Watching Wishes outside park...

[GMS]

Any ideas on where we can get a really nice view of Wishes from outside the park without eating at a restaurant? We will be dining at Bomas earlier on our first night there, and wanted to catch them from somewhere. Thanks!

 

[Dznefreek]

The beach at the Poly. The boat dock at TTC. The 4th floor observation deck at the Contemporary . . . .all good spots!

 

[sters]

We had a marvellous view from the 15th floor observation deck at the Contemporary Resort, where you can look down on Tomorrowland and see Tink's flight. I understand from the restaurant boards, though, that Disney will no longer allow you to watch from here unless you have a PS at Calfironia Grill. Pity. they piped in the music and everything and it was supurb. On the otherhand, I think the Contemporay also has a 5th floor lounge to view the fireworks.

Like an earlier poster, we also viewed the fireworks from the Poly pier, and the music was piped in. I've also heard about people watching the fireworks on various walkways near the GF as well.

 

[Dana49]

The best view is from the boat dock at the Grand Floridian. The boat dock is located beside Narcoosee's. On the night of the MVMCP the "Wishes" show begins at 9:15 P.M., so be just a little early.

 

[OLT2004]

We watched Wishes from the beach @ The Poly on Tuesday 11/23/04 and the Music and Narration was NOT PIPED IN!!!!!!?????

I Was Extremely Disappointed...This was supposed to be a "Magical" Night...

The food @ Ohana sucked.....

The Shrimp Skewers had to be PEELED(While Hot) and were very spicy...
They were seasoned like Hot Chicken Wings with a Fishy Taste...Yuk.....

The Sausage was cheap Turkey Sausage.
Very fine grind(ground) with a taste that was somewhere between Breakfast Sausage and Mild Italian Sausage...Yuk.....

The Beef was OK...Tough & Cheap Stewing Beef...Marinated for days in Italian Dressing and then Charbroiled...Can you say "Speedies"...

The Pork was just plain SPOILED...My DD ate 2 before I tried mine...I sent it back but she puked the next morning...

The Electric Water Pageant was 1/2 the barges or floats as we have seen.

 

[Bracho]

My vote goes to the beach at the Polynesian... infront of the Hawaii Longhouse... what a beautiful view!

 

[tjmw2727]

We love to watch from the beach at the Polynesian. Grab a lounger on the beach or even a rocker or hammock if available. Dh and I usually grab a "beverage" from the lounge upstairs and get the girls a soda and we just hit the beach and relax. The EWP is generally just before wishes but check the times esp during the holidays. Althouth the EWP is shortened due to the hurricanes its still a great way to pass the time while waiting.

TJ

 

[GMS]

Is the music piped in at the GF pier? Oh, it sounds lovely! I love the Poly at night too.

 

[NCDisneyMom]

We watched Wishes from the beach @ The Poly on Tuesday 11/23/04 and the Music and Narration was NOT PIPED IN!!!!!!?????

It was not piped in when we did this in October, either. But, it was still a great view. It was our last night, and it was wonderful to just sit on the beach with my dh and 2 kids and enjoy the time together.

Diana

 

[turnerx5]

Poly beach is awesome. You want the Poly beach closer to the Grand Floridian, the one adjacent to Luau Cove (where they hold the Poly Luau dinner show). It has a better view IMHO than the main Poly beach near the Volcano pool.

Cheers, Tx5

 

[Colorado Belle]

The 17th floor at the Contemporary on the outside parapet....even if Disney had some RULE about needing a California Grill res....the bar is right there, so you just need to go to the bar and order WATER and tip a couple bucks and then take your drink outside. Sorry, just don't see how that one could or would be enforced. Last time I was there, in August, they still piped the music outside on the parapet. Just don't be obvious...get off the elevator, say hi to the maitre d, turn RIGHT and the bar is there on the right and is usually busy....just to the right of the bar is a ramp that leads to double doors out onto what I call the parapet. ENJOY (tho all of the outside places can be cold in December)
I'm there on the 10th...so lets hope it isn't.
Colorado Belle

 

[sters]

The 17th floor at the Contemporary on the outside parapet....even if Disney had some RULE about needing a California Grill res....the bar is right there, so you just need to go to the bar and order WATER and tip a couple bucks and then take your drink outside. Sorry, just don't see how that one could or would be enforced. Last time I was there, in August, they still piped the music outside on the parapet. Just don't be obvious...get off the elevator, say hi to the maitre d, turn RIGHT and the bar is there on the right and is usually busy....just to the right of the bar is a ramp that leads to double doors out onto what I call the parapet. ENJOY (tho all of the outside places can be cold in December)
I'm there on the 10th...so lets hope it isn't.
Colorado Belle

A Disney CM will check your PS against a list before allowing you to go on the elevator, according to reports on the restauarant boards.

