Fireworks from Polynesian

[SnoweyWhite]

We will be traveling to WDW the end of this month (DH, DS(2), and myself). My son is not a big fan of fireworks--he likes the way they look, but the noise scares him. We are thinking of catching the water parade then staying to watch Wishes at the Polynesian. I know they pump the music in, but my question is can you still hear the explosion of the fireworks or is it pretty much drowned out by the music and distance from MK?

 

[mesaboy2]

We will be traveling to WDW the end of this month (DH, DS(2), and myself). My son is not a big fan of fireworks--he likes the way they look, but the noise scares him. We are thinking of catching the water parade then staying to watch Wishes at the Polynesian. I know they pump the music in, but my question is can you still hear the explosion of the fireworks or is it pretty much drowned out by the music and distance from MK?

You can still hear the explosions, but at a much lower volume.

 

[tjknitz]

We will be traveling to WDW the end of this month (DH, DS(2), and myself). My son is not a big fan of fireworks--he likes the way they look, but the noise scares him. We are thinking of catching the water parade then staying to watch Wishes at the Polynesian. I know they pump the music in, but my question is can you still hear the explosion of the fireworks or is it pretty much drowned out by the music and distance from MK?

You can still hear the 'pop' of the fireworks - no where NEAR what it is like when you are in the park though. They aren't as loud and it's actually a great way to see the fireworks. My family and I make it a point to do this at least once on our trip. The noise shouldn't scare him at all, it's very faint. Enjoy!

 

[rapunzels]

We will be traveling to WDW the end of this month (DH, DS(2), and myself). My son is not a big fan of fireworks--he likes the way they look, but the noise scares him. We are thinking of catching the water parade then staying to watch Wishes at the Polynesian. I know they pump the music in, but my question is can you still hear the explosion of the fireworks or is it pretty much drowned out by the music and distance from MK?

I think that you will be far enough away for your son to be ok... it's a lot different compared to being right next to them at MK... you could always bring a bucket and shovel and let him play in the sand on the beach while you watch the fireworks if they bother him... playing in the sand may be a distraction for him, while you watch!

 

[OnceUponATime15]

We will be traveling to WDW the end of this month (DH, DS(2), and myself). My son is not a big fan of fireworks--he likes the way they look, but the noise scares him. We are thinking of catching the water parade then staying to watch Wishes at the Polynesian. I know they pump the music in, but my question is can you still hear the explosion of the fireworks or is it pretty much drowned out by the music and distance from MK?

Several posts this past week have said that the Poly is enforcing a "guests only" policy regarding beach access that has apparently always been there but never enforced - til now.

Perhaps because the beach area has been dramatically reduced due to the construction of the DVC Bungalow's.

 

[rapunzels]

Several posts this past week have said that the Poly is enforcing a "guests only" policy regarding beach access that has apparently always been there but never enforced - til now.

Perhaps because the beach area has been dramatically reduced due to the construction of the DVC Bungalow's.

Do you know does that include paying guests that have eaten at the Poly for an ADR?

 

[Qmaz246]

If you can't stay at the Polynesian, or any other lake resorts, you could watch from the TTC. Near the docks for the boats, they play the music in almost perfect unison with the delay.

 

[summerskye]

Several posts this past week have said that the Poly is enforcing a "guests only" policy regarding beach access that has apparently always been there but never enforced - til now.

Perhaps because the beach area has been dramatically reduced due to the construction of the DVC Bungalow's.

This was our day off evening plan. We were planning to take a day off from the parks mid trip. Sleep in, have a late breakfast buffet at the Beach Club, do a little swimming and then head over to the Poly. Ice cream for the kids and adult beverages for mom and dad. Kick back and enjoy the end of a relaxing day with fireworks over the Magic Kingdom...

 

[beakerz]

As the others have stated - you can hear them from the beach, but very much quieter. There's certainly no "thud in your chest" feeling associated with the fireworks from there.

 

[Robo]

If you can't stay at the Polynesian, or any other lake resorts, you could watch from the TTC. Near the docks for the boats, they play the music in almost perfect unison with the delay.

There isn't any "delay" with the fireworks.

The flashes travel at the seed of light, so there's no need to adjust the audio track.

The SOUND of the fireworks themselves can't be adjusted for any delay (as they are simply a physical effect of the explosions) and those booms occur
(reach the areas across the lagoon) quite a bit later than you see the flashes.

 

[bdtracey]

I'd second the view from the TTC. It's actually more centered with Cinderella's castle. If find that while Wishes from Poly is nice because you can sit on loungers on the beach the pictures are a touch off. That's just me being picky I suppose. Plus from the TTC if you're right on the rail on the right hand side (if facing the castle) it's pretty tough for anyone to get in your way.

 

[Robo]

But wait, there's more...

The Beach at the Polynesian Resort offers a great view
of Wishes and other MK Fireworks shows.
They do "pipe in" the audio of the shows.
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.)

To find the "sweet spot" for viewing, stroll along the sidewalk until the Cinderella Castle comes into full view.

Here's a photo I took from the Poly Beach-
MK Fireworks (MVMCP Christmas Finale)

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More Viewing Spots-

You can see them from TTC (they pipe-in the audio from
the show) but you are not allowed to stand in the
Ferry loading area.

You can see them from the boat-dock and an outside
observation deck near Narcoossee's restaurant at the
Grand Floridian. Anyone can stand on Narcoossee's Deck.
The outside deck is not a part of the actual restaurant. (All serving is done inside.)
The deck is accessed from the sidewalk outside the restaurant.
Also, good viewing from the Patio overlooking the Marina.
The sound of the show is piped into these areas too.

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.

(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.

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.

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

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As for viewing from INSIDE the dining area of restaurants
(you usually need ADRs for most, and they are usually busy during the shows)...
you can see (and hear) them at California Grill at Contemporary,
'Ohana at Poly, Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian,
and (if you have access there) the Top of the World at Bay Lake Tower.
----------------------------------

 

[jaykorf001]

We will be traveling to WDW the end of this month (DH, DS(2), and myself). My son is not a big fan of fireworks--he likes the way they look, but the noise scares him. We are thinking of catching the water parade then staying to watch Wishes at the Polynesian. I know they pump the music in, but my question is can you still hear the explosion of the fireworks or is it pretty much drowned out by the music and distance from MK?

My son is the same way -- scared of the noise. We viewed Illuminations from a balcony at WBC and he was still scared of the noise. I'm pretty sure the Poly is closer to MK than WBC is to Epcot. I'm not sure if my experience helps. I will say I didn't think the noise was that loud but once he got worked up about it he had to leave.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[daisymomof4]

Fantastic info Robo!

My DH and I were only just talking about where to watch Wishes from on a non-park night. Now I know my best options

 

[rteetz]

Get your poly firework viewing in while you can reports are with the renovations viewing the fireworks from the beach at the poly is soon going to limited to resort guests only. Outside guests and the public will not be allowed to view fireworks on the beach, no word on how they will enforce this or anything but there is a lot happening at the Polynesian right now.

 

[Robo]

Get your poly firework viewing in while you can reports are with the renovations viewing the fireworks from the beach at the poly is soon going to limited to resort guests only. Outside guests and the public will not be allowed to view fireworks on the beach, no word on how they will enforce this or anything but there is a lot happening at the Polynesian right now.

The perennial rumors fly again.

 

[rteetz]

The perennial rumors fly again.

I wouldn't be surprised with all that is going on at the poly things are crazy there. Most recently they closed the game room and said it will not be returning for good. DVC is going up like wildfire and any day now the GCH will get walls put up.