Disney Fireworks and Where to Watch for Kids with Sensitivities

One of the things that Disney does exceptionally well is fireworks!  Not only are they set to music, but they are varied and colorful in appearance.  There is no other place I love to watch fireworks other than Disney!

As the fireworks begin, I am always transported to my childhood.  A time when I believed that dreams always came true.  Do you remember that time?

There are a few things that really stand out to me about Disney fireworks.  First of all, they don’t all look alike like in some displays.

Did that smiley firework put a smile on your face?  I love that Disney fireworks always put a smile on my face and my children’s faces!

This one is a firework type that my son has always loved!  He would yell, “Firework dust, firework dust, firework dust!” every time he saw one of these because it reminded him of pixie dust.  Does it remind you of that, too?

Let’s move to the East Coast and watch the fireworks over Magic Kingdom!  You probably didn’t realize that the first four photos were from Disneyland, did you?  That’s because they were taken from outside Disneyland park.

I’ve seen fireworks from both inside the parks and from outside the parks, and I have to admit that I prefer them from the outside.  This is not just because DS11 has sensitivities to the crowds and noise inside the parks.  It’s also because it is more relaxed on the outside.  Also, depending on where you go to watch them, you can get a wider view of all the firework effects.  So, where do we recommend to go watch fireworks if you have a child on the Autism Spectrum or with other sensitivities?

Disneyland Fireworks

• Downtown Disney – Keep in mind that the musicians in Downtown Disney can be loud, too.  However, we found that when DS11 was wearing ear protectors, he preferred the musicians before the fireworks to being inside the park during the fireworks.
• Hotel rooms – There are some hotel rooms that face the Disneyland park and allow for firework viewing from within the room.  We’ve stayed in rooms at Disney’s California Hotel Resort & Spa and the Disneyland Hotel with a view of the fireworks.  There are also nearby offsite hotels/motels that offer views of fireworks, too.  Please keep in mind that you would need to reserve the proper room category that includes fireworks views.  Also, some “view” rooms are better than others, and not all categories are guaranteed firework views.

Magic Kingdom

• Hotel rooms – My photos of the fireworks were taken from a theme park view tower room at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.  Other resorts offer “view” rooms, but they are not always guaranteed, nor do all “view” rooms have THE view.
• Contemporary Resort – You can see the fireworks from the observation deck of the 4th floor.  Please keep in mind that there could be a lot of other people here, too.  If your child doesn’t like the jostling, you might want to try one of the other options.
• Beach at Disney’s Polynesian Resort (may be more difficult with the current construction), Marina dock at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, or the beach at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.  One of the good points of the resorts is the chance of seeing the Electrical Water Pageant.
• Transportation and Ticket Center along the walkway to the Ferry.

Epcot

• Hotel rooms – Epcot area resorts have rooms that have a fireworks view; however, you will need to make sure you are reserving the correct room category.  Also, firework views are not guaranteed.
• Beach of the Epcot area resorts or the BoardWalk

I did not mention that the restaurants or fireworks cruises due to the fact that your child may not want to stay still in the restaurant and because the fireworks cruises can be pricey and hard to get.  However, please remember these are options.