Fireworks on July 4th at Bay Lake Tower

[DougK]

We have a DVC reservation for a room on July 4th at BLT. Does this guarantee we will be able to watch the fireworks from the roof or is it still on a first come, first served basis whether or not you have a room reservation?

Also has anyone here ever seen the fireworks from the BLT roof on July 4th? How crowded does it get? I believe they don't allow people without room reservations up there on July 4th but I'd like to know what to expect.

Thanks!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It does not guarantee it. If capacity is too high, they can turn you away. It is still first come first serve, but the only ones served MUST have a BLT points reservation. It is a blackout date for all other DVC users.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have seen the fireworks on the third, which is also a blackout date for non BLT people, and we usually go up about 1 1/2 hours before the fireworks. At this time, we have probably been up on a restricted date about 10 times.

The busiest we’ve ever seen it was a NYE when they had a portable bar selling drinks on the deck. We have not ever been turned away with our timeframe.

 

[NS8VN]

The viewing area is pretty sizable, I doubt they turn many people away on blackout dates. Can't say how good the view would be from the back of a crowd up there though so I would take bobbiwoz's lead and get there a bit early.

 

[DenLo]

It seems to me the occupancy level for the outdoor viewing area is something ridiculously high like 300 people. I wouldn't want to be out there when that many people were there. I am fairly short and to see the castle I need to stand against the outer wall. Some of the fireworks are low around the castle. But you can see the high fireworks from anywhere around the platform. Personally I think the elevator lobbies have pretty good views of the fireworks. But I still enjoy the view from our own Theme Park view studio.

 

[bobbiwoz]

It seems to me the occupancy level for the outdoor viewing area is something ridiculously high like 300 people. I wouldn't want to be out there when that many people were there. I am fairly short and to see the castle I need to stand against the outer wall. Some of the fireworks are low around the castle. But you can see the high fireworks from anywhere around the platform. Personally I think the elevator lobbies have pretty good views of the fireworks. But I still enjoy the view from our own Theme Park view studio.

Have never thought to go for theme park view. May try for that in 2019. I agree that the elevator lobbies may be better than back on the platform, but no music.

 

[DenLo]

Have never thought to go for theme park view. May try for that in 2019. I agree that the elevator lobbies may be better than back on the platform, but no music.

Oh that is right, no music. But little children can really see the castle and the fireworks well in the elevator lobbies. The higher the floor the better view.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I felt like I could see the NYE fireworks fairly well from the bridge between BLT and Contemporary. (We were staying at BLT but I think it was on cash, can't remember).

 

[DenLo]

I felt like I could see the NYE fireworks fairly well from the bridge between BLT and Contemporary. (We were staying at BLT but I think it was on cash, can't remember).

I think you can hear the music from the Contemporary Resort there.

 

[justme0729]

On NYE we went to the lounge just 30 minutes before the fireworks thinking we would be turned away. They didn’t even check our card and it wasn’t too busy.

 

[DenLo]

On NYE we went to the lounge just 30 minutes before the fireworks thinking we would be turned away. They didn’t even check our card and it wasn’t too busy.

Really, was your room on the 15th floor? I am really surprised that they didn't check your card. Usually they scan the the magic band which confirms you are staying at BLT on points.