Thoughts on fireworks location, and anything else

[Grumpy_Dad]

At the end of the month I am going to Disney World on business for three days. This is my first trip to Disney World for anything other than a family vacation. They are putting us up at Coronado Springs (of course). Work will take up all of Mon, Tue and Wed, but I am going to get in pretty early on Sunday and will have most of the day free. I have already ruled out going to one of the parks because there are no EMH that day or any after hours event that might make it worth the cost of admission.

This is my plan so far but I am open to suggestions

1 -Arrive WDW @ 1:00 drop off bag.
2- Go to Port Orleans – walk around, maybe quick lunch. The family has stayed here a few times and always liked it. Thought I would see if has changed since we haven’t been there in a couple of years.
3- Take the boat to Disney Springs to check out some of the changes and do some souvenir shopping

May not be any time after that, but I was wondering if there was a good non park location to watch fireworks. I was specifically thinking about the boardwalk area because that always has some crowds and entertainment. Don't know if you can see illuminations from there or not.

Anyone know of a good fireworks location for a solo traveler?

 

[BrianL]

May not be any time after that, but I was wondering if there was a good non park location to watch fireworks. I was specifically thinking about the boardwalk area because that always has some crowds and entertainment. Don't know if you can see illuminations from there or not.
Anyone know of a good fireworks location for a solo traveler?

You will not be able to see Illuminations from the Boardwalk area (you can hear it though). You can sorta see the Star Wars fireworks from the path near there toward HS, but it's not that great.

I would recommend going over to the Polynesian or even just the TTC and watching the new Happily Ever After fireworks from there. I hear they are pretty great, even without a good view of the projections. They will pipe in the music to these locations. You might be able to plan a dinner at the Contemporary in one of the restaurants with viewing areas.

Have fun!

 

[spiceycat]

you could see the fireworks from the bridge near BC or you could at Epcot - and the parking lot - MK - you can see them from the MK resorts - also they are so big you can see these off property.

 

[Grumpy_Dad]

I would recommend going over to the Polynesian

Thanks, the Polynesian sounds like a good idea.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I enjoyed watching the Illuminations fireworks from the beach at Yacht Club last spring. Right after that were the HS fireworks. It was very peaceful. If your heart is set on visiting The Boardwalk, you can see some fireworks from there.

I also enjoyed watching fireworks from Fort Wilderness.

The Poly beach probably has the best views. If you feel like socializing, you might want to try Trader Sam's before or after the fireworks. We met some fun people there. The setup seems conducive to meeting and talking with others.

 

[daae3]

I would make a Cali grill reservation or see if you can sit at bar to eat and watch the fireworks. Great view plus great meal!

 

[kwdw]

Will you have a car? If not - I would DEFINITELY skip swinging by Port Orleans - otherwise - you have to head to a park first and then bus to the resort - and that is a waste of time. Granted - I like Port Orleans - but it hasn't changed much.

I'd soak in CSR when you first arrive. The resort is LARGE and the three areas are very different. Even if your room isn't ready when you arrive - they will likely know which section you will be in - so you could wander over to the other two sections and see the main pool area. Get your quick lunch there. And maybe by the time you do that - your room will be ready.

Then head to Disney Springs. Be forewarned - if it's a hot, sunny day - unless you like to shop - that will be - well - hot and sunny. But - if you haven't seen the new DS - then this is worth it. It's got some great photo spots. I personally struggled killing two hours here before my dining reservation my last trip - and I'm a female "medium-interest" shopper.

I second trying to see the new Happily Ever After show from the Poly Beach -- or book a dining reservation at Cali Grill so you can watch them from their viewing location. If you know anyone else headed to the conference - dining at Cali Grill could be a good social time.

I would definitely book a TS meal on Sunday. You've got time to kill - you might as well enjoy a meal, too. DS has lots of choices - as do any of the monorail resorts - and those will be the easiest to get to (unless you have a car - and then more things open up).

I find a good way to experience Disney without going to the parks is to see all three monorail resorts - wander their grounds. And I like taking the boat over to Fort Wilderness Lodge area and seeing that area, too. I find these to be good adventures when I don't want to spend my afternoon in the sun.

If you DO have a car and have never seen the Animal Kingdom resort area - another option might be to check in at CSR - then drive over to AKV - and have your lunch at Sanaa and look at Kidani's savanna. After lunch - drive over to Jambo House - and see their impressive lobby and the savanna. THEN drive to Disney Springs. And in this scenario - I would definitely book a dining reservation at either Poly or Cont - so you can park over there - have dinner - and see the new fireworks show.

While it sounds like Port Orleans holds sentimental memories for you - I'm personally just not sure that place has changed enough to make all the transport time there worth it - unless you have a car.

 

[Grumpy_Dad]

I don't have a car so I will be relying on Disney transportation. Going to POR is definitely a sentimental thing and I agree , might not be worth the hassle. Having to go to a park first. I will rethink things a little. Checking out CSR is probably a good idea but maybe not the first day. I am going to be with co-workers for the next three days, almost around the clock, I'm going to try and limit my exposure on Sunday. Don't get me wrong, they are great people and there will be some good laughs on this trip, but ...

I haven't been to WDW since the Disney Springs upgrade so I am curious to see what has changed. I am not much of a shopper, but I will probably look for a new t-shirt and something for DD at World of Disney. Maybe grab a pint in Raglan Road.

Based on the suggestions so far, which I greatly appreciate, here is my revised working plan

Go to Disney Springs after checking in
IF I don't spend a ton of time at Disney Springs, take the boat to POR
POR to MK and then Monorail to the Poly for cocktails and fireworks or bus directly from DS to Poly

 

[Accident]

I would recommend trying to get into the lounge at california grill for fireworks. Even better if the budget allows is purchase the fireworks party they do up there which I can't remember the name of. It's like $99 but it's food, drinks and desert and you watch from the roof. It's a guaranteed spot so you won't be turned away for capacity and the food is made by california grill so it's like a tasting social with fireworks event.

If timed right as HS and Epcot tend to do fireworks an hour early you should be able to see them in the distance since it's top of contemporary. no music or anything for them and you may not hear them but you can see them enough to take it in.

 

[bryanb]

Hi @Grumpy_Dad, you mentioned that you ruled out going to a park because it might not be worth the cost. Do you know if your conference organizers have arranged for reduced price or half-day tickets?

http://www.disneyconventiontickets.com/disneyworld/parks/tickets/

I believe that ticket products are customized by conference, and it's also possible your conference has not made any arrangements, but it might be another way to get into the parks even if you can't enjoy a full day.

 

[Grumpy_Dad]

Accident and Daae3 - Thanks for the tip about the California Grill. Looks like a good idea but I think I might try to keep it a little more casual.

Bryan - I did not realize that their might be ticket options for Business groups. I am going to check on that one.

 

[Grumpy_Dad]

The best laid plans of mice and men...

Well things didn’t work out exactly as planned but they turned out pretty good, especially the fireworks. The only thing I got to do on my free day, that I had planned, was have lunch at POR. A colleague asked me to attend a reception with her on Sunday evening and that took everything else off the table. The reception was always an option, but I had planned on skipping it to search for fireworks. I should have read the agenda better. The reception was at the World Showplace Pavilion in Epcot (Entrance between Canada and UK in the World Showcase) They bussed us from CSR into the reception backstage, behind the UK. We had a couple of drinks, shook a few hands and then a few of us went out into the World showcase. We didn’t have much time, but we had dinner at Teppan Edo and then watched Illuminations. I never got to the Poly, but did get to Disney Springs on Wednesday.