Where to watch WISHES at the MK Resorts?

[Clare]

We are having dinner at O'Hana on a night when WISHES will be shown. Where would be a good place to watch? Should we make our PS to coincide with the show & hope for a window seat, go to the beach at the Poly or take the monorail to another MK resort?

I know we won't be able to see everything, but I'm also sure that some viewing spots are better than others. What has your experience been?

Opinions please!!!

 

[4greatboys]

Actually the view is good from most tables at Ohana's. We had a table right by the pits and a few tables deep from then windows and we Wishes fine.
The beach is also a great place to view Wishes from.

 

[ducklite]

There are signs on the beach that it is only for registered Polynesian guests. Some have stated that they've been encouraged to watch from there by a server, but doing so is risking being asked to leave by security. This DOES happen during busier times BTW.

Anne

 

[DisneyMomx7]

You can hop on the monorail and watch Wishes at the GF, either at the boat dock or over by the marina. In front of Gasparillas there are tables and chairs and you can get a drink or ice cream and watch Wishes from there.

 

[Clare]

Sorry, hope I haven't offended anyone. I wasn't trying to break the rules. I didn't realize the Poly beach was off limits. I guess we'll try to time our dinner right & catch WISHES from Ohana.

Thanks everyone for the info!

 

[kirbsam]

Watch from the beach at the Poly. It is the best place and most relaxing place to watch. Just dont go in the pool or try to fill your refillable mug.

 

[ducklite]

Watch from the beach at the Poly. It is the best place and most relaxing place to watch. Just dont go in the pool or try to fill your refillable mug.

Does it get much clearer?

Anne

 

[minmate]

Well, I didn't see that sign when we were there... (did you take a pic of that sign purposely to be able to post here! That cracks me up...) plus we were also encouraged to watch from there by servers who KNEW we weren't Poly guests. Either way, I was not very impressed with the show from the beach... simply because I knew from our stay last year at GF, the music was piped in at their marina.

I 'know' there is a strategic location by/near/on the beach somewhere at Poly where you can hear the music, but the only place *we* heard it was from the walkways behind the beach... well, we were leaving by then, that's how we heard it.

I'd make your dinner PS early enough to be able to hop the monorail over to the GF marina. You can hear the music from there. You might not get a chair as those may get filled up quickly, but you can walk along the marina and find a nice spot along the railing. And... it's public area, so you *shouldn't* get anyone posting any pics or tales of non-GF guests being kicked out of the GF marina.

 

[Gymbomom]

Sorry, hope I haven't offended anyone. I wasn't trying to break the rules. I didn't realize the Poly beach was off limits. I guess we'll try to time our dinner right & catch WISHES from Ohana.

Thanks everyone for the info!

I understand what they are saying about the beach being for hotel guests. But, you really shouldn't feel like you can not step onto the beach and watch wishes. I think that is absurd. I think the servers tell you to go down and watch it because they have never heard of people getting kicked off the beach. If it is crowded don't take up the chairs, maybe bring one of your own beach towels for the kids to sit on while you stand.
Watching fireworks and the electrical parade from a MK resort is a must for me every trip, no matter where I stay.....

 

[cdpa4d]

If you can get a PS before Wishes starts watch the show from the California Grill on top of the Contemporary Resort. IMO the best view of the Magic Kingdom hands down!

ADP

 

[shellybaxter]

Okay, this "the beach is for registered guested" thing was really bothering me, because so many people (including me) have been encouraged by the servers to stick around and see the fireworks from the beach. Mind you, I've never done this and probably never will, but it bothered me. So I called the Poly and asked for someone from management. I was transfered to someone named Lyndsey. I told her me and my family were planning on eating at Ohana and planned to go down to the beach and watch the fireworks but had read online that the beaches were for registered guests only. She said, "No, security will give you a three hour pass." I said, "For parking?" and she said "Yes, and if you finish eating around firework time you are welcome to go down to the beach and watch". I said "The signs at the beach say they are for the use of guests only." She said, "Oh, that's for useing the beach like the pool, you know laying in the sun, playing in the sand, like that." I thanked her and hung up. It sure sounds to me like the Poly doesn't mind if you watch fireworks from their beach. I guess if it got really crowded and there was a hazard with too many people, then the non guests would be the first to leave, but on a regular night, it sounds like it would be fine to me.

