Cinderella Castle Fourth of July Fireworks - William Drew Photography

There are some moments you plan for… and then there are moments that completely take over. 

This was both. 

The Decision That Changed Everything 

July 3rd, 2023. My first time ever experiencing the Magic Kingdom’s 4th of July fireworks in person. 

If you’ve never been, here’s the reality: this isn’t just a fireworks show. It’s an event. So much so that Disney runs it on both the 3rd and the 4th. 

I made what I thought was the smart move, go on the 3rd to avoid the worst of the crowds. And honestly? That decision paid off in a big way. 

Playing the Long Game 

The day started early with rope drop. Breakfast at Sleepy Hollow, rides knocked out before the crowds, lunch at Pecos Bill, then back to the resort to escape the Florida heat, which, let’s be honest, is borderline offensive. 

Minnesota winters? Brutal. But I’ll take them every time. You can dress for cold. You can’t dress for that kind of heat. 

By 5 PM, I was back in the park with one goal: lock down a fireworks spot. And this is where things could have gone sideways. I got there just in time, literally the last available space in the area I wanted. Any later, and this photo doesn’t exist. 

But that win came with a cost. 

The 4-Hour Commitment 

Once I claimed that spot, I was locked in. 

No wandering. No grabbing a drink. No bathroom break. Leave your spot, and it’s gone. This was a solo trip, so I didn't have anyone to hold the spot.

Four hours. Standing. In the heat. Surrounded by a packed crowd. 

That’s the part people don’t see when they look at an image like this. 

But here’s the twist, this is also where the experience changed. 

The people around me? Awesome. Conversations, laughter, shared anticipation. Disney filled the time with stage shows and DJs, and somehow, we all collectively forgot how uncomfortable we were. 

That’s part of the magic, too. 

When the Night Finally Begins 

As the sun dipped, the castle lit up in red, white, and blue. That’s when it hit me: this is going to be special. 

I started shooting before the show even began, testing compositions, adjusting exposures, watching how the light wrapped around the castle. 

Then the show started. 

And just… wow. 

No Plan, Just Instinct 

Normally, I go into fireworks shows with a plan. Specific bursts, specific timing, specific compositions. 

Not this time. 

This was my first time seeing this show, so I did something different; I just experienced it. 

I let the show happen and reacted in real time. Remote in hand, adjusting exposures on the fly. Some longer, some shorter. No idea what I was getting. 

Just instinct. 

That’s risky. Honestly, it’s not how I usually work. 

But sometimes, letting go is exactly what you need. 

The Shot 

Out of everything I captured that night, this image stood above the rest. 

Not just from that night; this is my favorite fireworks photo I’ve ever taken. 

Everything came together: 

• The symmetry of the castle 
• The balance of the fireworks filling the frame without overwhelming it 
• The color, the timing, the energy 

It’s one of those rare moments where the technical side and the emotional side align perfectly. 

What I Actually Remember 

Here’s the funny part. 

I don’t remember the heat when I look at this photo. 

I don’t remember the discomfort, or the waiting, or being stuck in one place for four hours. 

I remember the sound of the fireworks echoing through the park. 

I remember the crowd reacting in sync. 

I remember that feeling of this is why I’m here. 

That’s what this image holds. 

Let’s Be Honest for a Second 

Would I do it again? 

Yeah. I would.