Boat back to Fort Wilderness after MK fireworks?

[Gatordad815]

Hi all! I posted this question on the transportation page but realized after reading more this may be a better spot for Ft Wilderness specific questions. We will be arriving at Fort Wilderness with our 2 & 4 year old on a Friday next month. Our kids have never seen the MK fireworks from inside the park bc we are typically back at our hotel by 3PM & don't venture back out. Given the fact we will be on-site a short boat ride away I'm considering talking them over just for the fireworks the night we arrive.

My question: if we leave immediately after fireworks is it going to be a very difficult experience getting back to fort wilderness or are the boats back pretty quick? I'd love to take the kids, but if it means standing in a line for an hour to catch a boat back at 10PM I may save it for another day. Any stories of personal experiences going back to the Fort post-fireworks appreciated! Thanks!

 

[PaHunter]

Well the park usually empties out after the fireworks, so as you can imagine, 20000 people trying to go one way and to the same place it is a bit congested. That being said, the best bet is to walk over to Contemporary and catch a smaller boat from there versus waiting for the bigger MK boat.
You can also see some of the fireworks from the beach at the Fort and they pipe the music in, also the Electric Water Parade passes by there also.
Also you need to watch the end of next month as they are starting MNSSHP and MK would close at 7pm that night unless you have tickets for the event.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

If you really want to catch them from inside the park, stake your spot out early near the entrance of the park. The balcony of the train station is a perfect view that is right next to the exit too! As soon as those fireworks are over, high-tail it straight to the boat loading for FW. Don't stop for restroom breaks, do not pass go. Your goal.....the FW boat ramp. If you do this, you will almost certainly catch the first boat and not have to wait for the second.

 

[North of Mouse]

Hi all! I posted this question on the transportation page but realized after reading more this may be a better spot for Ft Wilderness specific questions. We will be arriving at Fort Wilderness with our 2 & 4 year old on a Friday next month. Our kids have never seen the MK fireworks from inside the park bc we are typically back at our hotel by 3PM & don't venture back out. Given the fact we will be on-site a short boat ride away I'm considering talking them over just for the fireworks the night we arrive.

My question: if we leave immediately after fireworks is it going to be a very difficult experience getting back to fort wilderness or are the boats back pretty quick? I'd love to take the kids, but if it means standing in a line for an hour to catch a boat back at 10PM I may save it for another day. Any stories of personal experiences going back to the Fort post-fireworks appreciated! Thanks!

We have done this many times and never usually wait for a boat, unless one has just left the dock, then it's approx. 20min. wait. We always watch the fireworks from center front of castle and immediately after finale flow with the crowd to entrance. True, we don't dally, but we also don't push and shove!!

We usually cut through the shops and that's what gives us the advantage. If you are using a stroller, it may be a completely different story though!! Good luck!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Hi all! I posted this question on the transportation page but realized after reading more this may be a better spot for Ft Wilderness specific questions. We will be arriving at Fort Wilderness with our 2 & 4 year old on a Friday next month. Our kids have never seen the MK fireworks from inside the park bc we are typically back at our hotel by 3PM & don't venture back out. Given the fact we will be on-site a short boat ride away I'm considering talking them over just for the fireworks the night we arrive.

My question: if we leave immediately after fireworks is it going to be a very difficult experience getting back to fort wilderness or are the boats back pretty quick? I'd love to take the kids, but if it means standing in a line for an hour to catch a boat back at 10PM I may save it for another day. Any stories of personal experiences going back to the Fort post-fireworks appreciated! Thanks!

remember that there is about 20 minutes between boats as there are usually 2 boats on the route. if you miss the first boat it will be 20 minutes. also on non party nights it is going to be more crowded that normal leaving MK. make sure your night planned is not a party night including other nights in the week. also what time does MK close that night? if you are using a double stroller plan on not making that first boat as you will be slower leaving the park in the crowd. with just 2 adults I have had it work some time and not other times no way to tell you in advance

 

[amcc]

I love staying at FW and I love the MK transportation. What I've found, though, is to not have any expectations about speed. If it all works out, you will wait 20-40 min for a FW boat (40 if the line is too long and not everyone gets on the next one to arrive). But in May, after fireworks, we waited 50 min. because no boat showed up. We were near the front, and by the time it got there, the line was all the way to the walkway so those people were going to have to wait longer. it was excruciating (it was midnight). They aren't good about communicating delays either. The advice to take the Contemporary boat is good as that's pretty reliable and often not as crowded.

Be aware that MK exit right after fireworks is...ummm...an experience. It's a mass of humanity. If your kids are up to it, wait around inside the park for 45 min or so for a much better exit experience.

 

[KristinU]

Be aware that MK exit right after fireworks is...ummm...an experience. It's a mass of humanity. If your kids are up to it, wait around inside the park for 45 min or so for a much better exit experience.

This is what I was going to suggest, mull around and let the masses squish out like sardines and then head out. Maybe have an ice cream or something while you watch the sea of people make the exit. Take a stroller in case they cash out while you're waiting to exit or while you're waiting for the boat.

I'm all for watching the fireworks inside the park, though, if you can burn a day of admission to do it and are willing to be patient with the crowds. The new castle projection show is very cool and obviously can't be seen from the Fort beach.

 

[Gatordad815]

Thanks all for the tips! So helpful and appreciated! MK closes at 10
that night, but we will want to get the kids back to the cabin for bed so we will probably just go with the quick(er) exit ideas. If we go it will be for fireworks only & we willikely hang back & watch closer to the exits even if it's not a premium view-I like the train station idea!

I got fast passes for the kids to meet both Mickey and Tinkerbell back to back right before 9PM (2 fast passes we've never had at MK bc we always do rides in the morning), so I'm hopeful a boat ride over there followed by ice cream and popcorn and a few characters and fireworks without venturing beyond Main Street will be a relaxing fun way for the kids to start the vacation (crowds notwithstanding). We will likely leave the double stroller at the cabin since our planned walking is minimal and I can carry the kids if things don't go as planned (and really do things ever go perfectly as planned at Disney with a 2 & 4 year old??? ).

I think I've got the gist of the best plan from you all-either stay in the park an hour post-fireworks or stay by the exits & hightail it out...and a good plan B is to walk to the Contemporary for a boat if the madness leaving MK is too much...

Am I missing anything? Any other thoughts or advice on this plan appreciated! Thanks!

 

[PaHunter]

Just checked MDE for the 18th of Aug, and the fireworks are scheduled for 9pm. Just and FYI.

 

[North of Mouse]

I like the train station idea!

Am I missing anything? Any other thoughts or advice on this plan appreciated! Thanks!

Just be aware that there will be a very long wait before fireworks if you stake out a spot at the train station. We have seen it full (along the railing where you can see) a few hours beforehand.
Several years ago we did watch it from there, but that's before the word go out so much that it was a decent spot with a quick getaway! (The Dis can be a double edged sword)!! Best kept secret spots/ideas are quickly shouted from the rooftops and then 'that's all, folks'!!
We remember lots of great things we used to see/do/enjoy that were off the beaten path then, but none to think of today.

 

[morrik5]

My CAA Disney specialist/friend just recently suggested you stay for the fireworks when MK has extended hours. That way you can (if you're not too tired) stay and ride some more rides/shop etc until the crowds thin out after the fireworks display.