Shelly

 

[ducklite]

If you can get a PS before Wishes starts watch the show from the California Grill on top of the Contemporary Resort. IMO the best view of the Magic Kingdom hands down!

ADP

Actually, it's not. The best view of Wishes is from in the MK. After that Narcooses or the Hawaii building at the PR is the next best.

And BTW--the view from the WEST sie of the MK is better than the view from the EAST side.

Anne

 

[Gymbomom]

Okay, this "the beach is for registered guested" thing was really bothering me, because so many people (including me) have been encouraged by the servers to stick around and see the fireworks from the beach. Mind you, I've never done this and probably never will, but it bothered me. So I called the Poly and asked for someone from management. I was transfered to someone named Lyndsey. I told her me and my family were planning on eating at Ohana and planned to go down to the beach and watch the fireworks but had read online that the beaches were for registered guests only. She said, "No, security will give you a three hour pass." I said, "For parking?" and she said "Yes, and if you finish eating around firework time you are welcome to go down to the beach and watch". I said "The signs at the beach say they are for the use of guests only." She said, "Oh, that's for useing the beach like the pool, you know laying in the sun, playing in the sand, like that." I thanked her and hung up. It sure sounds to me like the Poly doesn't mind if you watch fireworks from their beach. I guess if it got really crowded and there was a hazard with too many people, then the non guests would be the first to leave, but on a regular night, it sounds like it would be fine to me.

Shelly

Thank God, for Shelly calling, we need to copy this post in the archives to bring up on the numerous times this will come up!!

 

[Tikiman]

Can't we all just get along???

Aloha

Steve

 

[ducklite]

I'm glad you're all so considerate of those staying at the Polynesian who do so for certain perks, uncrowded beach access to see Wishes being one of them...

Anne

 

[Gymbomom]

I'm glad you're all so considerate of those staying at the Polynesian who do so for certain perks, uncrowded beach access to see Wishes being one of them...

Anne

I consider myself a very considerate person. We don't take over the beach area, we usually stand. Also, we are DVC members and never have to worry about going into a resort. I guess we don't go at peak times (although we have been at Xmas and NYears), I just have never seen it crowded on the beach, where I felt like I was taking someones viewing spot??
I certainly do not dissrespect your opinion, I just don't agree with you. But, I guess we all have to do what we feel like is right.

 

[band_man]

I'm glad you're all so considerate of those staying at the Polynesian who do so for certain perks, uncrowded beach access to see Wishes being one of them...

Anne

Oh my ! Are you serious?

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Do yourselves a favor and hop on the monorail or ferry and go over and watch it at the GF marina. We stay at GF and we've never had any problems with too many people watching Wishes from either the marina or boat dock. I think most people are watching it from Main St. You can also get a snack or ice cream at Gasparilla's so you won't feel funny about using the tables and chairs. This year we're staying lagoon view so hopefully we'll be watching Wishes from our balcony, although I think the kids might miss watching it in front of Gasparillas. Go and have a good time, I don't think there is as big of a problems at GF with beach and pool hoppers at the Poly seems to have!

 

[Bride In The Attic]

I agree with those that have suggested Narcoosee's - it is a great place to watch Wishes.

Just one request...if you chose to watch from the balcony of Narcoossee's please be mindful of those sitting inside the restaurant at window view tables. We waited over an hour last November to get a table by the window - once the show started tons of people were on the verandah outside (these were not necessarily folks dining at Narcoosee's) and we couldn't see a thing. Our server said it is a problem they can't (or choose not to) do anything about since it is a public area. Yes, we could have headed outside to watch as well but our food had just arrived and our DD was so tired we were really looking forward to just watching from our seats. Lesson learned!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I agree, there's nothing like watching wishes from your lagoon view room at the GF. Heaven! Like I posted on another thread, I also really enjoy watching it from Gasparilla's (during our first visit to WDW, we stayed at GF and were surprised when the fireworks started--we had no idea that was going to happen and it was a serendipitous coincidence, for sure...we just kept on eating and watched this gorgeous show!). It's also fun to watch them from the dock at the GF marina even when there are lots of people--kind of adds to the build up of the show when everyone is looking forward to it as much as you are As far as I know, the dock area at GF is public so anyone can go there.