watching electrical water pageant

[auntyjenn]

Is there a place you can watch the electrical water pageant outside the park? Where's the best place to watch from?

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Beach at Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian or Grand Floridian.

 

[elaw]

Beach at Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian or Grand Floridian.

CR and FW also have a decent view too but I personally prefer the WL

http://allears.net/tp/ewp.htm

 

[auntyjenn]

Can I go hang out on the beaches if I'm not a resort guest?

Thanks

 

[Robo]

Can I go hang out on the beaches if I'm not a resort guest?

Yes.
Unless it's on or near New Year's Eve or July 4th, the MK area resort beaches are fairly deserted after dark.

 

[WEDWDW]

If you time it just right,the best view is from out on Bay Lake in one of the boats that make the CR/FW/WL "circle".

Sometimes they have to stop and let the EWP pass and you get very close to it.

It is an awesome experience being that close to it.

 

[auntyjenn]

Do you have to pay to park at the hotels? Can I get to one of these easily from DTD?

Thanks for the replies!

 

[CyForDisney]

Do you have to pay to park at the hotels? Can I get to one of these easily from DTD?

Thanks for the replies!

I know the Boardwalk usually lets non resort guests park for the day but I'm not sure about the mentioned Magic Kingdom area resorts.

Yes you can easily get to the resorts from DTD using the resort bus transportation. If you can't park at the resorts themselves, parking at DTD and taking the WDW bus to the resort is likely your next best option.

 

[Robo]

1- Do you have to pay to park at the hotels?

2- Can I get to one of these easily from DTD?

1- No.

2- That's not the route I'd take, but that's one way to do it.
And, "easily" is not the word I'd use, especially during the major
DTD construction project.

 

[SWofDisorder]

Our favourite spot is from the river side at the Contemporary. You can get a nice drink or hot cocoa from the bar, then walk over and sit in the sand, on a chair, in the grass and watch it pass.

The ELP is one of the best kept secrets of WDW and has been a favourite for years.

 

[wdwrich]

I know the Boardwalk usually lets non resort guests park for the day but I'm not sure about the mentioned Magic Kingdom area resorts.

Sorry- this is not quite true. Parking at the resorts is for guests at the individual resort and for guests using the amenities (restaurants, shopping, etc. but not the pools). For guests shopping or dining, you are supposed to park only while at the resort for those activities, and not all day and not for theme park access. The resorts within walking distance of a theme park, especially MK, can be fairly strict about enforcement.

 

[Polydweller]

Yes.
Unless it's on or near New Year's Eve or July 4th, the MK area resort beaches are fairly deserted after dark.

That's changed a bit at the Poly due to the construction. They are much more restrictive about both parking and beach access.

 

[sharadoc]

The Fort Wilderness Beach is a great spot if you want to take some time to visit there. I'd recommend driving and parking there, then taking the internal bus to the Settlement area.The EWP always passes there at 9:45. It's perfect during the summer when Wishes is at 10. You can see all of the sky fireworks and they pipe in the music.

Crockett's Tavern is along the way, so grab a nice adult beverage and sit out on the beach. It does get busy right before, so you may not get a chair but you can usually find a lounge chair, or bring a towel or blanket to sit on the sand.

Even better, have dinner at Trail's End earlier and make a night of it

 

[Anchored]

we just left Florida (not Disney parks) and did this. I parked at the T&TC, walked over to the Poly, they were playing Pirate Fairy on the big screen on the beach. We watched that and watched the electric water parade, took the boat over to MK, took the walking path to the contemporary resort, watched Wishes from the 4th floor observation deck, then took the monorail back to the T&TC .
There are great walking paths, my kids got to see the boat parade, the fireworks, and got to ride the ferry and monorail. Great dose of Disney Magic on our way to another destination

 

[SheilaHeartsDisney]

If you don't care about seeing Wishes afterwards our favorite spot to watch the water parade was from the Wilderness Lodge beach. There was hardly anyone there. Everyone was able to get a beach chair to watch.

I would just park at Wilderness Lodge like 45 minutes before the show, do some window shopping, tour the grounds, then get a seat on the beach. You should be done all that well within the 3 hour time limit they give for parking.

 

[Robo]

If you don't care about seeing Wishes afterwards our favorite spot to watch the water parade was from the Wilderness Lodge beach. There was hardly anyone there. Everyone was able to get a beach chair to watch.

Also, you CAN see Wishes from Wilderness Lodge, just not from the beach there.

At Wilderness Lodge, the "secret place" to watch the MK fireworks is from the northern area of the Cast Member (CM) Parking Lot.
No sound is piped in, however.

 

[auntyjenn]

The Fort Wilderness Beach is a great spot if you want to take some time to visit there. I'd recommend driving and parking there, then taking the internal bus to the Settlement area.The EWP always passes there at 9:45.

What is the 'Settlement area'?

 

[tobikaye]

What is the 'Settlement area'?

It is the area with Trails End, HDDR, Settlement Trading Post, Crockets Tavern that is right next to the beach/marina area of FW. If you drive and park at FW or even take a bus from DTD, you will enter at the Outpost and then take a bus back to the Settlement Depot.

 

[Robo]

What is the 'Settlement area'?

It is the area with Trails End, HDDR, Settlement Trading Post, Crockets Tavern that is right next to the beach/marina area of FW. If you drive and park at FW or even take a bus from DTD, you will enter at the Outpost and then take a bus back to the Settlement Depot.

 

[Skywise]

Where does the Electrical Water Parade do its show at the Polynesian? I know it's "off the beach" but is that in front of the Hawaii building, by the Volcano Pool or over by the docks? Has the DVC (or the upcoming pool construction) changed where it's at?