Need help from Disney pros!

[Jessalyn]

Hey all!

I am going to Disney on Wednesday! I cant believe the time is FINALLY coming! I cant wait!

Anyways, I need some advice. Can anyone suggest a good place to watch Wishes? Also, Illuminations?

I was also wondering if there are any beaches at hotels that we can go on? Do you need to be staying at that hotel or can anyone go? Can you see Wishes or Illuminations from any of these beaches? I am looking for some romance here haha!

I am feeling pretty sick but I hope I feel better in time to go, but I am gonna make the most of it anyways! Thanks everyone!

Oh also, will any XMas decorations still be up from January 5th to the 12th? Also we have two days that we are completely free and not going to any parks. We are def going to the boardwalk, but can we go to other hotels and look around and stuff? Thanks!

 

[LovePug]

You can see Wishes from the Fort Wilderness Campground beach quite nicely. I'm not sure if you have to be a resort guest there, or not, though.

 

[spiceycat]

the polyn beach is nice to watch wishes from.

if you are staying on WDW property there is not a charge - if not then you need to tell the guard at the front gate (this is MK) that you are going to the Polyn.

then tell the guard at the Polyn that you are thinking of staying here sometime and would like to look around - if this doesn't work - come back the next night with a PS restuarant reservation - I like the Kona Cafe.

now you can see some of the fireworks at Illiuninations from the upper walkway - close to the BC - but more on the BW side (not really but there is nothing there). the beaches at BC are too low to see the fireworks well.

if you are in the parks - I like the Fantasyland area for Wishes (although this has become very, very crowded), also the restuarant - it between tomorrowland and the main street, I also found the area around restrooms in Mickey's land is nice.

at Epcot I like the area between Mexico and Norway - but this now fills up fast - however - test the wind - you want it blowing away from you and generally in this location it does.

I don't like the main location at World Showcase Plaza area - the winds generally blows directly at you - however my needs might not be yours.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

You can watch wishes from either the boat dock at the GF or the Marina. It you watch it at the marina they have chairs and table set up in front of Gasparilla's so you can have a snack or a drink while enjoying the fireworks. Have fun.

 

[rob'n]

We had a great view of Illuminations from our seats at Rose and Crown in the UK. When we checked in we asked if it would be possible to be seated at a location to view the show...they were so nice and did just that! We were there in Oct...I would imagine that you might have a better chance of getting great seats at the time of your visit. I have heard that is a great time to go.

We watched Wishes from the restaurant between Main Street and Tomorrowland. Tink flew straight at us!! We loved this show and bought the cd and listen to it daily in our van! I have successfully transformed all three of my kiddies into big time WDW fans!!

We are sending you lots of pixie dust for a magical amd memorable trip!!

Robin

 

[aec]

If you want to watch wishes from the beach at the POLY and don't have a PS at a POLY resteraunt, I would recommend getting there by monorail from magic kingdom or TTC. It would ruin the romance to have a hassle with the parking attendant!

 

[sunny04]

A definite NO spot for Wishes is on the bridge towards tomorrowland. For some reason, we've heard it was great and tried it this trip. Yes, you can see the fireworks wonderfully -- but they are planned around the castle and you miss the entire effect. Terrible!! We usually sit on the sidewalk of Main Street in front of Casey's Corner -- my husband gets us hot dogs and fries from Casey's to eat while we wait. Excellent spot.

Illuminations we always sit just between Norway and Mexico. It's an excellent spot, and we have always ended up right up at the railing, although maybe we were lucky.

 

[lllovell]

I am with you on the viewing spot no no for Wishes (the bridge). We were sadly disappointed when we tried it there as well. Its worth it to slip down closer to main street.

Illuminations are great in Mexico but we have also watched from either side of America and were thrilled there as well. Maybe we have been lucky and have just not gotten a bad spot yet.

 

[KilleriMac17]

last year I watched wishes from the upper path near the rose garden, right on the side of the castle, saw all the fireworks, and also the things they shine on the castle as well. at epcot, I saw it on this part that sticks out in the water, dont remember where it actually was, but just past a bridge i think, PAL MICKEY actually told me to watch it there and it was good.

