*4th of July - Trying to Impress Non-Believers

[DisneyaHolic23]

I am bringing a group of teachers to Disney World for a convention. Although we will be in-session on the 4th of July, I really want to allow them to experience the Magic Kingdom fireworks that evening. (We don't want to pay for a day of park pass, when we would only have a few hours - most of us don't have much money...)

Where should we go to view the fireworks??

Our choices, as far as I can tell, are:
*'Ohana for dinner
*The beach at the Polynesian
*Narcoosees
*California Grill (which I understand will cost $193 per person on the 4th)
*Other????

 

[TDC Nala]

Disney World is four parks. You seem to be talking only about the Magic Kingdom. Personally, I would prefer to see their show from inside the park. I have not been inside the Magic Kingdom to view those fireworks, although it's supposed to be the premier show. I'm not interested in battling the crowds, and I understand they usually close during the day when they reach capacity. I have NO desire to see the MK at capacity.

If you're outside (and it sounds like you do not want to enter a park) I think the beach at the Polynesian is the best bet...although I have heard that on the 4th they might restrict it to guests of the resort. People who have been guests of the resort on the 4th might be able to confirm.

You can try to book Ohana or Narcoosees for the right time, or shell out the cash for California Grill.

I like Epcot, if they're doing the special finale. If you're interested in Epcot, they have a lot of restaurants around the World Showcase. I will be a guest at Old Key West, so if I want fireworks I need to pick a park, and this is probably the one I will pick.

There should also be a fireworks show at MGM. It's very rarely done, only on the 4th of July and New Year's Eve, from what I understand. I saw it once but I understand it has changed since then.

My favorite 4th fireworks are midnight at Pleasure Island. I don't know if they'll do them this year or not. I'll be there whether they have fireworks or not.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I think I have read on the Dis about a special park pass convention rate. I think the rate is lower due to conventioneers not being able to be in the park for more than a few hours.
The MK July 4th fireworks are spectacular. Probably my favorite -- even over hard ticket and NYE fireworks.
NOT being in MK, I would say the Poly is your best bet. But just keep in mind that is what everyone else figures too.
I know a CM who stays at a monorail resort every July 4th as a family gathering. The Poly beach is VERY (as in too) popular for resort and non resort guests.
Good luck whatever you decide.

I have been at MGM for July 4th fireworks too. They are okay. Nice job. But nothing like MK.

 

[bigbabyblues]

One thing to consider if you do get the convention tickets is that the MK may very well be closed due to capacity on the 4th of July.....no guarantee you'll be able to get in for the fireworks.

I vote for 'Ohana, great dinner and great view!

 

[patsal]

Usually the beach at the Poly is closed to non resort guests that evening as too many outsiders squeeze those that have paid to stay from enjoying the fireworks. July 4th is a bit different with the fireworks at MK since they come in a radius form from around the entire 7 seas lagoon area. My vote if you are choosing not to pay to enter would be spend the $$$ at CG or make a time appropriate ADR for 'Ohana. You might consider standing outside of the MK near the boat docks. I was at MK on July 4th last year. It is VERY crowded, gets very near capacity very early and then the crowd thins out somewhat. Fireworks on Main Street is wall to wall people sandwiched all the way down Main Street from the entrance to the front of the castle. Though we spent the whole day much of it was spent just weaving through the wall to wall traffic in the park. We chose to use the day to do the little things that often get overlooked as well as a few shows. That day the ride times were crazy--even Pirates had a 140 minute wait. As I recall, we fastpassed a few things and crowds really were not bad until around 11am.

 

[allshookup]

We ate at Ohana on 7-4-2004. It was very crowded but we were lucky enough to secure a window seat for the fireworks. It was nice but we viewed the special NYE fireworks from the Polynesion beach & it was much better. We also viewed Wishes on Christmas Day from the CG observation deck. That was a beautiful view and dinner was wonderful, but I don't know if I'd pay $193 per person, that's rather steep.

