Hi Amy,
Welcome to planDisney! You must be getting so excited, your
Walt Disney World vacation is just a little over a month away. This is such a fun time as the countdown begins. To help build the excitement, my family and I love watching Disney movies that connect with the attractions we can’t wait to ride. You might consider queuing up Pirates of the Caribbean, The Princess and the Frog, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, and The Little Mermaid. It’s also a great time to whip up a batch of cupcakes with “the grey stuff” as a topping; it’s delicious! For even more fun countdown ideas, the
Disney Parks Blog is a great place to explore.
Happily Ever After, the incredible nighttime fireworks spectacular at Magic Kingdom Park, combines stunning fireworks, projections down Main Street, U.S.A., classic and new Disney music, and the kind of storytelling that hits you right in the heart. Pairing a meal with the fireworks only makes the experience more memorable, especially when you're dining at a place like California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort or Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
You’re more than welcome to try and modify your
California Grill reservation to align more closely with the updated 10:00 PM showtime if you'd like to enjoy the fireworks from your table. However, with your vacation right around the corner, later reservation times might be tough to come by. Personally, I’d stick with your 8:25 PM reservation. Meals at California Grill can take 90 minutes or more, and finishing just around the start of the show is perfect timing. Once you're done dining, you can step out to the observation deck, where the music from Happily Ever After is piped in and the view of Cinderella Castle is stunning. Guests with a dining reservation are welcome to return to the deck before or after their meal with proof of their reservation.
If I may, I’d love to share a couple of my favorite alternative spots to watch the fireworks. The beach at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort offers a peaceful and beautiful view across Seven Seas Lagoon. I like to grab a DOLE Whip or a cocktail from
Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace, find an Adirondack chair in the sand, and just take it all in. Another great option is the boat dock near
Narcoossee’s at the Grand Floridian. I’ve even grabbed a drink from the bar at Narcoosee’s and enjoyed the fireworks from the restaurant's dock, great views, and fewer crowds.
Amy, I hope this helps with your planning and that your trip is everything you’re dreaming of. I hope your next step leads you straight to a perfect night at Walt Disney World.
Every step we take brings a new hope, a new day!
Brent