July 3rd FW question please

[jimandami]

Hi all! We are thinking of taking a no parks trip to WDW for a few days the week of July 4th. We would like to watch the MK fireworks from outside the park on the 3rd. I found ADRs available at both O'hana and a couple of the GF restaurants, so I thought we might eat, hang out with a drink, and watch the FW. We would prefer the Poly beach but I have recently heard you have to be a guest to watch the FW from there, and I would think they might be particularly strict on the 3rd and 4th? Would we be better off trying the GF?

 

[Robo]

Hi all! We are thinking of taking a no parks trip to WDW for a few days the week of July 4th. We would like to watch the MK fireworks from outside the park on the 3rd. I found ADRs available at both O'hana and a couple of the GF restaurants, so I thought we might eat, hang out with a drink, and watch the FW. We would prefer the Poly beach but I have recently heard you have to be a guest to watch the FW from there, and I would think they might be particularly strict on the 3rd and 4th? Would we be better off trying the GF?

The new DVC construction is limiting the amount of Poly Beach right now.
I'd avoid the Poly on the 3rd and 4th (this year.)


You can see the MK fireworks 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.

----------------------------------

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, and Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian,
and (if you have access there) the Top of the World at Bay Lake Tower.
----------------------------------

 

[disney meema]

From what I've been reading Grand Floridian May be best this 4th of July for a few reasons ... Poly construction and I read a few reports of Contemporary asking to see proof that your staying at their resort to watch for the beach area.

 

[jimandami]

Thank you both!!

 

[sdjess]

Curious as to what time the fireworks will be on July 3rd.

 

[jimandami]

Curious as to what time the fireworks will be on July 3rd.

9:00 I believe!

 

[ksrogers]

Is there still the projection show with these special fire works? How different are these fireworks from wishes and what would you consider better?

 

[Robo]

1. Is there still the projection show with these special fire works?

2. How different are these fireworks from wishes and

3. what would you consider better?

1. Yes.
2. Very.
3. July 3 & 4 Special Fwx are far more spectacular!

 

[Traveliz]

From what I've been reading Grand Floridian May be best this 4th of July for a few reasons ... Poly construction and I read a few reports of Contemporary asking to see proof that your staying at their resort to watch for the beach area.

Contemporary Beach would not have a fireworks view. I am confused here.

Liz

 

[TJA]

I think with the Poly beach area limited now due to the bungalows, Poly will have to consider reserving the available space for Poly guests. Last year, the Poly was an absolute mob zone and there were many Poly guests upset at paying the premium price to stay at Poly and then not being able to enjoy watching the show....so who knows what will happen this year! We will be there again -- the Wishes show is indeed spectacular during the 4th of July week! If we weren't staying at Poly, I'd take the advice of Robo above and utilize one of those spots -- depending on where we are, maybe I'd made ADR's at California Grill because the view from there is fabulous! Or if we're in transit, then maybe we'd just watch them from TTC.

 

[TJA]

Oh -- just wanted to add, that's almost unheard of to find ADR's available at Ohana at this late date, especially for July 3! I might be inclined to grab it. Being that you dined at Poly, surely you'd have access to view Wishes from somewhere there -- even from inside Ohana.

 

[Robo]

Contemporary Beach would not have a fireworks view. I am confused here.

Liz

Me, too.

 

[kidd_freeper]

In 2010, we had 3rd floor MK view of the July 4 fireworks.

Breathtaking.
Best fireworks show ever. The music is a big part of the show. The music is pretty loud though.

In 2011, we stayed offsite. Tried to watch the July 4 FW from the Poly.
First, car traffic was really bad.
Second, the Poly beach was jam-packed.

As Robo's maps show, the Poly has, by far, the biggest viewing area outside the parks.

If they are closing this off, the overflow to the other areas will be ridiculous.
Unless you can get to a good spot at the GF before 6pm (for a 9pm FW show), you might want to try the beach to the left of the Poly, or maybe even the bus lot to the east of the TTC (ot Topiary Lane). The CM lot at Ft. Wilderness Lodge might provide good viewing, but I don't think it has the music.

