Quieter Fireworks Places?

[Teo's Mom]

We are going to be in Disney during the 4th of July week. Does anyone know of good places to see fireworks, yet far enough away where they are not too loud? My son (6, almost 7!) has sensory issues and has been afraid of fireworks since we were at Epcot when he was 3 and Illuminations went off right over our heads.

Some ideas I had: California Grill, riding the EPCOT monorail loop...any others?

 

[Selket]

I wonder how loud the fireworks would be from the Poly beach? There is also a viewing area at the CR which is outside. You probably would get some noise from the fireworks anywhere outside I would think but the Poly beach is the farthest out.

I've seen folks write that sometimes their children were accepting of wearing earplugs - either the type that fit into the ear or those that look more like a headset. Not sure if that is an option for your child but it could work as well if the noises from some of the rides/attractions were also too loud.

 

[Teo's Mom]

Great suggestions. I've thought of the ear plugs too. Not sure he'd like them, but it may be worth a try. Do you know where the viewing area is at CR? We're having dinner there one night anyway. Thanks!!

 

[BCV23]

Great suggestions. I've thought of the ear plugs too. Not sure he'd like them, but it may be worth a try. Do you know where the viewing area is at CR? We're having dinner there one night anyway. Thanks!!

There are platforms to view Wishes from California Grill but only if you are dining in that restaurant. There is supposed to be a platform on the 4th floor where the shops, Chef Mickey's and the Concourse Steak House are located. I think it must be off the corner by the shop that sells newspapers etc but you could always ask a CM.

The Polynesian is a good choice for Wishes IMO. For Illuminations, the bridge near the BW is supposed to be good although you will not see everything. The same is true for Wishes from the Polynesian.

 

[diswheels]

I am very hypersensitive to fireworks too. We bought a Bose headset that really works well. It muffles the sound, but doesn't take it all away. It has a device that you can turn up or down so you can control the noise. Maybe that would work. I use it all the time for live shows, movies etc.

Ashley

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Yes the viewing area on the 4th floor is over by the shops. The fourth floor has the largest area but realy any floor on that side of the hotel is good for watching the fireworks.

 

[BionicEar]

We stayed in a lagoon view room at the Poly, and it was nice to be able to watch the fireworks from our patio. Our son, who is on the spectrum with severe ADHD (and some Aspergers traits), is noise-sensitive at times. But he never complained about the fireworks. All I remember is the loud popping noise from the fireworks.

I did have what's called a "CI moment" (I've had a cochlear implant for over a year now and learn/hear something new a lot!). I learned that sound travels! It was sooo neat to hear the popping of the fireworks AFTER seeing it explode in the sky.

Another big advantage to watching the fireworks from the Poly beach is the crowd factor. Simply put, it's not crowded at all.

Here's a view of Wishes from our patio taken with the 12x zoom on my camera:

Have a magical vacation!

 

[GretchGraham]

Thank you for the information about the Poly beach. I've been considering that location for viewing the fireworks on this trip. We have a dinner ressie for Kona on Saturday night and hope to catch the fireworks while we are there. My DD with autism is very sensitive to loud noises and we have not found a good spot for her to watch them yet. I have tried ear plugs and head phones and she won't wear them. She loves the way the fireworks look, and gets really excited when they start, but the boom boom makes her cover her ears and cry.

I am going to try to reserve a fireworks cruise, but am planning on the Poly beach as a backup plan.

Thank you again.

 

[spiceycat]

you don't want a firework cruise - definitely too close.

the Polyn is a better choice - but the fireworks can be loud there.

the Cont you can heard the fireworks inside the building....on the MK side.

Epcot - the Epcot parking lot - or the high part along the BW - these are only the higher fireworks - also the CBR and Pop Century both have views of higher fireworks and are probably as quiet as it gets.

 

[GretchGraham]

you don't want a firework cruise - definitely too close.

the Polyn is a better choice - but the fireworks can be loud there.

the Cont you can heard the fireworks inside the building....on the MK side.

