July 4

[rmb]

This will be our first visit to WDW during July. I made ps for 1900 park fare that evening thinking we could watch the fireworks from the beach - how does this plan sound to all you July 4th disney veterans?

 

[Beanie]

I am not a July 4th veteran, but this sounds like a wonderful plan to me!! What a great way to enjoy Fourth of July!!

 

[madcoco]

Sounds great! We will be next door at Sunset Pointe at the Polynesian. Enjoy your stay!

 

[beachbunny]

Are you staying at a lagoon resort? In past years, they've checked resort ID's on the beach on July 4. Only lagoon resort people were allowed to stay. I'd make an early reservation at a restaurant with a fireworks view and wait for a window seat.

 

[rmb]

We are staying at Y&B Club -I tried making a reservations at Califiornia Grill, but it was already sold out (or that's what they told me.)

 

[beachbunny]

Yeah, California Grill has some event going on - cost is about $150 per person. And they're sold out? Wow!

Y&B Club ID won't let you stay on the Seven Seas Lagoon beach if they're checking ID's. I don't know if you want to risk it. How about Ohana's or Narcoosee's? They both have nice views of MK.

 

[rmb]

Great! I'll change my priority seating! Your the best!

 

[madcoco]

Out of the last 5 years at WDW over the 4th, We have been to the CG party twice and the Polynesian the other 3 times. Loved the food and wine and the view for the fireworks from CG but didn't particularily care for the entertainment. They were not checking IDs last year at the Polynesian (at least around Sunset Pointe) We had PS at 'Ohana at opening and couldn't believe how the beach area started to fill up at only 430PM. People were staking out spots early. It gets jammed packed. If they were checking IDs at the beach it had to be hard to do. Imho I don't see them kicking people out of the resort for fireworks time if they have a PS at one of the restaurants. Knock on Wood.
This was taken at around 430PM on the 4th. (Date is off app one day on Camera)

Don't know if this will work but here is a link to a bigger view:
Polynesian Beach 4th of July

 

[Braque]

rmb - Don't be discouraged from going to GF and 1900 Park Fare. We did this in 2000 and it was great - a nice view of the MK fireworks, with an identical show right off the pier and the electrical water pageant after. It was very nice.

We are going again this year and I was worried about what to do, with the reports of CM's checking resort ID's. Call the GF Guest Services directly - I did. They confirmed that if you have a PS for 1900 Park fare you can stay on the property, walk around, shop and view the fireworks - on the fourth, even if you are not staying at the GF.

You just can't park your vehicle there.

It is a nice, uncrowded spot. Bring a poncho to sit upon as the grass can be wet - and, maybe - I'll see you there this year!

 

[madcoco]

It is a nice, uncrowded spot.

Braque Uh Oh now you let the secret out.

 

[rmb]

Thanks everyone for the passing on your secrets We go to the Super Soap weekend and Christmas events if I can ever help anyone.

 

[dumbo33]

excellent idea. You surely don't want to be in the park during the fireworks. We were also thinking of going else where either to watch them or go to another park like Epcot. We haven't seen the Epcot fireworks on the 4th yet so that will be different. WE are always caught in the mess at the MK. Since we have seen it many times before, then it won't hurt us if we miss it this year. I think you will really enjoy the fireworks from the beach. You could see everything that you can't see in the park, I personally think it would be better outside the park.

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by madcoco
They were not checking IDs last year at the Polynesian (at least around Sunset Pointe) We had PS at 'Ohana at opening and couldn't believe how the beach area started to fill up at only 430PM. People were staking out spots early. It gets jammed packed.

Hopefully enough Polynesian guests complained about that fiasco last year that they will put a stop to it this year.

 

[jane51]

We were at WDW July 4th a few years ago and tried to watch from mainstreet in MK, but it was literally shoulder to shoulder people. We got claustrophobia and left. When we got off the ferry, there were a few people standing on the ferry dock to watch the fireworks from there. Since it was almost time to start, we decided to give it a try. They were great! They even set off fireworks on either side of MK around that side of the lagoon! So we got to see more than people in the park. We did notice that there were a lot of people on the beach at Poly.

 

[S. C.]

We have a p.s. for chef mickeys on the 4th and thought we might watch from the observation deck. If this is too crowded does anyone know if you can see the fireworks very good from the grounds there, or does the trees block alot of it.

I don't want to stand shoulder to shoulder to watch fireworks. and don't want to stake out a place at 4:30, Too many other things to do besides sit for hours waiting for fireworks.

I read that sorcerer in the sky is also very good. this will be our first fourth in disney and really want to see MK fireworks.

 

[Braque]

Madcoco - I KNEW I shoulda' kept my mouth shut

These threads and posts warning guests to stay away from the Poly are not right. I urge anyone concerned to call the resort directly and ask them. You can find the number on this site. If you have a PS reservation for dinner, can you stay on-site and view the fireworks. One CM I spoke with had never even heard of the practice of checking resort ID's. Just be courteous people, don't block the patios of resort guests and don't take their furniture - common sense, really.

We watched Illuminations on July 4th in 2001. Epcot is large enough so that you don't have to stake out a spot starting at 3PM, and is large enough to absorb a lot a people. The characters at the US Pavillion, were all dressed in revolutionary costumes and they had special crafts to do for the kids. We made popsicle stick Uncle Sams. They do a special fireworks show 'to honor America' after the regular Illuminations show. It was great.

We saw the show close to the boat ramp area at the International Gateway and hopped into a boat to escape to the Boardwalk to avoid the crazy crowds exiting.

With Sorcery in the Sky at MGM, there are a lot a good choices for the 4th this year.

 

[S. C.]

Braque

When you called did they say if there is a time limit on how long you can be there? Seems i read somewhere that you are allowed to stay 3 hrs if you have a p.s. This doesn't seem like much time to eat and watch the fireworks too. GF and parkfare sounds to be a better choice for us considering all the people from CG will also want to view from the observation deck.

 

[S. C.]

LOL.....Looks like we were posting at the same time.

With all the choices for all these great fireworks We will just have to go 3 july 4ths in a row & see them all.

 

[Braque]

S.C.-

My computer fritzed otherwise I would have beaten your last post

There is a time limit only for parking on-site.

BUT, we were told that the resort will likely be at capacity and there is a strong possibility that there will not be any available space for PS parking so don't bring your car.

I reconfirmed: If you have a PS for dinner, you can stay as long as you like and walk around, eat dinner, hopefully SHOP and watch the fireworks.

BUT, you don't want to try the GF, it's so nasty and buggy there!

 

[w8ting4pooh]

How is the view from the TTC (or the ferry dock) as compared to the Poly beaches?

We have 7:45 PS for O'Hanas. We'll be able to see the fireworks from the Poly. We're staying @ the Dolphin. We'd like to get back to see Illuminations at 10 from our suite. I was thinking of just watching from near the TTC and racing back to the Dolphin.

Is this a good idea or is the Poly a more "magical" place to see FIS?