To All Disney Geek Know-It-All's: Need Help

[Stitch850]

Here's my plan. Looking for advice, tips and tricks:

I will be checking into my resort, Coronado Springs April 30th right about 3 pm.

I don't want to use one of my park tickets that evening, so I figured I'd some resort bar hopping and pick up something along the way to eat. I'm a Disney geek myself, but I haven't spent a lot of time in the resorts to know what's what.

The three places I'm looking to visit are Grand Floridian, the Poly and the Contemp. I choose those as an excuse to ride the monorail.

I'm thinking I can hop on a bus at Coronado to MK to get on the resort monorail, from there stop at GF, then Poly and lastly the Contemp before going back to MK to hop a bus back to Coronado. Is that possible? I don't ride the monorail much.

I'm not driving. I'm a horrible driver, especially when I don't know where I'm going, and I have always loved that Disney offers transportation around the park. I'd rather even take a taxi around town than drive. And...I'd like to take a monorail spin

I know I would like to pick up some sushi at the Koni Island Sushi Bar and I was thinking about trying to sit at the bar at California Grill and get a drink and pick up some sushi there as well, maybe catch fireworks if I can get there on time.

I don't have any reservations. Is there a bar to sit at Cali Grill . Do I need reservations? I wasn't planning on making it a big deal of a night. I just wanted to visit the resorts I have never been to and taste what they have to offer.

Also, anyone have an idea of where I can pick up a drink at GF? I really just wanted to look around a bit - I've never been there, but if there's a good spot to pick up a nice glass of wine, or a mixed drink and a delicious snack, I'm open to suggestions.

Also, sorry if this isn't the right board. Wasn't sure whether to stick it here or resorts or transportation

Thanks!

 

[LittleMissMusical]

From the Magic Kingdom the monorail goes to the Contemporary first, then the Poly, and finally GF, so if you want to go in the order you listed I would take a boat from MK to the GF. from their either walk or boat to the Poly, and then hop the monorail and take it to the contemporary. I don't remember what time they start, but the GF has a band stand that overlooks the lobby with a band. behind the bandstand is tea parlor that doubles as a bar at night if I remember from our stay in December. All three hotels have beautiful lobbies worth checking out.

If you're not set on the idea of the MK loop, the boardwalk loop is also a blast at night and a beautiful walk. You could grab snacks on the boardwalk while watching the performing acts and carnival games, then head over to the beautiful yacht club for drinks and appetizers at Crew's Cup and a delicious ice cream cone or shake from Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club.

 

[BaileyKin]

The boardwalk is a great idea for a night out!

If you wanted to stick to the monorail resorts, time it out so that you don't miss the MK fireworks at whatever resort you chose. I would look up times for the water pageant because you don't want to miss out on that either.

 

[Robo]

If you wanted to stick to the monorail resorts, time it out so that you don't miss the MK fireworks at whatever resort you chose.

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.
The audio level if better in some places (closer to the sidewalk, for instance) than others (far out on the beach, for instance.)

To find the "sweet spot" for viewing, stroll along the sidewalk until the Cinderella Castle comes into full view.

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.

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

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

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.
----------------------------------

 

[Robo]

I would look up times for the water pageant because you don't want to miss out on that either.

You can see the Electrical Water Pageant from the beaches or Marinas on the open lake side of any of the MK area resorts.
Its just a very short (5-7 minutes) "show" that takes place ON the lagoon.

http://allearsnet.com/tp/ewp.htm

Although Electrical Water Pageant generally follows the schedule below... Inclement weather can cause cancellation of the pageant.

Polynesian Resort -- 9 p.m.
Grand Floridian -- 9:15 p.m.
Wilderness Lodge -- 9:35 p.m.
Fort Wilderness -- 9:45 p.m.
Contemporary Resort -- 10:05 p.m.
Magic Kingdom -- 10:20 p.m. (only during extended MK park hours)

Note that when the Magic Kingdom Fireworks are scheduled for 9 p.m., the Electrical Water Pageant runs about 7-20 minutes later.

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

Electrical Water Pageant

The words conjure some phantasmagorical display of
dazzling lightning-like high voltage interplay with glittering aquatic delights, no?

Well...

My favorite saying about these kind of "simple" things comes from Hawkeye Pierce on the old M*A*S*H TV show.

"Its not much, but its really nothing."


Although I never miss a chance to see it... inappropriate "over-anticipation"
can be built up over the "Electrical Water Pageant".

People seem to be expecting to see "Spectromagic on the water", when it is really closer to oversized "Lite Brite" pegs mounted on some barges,

with a "Casio Keyboard" music track.

Don't get me wrong, I still love it, and it's a piece of WDW History, but first-timers, please don't get your hopes set too HIGH.