 

[goofyashlandguy]

I read somewhere that the Magic Kingdom 4th of july fireworks can be seen from the 1st until the 7th. Not sure if this is totally correct, but I will be there from the 2nd til the 7th so if someone can confirm this it would be appreciated. Also, what about the special fireworks along with Illuminations and at the Studios, I head that each would have an extended show, but are they only on the 4th. Trying to plan to see them all if possible. someone in the know please help. Thanks

 

[jimandami]

I read somewhere that the Magic Kingdom 4th of july fireworks can be seen from the 1st until the 7th. Not sure if this is totally correct, but I will be there from the 2nd til the 7th so if someone can confirm this it would be appreciated. Also, what about the special fireworks along with Illuminations and at the Studios, I head that each would have an extended show, but are they only on the 4th. Trying to plan to see them all if possible. someone in the know please help. Thanks

If I'm not mistaken, those fireworks (1-7th) were only last year for Limited Time Magic. This year, they will only be on the 3rd and 4th at MK. I have read that many people recommend seeing the MK fireworks on the 3rd. Then, on the 4th, you can watch the Epcot fireworks from the bridge between England and France, then go out the International Gateway and head to the beach at the BC. You can see the DHS fireworks from there.

 

[Robo]

If I'm not mistaken,

1. those fireworks (1-7th) were only last year for Limited Time Magic.

2. This year, they will only be on the 3rd and 4th at MK. I have read that

3. many people recommend seeing the MK fireworks on the 3rd. Then,

4. on the 4th, you can watch the Epcot fireworks from the bridge between England and France, then

5. go out the International Gateway and head to the beach at the BC. You can see the DHS fireworks from there.

1. Correct.
2. Correct.
3. Correct.
4. Correct. (Or at UK.)
5. Correct. (If the timing works out.)

 

[goofyashlandguy]

If I'm not mistaken, those fireworks (1-7th) were only last year for Limited Time Magic. This year, they will only be on the 3rd and 4th at MK. I have read that many people recommend seeing the MK fireworks on the 3rd. Then, on the 4th, you can watch the Epcot fireworks from the bridge between England and France, then go out the International Gateway and head to the beach at the BC. You can see the DHS fireworks from there.

Thanks, I had originally planned to see the Magic Kingdom fireworks on the 3rd but was not sure how to handle the EPCOT and DHS on the 4th. That sounds like a great plan. My DW and I will try to work it out as suggested. Again Thanks

 

[Traveliz]

Sunday night I went out scoping Fireworks spots for this year. I typically go to the Poly but have been there several times in the past few months and am not impressed by the construction. I did go Sunday night to see what I thought and I honestly can't imagine Poly guests wanting to watch the fireworks from there on the 3rd or 4th but of course some will. At no time on this regular old evening did anyone ask to see my wristband or proof of Poly guest as some are reporting as happening now. I then went over to check out the TTC viewing area and thought that was ok but it's soooo bright that sort of takes away from the experience in my opinion.

This week I think I will walk from the Poly to the GF during the fireworks and see what I think about that as an option. And then I will check out the GF marina area to see what I think of that spot.

Sure will be a different experience this year.

Liz

 

[kidd_freeper]

Sunday night I went out scoping Fireworks spots for this year. I typically go to the Poly but have been there several times in the past few months and am not impressed by the construction. I did go Sunday night to see what I thought and I honestly can't imagine Poly guests wanting to watch the fireworks from there on the 3rd or 4th but of course some will. At no time on this regular old evening did anyone ask to see my wristband or proof of Poly guest as some are reporting as happening now. I then went over to check out the TTC viewing area and thought that was ok but it's soooo bright that sort of takes away from the experience in my opinion.

This week I think I will walk from the Poly to the GF during the fireworks and see what I think about that as an option. And then I will check out the GF marina area to see what I think of that spot.

Sure will be a different experience this year.

Liz

Thank you so much for doing this!

How about the Poly beach area between the Poly and GF?
The bus area ot the TTC?
How about the Fort Wildreness Lodge CM parking lot?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . July 3 & 4 Special Fwx are far more sectacular!

And almost religious, they are so inspiring.