Nonpark visit - please critique this plan :)

[Minniemania877]

I am relocating to Florida and will be moving to about an hour and a half away from the parks. My mom was hoping while she is helping me move we could do a day trip but it's just not in the cards (financially but also logistically, after a big move I don't feel comfortable leaving my dog for an entire day in a new place).

The happy medium I came up with is to spend an afternoon-drive down and park at either Riviera or Caribbean Beach, take the Skyliner (we haven't used it yet) to the International Gateway, have dinner (at Trattoria al Forno) and ice cream (Ample Hills) at the boardwalk, and then take the Skyliner back to CB and watch fireworks. We enjoy just walking around the Boardwalk and know that it's not as lively as Disney Springs/won't take up too much time in terms of what there is to see and do.

My question is-is it still possible to see fireworks from Caribbean Beach? Obviously, a very modified view. Also, will we have to pay for parking? It's fine if we have to, just want to know what to expect.

Just looking to get a small dose of magic in a shorter time frame than a rope drop to fireworks kind of day. Now that I'm relocating, there is plenty of time for that!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Your plan sounds fun. I'm just wondering if they'll even let you park at CB or Riviera without a room or dining reservation. Since it's now a Skyliner hub, that's likely to be tightened up with regard to non-guests parking. Hope you can work it out!

 

[2Lunds]

As above - I'm not sure they'll let you park at the resort without a room or dining reservation. Have you considered eating at Riviera instead? I believe you can see EP and DHS fireworks from Toppolino's Terrace. Otherwise, you could park at Disney Springs and bus to either CBR/AOA/POP/RIV and take a Skyliner tour from there.