Disney Restaurants and Firework show on 4th July

[JAD74]

Hi all

Very new to this, so please bear with me if this question is asked a thousand times.

My family and I would like to view the Fireworks show on 4th July from a restaurant in Disney World somewhere. We are staying in a villa 20 minutes away from Disney.

(1) I was wondering if it is ok to eat at a Disney restaurant if you are not a guest?
(2) Could someone recommend a good place to eat and watch the show?

We are a party of 9:

2 pensioners
4 adults
2 kids under 7
1 infant

Any help greatly appreciated. As informal as possible would probably be preferred given the kids and baby will be with us.

many thanks

JAD74

 

[vicki_c]

Anyone can eat at a Disney restaurant, but you need a reservation for sit-down restaurants. 4th of July is the busiest day of the year next to Christmas and dining reservations for July were opened in January, so you are about 2 months behind in planning. So that's strike 1 for you.

Strike 2 is that there are not many restaurants from which to see fireworks in the park. Rose & Crown at Epcot is one, the new Mexican restaurant in Epcot is another (can't remember the name - La Hacienda, I think).

For Magic Kingdom, there is no dining location from which you can see the castle and fireworks while dining.

I don't know if Hollywood Studios does special fireworks for the 4th or not. But they also have no restaurants from where you could view fireworks.

You can also see fireworks at MK from California Grille at the Contemporary Resort, Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian, and somewhat from 'Ohana at the Polynesian (views reported quite obscured in a lot of places now due to trees blocking some windows).

In addition to getting a reservation, you would have to be able to time it so you could see the fireworks. All those factors added together will make it difficult.

I think you would be better off to just make whatever dining reservation you want (or can get) well in advance of the fireworks and then just watch the fireworks in the park from a regular viewing location. You can also see the MK fireworks well from the Poly beach, but I have heard rumors that they restrict that to Poly guests on the 4th of July.

 

[JAD74]

Anyone can eat at a Disney restaurant, but you need a reservation for sit-down restaurants. 4th of July is the busiest day of the year next to Christmas and dining reservations for July were opened in January, so you are about 2 months behind in planning. So that's strike 1 for you.

Strike 2 is that there are not many restaurants from which to see fireworks in the park. Rose & Crown at Epcot is one, the new Mexican restaurant in Epcot is another (can't remember the name - La Hacienda, I think).

For Magic Kingdom, there is no dining location from which you can see the castle and fireworks while dining.

I don't know if Hollywood Studios does special fireworks for the 4th or not. But they also have no restaurants from where you could view fireworks.

You can also see fireworks at MK from California Grille at the Contemporary Resort, Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian, and somewhat from 'Ohana at the Polynesian (views reported quite obscured in a lot of places now due to trees blocking some windows).

In addition to getting a reservation, you would have to be able to time it so you could see the fireworks. All those factors added together will make it difficult.

I think you would be better off to just make whatever dining reservation you want (or can get) well in advance of the fireworks and then just watch the fireworks in the park from a regular viewing location. You can also see the MK fireworks well from the Poly beach, but I have heard rumors that they restrict that to Poly guests on the 4th of July.

Many Thanks

I will see if I can get anything for Narcoossee's.

 

[purple figment]

As informal as possible would probably be preferred given the kids and baby will be with us.

JAD74

I will see if I can get anything for Narcoossee's.

Just a heads up - Narcoossee's is a Signature restaurant and most people wouldn't describe it as informal because it is one of the more expensive restaurants in DW and it does have a dress code. Here's a link:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/narcoossees/

Of the 2 other restaurants mentioned, California Grill has in the past had a very expensive 4th of July party. 'Ohana fits your "informal" criteria because it is a family style all you care to eat restaurant with kids' activities, but it is very popular and books quickly.

Your options for seeing the MK fireworks while dining on July 4 are extremely limited. I believe the MK does the same fireworks show on July 3 so you could check dining availability for that night as well.

Good luck!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Of the 2 other restaurants mentioned, California Grill has in the past had a very expensive 4th of July party

.

Yes, IIRC it's up to around $250+ per person.

 

[DisneyFanatik]

I believe that the MK July 4th fireworks are done on July 3rd as well. Why not try and get a California Grill ressie for that night. I know that it might be very costly for a party of 8-9 to eat at that restaurant for dinner, but why not eat dinner elsewhere and go there for dessert and fireworks. Just a thought....

 

[missa]

Another thing to think about is the Dessert party at Tomorrowland Terrace. Great firework viewing spot and great desserts! We did it on 4th of July in 09 and loved it!

 

[wintershawl]

My DH and I are eating at 1900 Park Fare on July 3rd and then watching the fireworks by the water at the GF resort. That is what we did in 2008. It was awesome!

I would definitely suggest trying to go on the 3rd instead of the 4th though if you can. It is a little less crowded.