bill

 

[Popouri DVC]

I'll second that Dessert Party with Garden View. You'll have an all you can eat dessert buffet (along with some fruit and cheese) then they will escort you to the garden viewing area for a great view of the castle.

Agreed.

While pricey, this is the best way to see MK fireworks in my opinion...

Just don’t plan on going anywhere immediately after, it takes awhile for the herds to thin...

 

[bobbiwoz]

We are doing the dessert party with garden viewing for the second time on our next trip. TOTW is great for the fireworks but HEA has so many wonderful projections it’s worth seeing up close!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

HEA has so many projections on the castle that are pretty integral to the show. I don't think there's quite the same benefit in doing in of the cruises for it that there used to be for Wishes. We've done the dessert part with Garden viewing and would do that one again.

 

[WDWLODGE]

Another vote for the dessert party with the Garden View. We are doing it for the 2nd time on our next trip.

 

[Rochester Disney Fan]

We are doing the Frozen Ever After at Epcot this year which was not on your list. With that you get the Desert Buffet, fireworks viewing, and then you are escorted to the Frozen attraction to ride. This could save you a Tier 1 Fastpass at Epcot to be used elsewhere ( Test track or Soarin)

 

[yesdnil]

We recently did the Ferrytale Fireworks Cruise and had a great time, but I wouldn't recommend it for just fireworks viewing, because it isn't a close view.

Pros:
- You're out of the parks, so you can do it without admission, and you don't have to fight crowds to leave.
- They provided buses back to the resorts for us
- Food and drinks were great
- Fun time cruising around Bay Lake, and great view of Electrical Water Pageant
- Unique perspective of fireworks, reflections on water
- They pipe in the music to the ferry

Cons:
- Impossible to see castle projections
- Since you're outside the parks, you can't squeeze in any rides right before the party

 

[famgel]

We recently did the Ferrytale Fireworks Cruise and had a great time, but I wouldn't recommend it for just fireworks viewing, because it isn't a close view.

Pros:
- You're out of the parks, so you can do it without admission, and you don't have to fight crowds to leave.
- They provided buses back to the resorts for us
- Food and drinks were great
- Fun time cruising around Bay Lake, and great view of Electrical Water Pageant
- Unique perspective of fireworks, reflections on water
- They pipe in the music to the ferry

Cons:
- Impossible to see castle projections
- Since you're outside the parks, you can't squeeze in any rides right before the party

Do they allow strollers on the boat? Is there any seating or standing room only? I’m considering it for a big family trip in beginning of December! We have a 2 & 4 yr old grands! Ty so much!

 

[yesdnil]

Do they allow strollers on the boat? Is there any seating or standing room only? I’m considering it for a big family trip in beginning of December! We have a 2 & 4 yr old grands! Ty so much!

I am a wheelchair user, so I didn't notice much of this because I wasn't looking for seating, but I'll try to answer what I can for you. There are a couple of benches built into the boat (it's the same ferry they use for travel between TTC and MK), but I don't think there were any additional chairs brought on board. I didn't see any strollers, but I don't know if that was because of policy or coincidence. We had my 8 month old daughter with me, and she basically slept the whole time (it's late!). One advantage for smaller kids is that it's much quieter on the boat vs in the park. They do pipe in the music, but the fireworks themselves are further away, so they aren't as loud. They also had some activities for kids, like a scavenger hunt and I think I saw some coloring pages.

The biggest consideration for kids that age is probably that it's a cruise, so you obviously can't leave early if they're starting to tire out. The adults all had a great time, although it was pouring rain when we went! Probably nicer to be on a boat with a ceiling vs out in the rain in the parks while waiting lol

 

[famgel]

I am a wheelchair user, so I didn't notice much of this because I wasn't looking for seating, but I'll try to answer what I can for you. There are a couple of benches built into the boat (it's the same ferry they use for travel between TTC and MK), but I don't think there were any additional chairs brought on board. I didn't see any strollers, but I don't know if that was because of policy or coincidence. We had my 8 month old daughter with me, and she basically slept the whole time (it's late!). One advantage for smaller kids is that it's much quieter on the boat vs in the park. They do pipe in the music, but the fireworks themselves are further away, so they aren't as loud. They also had some activities for kids, like a scavenger hunt and I think I saw some coloring pages.

The biggest consideration for kids that age is probably that it's a cruise, so you obviously can't leave early if they're starting to tire out. The adults all had a great time, although it was pouring rain when we went! Probably nicer to be on a boat with a ceiling vs out in the rain in the parks while waiting lol

Ty I’m still on the fence if it would be worth the money! And now with the controversy with the after firework desert show in the garden I’m thinking just take my chances with the main st crowd!

 

[HHISand]

We did the dessert party but it rained out most of the fireworks and no refund.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

We have done the desert party on the terrace and also the Member Firework Cruise. I recommend both. The Desert Party is better for kids / firework viewing although lately the view hasn't been as good due to trees / the projections on the castle are more from the front.

The cruise is great fun, but not as good if you just want fireworks. However, they give you a lot of extra - a nice tour of the lake - our guide took us to Discovery Island and pointed out some of the old sites as well as the new villas and the old wave machine across from Poly. You also get a real close up view of the electric pageant boats which is kinda cool.

 

[Shellyred8]

We did Pirates and Pals a couple of years ago and it was nice to see a different view of the fireworks. But now with HEA, you would miss out on a lot of the projections. If you want to do something outside of the park, I would recommend the TOTW lounge to watch the fireworks. It's free and you get an awesome view of the fireworks. I love watching the fireworks from there.

 

[szymcl]

This reminds me of a young family I met in May on the monorail. They were having a great time with their 2 year old, but they said they discovered the hard way that their daughter doesn't like the noise of the fireworks and had to leave their dessert party with DD in tears and screaming!