Where to dine to see fireworks outside of park

[thursdaystgiles]

I'm looking for suggestions for our first night in Orlando. We're arriving in the afternoon and thought it would be a fun surprise for the kids to see the fireworks that night.
I'm honestly s overwhelmed with ADRs and looking at menus. I need someone with experience to tell me the best option. It will be on January 30th. I have one kid who has autism and sensory issues with food, so I prefer somewhere that has nuggets for him, but the rest of us are flexible as far as food goes.
So what place gives great views and what time should I reserve it, any other tips?

 

[EpcotPhoenician]

EPCOT (Harmonious)

You will want to eat in the Boardwalk area. You can access this area via a walking path from the World Showcase side of EPCOT. There are some great restaurants at the Yacht & Beach Club, too.

Fireworks start at 9:45 PM. I'd make your reservation for around 7:45 PM and then hang around the Boardwalk area until the fireworks start.

My recommendations for food...
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/beach-club-resort/beaches-and-cream-soda-shophttps://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/boardwalk/trattoria-al-fornohttps://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/yacht-club-resort/yachtsman-steakhouse/

Magic Kingdom (Enchantment)

There are a ton of dining options outside Magic Kingdom where you can see the fireworks from.

Fireworks start at 8:00 PM. I'd make your reservation for around 6:00 PM.

My recommendations for food...
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/polynesian-resort/ohana/https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/contemporary-resort/california-grill/https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/contemporary-resort/chef-mickeys/


View from Yacht Club / Boardwalk area




View from Contemporary Resort observation area






View from California Grill viewing deck (also at Contemporary Resort, but requires a dining reservation at California Grill)




View from the Polynesian Village Resort beach:

 

[thursdaystgiles]

Oh wow, thank you for such a comprehensive and helpful answer--i didn't even realize Harmonious was visible outside the park!

 

[EpcotPhoenician]

Oh wow, thank you for such a comprehensive and helpful answer--i didn't even realize Harmonious was visible outside the park!

You will miss out on quite a lot. There are screens in the lagoon which have visuals that go alongside the music/fireworks.

It's visible, but not nearly as a great of an experience.

 

[MB_Ellie]

At the Grand Floridian, the area outside of Gasparilla Island Grill and the porch at Narcoosee's offer good views of Enchantment too. At Narcoosee's the music was piped in, and I believe the same is true of the area by Gasparilla Island Grill.

 

[thursdaystgiles]

You will miss out on quite a lot. There are screens in the lagoon which have visuals that go alongside the music/fireworks.

It's visible, but not nearly as a great of an experience.

I'll probably go with watching the MK show, then. We have a 7day park hopper and play on doing Epcot twice, so we'll get the chance to see it there. Tips on best spot for watching it inside? We couldn't snag one of the dining options, and since it's a newer show, there seem to be conflicting suggestions.

 

[thursdaystgiles]

At the Grand Floridian, the area outside of Gasparilla Island Grill and the porch at Narcoosee's offer good views of Enchantment too. At Narcoosee's the music was piped in, and I believe the same is true of the area by Gasparilla Island Grill.

Ooh, thanks. Gonna have to keep my eye on ADRs opening up!

 

[Marthasor]

Do you mind me asking where you are staying? If you willing to get to the MK resorts via Disney transportation, you could simply do QS at any of the monorail resorts and then watch the fireworks from the resort viewing areas. You could also look for 'Ohana, Kona, GF Cafe, and Steakhouse 71 reservations and then, again, see the fireworks from the resort viewing areas.

 

[thursdaystgiles]

Do you mind me asking where you are staying? If you willing to get to the MK resorts via Disney transportation, you could simply do QS at any of the monorail resorts and then watch the fireworks from the resort viewing areas. You could also look for 'Ohana, Kona, GF Cafe, and Steakhouse 71 reservations and then, again, see the fireworks from the resort viewing areas.

This might be the way to go, as many of the other suggestions are currently booked.
We're staying off resort-- when we originally planned the trip in oct of 2020, we were at old key west and taking advantage of the dining plan...but with all the changes, we didn't see the benefit.