MK Fireworks from CR Deck or Poly Beach

[jillyjill]

I can't decide which location would be the best for veiwing the fireworks.
Which would have less of a crowd? which would be better view? We're going in late Sept and staying on site. Hoping to make FWorks viewing as festive as possible. Kids have been twice and missed the show both times.

Anyone have an opinion?

Thanks JJ
'77 WDW HS Sr Trip LBV
'80 DL College Choir Trip offsite
'83 DL We moved to Calif DLH
'90 DL Last visit when Moving back to Pa DLH
'90 WDW Mom's first trip CBR
'01 WDW With the kiddies CR/AKL
'04 WDW With friends and our kids get on the MNSSHP Float
'09 WDW Now with our teenagers CSR

 

[Diznotyzed]

We have viewed the fireworks from both of these locations, and for me the atmosphere from the Poly beach was more enchanting. We weren't as bunched up with other people, although there's certainly plenty around at both places, and being beside the lagoon was just lovely.

 

[jillyjill]

I think I would really prefer the open feeling the beach would provide and our toes in the sand, etc. I've heard that the music is almost un-hearable at the beach. Was this the case when you viewed from there? If so, did it take away much from the feeling?

I'm thinking I may cancel our Calif Grill reservation and just relax by the beach.

Any other opinions?

thanks JJ

 

[Indio]

We were at the Poly last week and I never heard the music from the beach when the fireworks were going off. We heard the music during the Electric Water Parade, but not during fireworks.

 

[Diznotyzed]

The most recent time we were there we made sure we were near a working speaker, and while the music wasn't exactly loud we could hear it. Other times we've been farther down the beach away from the crowds where we couldn't hear the music, but I still enjoyed the show there.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would recommend the 4th floor observation deck at the Contemporary because it's the closest you can get to watching Wishes without actually being inside the Magic Kingdom, since the Contemporary is located right next to it. Also the music is piped into that location and you will have no problems hearing being played.

 

[jrc-elpaso]

I would recommend the 4th floor observation deck at the Contemporary because it's the closest you can get to watching Wishes without actually being inside the Magic Kingdom, since the Contemporary is located right next to it. Also the music is piped into that location and you will have no problems hearing being played.

How crowded is the deck? I want to get pictures so that means a spot to set up my tripod.

 

[swald91]

Poly beach for sure!!! Although last year we could hardly hear the music pumped through the speakers

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

How crowded is the deck? I want to get pictures so that means a spot to set up my tripod.

When the Magic Kingdom has regular Wishes I would say they get a fair amount of people out there, although I can not guess a specific number. However for special fireworks it will get a lot more crowded which is why you should show up at least 30 minutes or more before, because they only two benches at the front and that would be your best view.

 

[lpizzuro123]

While you are closer at the Contemporary, the deck on the 4th floor is generally crowded and most people talk the whole time. We have watched Wishes there a few times but really never enjoy it.

Our favorite place is from the beach at the Poly. In order to hear the music you need to stand near the walkway. If you walk out to the beach from the main lobby, you need to go past the pool and head to the right. Do not go too far. We usually sit on the curb with our feet in the sand. The music there is not loud but the view is much better.

When you watch Wishes from the Contemporary it looks like the fireworks are going off to the side of the castle. When you watch from the Poly, as the castle is directly in front of you, it looks like the fireworks are going off all around the castle - the same view as you would have from Main Street - just further away.

Linda

 

[standleyent1]

I think I would really prefer the open feeling the beach would provide and our toes in the sand, etc. I've heard that the music is almost un-hearable at the beach. Was this the case when you viewed from there? If so, did it take away much from the feeling?

I'm thinking I may cancel our Calif Grill reservation and just relax by the beach.

Any other opinions?

thanks JJ

IMHO I would keep my ressie at the Contemporary because there is nothing like the view from the observation deck and like the op said they pipe the music directly to deck. The food at the Cali Grill is awesome as well and a very relaxing mood is set leading up to the fireworks. You will have the opportunity to set up an tri-pod at the north end of the deck and get some beautiful shots of the castle with the fireworks as well as the castle by itself.
Whatever you choose remember,
Have Fun!!

 

[deej696]

My ranks would be 1) deck outside Cali Grill 2) Poly Beach 3) 4th floor deck at CR....

 

[Dimmsdale]

DH, DD and I stayed at the Poly late last Oct and watched the fireworks 5 of 7 nights from a VERY uncrowded Poly beach. Beach bar was still open for a glass of wine/beer and you could sit on lounges, the sand or hammocks (only a few of those) We loved it - like old fashioned 4th of July - you see all the shapes and colors. Yes you won't hear the music. Having been in the park this past March just off the hub for fireworks, I'd take them on the Poly beach over the park any day. Probably not the general opinion around here but that's what we enjoyed

 

[Dimmsdale]

Just remembered - depending on timing, yours and the park's you might catch the Electrical Water Pagent before the fireworks. Again a bit old fashioned, I believe it's been around since the Poly and MK opened, but fun.

 

[MissionMouse]

Personally, we find the best viewing spots to watch Wishes to be down Main Street before the circle. Once you get outside the park the intensity starts to drop off dramatically, but I would select the CR location.

 

[vettegirl]

The Poly beach is so magical and the water parade is way too cute.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

IMHO I would keep my ressie at the Contemporary because there is nothing like the view from the observation deck and like the op said they pipe the music directly to deck. The food at the Cali Grill is awesome as well and a very relaxing mood is set leading up to the fireworks. You will have the opportunity to set up an tri-pod at the north end of the deck and get some beautiful shots of the castle with the fireworks as well as the castle by itself.
Whatever you choose remember,
Have Fun!!

Don't forget that the only guests who are allowed to watch Wishes from the California Grill are guests who had dinner that evening. So it's nothing like the 4th floor observation deck where anyone can watch from there and I think they have a lot more room then the 4th floor observation deck.

 

[1hero2princesses]

Sorry to hijack but does anyone know how often the electric water pagent parade thing runs these days? Is it listed on the caladar to know the days?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Sorry to hijack but does anyone know how often the electric water pagent parade thing runs these days? Is it listed on the caladar to know the days?

Weather permiting it happens 365 days a year and here is a link to the schedule.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours.htm#water

 

[Robo]

Sorry to hijack but does anyone know how often the electric water pagent parade thing runs these days? Is it listed on the caladar to know the days?

Every night.

http://allearsnet.com/tp/ewp.htm

Although Electrical Water Pageant generally follows the schedule below, check with the Guest Services Desk at your Magic Kingdom Resort for times during your stay. Inclement weather can cause cancellation of the pageant.

Polynesian Resort -- 9 p.m.
Grand Floridian -- 9:15 p.m.
Wilderness Lodge -- 9:35 p.m.
Fort Wilderness -- 9:45 p.m.
Contemporary Resort -- 10:05 p.m.
Magic Kingdom -- 10:20 p.m. (only during extended MK park hours)

Note that when the Magic Kingdom Fireworks are scheduled for 9 p.m., the Electrical Water Pageant runs about 7-20 minutes later.