How to watch Magic Kingdom fireworks without crowds
Introversion Insight:
A lot of people don’t like crowded places, but for introverts, they can be overstimulating. Way too many strangers in one place. Our brains actually process our environment differently than someone who’s more extroverted. Crowds wear us down quickly.
Magic Kingdom offers a nighttime spectacular like no other. I consider it a can’t-miss fireworks show. And with the return of fan-favorite Happily Ever After, it’s popular—and crowded. If you want a good view of the castle and fireworks, you’ll have to stand shoulder to shoulder with a bunch of strangers near the hub area. It’s intense. And then the mass exodus after the fireworks is an adventure. But I have a solution for you!
Magic Kingdom fireworks dessert parties
For a price, you can secure yourself a reserved viewing area for the fireworks. Oh, and you also get desserts and drinks—including beer and wine (hey, liquid extroversion!). You have three party options:
- Pre-Party: Enjoy your desserts and drinks before the fireworks and then move to your fireworks viewing area.
- Seats & Sweets: Enjoy your desserts and drinks before the fireworks and then stay seated to view the fireworks.
- Post-Party: Enjoy the fireworks from your viewing area and then move to the dessert party location after the fireworks.
I think the post-party is the best option for introverts, so I’m going to focus solely on this option. Let’s go over how it works so you can feel prepared and then explain why it’s worth it for introverts.
Book your post-party
You can reserve this Enchanting Extra up to 60 days in advance online. On “slower” nights, they may accept walk-up reservations. The price for the post-party is $99 for adults (ages 10 and up) and $59 for children (ages 3 to 9). Tax is included in those prices. Gratuity is not included or required. Unfortunately, discounts are not offered on Magic Kingdom fireworks dessert parties. There’s a 7-day cancellation policy. If you cancel within 7 days, the fee is the full party price. Separate theme park admission and park pass reservation are required.
Note: The party will show up as a dining reservation in the My Disney Experience app (not a separate ticket).
Check in to your post-party
You’ll check in at the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant 60 minutes before Happily Ever After. Your reservation in the app should display this check-in time. You’ll see three podiums set up throughout the restaurant, one for each party check-in: Pre-Party, Seats & Sweets, and Post-Party. (On my night it was the one closest to the hub area.) Look for the sign that says “Post-Party Check-In.” They may ask to see your ID and then attach a wristband.
Tip: Check in 90 minutes before if you want the very first pick of where you’ll stand in the reserved viewing area.
Head to your viewing area
Your reserved viewing area is Plaza Garden East. The entrance is on the right side.
The party does guarantee this reserved area but not a specific spot. For the best fireworks view, you may want to be on the far left side of the garden. But keep in mind—when the fireworks end, everyone will be exiting on the right side and heading to the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant for the dessert party. So if you’re on the right side, you’re one of the first to exit the viewing area and line up for the party.
Which is most important to you? The best fireworks view or first in line for the party?
You can bring food and drink into the reserved viewing area, and if you checked in 60–90 minutes before Happily Ever After, you’ll have some time to kill. I recommend grabbing something and having a picnic on the hub grass. (Casey’s Corner is the closest quick-service restaurant that has mobile order.) The party has mostly sweets, so this is your chance to have something savory.
You can sit on the hub grass until Happily Ever After starts. You’ll find people will start standing up 10 or so minutes before showtime.
Enjoy the dessert post-party
Once Happily Ever After is over, you’ll head back to Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant and check in again. You’ll be taken to your reserved table. It’s now time to enjoy the unlimited desserts and drinks!
Everything is set up buffet style. Lines will form as people fill in. There are two separate buffet lines (left and right sides). They each have mostly the same options; however, I noticed a couple differences so you may want to visit both sides.
You have an impressive spread. Here are your drink choices:
- Veramonte Chardonnay
- Zolo Malbec (and sometimes Signature Red Blend)
- Saracco Moscato d’Asti
- Paul Cheneau Lady of Spain Brut
- Bud Light Lager
- Blue Moon Belgian White Ale
- Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider (nonalcoholic)
- Gold Peak Unsweetened Tea
- Minute Maid Premium Lemonade
- Strawberry Lemonade
- POG Juice
- Joffrey’s Coffee (regular and decaf)
- Twinings Hot Teas
- Milk
- Water
Note: You can have two alcoholic drinks at a time (per person) on your table.
Here are your food choices:
- Chocolate Silk Pie (chocolate tart shell, chocolate filling, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings)
- Cookies ‘n Cream Cheesecake Mousse
- Chilling Chamber Pop (chocolate crumbs, white buttercream, and chocolate popping candy)
- Chocolate-Covered Strawberry
- Tres Leches
- Devil’s Chocolate Pudding (chocolate filling, crumble brownie, and milk chocolate whipped cream)
- Firehouse Doughnuts (ricotta doughnuts rolled in cinnamon-sugar served with strawberry topping)
- Butterscotch Pudding
- Pistachio Crunch Bar
- Chocolate Chip Cookie
- Sugar Cookie
- Caramel Apple Crepe (with toasted pecans and sweet cream)
- Celebration Cupcake
- Birthday Cupcake
- Assorted Fruits
- Assorted Cheeses
- Assorted Breads (plain and olive)
There’s even a table set up where you can decorate cookies with icing.
The party lasts more or less an hour. On my night, the buffet shut down at 10:45. (Fireworks were at 9:20, which lasted about 20 minutes. By the time everyone got settled in at the party, it was around 9:45.)
Why it’s worth it for introverts
The Magic Kingdom dessert post-party is an enjoyable experience for all, but there are specific reasons why I think it’s worth it for introverts.
- No camping out for a fireworks spot: If you want a good spot for Happily Ever After, you’ll have to fight the crowds and claim your spot early. You’ll then find yourself shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of guests (who may be hot, sweaty, and tired).
With the post-party, you’ll still be standing next to others, but you’ll find the viewing area is much less crowded and reserved, just waiting for you when you're ready.
- Calling first dibs in the reserved viewing area: With the post-party, you can enter the reserved area before any of the pre-party guests. These guests are enjoying their dessert and drinks while you snag your spot for the fireworks. You’ll be all settled in by the time they join you.
There’s something reassuring about being in a space before the masses arrive. I bet you arrive early to events at home and work. You’ve learned you’re more comfortable when others join you in your space instead of you inserting yourself into an existing crowd. The same holds true at the dessert party.
- Enjoying the party pressure-free: If you do the pre-party, you might feel rushed to finish your desserts and drinks so that you can get to the viewing area and stake out your spot.
With the post-party, the party feels much more relaxed. You’re on a high after seeing Happily Ever After. You can take your time and enjoy it. It’s (quite literally) a nice nightcap to your evening.
- Drinking liquid extroversion: An extroverted place like Walt Disney World can be uncomfortable for an introvert. Adult beverages may help so that you can relax and enjoy the experience more, so I’m awfully glad the dessert party offers us some options.
Also, it’s kind of a bizarre, unique feeling to be drinking alcohol out on a terrace in the middle of Magic Kingdom. Cheers!
- Bypassing the park exit crowd: As soon as the fireworks are over, you’ll find yourself in a mass exodus of people trying to leave the park. The fun’s not over when you exit, though, because then you’re faced with lines waiting for the ferryboat, monorail, or bus.
But if you do the post-party, you can relax at the party, enjoying dessert and drinks, while everyone else is making a mad dash. Once the party concludes, you can casually browse the shops on Main Street, U.S.A., and eventually leave the park with a smaller crowd.