Epcot - the Epcot parking lot - or the high part along the BW - these are only the higher fireworks - also the CBR and Pop Century both have views of higher fireworks and are probably as quiet as it gets.

Thank you very much. I thought the cruise would have us far enough out so it wouldn't be so loud. I really appreciate the info. It would have been horrible for her to melt down on the pontoon and for us to be stuck out there.

We have been fortunate enough to see some of the fireworks from Illuminations from our balcony at OKW, and she has really enjoyed them because we don't get much of the sound, but I was hoping that she could see Wishes, especially the holiday version. We'll give the Poly a try on our first night and go to plan B if that doesn't work.

Thank you again

 

[MissingMickey]

Is there still a patio by Narcoosee's? We went out there after a meal and watched before. If you dress up the earmuffs to look like a character headband - would that make them more "palatable?"

 

[sleepingbeautymama]

Even if you are staying at another resort, can you still go over to Polynesian to the beach and view the fireworks? Would they question why you are there? We are staying at Wilderness Lodge, would you get a good view from there?

 

[GretchGraham]

Is there still a patio by Narcoosee's? We went out there after a meal and watched before. If you dress up the earmuffs to look like a character headband - would that make them more "palatable?"

Because she is nonverbal, I can't know for sure, but it is my belief that her dislike of the earmuffs is a sensory issue and not about how they look. She doesn't really like anything on her head. Thank heavens we live in the South and don't have to fight over a winter hat.

We have thought about dinner at Narcoossee's or CG, but we don't want to do that to the other patrons. She is most definitely not a restaurant child.

We could hear some of the boom boom of the Illuminations fireworks, from our villa at OKW, but they were far enough away it didn't bother her. I was hoping the Poly would be far enough away for her to watch Wishes. If not, well, there is always the next year. I have learned to keep trying attractions, shows, etc. as she has matured and will tolerate things each trip that she would not tolerate on her last. Sometimes her tolerance will vary day by day. But such is life on the spectrum.

Thanks to everyone for the wonderful suggestions. It constantly amazes me how helpful and knowledgable the DIS members are.

I think I need to apologize to the original poster for the thread hijack. Really sorry for that.

 

[GretchGraham]

Even if you are staying at another resort, can you still go over to Polynesian to the beach and view the fireworks? Would they question why you are there? We are staying at Wilderness Lodge, would you get a good view from there?

I don't know if they will question your presence at the Poly if you aren't staying there, but we have ADRs for Kona our first night. I assume we could walk down to the beach after dinner.

 

[Nellas Elensar]

I've seen folks write that sometimes their children were accepting of wearing earplugs - either the type that fit into the ear or those that look more like a headset. Not sure if that is an option for your child but it could work as well if the noises from some of the rides/attractions were also too loud.

I am one of those that consent to wearing earplugs AND earphones. They block out most, if not all, the firework noise. Every time I go to Florida, I am armed with my earplugs and earphones for the fireworks displays. Just get a good pair of earphones (either the kind that gun shooters wear at shooting ranges or the ones with built in noise muffling technology) and a good pair of silicone or foam earplugs and see how that works.

Nellas Elensar

 

[Talking Hands]

Another place that might work is the marina area at Ft Wilderness. They have tables and chairs that you can sit at and watch or you can just stand on the dock.
I watched Wishes several times from my friend's porch and it was louder there than at Ft Wilderness.

 

[BionicEar]

Even if you are staying at another resort, can you still go over to Polynesian to the beach and view the fireworks? Would they question why you are there? We are staying at Wilderness Lodge, would you get a good view from there?

I don't see any problem with it. I can imagine a lot of people who weren't staying at the Boardwalk/BC/YC were hanging out there to watch the Illuminations fireworks.

Honestly, who can tell who are really the Poly guests on the beach? There's no one there checking resort ID's. We were on our patio watching and the kids would be on the beach. Some nights we had the curtain open and watched it from our bed. The kids would fall asleep watching it.

Take your kid to see the Electric Boat Parade. My kids loved it. It's a neat show and it starts at 9pm from the Poly beach. Nice relaxing music there.