Is it possible to view Wishes or Illuminations without park entry?

[wahoo1]

We are arriving at WDW a couple days before we plan to hit the parks--my youngest son and I plan to resort hop and just view the Christmas decorations (especially the GF 'cuz I make a gingerbread house every year).

I was wondering if it is possible to view Wishes or Illuminations without burning a day on our hopper passes? Where from? We are staying at the Dolphin and I have requested a room so that we might be able to see Illuminations from our hotel room. I read somewhere the gates to WS are opened up around 9 pm so you can watch Illuminations without using your Hopper passes--is this correct? We don't really care if we have fantastic viewing--just killing some time before we actually start park hopping.

Does the Electric Water pageant go every night? Where would be a good spot to view this from?

Thanks,
Beth

 

[Bracho]

Wishes can be seen from the Polynesian and Contemporary

 

[DMRick]

A lot of wishes can be seen while out on the boat between MK and the campground, as well as near the boat launch. Some of illuminations can be seen from the bridge between Beach Club and Boardwalk..near the back entrance to Epcot.

 

[fizz13]

I heard that a great place to watch Wishes was on the boat between MK and TTC. I even heard they pipe in the music, but I'm not sure if this is true or not. The beach of the monorail resorts sounds nice, maybe with a cocktail in hand, swinging on a hammock.....mmmmm

 

[sunking]

To view Wishes, go to the Contemporary Resort and head up to the observation deck at California Grill. From there you can watch Wishes while hearing the music/narration piped in over speaker.

Now, some will tell you that this is no longer allowed unless you have a PS for California Grill but my family does this all of the time as our "first night" tradition and have never had a problem. Just exit the elevator and head to the left. Never a problem. We have never seen anyone turned away and if we have been out on the observation deck with more then 20 other people I would be suprised.

Have fun!!!!
Sunking

 

[sunking]

Sorry for posting again but I wanted to also explain that you can see the fireworks that are in the air above Illuminations from most anywhere around the Boardwalk area but you will not see most of the show as it is on the water. I have also never heard that the gate to Epcot are opened to allow people in to view the show without showing their pass. If someone can confirm/deny this, it would be appreciated.

 

[CarolA]

The Califorina Grill observation deck is now off limits unless you are eating there (which makes sense). They now have a dedicated elevator to the Grill and you have to have a reservation to get on the elevator.

There is another spot someplace at the CR (Not sure where, hopefully someone else will post)

The boat dock from the TTC is actually a good spot too.

 

[sunking]

When did they start with the dedicated elevator? We were there in June/July and had no problems just taking the elevator up and walking over to the observation deck.

 

[Geoff_M]

From the June 21 "WDW Park Update" from MousePlanet:

…Last Monday, a new check-in procedure was instituted for diners at the California Grill. Check-in for the restaurant now takes place at a podium on the second floor of the Contemporary Resort. Diners are then escorted by a cast member to an elevator reserved for California Grill patrons only.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/parkupdates/wdw/wdw040621.htm

 

[leebee]

I think if you go up one level from Chef Mickey's you can go out on to an observation deck to see Wishes (I think this is the same level as the monorail stop). In fact, pretty much any place from the water or beaches around Seven Seas Lagoon/Bay Lake provides viewing for Wishes. Electrical Water pageant starts at 9pm nightly at the Poly, runs to GF, etc., ending at Contemporary around 10. We watch from the dock behind the Contemporary (out beyond the pool). Let's see...last 2 times I was at Boardwalk on non-park day, couldn't get into Epcot for Illum. without using park pass.

 

[kda]

Over a year ago I asked the question about free admission to Epcot just to see Illuminations and was told it stopped many years ago (? 6-8 yrs ago ----- that's just a guess on my part).
As others have said, the bridges are OK to see the upper fireworks, but never heard of a place that you could also see the activity on the lake. There may be periods of several minutes when there's no upper fireworks, but it's still good to see them.

Others have posted there's an observation deck on the 4th or 5th floor of the CR to view Wishes. Ask when you go there. (We went up to the CG decks when that was allowed, so don't know about this one.) If you're going soon, on a night when MVMCP is being held, that's awesome to see from outside the parks. I think it's at 9:15.