Best Wishes Experience...

pontikes67

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Feb 11, 2011
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From outside the parks.

We have a reservation at California Grill but not until 9:15pm. Wondering if we might try another venue, not a fireworks cruise.

I've read beaches are reserved for hotel guests, but then heard that's not enforced. Heard the music is piped in, but then I've heard otherwise.

Would LOVE to have a veteran perspective of where we could see Wishes before we head off on our DCL Fantasy Cruise.

Thanks!
 
I have to be honest - seeing Hallowishes from the California Grill was amazing. I don't know how the view of regular wish is but we also liked the view from Narcoossee's.
 
From outside the parks.

We have a reservation at California Grill but not until 9:15pm. Wondering if we might try another venue, not a fireworks cruise.

I've read beaches are reserved for hotel guests, but then heard that's not enforced. Heard the music is piped in, but then I've heard otherwise.

Would LOVE to have a veteran perspective of where we could see Wishes before we head off on our DCL Fantasy Cruise.

Thanks!

I'd watch from California Grill if I'm already going to be there. What time is Wishes on your night in question? What time of year?

Beaches are NOT reserved just for hotel guests. The only real resort beach with a view is Poly. They do play the music for regular Wishes, but you do read inconsistent reports of this from time to time. It's always been playing when I've been there.
 
The view form the Cali Grill is AMAZING. My CP is 13 now, but we ate at Cali Grill for her 9th birthday and had a window table for wishes. She has been to Disney many times, but this is one experience she still talks about. If your reservation is after wishes, you can check in and go up to the observation deck for fireworks, then eat.
 

We have done Poly beach when there was no music piped in. It was great and you can see the water parade first, but Cali Grill was AMAZING. Enjoy!
 
The Beach at the Polynesian Resort offers a great view

of Wishes and other MK Fireworks shows.

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.



They do "pipe in" the audio of the shows, but it is very, very low in volume.

There are several ground-level speakers along the

sidewalk.



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

The audio level if better in some places (closer to the sidewalk, for instance) than others (far out on the beach, for instance.)



I marked the area of the beach still open for viewing on the Poly map.



Poly%20Beach_121915_zpsqbismlst.jpg




Here's a photo I took from the Poly Beach-

MK Fireworks (MVMCP Christmas Finale)



Poly-Beach-Firewx-Cln.jpg


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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.



TTC-Fwx_022013_zpsf1a4f7f1.jpg




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.


GF-FW-Narcoo-BE_072708.jpg




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.)

MK-CR-BE-Deck-S_090308.gif




MK-CR-Sat-Fwx-Deck_112312.gif


(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)

WL-N_CM-Lot_091809.gif




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.



MK-Bay-Fwx-Views_012913_zps8f10ed57.jpg




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



MK-7Seas-Resorts-Fwx_012913_zps84390ca0.jpg


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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.

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1. I've read beaches are reserved for hotel guests,
2. but then heard that's not enforced.
3. Heard the music is piped in, but then I've heard otherwise.

1. That information is simply incorrect.
2. Nothing to enforce.
3. In some cases, it is.
 
So, while pricey, my absolute favorite non-park view was from the Ferry Tale Wishes Dessert Buffet. However, you have to be willing to pay for the privilege, the desserts and drinks definitely don't make up the cost Disney charges. My favorite free view is from the front left corner of the 4th floor patio at the Contemporary - but if it's a Highway in the Sky dinner night, that location will not be available. I haven't gotten to experience the Cali Grill location - but I've heard it's spectacular, so if you've already got the reservation, you would probably be best off there.
 
Thanks and extra Thanks to Robo...wow, that's my kind of detail.

Our Reservation is for 9:15, the best I could get at the time, and nothing better has presented itself. Wishes that night is at 9pm. I just didn't know if we went at 8:30 if it would be a problem to go up and watch before being seated.
 
Its also worth noting that on many nights, the part of the 4th floor observation deck at the Contemporary with the best viewing is reserved for the dessert portion of Highway in the Sky.
 


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