Watching the fireworks from Narcoossees?

[mickeysgirl17]

Curious, after the alligator incident, are people still able to watch the fireworks from Narcoossees? I know they shut down the beach after dark, but is there an area you can still go outside to watch?

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Narcoossees viewing area is a raised deck that wraps around the restaurant. It is up out of the water so I can't imagine they'd close it off but you never know what they will do...

 

[minnie mum]

There was a multitude of threads after the alligator incident. I did not read a single account of Narcoossees deck being closed.

 

[Hopefully]

I thought (?) I read recently that they were restricting the Narcoossees deck to guests of the restaurant. Does anyone know if this is the case?

 

[Uncleromulus]

It is. Deck too small to hold the flood who would like to go out there.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I thought the Narcoossees deck had a dessert party on it now.

 

[iluvpluto27]

It is. Deck too small to hold the flood who would like to go out there.

How are they controlling this ? When we stayed at the GF we would just wander down to Narcoossees to watch the fireworks. As you could access the deck without going into the restaurant I'm not sure how they would know whether you were dining there?

 

[Nancyg56]

How are they controlling this ? When we stayed at the GF we would just wander down to Narcoossees to watch the fireworks. As you could access the deck without going into the restaurant I'm not sure how they would know whether you were dining there?

You can no longer do this. When we had dinner there in December a CM was standing at the door to the veranda. These folks know who is dining there.

 

[Uncleromulus]

You can no longer do this. When we had dinner there in December a CM was standing at the door to the veranda. These folks know who is dining there.

Same with us in May.

And it's a good thing--that deck is not large at all and folks standing there block any view the patrons might have inside the restaurant.

And they encourage the restaurant patrons to go out and see the fireworks--which would be a lot harder if hundreds of people not eating there just wandered on over.

That's how it used to be at California Grill--anyone and his brother could go up to the restaurant, walk on through, and watch the fireworks from the observation deck.

 

[Nancyg56]

Same with us in May.

And it's a good thing--that deck is not large at all and folks standing there block any view the patrons might have inside the restaurant.

And they encourage the restaurant patrons to go out and see the fireworks--which would be a lot harder if hundreds of people not eating there just wandered on over.

That's how it used to be at California Grill--anyone and his brother could go up to the restaurant, walk on through, and watch the fireworks from the observation deck.

I don't remember the CG observation deck open to everyone, but I would not have thought to go unless I was dining there.. Narcoossees was always pretty liberal with the veranda, but I bet that it managed to get out of control.

Narcoossees is my favorite dining experience when I can combine it with one of the Holiday Wishes. Delicious, relaxed and ending with a show! How can it get better than that?

 

[Uncleromulus]

You should have seen CG before the second floor check in policy!!

It was a madhouse--all elevators disgorging folks who had no interest in eating but merely wanted to see the fireworks.

They would march through the restaurant right to the Deck--then march out again after the show was over.

I saw many a pushing and shoving match as folks scrambled for an elevator to exit the restaurant.

 

[Nancyg56]

You should have seen CG before the second floor check in policy!!

It was a madhouse--all elevators disgorging folks who had no interest in eating but merely wanted to see the fireworks.

They would march through the restaurant right to the Deck--then march out again after the show was over.

I saw many a pushing and shoving match as folks scrambled for an elevator to exit the restaurant.

WOW! That would not be okay with me!

 

[Uncleromulus]

IT took them awhile to realize it wasn't ok with a lot of folks--and thus the current second floor, just one elevator policy.

I actually saw a fist-fight once as two families were trying to mob the same elevator heading out of the restaurant after the fireworks were over.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

So you can't go up the CG without a ressie and see Wishes?

 

[wilkeliza]

So you can't go up the CG without a ressie and see Wishes?

No reservation and they won't even let you get in the elevator up to the top. I have heard some say they brought receipts for meals from the same day and had luck but that is no guarantee.

I believe you can get to the 4th floor observation deck at Contempo with out having a reservation to anything or staying there but not 100% sure.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Actually--CG has a small bar and lounge. If you say you are going to the bar or lounge they will let you up--but only if there are any seats left.

Usually anywhere near fireworks time there are no seats left...and you don't go up.

And if you saw the zoo that used to exist when they let anyone up, the soundness of the policy change becomes quite clear.

 

[wdw&sonny]

Unless things have changed very recently, you can still get to the observation deck by going to any other floor by one of the other elevators, out the door at the end of the hall (in the direction of BLT) and up the steps (outdoor stairwell). Or just stop short of the top floor and watch from any deck on the other floors below the top floor.
But, to me, the view from CG is far inferior to the view from MK.

 

[Uncleromulus]

A lot of effort for a marginal view---

 

[Scott MC]

A few thoughts...
1. I wouldn't imagine they'd close the deck at Narcoosee's after the recent events. Honestly, to do so would be overkill and just plain stupid.
2. Thank goodness the deck both at Narcoossee's and CG are blocked off for guests of each restaurant. Call me crazy, but I wouldn't think to go someplace I didn't pay for to be at to cheat out the same privileges of people who did pay.

Boy..those were awfully negative opinions this morning, eh? Sorry about that! I've been a teacher for 16 years now, and people in my life swear I've become more concrete, and black and white than I used to be!

So, let's end on a lighter note. Last year, DP and I didn't have a CG reservation, so we did march over at about 8:30 on a Sunday night, inquiring about cocktails, and in fact, the lounge was pretty sparsely populated. We enjoyed 2 Ray-Ray martinis, and finished just in time to watch fireworks, and be on our way. So, inquiring about cocktails (Be sure you order them though! No "We'll have 2 waters please.") is a viable option for CG!

 

[Uncleromulus]

That is a good idea--IF there is room to get in. When we were there in May on a Saturday night (fireworks were at 10) there was no seating left in the lounge and only a few bar seats left--at 7:30.

So if you have no ressies and want to hop over there just for a drink, be sure to have a Plan B in mind in case you cannot get in.