There are two main choices: inside Magic Kingdom or outside, from a nearby resort.
Inside has some benefits - music, closer to the action, maybe a few other things.
Drawbacks can be the congestion, loud noises, and the shuffling out of the park as the crowd tries to leave, waiting to board Disney transport.
From a nearby resort, the congestion is much less. Music might be piped in. The view is from a distance but yet there’s a bigger picture.
We have family members who are happier in less congested areas, so we often see the fireworks from the Polynesian boat dock. We have left MK before the fireworks to take the resort launch (between the boats to Wilderness Lodge and the Monorail ramp.
If I’m inside MK, I’ll opt for the area between the carousel, Mickey’s Philharmagic and Pinocchio Village Haus. You won’t get the projections here - or when viewing from a resort. We’re really there for the fireworks, rather than the whole show.
If you don’t mind the extra spend, the post fireworks sweets party can work well. You get into the viewing area first, so can get a seat by the rail for small people, the eat sweets as the crowds rush out.
If you only want the fireworks I LOVE watching from the bypass bridges on the water in Frontierland. It’s dark, quiet and you can get a spot less than 15 minutes ahead. They pump the music in as well!
I love to see fireworks from Main Street. With the right vantage point, you get the way HEA was designed to be viewed.
Getting the right vantage point from Main Street can be a commitment of time. There is a pathway near Plaza Garden. For fireworks, CM will put tape down on Main Street to keep that pathway clear. It you are standing right behind the tape, you will get 3-4 feet clearance right in front of you so you don’t get butt views or head views when HEA starts.
This past trip, which I just come home from on Friday, I watched HEA twice from Fantasyland, once from the bridge between the hub and Fantasyland, and once from Poly.
From the Bridge - The music is very, very soft because there are no speakers in the area. But it’s not crowded. You get projections and some of the low fireworks and some pyros. I got a rail spot around 7:35 for an 8 HEA.
From behind the carousel - Sometimes, the area may be closed because of unfavorable winds. The first time, I just walked up. Fireworks go off around you. But you don’t get projections or pyros.
Or like @janamelia said, a monorail resort works. There is music and fireworks. But no projections, pyros, low fireworks, and crowds. You can just walk up. Bundle up! It can get cold on the water if its windy!
Awesome thank you! Approximately how early must one line up to get a spot right behind the tape? We want to watch the show in the park and see and hear everything.
FWIW, If you haven’t seen my oldish post: These fence spots in the hub are excellent viewing, but the big variable is how long before the fireworks you need to get there to grab one.
Back when I wrote this, we got there about 8PM for a 9PM HEA on what turned out to be a CL 8 day.
Since then I’ve heard people say you really need to get there up to 90 minutes before, which makes it less appealing unless you count that time as a sort of rest period, methinks. And, unless you go during an After Hours night, it WILL be crowded.
On our trip this summer we just couldn’t make the timing work, which made me sad. But we ended up making an executive decision and hitting BTMR for a few rides while HEA was running which was great.
Yes, agree with BTMR and fireworks, my dh and I were just talking about this yesterday and how much fun we had doing this a few years ago- views, sounds, ride