 

[Stitch850]

Robo, I missed you. I had another screen name I haven't used in while (can't remember) back in the day & I remember your great tips. Thanks for the visuals

And thanks to everyone else.

I think I'm going to stick to the monorail route that night. I'll check out some of the other resorts my next trip. And I'll go Centemp, Poly and GF if that's the monorail order and try to get to the GF for the fireworks and "Lite-Brite" pageant.

Not sure what I'll do for food. Maybe.... I'll still try for poly kona island sushi bar and I heard Cook's has a good adult grilled cheese. The other spots I'll just try to pick up some wine or a mixed drink, or just look around if I can't find anything. Really don't want to bother with ADRs.

Thanks! I need to catch up on Stitch Kingdom news...

 

[Marthasor]

I have to save this thread. The info on the fireworks viewing is PRICELESS! Thank you!

Just another thought - at CR, if you can't get into the bar at Cali Grill, try the bar at the Wave - they have really good food, too!

Mizner's Lounge at GF is behind the bandstand - tons of fun!

Have a great time!

 

[jwwi]

This is by far the most complete description of fireworks viewing that I have seen. Will the building for DVC obscure the view of the fireworks from the beach? I hope not, that has been my go to site on a non park day. I love Wishes, including the soundtrack and fireworks.

 

[Robo]

1-This is by far the most complete description of fireworks viewing that I have seen.

2- Will the building for DVC obscure the view of the fireworks from the beach? I hope not, that has been my go to site on a non park day. I love Wishes, including the soundtrack and fireworks.

1- Thank you!

2- Some, but the Poly beach is very large.

 

[Robo]

Robo, I missed you. I had another screen name I haven't used in while (can't remember) back in the day & I remember your great tips. Thanks for the visuals

And thanks to everyone else.

You're welcome, thanks for the very kind words, and…

back to the the DISboards!

 

[wendyt_ca]

Great info from Robo!

This is very doable and as long as the park is still open (or within the time they continue running after close) you can easily get a bus back to Coronado Springs. If you are looking for a nice glass of wine go to Mizner's Lounge in th GF. I love their Moscato wine!

 

[Stitch850]

Great info from Robo! This is very doable and as long as the park is still open (or within the time they continue running after close) you can easily get a bus back to Coronado Springs. If you are looking for a nice glass of wine go to Mizner's Lounge in th GF. I love their Moscato wine!

Thanks, I'll try that!

 

[POOHsie]

... Not sure what I'll do for food. Maybe.... I'll still try for poly kona island sushi bar and I heard Cook's has a good adult grilled cheese. The other spots I'll just try to pick up some wine or a mixed drink, or just look around if I can't find anything. Really don't want to bother with ADRs...

Captain Cook's is closed as part of the Poly rehab. They moved it to a new, temporary location in the Poly, but someone posted a few days ago that they weren't doing the Grilled Cheese at the temp place. Can't think where I read that, maybe the Restaurants forum?

 

[cgattis]

The words conjure some phantasmagorical display of dazzling lightning-like high voltage interplay with glittering aquatic delights.... People seem to be expecting to see "Spectromagic on the water", when it is really closer to oversized "Lite Brite" pegs mounted on some barges, with a "Casio Keyboard" music track.

Bwahahahaha!! This is the single most accurate description of the EWP that I've ever heard. Somehow doubt it will make the guidebook though LOL!! I agree, though--I love it too. It was pretty cool to see it close up when we did the Wishes cruise, but boy was it LOUD!

 

[mesaboy2]

Robo's resort-wide fireworks viewing map has long been my favorite stock post of his.

It always reminds me of the scene in Back to the Future when Doc Brown has set up this elaborate recreation of the town to show Marty how he's going to get back home. Then he apologizes for not having the time to build it to scale or to paint it.

 

[Robo]

Robo's resort-wide fireworks viewing map has long been my favorite stock post of his.

It always reminds me of the scene in Back to the Future when Doc Brown has set up this elaborate recreation of the town to show Marty how he's going to get back home. Then he apologizes for not having the time to build it to scale or to paint it.

And, it only takes 1.21 Gigawatts of power to store that post on my hard drive!

 

[mesaboy2]

And a flux capacitor, "fluxing," to render the sophisticated graphics.

 

[sgthero]

Thanks RoBo
Its going to be my families first trip to WDW, and your post just made some of my planning much easier.

 

[Robo]

Thanks RoBo
Its going to be my families first trip to WDW, and your post just made some of my planning much easier.

to the DISboards, sgthero!

Have a great trip!

 

[Stitch850]

Robo's resort-wide fireworks viewing map has long been my favorite stock post of his.

It always reminds me of the scene in Back to the Future when Doc Brown has set up this elaborate recreation of the town to show Marty how he's going to get back home. Then he apologizes for not having the time to build it to scale or to paint it.

I've missed you too mesaboy2