Best place to view Wishes from OUTSIDE Magic Kingdom?

[monorailrabbit]

We go to Disney in just 4 days! Woo! We are doing our first Disney Cruise, so most of our planning focus was on that. We are doing one day at Epcot, since that is our favorite park, but are a little sad we won't get our MK fix this time, especially sad about missing the fireworks. While we are WDW regulars, we have never tried to watch Wishes from outside MK. I have tried to research this, and have found there are indeed places to view them, such as Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Poly etc, but my question is which of these are the best (or easiest)? Do you need to be guests at these resorts to take advantage of the view? (We are staying at AllStar Movies) How early do you have to get there to get a spot? What is the easiest way to get to said spot? Is Poly out of the question due to construction? (We will probably be coming from Epcot). Thank you all in advance, I know you guys will have awesome suggestions!

 

[mom2rtk]

We've decided to watch from the Ticket and Transportation Center.

 

[IndianaRRT]

I made a point of trying to see Wishes from different places this time. Of course, we saw it once from Main Street USA because that is magical.
This trip we also saw it from Fort Wilderness beach and the Poly. From Ft. Wilderness beach, you can only see the biggest fireworks, but they were still very beautiful. The music is played over the speakers at the beach, and we really, really enjoyed it. Ft. Wilderness is really underrated, IMO. As far as the Poly, I heard repeatedly leading up to the trip that you can't go to the beach if you're not a Poly guest, but we had an Ohana 9:15pm ADR on a night when Wishes started at 9. We found a nice seat in the lobby near the windows and could see Wishes very well as the music played in the lobby. I enjoyed that too!

 

[donac]

I have seen it from the ferry boat leaving the MK

 

[cnorth]

Our favorite used to be the Poly. Get an earlier reservation at Ohana, and then go sit on the beach and relax and watch the fireworks after dinner. I'm not sure how the bungalows have affected that. I hope not too much!

 

[mesaboy2]

Our favorite used to be the Poly. Get an earlier reservation at Ohana, and then go sit on the beach and relax and watch the fireworks after dinner. I'm not sure how the bungalows have affected that. I hope not too much!

In my opinion, too much.

 

[cnorth]

That's sad. My family loved that. It was much more relaxing. And when the boys were little, they could play in the sand until the fireworks started. I was afraid that was the case though.

 

[DisneyParkLover]

Does anyone have photos since the addition of the bungalows?

 

[newdeal]

We tried at the observation deck at Bay Lake Tower but it wasn't nearly as magical. You really need a straight on view of the castle because if not then you can tell the fireworks are being launched from two separate areas and blow up quite far apart which takes away from the grandness of it

 

[mesaboy2]

Does anyone have photos since the addition of the bungalows?

Several photos from different points along the beach are in this thread: http://www.disboards.com/threads/be...s-fireworks-outside-of-magic-kingdom.3391915/

 

[DisneyParkLover]

Thank you!

 

[monorailrabbit]

Thanks for the replies everyone! Looks like Ft. Wilderness might be fun! Do you have to take a bus to get there? I have never been there. Also, any opinions on Grand FL? It's my husband's favorite resort, but I can't really tell if you have to be a guest there as well, like with Poly... Thanks again!

 

[ms tom morrow]

I love watching the fireworks from the GF! The boat dock and the seating area outside of Gasparilla Grill are both pretty great options. Although we've always been a guest when we've watched I can't imagine anyone making you leave if you aren't. If you're feeling funny about it, I'd grab a treat from Gasparilla's and enjoy it while you watch!

 

[DisneyDad2015]

I can verify that you DO NOT have to be a Poly guest to go to the beach there and watch the fireworks. My family went there to watch Wishes on our recent trip.

 

[Traveliz]

Thanks for the replies everyone! Looks like Ft. Wilderness might be fun! Do you have to take a bus to get there? I have never been there. Also, any opinions on Grand FL? It's my husband's favorite resort, but I can't really tell if you have to be a guest there as well, like with Poly... Thanks again!

You don't have to be a guest at any of the hotels or even staying on site to watch the fireworks from the hotels various vantage points. Occasionally on July 4/NYE the Poly will have an area that requires Poly proof of stay to go into (directly in front of the pool) but all the other areas are open to anyone. I have gone many many many July 3/4 Dec 30/31 and watched. I also went twice about two/three weeks ago (and took all the pictures on the other thread) and no one said anyone to me about not having a Poly magic band etc...so choose where you want. I will be there in another month or so and will also likely hit both the Poly and the GF to watch fireworks from on different nights.

I have also watched from the Ft Wilderness (last July 4) and it was ok but I would not make the trip over there just for the fireworks. It involves buses/boats and walking. I was all ready there for dinner. They were very welcoming there though as well and told us where to stand for the best view.

The Grand Fl rarely has many people gathered watching the fireworks and I think they have a great view as well.

Liz

 

[Parker Clan]

Agreed about Poly. We stay at Caribbean Beach Resort & after eating at Ohana we watched from the dock by the beach! Amazing! They have the music playing as well very magical and no crowds!

 

[toasterstrudel]

We loved the poly, but back in November when we were there we thought the bunglows really impacted the feel. There is still a good view, but the area feels tight and just not as magical in my opinion.

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

One thing to consider when watching from the Poly. If you are visiting from another resort, be prepared for long lines at the MK bus stop as soon as Wishes is over. We were there in January, and even though a slow time of year, the bus stop was utter chaos immediatly following the fireworks and for another 30 minutes thereafter. If possible, take the extra time to stroll around the grounds or check out the resort inside.