Viewing July 4 Fireworks without going to a park

[dna529]

We are going on a cruise and coming back on July 4. Does anyone have any suggestions for viewing fireworks without going to a park? Would it be too late to reserve dinner somewhere in order to view the fireworks?

 

[Robo]

we are going on a cruise and coming back on july 4. Does anyone have any suggestions for viewing fireworks without going to a park? Would it be too late to reserve dinner somewhere in order to view the fireworks?

With the Beach at the Polynesian Resort reduced due to new construction this year...


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.

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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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[dna529]

Thanks so much for the detailed information!

 

[foohpah]

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.

I thought the deck was for patrons of Narcoossee's similar to CG. We made reservations for the night of July 3rd for dinner in hopes of enjoying the fireworks from that deck - are you saying that we may have dinner there but may not be able to view the fireworks because anyone can stand out on that deck?

 

[mesaboy2]

I thought the deck was for patrons of Narcoossee's similar to CG. We made reservations for the night of July 3rd for dinner in hopes of enjoying the fireworks from that deck - are you saying that we may have dinner there but may not be able to view the fireworks because anyone can stand out on that deck?

Anyone can stand out on that deck. You'll have to share the view, but not your food.

 

[dna529]

What about viewing them from Epcot at the Boardwalk?

 

[foohpah]

Anyone can stand out on that deck. You'll have to share the view, but not your food.

I don't mind sharing the view but is there a chance there will be no view to be had right before the fireworks start? That is my concern. Our dinner ADR is scheduled for 7:30 - we were hoping to go out onto the deck just right about the time it started instead of inhaling an expensive dinner to stake out a spot on the deck in advance.