Seeing fireworks away from the parks?

[DisneyLvr55]

I'm not a fan of being in the parks during fireworks, because the crowds are just to crazy for me, especially when everyone is cramming for the busses, etc. I know the Poly beach is pretty much off limits right now, so where else can I take my DDs (7 & 9) to see the fireworks? Is there somewhere in the Contemporary - A viewing deck or something I remember hearing about? Do they serve anything there like drinks or snacks during the show?

Also if you had to choose a park to view the fireworks from, which one would you say is the least crazy/hectic?


TIA!

 

[jco_direwolf]

The deck is part of the CaliGrill I don't think you can get up there without an ADR. But they do have benches outside the CR in the stairs.

On the main level (not the lobby but the Grand Canyon concourse) and walk toward the end nearest MK there are some doors on right the first set exit onto like a patio turn left. (The second doors let you onto the bridge for BLT) and you sfhoild see the seating. If its crowded you can head up the stairs there is a second one there)

 

[lam0037]

Also the dock at GF, as well as the deck surrounding Narcoossee's. Normally it's open to the public, not just people dining there.

You can also see them from a couple places at Wilderness Lodge, I'm not sure about the vantage point from the beach but you can from the cast member parking lot.

 

[MommaPeel]

I'm pretty sure you can see them from the dock at the TTC area.

Maybe the beach at the Grand Floridian?

My favorite place to watch the fireworks in the magic kingdom ever was from the astro orbiter back in 1999! I think the CM forgot we were up there, the ride lasted the entire duration of the fireworks!

My next trip, I'm going to wishes on an EMH night so I don't have to be on main street when its time to leave the park. So my plan is to be as far away from them and still be able to see some of them. Then again I'm there for 17 days.

Also, on one of my previous trips I stayed downtown at the Blue Heron Condos and had a beautiful view of Wishes from the resort's balcony! (Blue Heron is just outside of Downtown Disney and down the road a bit)

 

[MegSmethurst]

Best view without the crowd: on the monorail heading towards magic kingdom. Beautiful! Hard to replicate but the view was fantastic

 

[Robo]

You can see the MK fireworks shows very well from the TTC
and they pipe-in clear, crisp audio from the show.)
Note: you are not allowed to stand directly in the actual 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.

Below 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.
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[DisneyLvr55]

Wow, thanks Robo!

 

[DisneyLvr55]

We will be at GF for dinner at 1900PF starting at 7:45 our first night. So I figure that will be our best bet to see Wishes outside of the parks. Thinking of going to Gasparilla Grill and standing there to watch. Unless someone can recommend a better place? Does Gasparilla serve adult beverages?

 

[Robo]

We will be at GF for dinner at 1900PF starting at 7:45 our first night. So I figure that will be our best bet to see Wishes outside of the parks. Thinking of going to Gasparilla Grill and standing there to watch. Unless someone can recommend a better place?


Does Gasparilla serve adult beverages?

Yes.

Wines and beer.

 

[Antonia]

I'll be at WL in December. I would like to try to watch the holiday version of Wishes on a MVMCP night from the cast members parking lot. Has anybody watched from there and how well could you see it?

 

[::Snow_White::]

Illuminations isn't as crowded as MK, but if you're strolling the resorts, you can see a few of them from the Boardwalk/Beach Club bridge or the lighthouse bridge at Yacht and Beach.

Antonia, not sure which parking lots you mean (TTT or the ones behind MK?), I know they close parts of the road behind MK during fireworks because of debris but I'm not sure how often or how far they close the road off.

 

[katt789]

The Poly beach isn't TOO bad right now, one of the villas they're working on is kinda in the way of the view, but it could be a lot worse.

I've watched from the Contemporary, if you go to the level that Chef Mickey's is on, where you would go to cross to Bay Lake Tower, go out onto the deck there. We went up a level or two on the fire escape stairs and had an even more "private" view of the fireworks!

As for parks viewing, I'd say Epcot is probably the least crowded, but it's also my least favorite show, each nighttime show has so many different aspects to it that they're hard to compare.

Epcot is mainly based on the lagoon, some fireworks, mainly effects, Fantasmic at DHS is based on the water again, but is much more show based, lots of characters, lots of pyro, some fireworks. Wishes is a true fireworks show, and my favourite, you can also watch from different areas in the park, over in New Fantasyland by BOG is a very low crowd place and an awesome place to watch them!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

You can see the MK fireworks shows very well from the TTC
and they pipe-in clear, crisp audio from the show.)
Note: you are not allowed to stand directly in the actual Ferry
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.


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.
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Thanks so much. So thorough!