 

[smjj]

Be prepared, this day the parks are jammed and I mean jammed. MK is so packed you have to take turns breathing. Never, never again for us at this time of the year!!

 

[tjmouse]

My choices would be (in order of preference):

Get a convention pass if available and go to Epcot. Illuminations is just as spectacular (it's really a tie for me) as Wishes.

Have dinner at Citrico's at the GF. 'Ohana is more popular and will be packed. Citrico's will allow you to go out onto the patio and see the fireworks from there. It's also going to be cheaper (I think) than the CG.

Watch the fireworks from the TTC. Not quite as magical, but the music is piped in from what I understand. It is supposed to be a great place to see them and this would cost nothing.


This one I have never done, so looking for confirmation, but I heard that if you get on the monorail about 10 minutes before Wishes and just ride it around, they will stop when the fireworks start and you can get a really great view. But I think it would depend on where you stop. I think you can also do this on the ferry or a smaller resort boat.

 

[EEyorelover22]

July 4th is Fantasy in the Sky and that will also be the show on the 3rd. The CM on the phone told me that and it's listed on Disney online's calendar.

 

[tjmouse]

Yes, it is Fantasy in the Sky for the 4th, sorry I put Wishes in the above post. It is an awesome show, but Illuminations is great too and you won't be "as" squished. Seriously, you will be squished in MK, shoulder to shoulder, toe to toe. My friend was there and she witnessed many people getting hurt (minor of course) from others stepping on their toes, bumping into them, stroller accidents, etc. Just too close for comfort for me!

 

[betterlatethannever]

My choices would be (in order of preference):...Have dinner at Citrico's at the GF. 'Ohana is more popular and will be packed. Citrico's will allow you to go out onto the patio and see the fireworks from there. It's also going to be cheaper (I think) than the CG...

Did you mean Narcoosee, not Citricos. Citricos is in the main building. Narcoosee is by the boat dock and has the patio.

Ed

 

[TDC Nala]

This one I have never done, so looking for confirmation, but I heard that if you get on the monorail about 10 minutes before Wishes and just ride it around, they will stop when the fireworks start and you can get a really great view. But I think it would depend on where you stop. I think you can also do this on the ferry or a smaller resort boat.

I have been on a boat in the lagoon for the 4th fireworks. Because they shoot off the perimeter fireworks from the islands in the middle of the lagoon, they don't let the boats sit out there; they apparently dock them all. Mine was docked at the TTC and we got a view of the show, but nothing like you'd be expecting from mid-lagoon. I don't know what they do with the monorails.

 

[allshookup]

I know on Dec. 30th they do a special showing of the fireworks similar to Dec. 31st. I guess so they can try & keep the crowds down for NYE? Anyway I know they stopped running the monorail during those fireworks (there was a sign posted at CR right by the monorail). I don't think they normally shut down the monorail but it was because they really light up the whole lagoon when they shoot off the NYE fireworks.

 

[Luv2Roam]

While MK was Crowded on July 4th, I did not find it terrible either. We have experienced MK crowds at the best and worse.
Because we go so often we don't have that pressing need to "have to" do something other than wait. We know we have to stake out a decent sitting spot hours in advance, and that is what we did. We go for a bench mainly because sitting on a curb or in the street we know others will continually try to push or con us out of their way, with it becoming more agressive as the time draws near.

 

[tjmouse]

Did you mean Narcoosee, not Citricos. Citricos is in the main building. Narcoosee is by the boat dock and has the patio.

Ed

Yep, sorry - I guess I was more tired than I thought last night!

 

[DisneyaHolic23]

Wow!! Thanks for the number and variation of responses!

One question - we have ADR's at the Polynesian at 7:40. Since we have reservations, does anyone KNOW if we would be allowed to walk down to the beach for the fireworks?

I am a bit concerned about watching the fireworks from 'Ohana. In October, the windows were so fogged up, we really couldn't see the fireworks - I do not exaggerate.

Can anyone confirm if they do/do not pipe the music onto Poly's beach?

Thanks again, all, for taking time to respond!!