We will be in Orlando for the week of the 4th staying offsite in my in-laws timeshare. We want to see Disney's 4th of July MK fireworks from a resort. We currently have a dining reservation for 1900 Park Faire at GF. What's our best viewing strategy? Find somewhere to watch at the GF? Take the walking path towards the Poly and find a spot along the path? Walk all the way to the Poly and watch from their beach?
We are DVC members, but I am guessing we won't be able to watch for TOTWL since we are offsite and it's a holiday.
The Beach at the Polynesian Resort offers a great view
of the MK fireworks/evening spectacular shows (At least of the fireworks portion, but not the "castle-projection" portion.)
However, the area with an MK view is now much smaller than it used to be
due to the recent construction of the new DVC on-the-water rooms.
I marked the area of the beach still open for viewing on the Poly map.
However, on July 3 and 4, it is likely that viewing from the Poly beach will not be possible.
-----------------------------
More Viewing Spots-
You can see the MK fireworks shows very well from the TTC
(and they pipe-in clear, crisp audio from the show.)
Note: you are not allowed to stand directly in the actual Ferry loading area.
You can see them from the boat-dock and an outside
observation deck near Narcoossee's restaurant at the Grand Floridian.
The Narcoossee's Deck shown is now reserved only for guests of the restaurant.
Good viewing from the Gasparilla Grill Patio overlooking the Marina.
The sound of the show is piped into these areas too.
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.
(The audio of the fireworks show is also piped in to these locations.)
(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. (No Audio)
At the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds Marina (angle shown on the map below,) some of the view (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.
But, the view from the Ft. Wilderness' sand beach (farther north) is more open.
Still the tree-level can block the views of the lower-firing pyro.
Here are the angles of the views in the Bay Lake area.
Below are the angles of the views in the Seven Seas Lagoon area.
----------------------------------
As for viewing from INSIDE the dining area of restaurants (you need ADRs, and most are usually busy during the shows)...
you can see (and hear) them at California Grill at Contemporary,
'Ohana at the Poly, at Trader Sam's and Trader Sam's outdoor patio at the Poly, Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian,
and (if you have access there) the Top of the World at Bay Lake Tower.
----------------------------------
