NYE outside MK

[udflyer00]

Greetings all DVC'ers,

I have a real quick question. We may have a few night stay over New Year's Eve, but unfortunately we don't have the points left to be at a DVC resort, but rather we'll be staying at the Shade's of Green. My question is about ideas for how to enjoy/celebrate NYE when not in the park. I just don't think we'll have the money to splurge on a 1 day ticket for 6 people, but again want to enjoy the fireworks to ring in the New Year. Since we aren't staying at a DVC resort or even Bay Lake Towers would we be able to get to the Top of the World showing our DVC card to watch the fireworks from up there? I would think it would be very awesome to watch them from up there since they would be piping in the music.

Or the other option is to walk over from the Shades to the Poly to watch from their beach? I hear that is a nice place to watch fireworks from too?? If anyone has any input, opinions, stories to share about watching the fireworks from either of these 2 locations that would be awesome. Our next true Disney Trip isn't going to be until 2017 as we're headed to HHI next summer, but we'll be in Tampa for the week and I was able to score a NYE room at the Shades. So really just want to be a part of the NYE celebration, Disney style!

Thanks all,
Mark

 

[supersnoop]

You must be staying on site to visit the TOTWL. On NYE, you must be staying at BLT. So, you won't be seeing the fireworks from there.

The Poly beach is probably your best option, but they might be limiting access there, too.

 

[udflyer00]

Supersnoop,
Thanks for the reply. Is this always the case with TOTWL? I'm only asking as I've seen real-time streams of locals (ie periscopes) from up at the TOTWL? I thought you could just show your DVC card and gain access? I've never been up there so maybe I'm completely wrong, but just curious. Then as for the NYE restriction, is that something you've experienced or is posted somewhere? I assume it would be very crowded up there on NYE for example, but really trying to find an option to try and see the fireworks. Hopefully there will be others that can chime in with their experiences for NYE outside MK.

 

[spiceycat]

there are certain days that only dvc members staying at BLT can use it - July 4, Dec 31 and a couple of others. they can fill the place with dvc members staying at blt - so others are not needed.

since I think you will be walking you might be able to see the fireworks and heard them from in between CR and BLT now if you are driving - then would be surprised if any of the guards allow you to park at any of the resorts.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Supersnoop,
Thanks for the reply. Is this always the case with TOTWL? I'm only asking as I've seen real-time streams of locals (ie periscopes) from up at the TOTWL? I thought you could just show your DVC card and gain access? I've never been up there so maybe I'm completely wrong, but just curious. Then as for the NYE restriction, is that something you've experienced or is posted somewhere? I assume it would be very crowded up there on NYE for example, but really trying to find an option to try and see the fireworks. Hopefully there will be others that can chime in with their experiences for NYE outside MK.

Other than the few nights when you must be staying at BLT, the other times you can go up to the TOTWL if you are staying at a Disney owned and operated resort (cash or points). Since you are staying at Shade of Green, that isn't Disney O/O. So you can't go up to the lounge on the other nights.

From the member website:

Top of the World Lounge
Discover a soothing space to unwind at Top of the World Lounge, located at Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Read More About Top of the World Lounge

Discover a soothing space to unwind at Top of the World Lounge, located at Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort. One of the vacation kingdom’s most exclusive spaces, this lounge is available only to Members and those in their traveling party who are staying on that Member's reservation. It’s an ideal place to savor light bites and refreshing cocktails—and unforgettable views.

Disney Vacation Club Members staying at any Disney-owned-and-operated hotel at Walt Disney World Resort (whether they booked with Vacation Points or cash) may enjoy access to one of the vacation kingdom's most exclusive spaces: Top of the World Lounge atop Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort through December 29, 2016.

Blockout dates apply for Top of the World Lounge, including but not limited to: December 30, 2015; December 31, 2015; July 3, 2016; July 4, 2016; December 30, 2016; December 31, 2016. Current operating hours are 6:00 PM to midnight.

Accessing the Lounge

This perk is available exclusively to Members. People who are in that Member’s traveling party and staying on that Member’s reservation are also eligible to visit Top of the World Lounge. At least one Member in the traveling party must accompany the group and present his or her current MagicBand or Key to the World card with a Disney Vacation Club Membership notation in order to gain admission to the lounge and observation deck. If the Member's MagicBand or Key to the World card doesn't display a Membership notation, a Disney Vacation Club Membership Card is also required to verify Membership.

