Finding the perfect spot to watch Magic Kingdom’s nighttime spectacular, Happily Ever After, is like an art. 

The Disney Food Blog team is full of former Cast Members, and we are sharing our best tips and secrets to secure a spot to watch Happily Ever After! The best part? You won’t have to stress about reserving your spot on Main Street or in front of the castle hours before showtime. 

Let’s dive in and start off with spots inside the Magic Kingdom.

The PeopleMover

Now, we know it may sound crazy to watch a fireworks show from a moving attraction, but trust us, if you time it right, it can be pretty cool. Since the PeopleMover passes right by the castle, you can get an up-close view of the fireworks and some of the projections. 

And if you are passing the castle towards the end of the show and you hear “You can fly!”, you will want to keep a close eye out for Tinker Bell as she soars over Tomorrowland! 

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness may be closed until next year, but when it is open, the views of Happily Ever After while riding this attraction are magical. We love it when we time it right, and you can see the fireworks go off around the mountain.

Both Big Thunder and the PeopleMover offer a unique viewing experience, but if you want to catch the whole show, you may want to watch from somewhere else. Otherwise, if you have seen the show before and want to try something different, check the My Disney Experience app for showtimes to help you time when to ride these two attractions during the show.

Bridge by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure 

If you are looking for a stationary spot that is not as crowded, you will want to head to Frontierland. You’ll find a bridge near the Frontierland popcorn cart. This bridge goes over part of the water of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. While you may not be able to see the projections, it is a calmer and less crowded place to enjoy the show. Plus, it is stationary, unlike the PeopleMover and Big Thunder. 

Now, let’s head out of the park!

Fireworks Cruise

If you are looking for a unique way to celebrate or want a very private fireworks viewing experience, you can book a fireworks cruise! These cruises are a bit pricy, but there are a few different party sizes that you can choose from to make it a bit more budget-friendly.

You can choose which Monoral hotel you want the cruise to depart from, and you get to cruise around about an hour before the show. The cruise comes with snacks and sodas. You can even bring alcohol on board as long as you bring plastic cups with you, as glass is not allowed on board the boat. You will have a Cast Member on board with you, so there is no stress about having to steer the pontoon boat. Plus, you get an up-close showing of the Electrical Water Pageant before the fireworks start!

Monorail Resorts

Monorail resorts offer stunning views of the Magic Kingdom, which means great views of the fireworks. If you are looking to add a bit of Disney magic to a rest day and do not want to purchase a theme park ticket, visiting a monorail resort can be a great way to view the fireworks. Let’s go through some of our favorite spots!

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

There are quite a few spots at the Contemporary, as it is the closest resort to the Magic Kingdom. 

You can make a reservation to dine at the top of the Contemporary at California Grill. While this is a pricey prix-fixe meal, the dining room has floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views of the Magic Kingdom. Plus, it has an outdoor fireworks viewing deck. Regardless of whether you choose to watch the fireworks inside or outside, they pipe in the music and dim the lights. Before booking your Advance Dining Reservation, make sure to check for current Happily Ever showtimes in the My Disney Experience app. 

If you don’t want to make a dining reservation, you can check out the fireworks viewing deck right outside the Grand Canyon Concourse. You do not need to be a guest of the Contemporary to watch the fireworks out on the deck. There are a few seats, but if you want to sit down, you should get there early! If the deck is full, you can go up the staircase to the left of the viewing deck and walk up to an empty floor to also watch!

Next door to the Contemporary is Bay Lake Tower. This Disney Vacation Club resort is home to Top of the World, which the Disney Villains have taken over. Although you have to be a Disney Vacation Club Member to gain access, it is a free spot to watch the fireworks from a rooftop. Plus, they offer light bites and a full bar if you want to grab a table in the lounge area. As a warning, sometimes Top of the World closes for events, so it is not always available.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

While the ‘Ohana at the Polynesian does have fireworks views, not every table can see the fireworks, so that is why we recommend heading outside of the Great Ceremonial House to the beach area. The Polynesian beach lines up directly with Cinderella Castle and has a great view of Happily Ever After.

If you want to dine while watching the fireworks, the Island Tower’s Wailulu Bar & Grill is an open-air restaurant that has fantastic views of the fireworks. Since this spot is new, it can be hard to snag a spot and make a reservation here, so the Polynesian beach may be your best bet. 

One of the coolest parts of the new Island Tower is the new terraces that face Magic Kingdom. They offer a perfect view of the fireworks, but as a word of warning, they are popular, so you may want to get there a bit early to ensure you get a spot!

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

Rounding out our fireworks viewing spots is the Grand Floridian. Recently, Narcoossee’s has been one of our favorite dining places as it was refurbished not too long ago, and the menu is delicious! The restaurant has windows all over, giving you a great view of both the fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant. Just like California Grill, the music is piped in so you can watch the show inside or outside on the viewing deck. 

The servers here are very good at pacing your meal and asking when you would like your dishes to come out based on whether you want to watch the fireworks. If you can’t snag a reservation near fireworks time at Narcoossess, there is a boat launch right next door where you can watch the fireworks for free!

For more insider tips and secrets like these, make sure to continue to follow along with us here at the Disney Food Blog!

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Where is your favorite spot to watch Happily Ever After? Let us know in the comments!