Magic Kingdom: Night time Fireworks, Parade, and Treasures

It's summer time here in Florida and I've just seen Magic Kingdom's new summer fireworks. We found a room to stay in for the night in Port Orleans' French Quarter. There's always something special happening at Walt Disney World, in Magic Kingdom that night was "extra magic hours". Extra magic hours are where resort guest are able to stay in the parks for extra time after it is closed/ before its opened to the general public. The best thing about this is that there is hardly any lines for attractions as you get later into the night. The draw back is when your parents like to go to bed early... Luckily my dad doesn't mind staying out a bit later.

Many things are changed as special promotions during the summer. In Magic Kingdom they have brought back the classic Main Street Electrical Parade, and also created a new fireworks display that incorporates music from Pirates of the Caribbean, complete with invasion. The fireworks definitely have certain places where it makes a world of difference in viewing them. If you have a sweet tooth and you/your family/your friends are willing to spend an extra $20 I highly suggest you look into the Fireworks and Desserts Buffet. For twenty dollars you get a guaranteed viewing area for the Fireworks on the Tomorrowland Noodle Station, and a gourmet desserts buffet. As this promotion grows with popularity I recommend that if you are interested to call Disney's Dinning Reservation number and reserve before you go, although it is possible to reserve once you get there. By calling you will easily find out if the promotion is even happening on the night of your visit.

If you decide against the Dessert Buffet there are many places to get a perfect view of the castle and fireworks. After the first night parade is the best time to claim a spot for the fireworks. Although the courtyard directly in front of the castle is the premium spot for watching, it is nearly impossible to find a spot. My favorite area is to the right of the castle on the 2nd bridge to Tomorrowland. When standing in the middle of the bridge you can get a mostly unobstructed view as you can see by my pictures and be very close to the castle.


Magic Kingdom in the late hours of the night allows you to not worry about the first parade, there is a second parade that usually shows after the fireworks are over, but always check the times sheet you can get as you walk in to make sure there is a second showing the night you are there. The night time parade is visible from any where along the parade route, but if you want to actually see up closer with out saving your spot for an hour head over to Frontierland. Not many people watch from back here so you have a better chance of getting a front row spot.

Walking out of the park at around 1:30 am I was able to watch a cast member on the janitorial system who was drawing the classic characters Mickey, Donald, Pluto, and Minnie with a broom dipped in water. I don't know how common a sight this is but it was pretty awesome.