Ohana Fireworks Viewing /

[nsclark45]

I'm visiting the parks in August and was wondering if I could request to sit near the window so that my family and I could view the fireworks over the Magic Kingdom? What would be the best time to eat dinner in order to view the fireworks? I know the schedule changes according to the time of year you visit.

Additionally, out of the 15 times that I have been to the parks, our dinner is always cut short so that we are able to grab a great spot to watch illuminations. What is a great restaurant to eat while being able to view illuminations?

My apologies if this has been addressed in a previous post. If so, would someone be so kind as to point me in the right direction?

Thanks for viewing

 

[kat3668]

It has been reported here on the boards that they no longer accept requests for fireworks view at Ohana (especially at peak times)... just too many people asking and not enough seating. I would just make dinner for a couple of hours before the fireworks and then sit on the poly beach.

As far as illuminations go you could make a ressie at rose and crown and ask for patio but also seating is very limited so it is a risk ... thats the only TS that I can think of.
Good Luck

 

[TheRustyScupper]

FIREWORKS VIEWING (rev 1/6/2013)

1) Illuminations restaurant viewing
. . . Rose & Crown - Excellent Patio View
. . . La Hacienda - Excellent Window View
. . . Tokyo Dining - Good Window view, Good Patio View
. . . Chef de France - Obstructed Window View
. . . Bistro de Paris - Partially Obstructed Window View
. . . Liberty Inn - Obstructed Patio View
2) Wishes restaurant viewing
. . . California Grille - Excellent table view, excellent balcony views
. . . Narcoossee's - Good view from only a few tables, good balcony view
. . . Ohana - Good view from only a very few tables
3) Non-Eating viewing
. . . Wishes: Wilderness Lodge employee parking lot - Good View
. . . Wishes: Poly Beach - Good View, with piped-in music
. . . Wishes: Fort Wilderness Beach - Fair view
. . . Illuminations: Boardwalk - Poor view, only high fireworks


PATIO-or-WINDOW SEATS FOR FIREWORKS:
. . . you CANNOT wait for a patio or window tables or make an ADR for such
. . . you must take whichever table is offered when it is offered.
. . . if not, your ADR is canceled.
. . . too many people would wait for a viewing table.
. . . if they didn't get it they left, so, there were unused tables, lost revenue.
. . . now, the policy is you take what is offered
. . . the Podium person verifies you will take the offered table

SEATING ASSIGNMENTS, THE NEW WAY: (almost all TS eateries)
. . . in most cases, the Podium person has no control over seating
. . . with the new system, the Seat Assigner determines your table
. . . the Assigner walks around with a computer tablet and assigns the next table(s)
. . . this assignment is then printed out at the podium
. . . the Seater then takes the printout and leads the guest to the assigned table(s)
. . . the printout info also includes party size, adults/kids, DDP, special diets, etc
. . . and, this is done without any consulting with the podium people ahead of time
. . . once assigned, it almost takes and Act-of-God to change the table
. . . to change tables, requires a lot of computer work for the Assigner and Podium
. . . if you want to try for a good seat, get an ADR 2-2½ hrs before fireworks
. . . then, hope you get lucky

NOTE: Even with the above policy, we have seen people get a viewing
table when asking for it. If they are not too busy, which doesn't happen
often, they will try to accommodate you.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

There are virtually no good viewing spots at 'Ohana any longer. The landscape growth have ended that.

 

[purple figment]

For IllumiNations you can make a res for Rose & Crown. When you check in you can request a patio table, but there's no guarante that you will be allowed to wait for one. You may have to take the first available table.

If you are seated inside or at a patio table that doesn't have a clear view of the lagoon, R&C has a separate viewing area adjacent to the patio that is exclusive to R&C diners. Let your server know you want to see IllumiNations and then remind them just before the time and they will escort you to the viewing area.

La Hacienda is another Epcot restaurant with some tables with a good view. However, again, so many people ask for these tables that you may not be allowed to wait.