4th of July fireworks from Ft. Wilderness beach?

[Jenny-momof3]

I'm trying to decide where we should watch the MK fireworks from on the 4th of July. We love to watch them from the Poly beach but I was told that unless you were a resort guest of Poly ( we're staying at AKL) or dining there that you couldn't go on the beach 4th of July. So was thinking maybe Ft. Wilderness instead? We've never watched them from there so not sure how good the viewing is? Suggestions?

 

[mickeyhunter]

Ft Wilderness beach is one of my favorite places to watch the MK fireworks. They pipe in the music and the view is very nice. July 4 th will be busy and sometimes they close Ft Wilderness to guests who are not staying or dining there.

This happened to my husband on Halloween. I came in to Ft Wilderness by bus and he tried to meet me by car and they wouldnt let him in.

If you take a resort bus, you shouldnt have a problem.

 

[Jenny-momof3]

We would definitely be taking a resort bus. What time do you think we should arrive in order to get a spot? There are 13 of us in our group.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

At least 30 minutes prior. I'd recommend not taking all of the beach chairs, though, since you aren't actually staying at the resort.

 

[Robo]

I'm trying to decide where we should watch the MK fireworks from on the 4th of July. We love to watch them from the Poly beach but

1-I was told that unless you were a resort guest of Poly ( we're staying at AKL) or dining there that you couldn't go on the beach 4th of July.

2- So was thinking maybe Ft. Wilderness instead? We've never watched them from there so not sure how good the viewing is? Suggestions?

1- That is entirely UNTRUE. (There are some posters who like to make up stories in order
to send guests away from the Poly beach.)

2- Sorry, but Ft. Wilderness' view is actually quite blocked.

Here's more-

The Beach at the Polynesian Resort offers a great view
of Wishes and other MK Fireworks shows.
They do "pipe in" the audio of the shows.
There are several ground-level speakers along the
sidewalk.

They also pipe the audio to the speakers at the Poly
pool.

That said, in the past, the volume level is so LOW that its nearly
inaudible.
Limited reports are that the sound level has recently been improved.

Here's a photo I took from the Poly Beach-
MK Fireworks (MVMCP Christmas Finale)

-----------------------------

More Viewing Spots-

You can see them from TTC (they pipe-in the audio from
the show) but you are not allowed to stand in the
Ferry loading area.

You can see them from the boat-dock and an outside
observation deck near Narcoossee's restaurant at the
Grand Floridian. Anyone can stand on Narcoossee's Deck.
The outside deck is not a part of the actual restaurant. (All serving is done inside.)
The deck is accessed from the sidewalk outside the restaurant.
Also, good viewing from the Patio overlooking the Marina.

At the Contemporary, there is viewing on an outdoor
observation area on the 4th floor.
The California Grill observation areas are reserved for patrons that day of the Grill or Bar.

(Fireworks shown above are simulated.)

At Wilderness Lodge, the "secret place" to watch the MK fireworks is from the northern area of the Cast Member (CM) Parking Lot.

At Fort Wilderness Campgrounds, much of the view is (especially of the "Fantasyland" pyro) is blocked by the now unused Discovery Island in Bay Lake and by the high-rise buildings of the Contemporary Resort.

Here are the angles of the views in the Bay Lake area.

Here are the angles of the views in the Seven Seas Lagoon area.

----------------------------------

As for viewing from INSIDE the dining area of restaurants
(you usually need ADRs for most, and they are usually busy during the shows)...
you can see (and hear) them at California Grill at Contemporary,
'Ohana at Poly,
and Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian.
----------------------------------

 

[TBLaube]

Robo - You are amazing. Hoping you can help me out then. My nephew and I are flying on the red-eye and arriving late morning of July 4th at OKW. We were not planning to attempt to go to a park, but would like to see some fireworks if possible. This is our first stay at OKW so not really familiar with the options here.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

Thanks for the great maps, Robo!

We were there for 4th of July back in 2008, and they shot the fireworks over MK, as well as Bay Lake. They also did this for New Year's Eve fireworks in 2009 (ringing in 2010), because I remember standing on the top of the train station and looking behind me, seeing the exact same show over Bay Lake.

Any idea if they are going to do this, again?

 

[Robo]

Robo - You are amazing. Hoping you can help me out then. My nephew and I are flying on the red-eye and arriving late morning of July 4th at OKW. We were not planning to attempt to go to a park, but would like to see some fireworks if possible. This is our first stay at OKW so not really familiar with the options here.

Take the OKW bus to Magic Kingdom.
(You will disembark outside the MK park.)

From there, stroll to the monorail station and board and ride the Resort Monorail to the Polynesian Resort (or either of the other two resorts on the Resort Monorail line... Contemporary or Grand Floridian.)

Enjoy the MK fireworks from the resort of your choice.

 

[Robo]

Thanks for the great maps, Robo!

We were there for 4th of July back in 2008, and they shot the fireworks over MK, as well as Bay Lake. They also did this for New Year's Eve fireworks in 2009 (ringing in 2010), because I remember standing on the top of the train station and looking behind me, seeing the exact same show over Bay Lake.

