Where to watch Wishes from any monorail resort if not on a beach?

[Megara5115]

I am definitely not starting this thread to start any debate about wildlife at Disney I just would really love suggestions for non-beach Wishes viewing locations from any of the monorail resorts. We have a 7:20 Ohana reservation on a 10 o'clock Wishes night in December so it could be on the chillier side (we will have a baby with us). Definitely willing to travel via monorail from the Poly (planning on checking out GF Christmas decor at some point this trip so it could be that night). Suggestions greatly appreciated!

Bonus question: How long can we park at the Poly with the reservation and if we valet is it true that we can park there basically as long as we need that night (or did I fabricate that in my head)?

 

[glassslippergirl]

There's a balcony on the fourth floor of the Contemporary.

 

[Traveliz]

With valet you can park as long as you want at the Poly (or any other Disney hotel/resort). As far as a non beach viewing area, I am not a sand person so I have never stepped foot on the beach but watch it from the sidewalk adjacent the Beach. My favorite areas include the area in front of the Luau (although music is hard to hear) and then down near the ferry dock but still at the Polynesian. I am personally not a fan of watching from the Ferry dock (I don't like the additional bright lights there but a lot of people like that area). From the GF I like the area in front of Gasparilla Grill. I only watch from Top of the World at Bay Lake so not familiar with good viewing spots near the Contemporary.

Enjoy your trip.

Liz

 

[JimmyV]

There is a fireworks viewing platform on the 4th Floor of the Contemporary Resort. It is a "side view" of the fireworks, and not the classic "straight on" view. It looks like this:

 

[mom2rtk]

The dock at the Ticket and Transportation center is up above the beach and well lit. I can see how some don't like the lights, but they were very helpful setting up my tripod and adjusting my camera. I can see that it would also put your mind at ease if you wanted to watch for wildlife.

It's about as close as you will get to a centered, straight on view.

IMG_8950 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[Gracie09]

I second the ferry dock at the ttc. They even pipe the music

 

[need2travel]

Since the beaches are closed now do you think the Poly will be a little less crowded on July 3 than it would have been if people could still view fireworks from the beach? We wanted to have drinks at the Tiki Terrace & go to Kona one night for dinner but 7/3 is the only night I still have open in my schedule. We were going to skip it but if the Poly is a little quieter then maybe we can work it in.

Please don't think I'm being insensitive, I truly am not, I'm just trying to finalize my plans.

Thanks in advance!

 

[LisaCM614]

Since the beaches are closed now do you think the Poly will be a little less crowded on July 3 than it would have been if people could still view fireworks from the beach? We wanted to have drinks at the Tiki Terrace & go to Kona one night for dinner but 7/3 is the only night I still have open in my schedule. We were going to skip it but if the Poly is a little quieter then maybe we can work it in.

Please don't think I'm being insensitive, I truly am not, I'm just trying to finalize my plans.

Thanks in advance!

I don't think anybody really knows. I would go. Do you already have an ADR for Kona?

 

[need2travel]

Not yet but will try & then keep trying. Thanks for your input!

 

[Heidi Lou]

I love the contemporary viewing area but if it is too crowded the bridge between contemporary and bay lake tower is also a good spot and the music was playing last time we were there!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

IMG_8950 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Just had to say this pic is INCREDIBLE!!

 

[wilkeliza]

You can still see the fireworks at Poly between the GCH and pool is a big lawn now.

It is possible that close to July 4th they may not let non-hotel guests out onto the lawn. They may check magic bands leaving GCH if beach access is still closed in order to prevent over crowding and to ensure those that paid to stay at the poly are able to watch from there.

 

[Stephanator]

The dock at the Ticket and Transportation center is up above the beach and well lit. I can see how some don't like the lights, but they were very helpful setting up my tripod and adjusting my camera. I can see that it would also put your mind at ease if you wanted to watch for wildlife.
IMG_8950 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Great tip and pic! I'm going to make note for our upcoming trip. I've never actually made plans to watch fireworks outside the park, so this will be something new!

 

[Megara5115]

There is a fireworks viewing platform on the 4th Floor of the Contemporary Resort. It is a "side view" of the fireworks, and not the classic "straight on" view. It looks like this:

The dock at the Ticket and Transportation center is up above the beach and well lit. I can see how some don't like the lights, but they were very helpful setting up my tripod and adjusting my camera. I can see that it would also put your mind at ease if you wanted to watch for wildlife.

It's about as close as you will get to a centered, straight on view.

IMG_8950 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Wow- gorgeous pictures! These are two places I didn't know about! They both look like amazing views! How busy are they usually? As in what time should we plan on getting to either? Thank you all for the responses!!!

 

[Megara5115]

I love the contemporary viewing area but if it is too crowded the bridge between contemporary and bay lake tower is also a good spot and the music was playing last time we were there!

Thank you good to know!

 

[mom2rtk]

Just had to say this pic is INCREDIBLE!!

Wow- gorgeous pictures! These are two places I didn't know about! They both look like amazing views! How busy are they usually? As in what time should we plan on getting to either? Thank you all for the responses!!!

Thank you both!

The TTC location does not get crazy busy, that's one of the nice parts about it! Just get there about 20 minutes ahead of time. Some people getting off the ferry will stop in that area to watch but the night we were there it was maybe 20 people. You will need the dock attendant to let you into that area, but I didn't have any issue with it. He just asked me to wait to the side until it was almost time (to keep the area clear).

 

[bananabean]

We once got stuck on the monorail while the fireworks were going off. Pretty decent view. But it's a little hard to schedule in advance!

 

[Robo]

Definitely willing to travel via monorail from the Poly (planning on checking out GF Christmas decor at some point this trip so it could be that night).

You can see them from the boat-dock and an outside
observation deck near Narcoossee's restaurant at the Grand Floridian.
There is rumored soon to be a paid "Wishes Dessert Party" that will be held on that boat dock.
The Narcoossee's Deck shown is now reserved only for guests of the restaurant.

Good viewing from the Gasparilla Grill Patio overlooking the Marina.
The sound of the show is piped into these areas too.

 

[momdisfan]

love all these out of the park locations