Fireworks from Poly or GF?

Chickp · Mar 30, 2015

We are headed down next week to stay at FW and would love to watch the fireworks one night from one of the beaches closer to the action. Is the Poly too nuts right now? Is Trader Sam's the only place to get a drink and take it to the beach? Or would gf be a better choice? Basically all we want is to get some drinks and/or ice cream and watch the nighttime stuff.

Tonberry · Mar 30, 2015

Trader Sam's is absolutely mobbed at this point. If you want to catch the fireworks from there, you'll have to be waiting on line for hours before the fireworks begin. And even then, you're not guaranteed to be seated in time.
From what I heard, the Poly is cracking down on people watching fireworks from their beach, especially with the new DVC and also since the new pool deck has taken up some of the beach.

I think the Luau Cove beach area would probably be your best bet. If you want a drink, head to the Poly's GCH second floor and get one at the Tambu Lounge, or get a Dole Whip from the Pineapple Lanai and enjoy it from the cove as you watch the water parade and fireworks.

mommabean · Mar 30, 2015

We have ADR for Ohana at 7:55 p.m. Is there viewing of the fireworks from the restaurant? Would we have to ask for a seat with a view? I've never been to Ohana or the Poly before, so any hints/tips would be much appreciated!

Chickp · Mar 30, 2015

Tonberry said:
Trader Sam's is absolutely mobbed at this point. If you want to catch the fireworks from there, you'll have to be waiting on line for hours before the fireworks begin. And even then, you're not guaranteed to be seated in time.
From what I heard, the Poly is cracking down on people watching fireworks from their beach, especially with the new DVC and also since the new pool deck has taken up some of the beach.

I think the Luau Cove beach area would probably be your best bet. If you want a drink, head to the Poly's GCH second floor and get one at the Tambu Lounge, or get a Dole Whip from the Pineapple Lanai and enjoy it from the cove as you watch the water parade and fireworks.

Thanks! I love the poly, but I've seen those lines, crazy. What do you think about the grand Floridian, or are they cracking down too? We are clearly going to spend money there, we just aren't resort guests there, and I wasn't sure how big of a deal it was because it gets recommended everywhere.

Felipe4 · Mar 30, 2015

mommabean said:
We have ADR for Ohana at 7:55 p.m. Is there viewing of the fireworks from the restaurant? Would we have to ask for a seat with a view? I've never been to Ohana or the Poly before, so any hints/tips would be much appreciated!

The word seems to be there are few seats at Ohana with a castle view of fireworks, though your res time might be early enough if you request a park view window (and probably wait around for it) and really draw out your meal. I'm essentially trying the same thing in June. I've heard that you can watch from Narcoose's rooftop (you have to go outside though and leave your table) and California Grill has great views from the back from their windows.

Tonberry · Mar 30, 2015

To mommabean: Yes, you can view the fireworks and the water parade from the window seats. You can request one when you check in for your reservation, but they are not guaranteed and they are often highly sought after depending on fireworks times. They are given out at a first come, first serve basis. You can wait for a window table to open up if you want. Sometimes there's one available right away, and other times you may end up waiting a long time.

To Chickp: The GF is a great spot for fireworks and water parade. My wife and I were lucky enough to catch the fireworks while having dinner at Narcoossee's during our honeymoon.
A good spot to view is from the docks. That's where we went to view them when we were staying at All Star Movies. Nobody was even around, so it was just the 2 of us. The wife loved it. I've never heard of or seen anyone at the GF being turned away from watching the fireworks.

Traveliz · Mar 30, 2015

Hmmm I would not say the Poly is cracking down. I was there both Friday and Saturday night checking out the fireworks view and whether or not I was staying there was never an issue. I had a number of CMs both nights wish me a good evening and I had three CMs including management standing on the sidewalk behind me during the fireworks at the "prime" beach location right near the fire pit. They spoke to me but never asked about my resort affiliation. I was not wearing a magic band either.

That said I am not crazy about the locations at the Poly to view now. It's not bad by the marina and Wishes music was loud and clear there being piped through Trader Sams patio. The beach area near the luau was an awesome view but the luau was still going on and the noise from that was very distracting.

At the GF I like to watch from their marina or down by Narcoosses.

Liz

Chickp · Mar 31, 2015

Thanks for the info! We've resort hopped plenty and as long as we are eating or buying something, I've never been asked about it. The only time I've ever been turned away is from AKL when they were jammed at spring break and we didn't have ADRs. That was, like, nine years ago though.

But it does sound like the GF might be a better choice for other reasons too.

Fireworks from Poly or GF?

Chickp

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Tonberry

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mommabean

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Chickp

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Felipe4

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Tonberry

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Traveliz

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