 

[JCTigger]

if you want a really nice place to watch Wishes then get a PS at the california grill like a half hour before wishes starts and when you get there see if they ahve anything close to the windows so you can have a wonderful dinner while you are watching the fireworks

 

[eeyore0062]

Yes, there are beaches, yes you can go on the beaches and see Wishes.. They are best seen from the Beach at The Polynesian. You may also be able to see them from the Beach at the Grand Floridian.

There is also a beach at The Beach Club, from which you can see the higher portions on Illuminations.

 

[Jessalyn]

ok...so i think i wanna watch from the beach at the Poly. So I can see the castle from there? Will the beach be crowded? Also, I am going to take the monorail in....will I have to deal with making an excuse to anyone. Is the beach locked and you need a key or anthing? Thanks!

 

[aec]

If you are arriving by monorail then you will have no problem watching wishes from the beach. It is not locked. Our last trip we watched wishes from there one night, and we were not staying onsite. It was nice. It was not crowded, but we were not alone either. There were hammocks when we went. I assume they are still there. Even with the other people there (including our two kids) it was a romantic setting. Have fun!

 

[sunny04]

What about the little beach area in from of MK, behind the ferry dock and bus area? Anyone know about that one?

 

[pearljim]

I recall reading somewhere that a great spot for Illuminations is in Japan. There is a deck on the large department store's second level that is suppose to have a fabulous view. I have not tried it yet.

We usually stand on the bridge joining England & France - it gives an excellent view and you also have an easy exit through the International Gateway. Valet park at the Beach Club and you're all set!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Technically, the beaches are for the use of the hotel guests (there are signs posted, just like the pools), but most of the time you can watch fireworks from these areas as long as you don't keep the resort guests from using the amenities. But on Fourth of July it changes - resort guests only.

You can't swim at any of the beaches if that is what you were planning to do. Swimming is only permitted in the pools (unless you are there for the triathalon in May).

Christmas decorations start coming down soon after Jan 1, but by the Marathon weekend, most are down. Some of the resorts have them up a bit after the theme parks. I think the Lights of Winter were still up during the marathon. MK was stripped of holiday decor for the marathon. The marathon is Jan 9.

Most times you can freely visit the resorts to eat at the restaurants, shop, look at the decorations (unless it is very busy and then guards may stop you prior to entering the property - unless you come in on a Disney bus).

 

[ErinInCT]

We watch Wishes on Main Street btwn Casey's & Plaza Ice Cream. You are directly in front of the castle so you can see all the "effects" on the castle as well as Tink fly.
We watched Illuminations outside of France which was fine.
If you are looking for something to do outside of the park you can certainly "kill time" at Downtown Disney!! Also Fort Wilderness has lots of fun stuff during the day & evening to do (kind of geared towards kids, but still fun).

 

[eeyore0062]

Part of the spectacle of watching Wishes is the beautiful music that accompanies it as well as the lower fireworks down closer to the castle---- it has a storyline that is missed if seen from outside, so it is best enjoyed from within the Magic Kingdom. You can see it well on the bridge to Tomorrowland, the Bridge to Adventureland and the Bridge to Frontierland. If you want to see Tink Fly, if you are on the bridge to Tomorrowland, she will fly right over your head! My parents and DD also watched from the seating area of The Plaza Pavillion (counter service between Tomorrowland and the Plaza restaurant) and said that was an excellent place, and there weren't too many people that knew about it (although after this post, that will change, won't it


As for Illuminations, it is also best enjoyed from within Epcot, as the laser show is low, and you would miss that part, as well as the flame within the earth from outside. Some of the best places are from the seating area next to the Fish n Chips in the UK, in front of the Japan Pavillion and the seating area in the Cantina de San Angel.


You may be able to see the tail end of the Christmas decorations, but usually they are coming down by that time.

Hope you have a great time!