July 4th info & advice-Fireworks

[famy27]

New plan. Just grabbed a 9:05 reservation for Narcoosees for July 3. Since they tell you to check in at least 15 minutes early, will we be able to check in and then go directly to the porch viewing area?

 

[Robo]

New plan. Just grabbed a 9:05 reservation for Narcoosees for July 3. Since they tell you to check in at least 15 minutes early, will we be able to check in and then go directly to the porch viewing area?

Yes.
And, I would not wait until "15 minutes before" to check-in.

Arrive at least 45 min. early, check-in and get ready to see the fireworks.

Everything (EVERYTHING) will be busier, more congested, slower to traverse, and more difficult to maneuver on July 3rd & 4th.
Allow much more time than you normally would.
It is better to arrive far too early, than to arrive one minute too late.

 

[need2travel]

My DH still wants to see the MK fireworks on the 3rd at the Poly. From everything posted here I've told him the Poly Beach will be crazy crowded. I'm still thinking Fort Wilderness beach w/ the obstructed view-anyone want to weigh in on if that view is decent/good? I know Robo posted some great pics from all angles but I'm still trying to pull my plans together. Decisions decisions (but oh so fun

 

[Prissyms]

Hey Jayhawk!!!We'll be at BWI for the that week also. We've gone back and forward with which firework show to see and when to see them. We final decided, we're just going to pay for the Illumination cruise for the 4th and be done. Our original plan was to go the Poly beach and watch then go to Ohana's for our 9:50 ADR. But after reading about the crowd at the beach and having to eat at 10:00 we changed that plan. Hope see you guys at BWI.

 

[need2travel]

bump

 

[need2travel]

bump

 

[maxiesmom]

My DH still wants to see the MK fireworks on the 3rd at the Poly. From everything posted here I've told him the Poly Beach will be crazy crowded. I'm still thinking Fort Wilderness beach w/ the obstructed view-anyone want to weigh in on if that view is decent/good? I know Robo posted some great pics from all angles but I'm still trying to pull my plans together. Decisions decisions (but oh so fun

If you are not staying at the Poly there is a good chance you won't be allowed onto the beach. Not to mention getting there would be a pain in the rear.

 

[famy27]

We revised our plan yet again. Now we are doing:

July 2nd--day at EP for new Soarin', then hopping to HS for the SW fireworks
July 3rd--day at HS with the DVC Party at Contemporary for the fireworks
July 4th--EP for FEA then heading home

We'll be cancelling our Narcoosee's reservation. I'll post that on the cancellation board.

 

[AquaDame]

DVC party sounds like a great idea! Since we are not DVC I'll be trying to hustle for a spot in the lounge at Poly still... hopefully since we are also trying to see the fireworks on the 3rd it wont be *quite* so nuts... on the 4th we want to go to Epcot (have my FP+ for Illuminations) and on the 2nd we have a dinner package at Tiffin's to see the Jungle Book show that is temporarily taking over for the delayed RoL. I wish I had just one more night for the SW fireworks...

 

[need2travel]

Has anyone out there seen the MK fireworks from the 4th floor observation area at the Contemporary? Or the beach at Fort Wilderness? How about the patio outside the Grand Floridian? I've ruled out watching the 7/3 MK fireworks from the Poly beach & from inside the MK. Now I need to find another location (doesn't need to be a "perfect" view). Opinions please!!!

 

[Robo]

Has anyone out there seen the MK fireworks from the 4th floor observation area at the Contemporary? Or the beach at Fort Wilderness? How about the patio outside the Grand Floridian? I've ruled out watching the 7/3 MK fireworks from the Poly beach & from inside the MK. Now I need to find another location (doesn't need to be a "perfect" view). Opinions please!!!

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 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.

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.

(The audio of the fireworks show is also piped in to these locations.)

(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 need ADRs, and most are usually busy during the shows)...

you can see (and hear) them at California Grill at Contemporary,

'Ohana at the Poly, at Trader Sam's and Trader Sam's outdoor patio at the Poly, Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian,

and (if you have access there) the Top of the World at Bay Lake Tower.

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

 

[spideyspence]

Great thread. Thanks for all the insight. Now I'm even more undecided. Trying to decide if the four of us are going to MK on July 4 or 2. (7th trip for us to Disney!)

FP+ for July 2 are all gone at MK until 11:30am or later while on July 4 they are still available for 9 and 9:30am? Does anyone think this means Monday July 4 will be better than Saturday July 2? It doesn't make sense to me as we've never gone on July 4.

Thanks for any insight.