 

[InstImpres]

I can confirm they have "locked" the elevator in the Cont. and you must be taken up after checking in.

Not to spoil your plan but, I have seen Wishes 3 times, once from the water (Magical Gathering Cruise), once from the Cont. Obs. Deck and once dead center on Main Street.

Nothing beats Main Street. Main Street was actually my 3rd viewing and there are things inside the MK that can only been seen from there not from far away. The show is a do not miss, so if outside the park is all you can do, you won't regret it but I highly recommend inside the park.

JMHO
Sandy

 

[Dznefreek]

The 17th floor at the Contemporary on the outside parapet

You would be 2 floors above the roof. I think you mean 15.

 

[sters]

I can confirm they have "locked" the elevator in the Cont. and you must be taken up after checking in.

Not to spoil your plan but, I have seen Wishes 3 times, once from the water (Magical Gathering Cruise), once from the Cont. Obs. Deck and once dead center on Main Street.

Nothing beats Main Street. Main Street was actually my 3rd viewing and there are things inside the MK that can only been seen from there not from far away. The show is a do not miss, so if outside the park is all you can do, you won't regret it but I highly recommend inside the park.

JMHO
Sandy

I couldn't agree more! I first saw it smack in the center of Main Street then, later in the week, from Poly beach and from 15th Floor contemporary. The Main Street was the most awesome experience and I'm glad I saw it there, the way it was meant to be seen, first. On the otherhand, there's something to be said about the quick exit from the resorts. We were back to our POR room before we could have even hoped to exit the park.

 

[Rev. Gary Jon Cooper]

The reply about the Boat Dock for viewing WISHES at Narcoosee's was most helpful. We will be there in late January and were wondering if we should grab a boat back to the MK. Is the Dock often crowded and should one scout out a place there early?

 

[dolphindan1]

You would be 2 floors above the roof. I think you mean 15.

Well I bet that would be a very private spot. I am sure you would be the only ones there. Floor 17....you sure you order water to get there??

 

[Dana49]

The reply about the Boat Dock for viewing WISHES at Narcoosee's was most helpful. We will be there in late January and were wondering if we should grab a boat back to the MK. Is the Dock often crowded and should one scout out a place there early?

The dock is very rarely crowded. At the end of January, it may be a bit cool so bring something warm to wear. Be sure and check the MK schedule so you know which night to view "Wishes." Following "Wishes" you may either take a boat ride to the MK or walk back inside and catch the monorail. Be prepared, the boat ride may be a cold experience. Enjoy!

 

[ufgator]

We watched Wishes from the beach @ The Poly on Tuesday 11/23/04 and the Music and Narration was NOT PIPED IN!!!!!!?????

I Was Extremely Disappointed...This was supposed to be a "Magical" Night...

The food @ Ohana sucked.....

The Shrimp Skewers had to be PEELED(While Hot) and were very spicy...
They were seasoned like Hot Chicken Wings with a Fishy Taste...Yuk.....

The Sausage was cheap Turkey Sausage.
Very fine grind(ground) with a taste that was somewhere between Breakfast Sausage and Mild Italian Sausage...Yuk.....

The Beef was OK...Tough & Cheap Stewing Beef...Marinated for days in Italian Dressing and then Charbroiled...Can you say "Speedies"...

The Pork was just plain SPOILED...My DD ate 2 before I tried mine...I sent it back but she puked the next morning...

The Electric Water Pageant was 1/2 the barges or floats as we have seen.

I agree about the shrimp (I don't know about the others because I don't eat beef, pork or sausage). We just ate at Ohana a couple of weeks ago.



I like watching Wishes from the Poly beach.

 

[freediverdude]

I'm wondering, if they've locked the elevator going up to the California Grill and bar, how do you get up there to use the bar? Do you then have to have a PS for the bar? Or are only PS seating guests for California Grill allowed to patronize the bar up there? Don't understand how that's working.