Electrical Water Pageant dining

[highlander357]

Hello all. I am making plans for a non park day or possibly a MK evening. We have never seen the EWP. I will be making my dining reservations later this week. We are staying at POR so we aren’t staying at any of the resorts where the EWP goes by. My first plan of attack is to look for an Ohana reservation around 7-7:30, stick around the Poly to view the EWP at 8:40, and view MK fireworks at 9 (from the Poly). From there make our way to MK to get on a resort bus home.

Does anyone see any issues with this plan? Or can you recommend a different restaurant/resort to do the same thing? One caveat is my wife didn’t like the menu at California Grill so watching from there isn’t an option.

Thanks for your time.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

I would consider eating at Narcoossees at the GF.

Others can comment on ‘Ohana with regard to timing. It’s been a while since we ate dinner there, but I still remember a long (close to 45 minute) wait after our ADR time to be seated for dinner.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I confess to loving the EWP! I love the idea you have. When I stayed at the Poly, there were a whole bunch of us who'd watch it from the beach. But the best was when I stayed in a lake front studio at VGF (and I'd requested "view of EWP") and got to watch it from my room. So if you stood facing the lake in front of the original VGF building that would be a possibility. Another one would be finding your way to WL facing the lake.

 

[Marthasor]

Your plan sounds good. For ambience and viewing, I would definitely stick with either Poly or GF, so choose any restaurant that appeals at either of those resorts. You can also simply get QS at either resort if you would rather not commit to a TS - as long as you are using WDW transportation (or a Minnie Van) to the resorts, you would have zero issue eating at those properties. My preference would be Poly as I love perusing the gift shop and even going to Trader Sam's Grog Grotto if time allows (they also have great apps there!)

 

[OKW Lover]

Does anyone see any issues with this plan? Or can you recommend a different restaurant/resort to do the same thing?

Narcoossies at GF is a great alternative

 

[CarolynFH]

I like Narcoossee’s as well. The EWP performs right outside. Also agree that any restaurant at GF or Poly will work, or even at CR - just check the time EWP passes there.

 

[jillt2ph]

OP, when are you going? If Happily Ever After fireworks are what you were looking for they change to 830 pm on September 9.

 

[highlander357]

OP, when are you going? If Happily Ever After fireworks are what you were looking for they change to 830 pm on September 9.

Last week of October.

 

[WDW_Michael]

You can eat at Geyser Point at Wildrness Lodge, and watch the EWP right from your table..or you could walk a few feet over the the waterfront if you want an even closer view.

 

[FairyGodmother00]

We will be at WL end ofJanuary. Any specific location that has great views? I assume it will still be going on? We have never seen it.

 

[OKW Lover]

We will be at WL end ofJanuary. Any specific location that has great views? I assume it will still be going on? We have never seen it.

Go to the dock area for the best view.

 

[WDW_Michael]

We will be at WL end ofJanuary. Any specific location that has great views? I assume it will still be going on? We have never seen it.

Directly next to geyser point, right on the water front there are outdoor couches, seats and tables that face out to the water. This is my favorite spot, as it is comfortable and relaxing and has a perfect view of the parade right in front of you.
You can also watch Happily Ever After fireworks from here..although the view of the fireworks is a bit obstructed, but its still nice and they have the shows music piped in through the speakers as well.

 

[Stratman50th]

We will be at WL end ofJanuary. Any specific location that has great views? I assume it will still be going on? We have never seen it.

An option would be jump on the yellow bus to Ft Wilderness and watch from the beach. A plus is you can see fireworks (the high ones over the trees) and they play the music from MK also.

 

[gharter]

Another vote for Narcoossee’s. The food is very good and you get a great view of the water pageant. If you are lucky, you will have a view from your table. Otherwise, you can go outside to watch, then return to your table.

 

[lankman]

You can eat at Geyser Point at Wildrness Lodge, and watch the EWP right from your table..or you could walk a few feet over the the waterfront if you want an even closer view.

We did this in 2022 when we stayed at the lodge.
It's possibly the best view of the EWP whilst having dinner.

 

[NYCgrrl]

We will be at WL end ofJanuary. Any specific location that has great views? I assume it will still be going on? We have never seen it.

You are not alone. Stayed at all the monorail hotels and never saw the entire pageant .
Finally caught at CG this past 4th of July; cute!

For that complete nostalgic feeling, I’d opt for the OP’s initial plan and go to ‘Ohana. Even if you don’t get a window seat you’ll be able to see EWP from at least the third row of seats in. Those panorama windows do their job well.

For a better bang for the buck I’d go to Geyser Point, order from a table, eat what you like, and then wander over to the dock. Wouldn’t be surprised if you could go with your favorite bar drink in hand (I’m partial to the blackberry mule myself).

 

[zackiedawg]

I've seen it from almost every place possible as I am at Disney often and since the parks opened in 1971. Lots of lovely viewing spots on the docks and lakefronts to watch from GF, Poly, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness, and TTE. But I definitely find the best spot for relaxing, eating/drinking, and viewing the show to be Geyser Point. It's perfect if you get seated on the lake-side of the restaurant because you really don't ever need to leave your table - it's perfectly viewable and you're in an open air restaurant with no windows or glass. If you wanted, you could walk over to the wide promenade area along the lake - if you're seated on the hotel side of the restaurant you'd probably want to do that - and as mentioned, if you stake them out early there are comfortable couches and seating areas all along that section. Nothing beats sitting at Geyser Point on the lake-facing side tables and never having to leave your spot, enjoying your food and drink, as the water parade plays for you.

 

[highlander357]

OP here. My plan to watch EWP and fireworks from the Poly was so good a lot of other people had the same idea because I can’t get a dinner reservation at Ohana for the entire week starting 10/27. So I grabbed a Steakhouse 71 for 7:15pm. If my goal is to watch the EWP and fireworks, am I better off staying at CR, or after dinner should I reposition to GF or Poly. I understand the love for WL but that will make my night longer than I would like, and I would assume the fireworks views around the monorail loop would be better.

 

[Mle8308]

OP here. My plan to watch EWP and fireworks from the Poly was so good a lot of other people had the same idea because I can’t get a dinner reservation at Ohana for the entire week starting 10/27. So I grabbed a Steakhouse 71 for 7:15pm. If my goal is to watch the EWP and fireworks, am I better off staying at CR, or after dinner should I reposition to GF or Poly. I understand the love for WL but that will make my night longer than I would like, and I would assume the fireworks views around the monorail loop would be better.

The EWP stops at all of the mentioned resorts, you should check the Disney site to see if the times are listed. If you time it right, you may see both from the same resort. They can change seasonally. Also, remember that some nights MNSSHP will be happening at the MK, so the fireworks time may be different than on a non party night. And you are correct, viewing fireworks is definitely better at a monorail resort than the WL.

 

[jeankeri]

What day of the week is your ressie? EWP is my favorite, so trust I clarified times when I was at BLT in September. It is at the the Contemporary beach at 10:05, only adjusting time if there is a later fireworks time (MNSSHP had 10 pm fireworks so barges waited for them to end before beginning pagent.