Any idea if they are going to do this, again?

Bay Lake is the lake to your right (behind the Contemporary Resort) if you are facing the Castle in MK.

Seven Seas Lagoon is the lake directly behind you if you are facing the Castle in MK.
(The Poly and the Grand Floridian's beaches are on the Seven Seas Lagoon.)

Regardless, they do offer the special "surround" fireworks for the Christmas, New Years, and Independence Day MK shows.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

Bay Lake is the lake to your right (behind the Contemporary Resort) if you are facing the Castle in MK.

Seven Seas Lagoon is the lake directly behind you if you are facing the Castle in MK.
(The Poly and the Grand Floridian's beaches are on the Seven Seas Lagoon.)

Regardless, they do offer the special "surround" fireworks for the Christmas, New Years, and Independence Day MK shows.

Oops, my bad... it was over Seven Seas, then!

So if they are having the fireworks over Seven Seas, then do you think it would be visible from, say, the Grand Floridian beach?

And do they pipe the music in from anywhere in the Grand Floridian? Or only at Poly, TTC, and Fort Wilderness?

 

[Robo]

Oops, my bad... it was over Seven Seas, then!

1- So if they are having the fireworks over Seven Seas, then do you think it would be visible from, say, the Grand Floridian beach?

2- And do they pipe the music in from anywhere in the Grand Floridian? Or only at Poly, TTC, and Fort Wilderness?

1- Absolutely.

2- Yes. At the maria patio and outside (and inside) Narcoossee's.

 

[vatchr]

Robo - We'll be arriving at the Wilderness Lodge on July 4th. If we head to the CM Parking Lot - will it really be a good view for the MK fireworks? Thanks for the maps - I didn't know about the "secret" WL viewing site.....

We were considering heading over to DHS for their fireworks...do you have any insight on the DHS 4th of July fireworks?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Robo]

Robo - We'll be arriving at the Wilderness Lodge on July 4th.

1- If we head to the CM Parking Lot - will it really be a good view for the MK fireworks? Thanks for the maps - I didn't know about the "secret" WL viewing site.....

We were considering heading over to DHS for their fireworks...

2- do you have any insight on the DHS 4th of July fireworks?

Thanks in advance.

1- It'll do. But, I give the edge to the Poly, Contemporary, or Grand Floridian.

2- You want to stand on Hollywood Blvd. (the "Main Street" of DHS) closer to the front gates than to the giant Sorcerer's hat.

 

[MichiganMomto4]

Robo - your maps are phenomenal and you are a wealth of information - thank you! Question: I have Cali Grill adr for 9:35. Fireworks are at 9. Will they let us up on the observation to watch?

 

[Robo]

I have Cali Grill adr for 9:35. Fireworks are at 9. Will they let us up on the observation to watch?

Yes.

(And, thank you for the kind words!)

 

[MichiganMomto4]

Yes.

(And, thank you for the kind words!)

You're very welcome and now I'll add I love you I was so worried I'd screwed up the timing!

 

[umichigan10]

Yes.

(And, thank you for the kind words!)

not trying to ruin your secrets or get off topic, but do you make the maps or do you get them from somewhere?

 

[Disnbaby]

I have been to FW the past six years for the 4th and watch the fireworks from clementines beach every year. The music is piped in and no matter how loud the crowd is, you can hear what is being played. As for the view... It is NOT blocked by the island, the only fireworks that can not be seen are the ones that are closer to the ground. Those are few and far between. If you are lucky enough to be in the MK or at one of the MK resorts...you are in for a wonderful and patriotic show.

Disnbaby
Phyllis,DH Travis, DS Darius, DS Cameron, DS KenDall
Been to WDWR 3xyr since 71
71,72,73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,00,01,02,03,04,05,06,07,08,09,10,11

 

[chartle]

Ft Wilderness beach is one of my favorite places to watch the MK fireworks. They pipe in the music and the view is very nice. July 4 th will be busy and sometimes they close Ft Wilderness to guests who are not staying or dining there.

This happened to my husband on Halloween. I came in to Ft Wilderness by bus and he tried to meet me by car and they wouldnt let him in.

If you take a resort bus, you shouldnt have a problem.

What happened on Halloween probably wouldn't happen on other holidays.

The Fort is much more of a community place. At no other resort would you expect to go "door to door" and Trick or Treat from the guests.

The locals started to make FW a place to party on WDW property at Halloween without much hassle since at FW they don't do the 3 hour parking pass and the lot was before security. There were issues of groups of people most likely not staying there clogging up the streets and causing general mayhem.

To counter this problem they moved the booth to the entrance of the lot and reconfigured things.

 

[lucas]

Robo,

Great info and maps! Thank you!

Dh and I have dinner ressies on July 3rd at 'Ohanas at 6:30. I was thinking of valet parking at the Poly for our dinner and maybe doing some shopping there after dinner and watching the fireworks from the Poly. Do you think this plan will work? Since we do have a dinner reservation #, will they let us thru to valet park?