Parking & Transportation

Parking is only available to those staying at Bay Lake Tower or Disney's Contemporary Resort. Members traveling from other Resorts must use Walt Disney World Transportation.

Sign In

Upon arrival, Members must walk to the Bay Lake Tower main lobby entrance on the ground floor and check in at the Top of the World Lounge desk in the lobby.

Availability

This special access to Top of the World Lounge is available on a first-come, first-served basis until the lounge reaches capacity. As the lounge is particularly popular during the Magic Kingdom fireworks, arriving as early as possible will give Members the best chance of gaining admission.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Below the monorail level at the Contemp there is a fireworks viewing area.

We are staying at BLT this NYE specifically to see the fireworks from TTOTWL.

There usually is a party on the Green in front of the Boardwalk,

 

[udflyer00]

Other than the few nights when you must be staying at BLT, the other times you can go up to the TOTWL if you are staying at a Disney owned and operated resort (cash or points). Since you are staying at Shade of Green, that isn't Disney O/O. So you can't go up to the lounge on the other nights.

From the member website:

Deb,
Thanks for that explanation. do you know if we'd be able to walk over and watch them from the Poly beach??

Thanks,
Mark

 

[imaginiff]

I've also seen people standing near the tennis courts at BLT to watch fireworks. Not as good as seeing them from higher up, but I suppose you see something...otherwise I would not see people standing there. You could take a bus to MK and then walk over to BLT. I've also seen people standing on the bridge span between BLT and CR...but would imagine they might make people move along on NYE. Your other option, if available and/or affordable, would be to book a fireworks cruise. Can't help you about the poly beach question...you can see them from there, but not sure if they will be restricting access or not.

As a PP said, if you walk out of CR on the level where the bridge to BLT is, immediately to the left is a large patio area (I believe it is the smoking area) where you can get a view also, but I imagine it would be very crowded.

Either way, enjoy your stay.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Deb,
Thanks for that explanation. do you know if we'd be able to walk over and watch them from the Poly beach??

Thanks,
Mark

With so much of the beach area now taken up with bungalows, there isn't much beach area left. Have you thought about walking over to the GF and watching from the boat dock or beach there?

 

[udflyer00]

With so much of the beach area now taken up with bungalows, there isn't much beach area left. Have you thought about walking over to the GF and watching from the boat dock or beach there?

I'm definitely open to any ideas... I just don't think going into the parks is in the cards for us this trip due to the costs for 1 day for a family of 6... I'd love it, but just don't think we'll be able to swing it, with hotel costs, with park food, with souvenirs... lol We just got our waitlist to come through on our reservation so we'll definitely be there over NYE. Now just to figure out how to experience the midnight fireworks from outside the park... I had to call to change a summer DVC trip to HHI and I asked the representative if there is any restrictions for us being at the Shades and she said that if we were walking over there wouldn't be any issues, if we wanted to drive our car they might give us a hard time about that, but walking over shouldn't be a problem. I'm actually a bit excited about it because in ALL of our trips I've never pulled myself away from the MK to see the water pageant, so this would give us a chance to actually see this... I was just asking about the Poly as it's straight out from the MK I thought that would be the best place to watch the fireworks..

 

[philharmagic fan]

I have 2 suggestions. 1) Will you be in MK on 12/30? They do ALL the NYE stuff (Countdown to midnight, Fantasy in the Sky fireworks) that night as well, and the crowds are a little less daunting. 2) I've never done this myself, but I think I've read that they pipe in the fireworks music to the ferry landing at the TTC. Maybe someone else can comment? If you're walking to the Poly anyway, it's only about 5-10 minutes further. Good luck.

 

[Pirate Granny]

I wonder if they will run the Ferrytales boat/dessert for the NYE foreworks? The tickets aren't as expensive as park tickets. That may be an option. They may be monitoring the beach for Poly resort guests only on NYE...the fireworks will be both dec 30 and 31st.

 

[sigepmike]

They aren't doing Ferrytale Wishes that night. And, even if they were, it's only $5 cheaper than a 1-day park ticket.

 

[Pirate Granny]

That isn't that expensive for the Ferrytales cruise, one day ticket for MK is now $105

 

[sigepmike]

The Ferrytale Wishes cruise is $99.