Questions about: Fort Wilderness, Electric Water Pageant and firework viewings.

[Jujubee727]

We arrive on Dec 15th. We MIGHT do a park that day, but not sure yet. Originally we weren't going to because we weren't going to arrive until 5pm. However, we changed our flight and we are now arriving at 11am. So our first plan was just a laid back night and taking in some of the free attractions. We were going to start off with Chip and Dale's Campfire sing-a-long, followed by the movie under the stars, and electric water pageant. We still want to do those 3 activities but are now thinking about doing a short day at a park too.

My questions:

Park Suggestion:
What is the best park to just kill some time for a few hours? We have 3 days planned at MK already, but only 1 day at each of the other parks.

Fort Wilderness:
I looked at a map of fort wilderness and it was like reading a book in a foreign language! When we get to fort wilderness how do we make our way to the campfire? Is it walkable or do we need to find some other method?

Electric Water Pageant:
Can we see the Electric Water Pageant from Fort Wilderness or do we need to go to a different resort area? Is the closest viewing area going to take a while to get to? How do we get there and is this a crowded event that we will need to stake out a spot early (and have to miss out on the end of the movie)?

Firework viewing from places NOT in a park?:
Are there any fireworks shows that are viewable from the resorts? We are staying at ASMo, which I know is quite a ways from MK. So, on the nights that we are out of the parks at 8, where can we go to watch fireworks? (We won't have park hoppers)

I sincerely appreciate any help you guys can give me! I apologize for all the Dis101 questions.

 

[sharadoc]

Hi. I'll try to answer your questions.

Are you driving to Fort Wilderness or taking Disney transportation, which would most likely be a boat from MK? Or a bus from another park?

If driving or coming by bus from another park, you have to go to the bus stop out front, called Outpost, and take an internal bus to the Meadows for the campfire and movie. From there, you'll have to take the internal bus to the Settlement for the Electrical water pageant and fireworks from the beach. There's plenty of room on the beach. If you want to sit at a table you'll need to be there a little earlier, but never a problem seeing everything from the beach.

If you take the boat from MK, you'll need to walk to the Settlement bus stop past Pioneer Hall where the Hoop De Doo and Trail's End restaurant is located. Then take the internal bus, marked "Outpost" to the Meadows.

For another park, I'd recommend DHS in the evening for Osborne Lights. Animal Kingdom has a great parade in the afternoon at Christmas.

 

[Robo]

Hi. I'll try to answer your questions.

Are you driving to Fort Wilderness or taking Disney transportation, which would most likely be a boat from MK? Or a bus from another park?

If driving or coming by bus from another park, you have to go to the bus stop out front, called Outpost, and take an internal bus to the Meadows for the campfire and movie. From there, you'll have to take the internal bus to the Settlement for the Electrical water pageant and fireworks from the beach. There's plenty of room on the beach. If you want to sit at a table you'll need to be there a little earlier, but never a problem seeing everything from the beach.

If you take the boat from MK, you'll need to walk to the Settlement bus stop past Pioneer Hall where the Hoop De Doo and Trail's End restaurant is located. Then take the internal bus, marked "Outpost" to the Meadows.

That's correct, but don't worry about the names of the stops, if you're new to FtW.
Every FtW bus driver knows all about the various events and locations, and can tell you immediately which Internal bus to take to get to anything at FtW.

Here are some maps just to show a few relationships.

 

[Jujubee727]

Are you driving to Fort Wilderness or taking Disney transportation, which would most likely be a boat from MK? Or a bus from another park?.

We will be using Disney Transportation. We are thinking about doing DHS when we arrive, so we would be most likely coming from there or maybe our hotel (ASMo). What is the best transportation plan coming from either one of those places?

That's correct, but don't worry about the names of the stops, if you're new to FtW.
Every FtW bus driver knows all about the various events and locations, and can tell you immediately which Internal bus to take to get to anything at FtW.

So as long as we make it FtW then there will be people to help us find where we need to go, pretty easily?

Where is the viewing area for the EWP at FtW?

Will we be able to see any fireworks from ASMo or is there somewhere that we can go the nights that we are at a park to watch some without going into a park?

 

[chartle]

1. We will be using Disney Transportation. We are thinking about doing DHS when we arrive, so we would be most likely coming from there or maybe our hotel (ASMo). What is the best transportation plan coming from either one of those places?

2. So as long as we make it FtW then there will be people to help us find where we need to go, pretty easily?

3. Where is the viewing area for the EWP at FtW?

4. Will we be able to see any fireworks from ASMo or is there somewhere that we can go the nights that we are at a park to watch some without going into a park?

1. from DHS take the bus directly to FW then whatever internal bus you need. from ASMo bus to MK boat to FW marina.

2. At least the bus drivers should be able to help you

There are basically two ends or transportation connections at FW. The marina near the Settlement Outpost where the boats come in and the fraont reception area where the buses come in. There are internal buses that connect the two.

3. the marina

4. I don't think so, maybe you will hear some but you are pretty far away. More like hey I think I hear fireworks going off and see flashes in the distance. The fireworks shows are more than just big bangs and really need to be seen in the parks.

You can see MK fireworks from around the monorail resort area. Robo may be along with a map. You really can't see Illuminations well and follow the story from anywhere outside Epcot. Fantasmic really isn't a fireworks show and can't seen outside at all.

 

[Robo]

The Beach at the Polynesian Resort offers a great view
of Wishes and other MK Fireworks shows.
They do "pipe in" the audio of the shows.
There are several ground-level speakers along the
sidewalk.

They also pipe the audio to the speakers at the Poly
pool.

That said, in the past, the volume level is so LOW that its nearly
inaudible.
Limited reports are that the sound level has recently been improved.

Here's a photo I took from the Poly Beach-
MK Fireworks (MVMCP Christmas Finale)

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

More Viewing Spots-

You can see them from TTC (they pipe-in the audio from
the show) but you are not allowed to stand in the
Ferry loading area.

You can see them from the boat-dock and an outside
observation deck near Narcoossee's restaurant at the
Grand Floridian. Anyone can stand on Narcoossee's Deck.
The outside deck is not a part of the actual restaurant. (All serving is done inside.)
The deck is accessed from the sidewalk outside 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.

(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.

Here are the angles of the views in the Seven Seas Lagoon area.

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As for viewing from INSIDE the dining area of restaurants
(you usually need ADRs for most, and they are usually busy during the shows)...
you can see (and hear) them at California Grill at Contemporary,
'Ohana at Poly, Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian,
and (if you have access there) the Top of the World at Bay Lake Tower.

 

[Jujubee727]

Wow! Thank you soooo much for your help! Great information!!

I have to read through it a few more time and take it all in. Then I may be back with more questions!