Restaurants to watch wishes from

[Runey]

On out last night in WDW my wife and I were going to go and have anice dinner somewhere and watch the fireworks (from outside the park) afterwards... Somewhere a bit more peaceful and quite than the hussle and bustle of the parks...

We already have a booking at the California Grill as you can watch the fireworks from their balcony (I think)... But I've just looked more closely at their menu and it's all just a bit too fancy for us

So I was wondering what other options we have? I've heard the view of the fireworks from the beach of the Polynesian??? is good too... Basically I'm trying to find somewhere for a nice dinner, a good view of the fireworks and if possible a view of the water pagaent as well... Any help on times to make the ADR would be appreciated as well... Oh this will be for the 7th September

Thanks all

 

[Mike N Kathy]

Ohana

 

[Runey]

Thanks for the suggestion... I just had a look at the menu... The food is definately more down our alley How much of a walk is it to get a good view of the fireworks from there?

 

[JadenLayne]

Before reading I was going to suggest California Grill and actually I still would. We ate there this past week with my mom and our 14 year old and the food was excellent. Even though some of it is on the fancy side the steak and fish were both SUPER and my 14 year old ate every single bite of the four cheese flatbread and hes a picky eater. We had a window table and watched Wishes from the restaurant while we ate. Afterwards we went out onto the balcony to take pictures.

We have eaten at O'Hana as well and California Grill is just sooo much better and so much closer to the actual Magic!

 

[NurseGodwin]

A great spot for viewing both the water pageant and the fireworks is from the dock at the Polynesian. They have speakers so one can hear the music and a few benches as well. We did this last year while we were waiting for our ADR for Ohana's and it was great. (But if you don't want to eat that late, you could make reservations so that you would be finished eating before the show started) The Poly is a great place for a romantic evening stroll too, which is necessary after all the delicious food you will consume at Ohanas!

 

[NurseGodwin]

It is about a five minutes stroll from the dock of the Poly to the hostess podium at Ohanas.

 

[mom23boyz]

You can see the fireworks just great from the restaurant, especially if you have a window table. They dim the lights and pipe in the music during the show!

 

[Runey]

Oh it's all too hard

@NurseGodwin: Does the dock get crowded to watch wishes? or is this something that not too many people know about? We're not normally late eaters so we'll be making a booking before the fireworks and watch them after we finish eating... Gotta be at MCO at 7:30AM for our flight back to Australia... Orlando to Los Angles to Tokyo to Sydney to Adelaide... About 36 hours with waits at airports :?

@mom23boyz: How hard would it be to get a window table? and what would the view be like compared to watching Wishes from the dock?

@JaydenLayne: The flatbread and steak were about the items that appealed... and maybe the chicken... Don't like grouper Though I believe the menu changes frequently... May be I should be naughty and make ADRs for both and see what the menu is like when I get there? Is that frowned upon?

Anyway thanks everyone for your input... I don't know if you made my decision earier or harder Still Ohana does sound good if only so we can see the water pagaent as well... Anybody know what time that normally is (I'll do a search)

 

[paras4ri]

We've enjoyed the EWP from the dock at the Poly and it wasn't crowded at all. We've also watched from the Poly beach. I believe it starts there at about 9 p.m.

 

[Runey]

Thanks Gail... Much appreciated

 

[lynninpa]

We've enjoyed the EWP from the dock at the Poly and it wasn't crowded at all. We've also watched from the Poly beach. I believe it starts there at about 9 p.m.

Sorry, OT..
paras4ri...May I ask where you got your countdown ticker from?

 

[ellenmiele]

Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian is very nice for a special "last night" dinner and also has great MK/fireworks views.

 

[JadenLayne]

Hi,
The only problem is that at California Grill when you make ADRs they take your credit card number because its such a popular restaurant. If you don't cancel they will charge it. They don't do that at O'Hana.

Don't get me wrong O'Hana isn't a bad restaurant at all its just not as close to the castle and doesn't have the same grown up feeling as California Grill. O'Hana is loud and fun with tons of kids.

I really don't think you'll go wrong with either. However, there are seats at O'Hana that don't have good views of the fireworks and also at CG although I would say there are more seats at CG that are excellent and you can always go outside to the observation deck.

Whatever you decide make sure when you call to go ahead and ask them for a window seat so that you can watch Wishes. They won't guarantee it but they will try their best. When we checked in at CG last week we told them we would be willing to wait a bit longer if needed for a window seat and we got an excellent seat and maybe waiting 15 minutes in all.

 

[NurseGodwin]

We were there in early October and shared the dock with another family - there was plenty of space. Several couples had spots on the sandy beach, but with plenty of space around them as well. I have never done California Grill as we would rather use our dining plan credits on character meals and more casual atmospheres where our infant won't be too disruptive if she makes a peep! I like to relax while on vacation, especially after a busy day in the parks, and Ohana's has a great laid-back (albeit a bit noisy) atmosphere. Whatever you decide, you can't go wrong - after all, you're in the Happiest Place on Earth!

 

[Runey]

Odd I've already got my CG ADR and they didn't ask for my credit card details :?

Oh and thanks ellenmiele for giving me another option

You're right NurseGodwin and JaydenLayne, I'm worrying over nothing :-D As usual

Thanks again everyone

 

[JadenLayne]

I don't think CG is like that. There were plenty of children there when we were there. Granted it wasn't as loud as O'Hana but the restaurant certainly wasn't quiet. The kids were really excited with the fireworks too. So I don't think a infant would be a problem at all!

Its just two entirely different restaurants. One with Hula dancing and coconut racing and the other a bit more laid back with better quality food (and of course more expensive prices....LOL). Also CG is a closer to the actual castle than O'Hana but both have the music piped in.

I think you'll enjoy either.