Fireworks viewing outside of parks?

[Born 2B a Princess]

I know Wishes can be watched from the beach at the Poly....but can the IllumiNations fireworks (at least some of them) be seen from anywhere outside the park? How about the Star Wars fireworks? My sister will be in meetings in the evenings during our trip next month and will get out late...she'd like to try to catch at least some of the fireworks but only has one park day....I know she can drive over to the Poly to see Wishes, but what about the others?

 

[Robo]

1. I know Wishes can be watched from the beach at the Poly....
2. but can the IllumiNations fireworks (at least some of them) be seen from anywhere outside the park?
3. How about the Star Wars fireworks? My sister will be in meetings in the evenings during our trip next month and will get out late...she'd like to try to catch at least some of the fireworks but only has one park day....
4. I know she can drive over to the Poly to see Wishes, but what about the others?

1. Not quite as easily as in the past, due to the DVC cabanas built into the water.
(And, recently, the "beaches" have been closed after dark due to the tragic wildlife incident at the Grand Floridian's beach,)
2. Not so much. Really unsatisfying view of only the very few "high-flying" pyro.
3. Yes. The fireworks, but not the "projections" that are now part of the new show.
4. I'd tend to pick a different location to see the MK fireworks than the Poly beach.

------------------------------
3. DHS: Right outside the gates, or...
Good views along the plum-colored pathway inside the area that I shaded in green on the map below.

4. 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.

You can see them from the boat-dock and an outside
observation deck near Narcoossee's restaurant at the Grand Floridian.
There is rumored soon to be a paid "Wishes Dessert Party" that will be held on that boat dock.
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.

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.)

(Fireworks shown above are simulated.)

 

[Shanti]

There is rumored soon to be a paid "Wishes Dessert Party" that will be held on that boat dock.

Pay an upcharge to stand around on a boat dock, outside the park?

 

[Robo]

Pay an upcharge to stand around on a boat dock, outside the park?

Yup.
But, I figure that if it was going to happen, it would have started already (for the summer.)
Maybe they decided it was not such a great plan.
Or, maybe it is still in the works.
Stay tuned.

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

1. Not quite as easily as in the past, due to the DVC cabanas built into the water.
(And, recently, the "beaches" have been closed after dark due to the tragic wildlife incident at the Grand Floridian's beach,)
2. Not so much. Really unsatisfying view of only the very few "high-flying" pyro.
3. Yes. The fireworks, but not the "projections" that are now part of the new show.
4. I'd tend to pick a different location to see the MK fireworks than the Poly beach.

------------------------------
3. DHS: Right outside the gates, or...
Good views along the plum-colored pathway inside the area that I shaded in green on the map below.

4. 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.

You can see them from the boat-dock and an outside
observation deck near Narcoossee's restaurant at the Grand Floridian.
There is rumored soon to be a paid "Wishes Dessert Party" that will be held on that boat dock.
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.

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.)

(Fireworks shown above are simulated.)

This is so helpful! Thank you!

Can anyone use the 4th floor observation deck at the Contemporary?

 

[Robo]

Can anyone use the 4th floor observation deck at the Contemporary?

Yes.

 

[katethegreat24]

This is so helpful! Thank you!

Can anyone use the 4th floor observation deck at the Contemporary?

The last time I watched from here, the music was not piped in. Maybe this has changed recently?

 

[Robo]

The last time I watched from here, the music was not piped in. Maybe this has changed recently?

Like anything at WDW, things can change. First one way, then another, then back.

 

[cleophus12]

The new Star Wars fireworks are a must do from inside the park IMO. The music is awesome and the projections are quite something. Illuminations can be seen from the upper floors of the Fifties building at Pop Century, but you can't hear the music. Illuminations has always been my favorite, but if I had to choose one to see from inside the park these days, it would be Star Wars.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree
Both Illuminations and the Star Wars Galactic are Way More than fireworks. and the best parts are only visible inside the park. I would not make the effort to go somewhere just to be disappointed.

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

Thanks. I'm not planning to watch from outside the parks. But my sister is there for three days but, due to her convention, only has one day of park tickets and she's using that on MK. So I'm trying to find out if there are places outside the parks she can see any of the fireworks, since her convention commitments will wrap up in time for he to see the fireworks if she wanted to try to do so.

 

[phillymummer]

Sorry to hi-jack the thread, but I don't want to start a new one....

Where would be good places to watch both the fireworks (with music) and the water pageant parade?

 

[Robo]

Sorry to hi-jack the thread, but I don't want to start a new one....

Where would be good places to watch both the fireworks (with music) and the water pageant parade?

TTC

 

[phillymummer]

Thanks Robo!

 

[KaSe]

We stood outside DHS, leaning against the railing part of the topiary to watch the Star Wars fireworks in July. It was a GREAT location! You couldn't see the projections inside the park very well, but you could hear the music, see the fireworks, the lasers, the balls of fire ... Seriously, we loved it. If you can't be IN the park (which, yeah, is gonna be the best place), this was a good place to be.