Avoid These MISTAKES in Magic Kingdom Now That the Fireworks Have Changed!

It’s official!

Happily Ever After is back!

Happily Ever After has returned to Magic Kingdom with a glow-up — now with Main Street U.S.A. projections and MagicBand+ interactivity! We were lucky enough to attend a media preview of this show last month, and it was just as special as we remembered. But, now that they are back, there are a few things you should remember if you want to make your trip to Magic Kingdom as seamless as possible.

The return of this show is a pretty big deal for many visitors — so the park will be busy, navigating the experience can be overwhelming, and there are things you might want to consider while you’re planning your time during the show. First, don’t forget that we have the perfect apparel to sport when catching the return of this show! You can show off your love of Happily Ever After with new tanks, tees, sweatshirts, and more by heading to the DFB store.

But now, we’re talking about the mistakes you want to AVOID in Magic Kingdom now that Happily Ever After has returned. Let’s get started!

1. Not Getting There Early

This is a popular show, and it will be busy! Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’ll be able to get to Main Street U.S.A. or The Hub 15 minutes before the show and be able to get a good spot.

This area gets BUSY

Often, if you don’t get there early enough, you won’t even have much say in where you’ll be able to go. Once the main areas start to fill up, Cast Members need to direct traffic in a way that may prevent you from getting from one side of the Hub to the other. Once these sections reach capacity, guests will start to be redirected away from The Hub and into other areas like the overflow pathway that runs parallel to Main Street.

Expect lots and lots of people

So, give yourself plenty of time to find a spot if getting a good view is important to you! An hour or more might be necessary depending on how good of a spot you’re hoping for.

2. Choosing the Wrong Spot

Speaking of getting a good spot — there are a few different areas that might work best for you, depending on what kind of experience you are looking to have. Many visitors want to have an up-close view — front, and center. Being close to Cinderella Castle when the fireworks are going off can be a special experience, but this area fills up the fastest! You’ll need to get there extra early if you’re hoping to find a spot between the Partners Statue and the castle.

Crowds by Partners Statue

However, with this version of Happily Ever After, Disney used the technology from Disney Enchantment to add projections to Main Street. The goal was to enhance the experience without taking away from the star of the show: Cinderella Castle. We think they did a great job at this, so it might be a priority for you to get a spot farther back so that you can experience this new addition.

Happily Ever After during media preview

This area is usually easier to find a spot than right in front of the castle, but it will still fill up fairly early. If seeing these projections is important to you, don’t wait until the last minute to get there! Since it is a new part of the show, there might be a lot of other folks trying to get a spot there too, and you don’t want to be directed away from this area if you arrive too late.

Projections on Main Street, U.S.A.

On the other hand, if your priority is making a quick exit after the finale, you’ll want to find a spot closer to the Walt Disney World Railroad Train Station. You’ll be able to see the castle from a distance and the Main Street projections (if you are not too far off to the sides) — and be one of the first to get back to the Monorail or a Disney bus stop after the show is over.

Train Station near exit

If you’re looking for a way to catch the show away from the Main Street crowds, and aren’t as concerned with the projections, there are a few spots to watch the fireworks that can be much better suited to your group. Behind the castle, near Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, is a great place to watch.

A look from above!

The area near the Tangled bathrooms is also a good choice. Yes, we’re serious! One of the prettiest projections during Happily Ever After is the Tangled lanterns scene — but back here, you get the real thing. It’s a romantic setting that you might even be able to snag a table in. Lastly, the boardwalk in Frontierland can also be a great spot to watch the fireworks without a bunch of crowds around.

Find out some of our best spots to watch the fireworks in Disney World

3. Forgetting it’s a Great Time to Get on Rides

During the show, most of the people in the park are looking to find the best viewing spot — so depending on your priorities, this might be a great time to get on some rides with lower wait times! If catching the fireworks isn’t as important to you, many of the attractions clear out during this time.

Ride this DURING the fireworks — you get a show AND a ride!

Also, if you’re able to time it out right, on some rides you can actually see the fireworks from the ride itself! Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Astro Orbiter are all great rides to see the fireworks on. Just keep in mind, however, that if the timing doesn’t work out, you might get stuck in an area of the queue where the fireworks aren’t visible at all while they are going off.

4. Not Considering a Fireworks Dessert Party

While this option is a little pricey, booking a Fireworks Dessert Party might be an upgrade that makes sense for your group. With a reservation for a Happily Ever After dessert party, you’ll be guaranteed a great spot to view the fireworks and castle, and tons of sweet treats to go with it! You have three options for these dessert parties:

1. Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Pre-Party (you’ll have dessert first at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant and then will be escorted to the viewing area in the Plaza Garden in front of the castle — $99 for adults, $59 for children)
2. Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Seats & Sweets (you’ll have dessert at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant and then view the fireworks from the patio there — $114 for adults, $69 for children)
3. Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Post-Party (you’ll watch the fireworks from Plaza Garden and then have dessert after at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant — $99 for adults, $59 for children)

Does the budget allow for a dessert party?

With these packages, you’ll find things like chocolate-dipped strawberries and chocolate silk tarts, a variety of cheeses, and beverages including beer and wine for guests of age. While this is a costly option, it might be a great way for you to get a great experience during the fireworks — especially if you’ve never seen Happily Ever After before!

5. Not Giving Yourself Enough Time to Get Food

Lastly, make sure you have a plan in place for getting your snacks before the show! There will be a lot of people also trying to grab their food before the fireworks. Casey’s Corner is a great option that’s right on Main Street, but there will be a ton of other guests with the same idea. Mobile Ordering is convenient, but it will likely take longer than you imagine for your food to be ready. Give yourself plenty of time for your food to be prepared so that you’re not stuck waiting for it at the last minute.

Casey’s Corner

You also might be tempted to have one member of your group save your spot for the fireworks while another goes and gets your food. This can be a great option if you plan it early enough, but keep in mind — once the main areas reach capacity and Cast Members start directing traffic, it might be extremely difficult for you to make it back to your group with the food. Order your food with plenty of time to spare so that you aren’t stuck in this situation.

Happily Ever After

There you have it. If you’re planning on heading to Magic Kingdom, keep these things in mind, and you should be able to navigate your time in the park a little easier. In the meantime, if you can’t wait until you get to go to Magic Kingdom next, you can watch the FULL video here!

At a recent media event, we had the opportunity to watch Happily Ever After before it officially returns to Magic Kingdom on April 3rd! I hope you have your tissues handy 🥹 #AllTheDisneyThrills #mediaevent

Posted by DisneyFoodBlog on Thursday, March 16, 2023

Enjoy the show! We’ll keep bringing you tips and tricks to make your Disney World trip easier, so make sure to follow DFB for more!

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