Which option would you chose after a full day at MK?

[saraheli]

Hi We are staying at Bay Lake Towers at the Contemporary and will be traveling with my 4 and 7 yo dcs. On our first full park day, we are planning on being at MK at rope drop. After the parade at 3pm our plan is to go back to the hotel and rest before heading out again for the evening. My choices are
A.Grabbing a casual meal at the Contemporary Cafe and then heading back to MK to see Wishes - maybe do the dessert party to avoid crowds?
B. Going to Ohana for dinner and maybe watching the fireworks from the beach C. Going to California Grill and watching the fireworks from the observation deck

We are first timers. Do you think its a must do to see Wishes at least once at the park?? I think since its Day 1, the energy levels will still be high and the next day we plan on sleeping in late and heading out to Epcot in the late morning. I can't decide which option I should chose and I am coming up on my 180 day ADR and need to book reservations! TIA!

 

[Flamingeaux]

For us Wishes is a must do. I'm trying to plan our next trip so we don't miss it. Easywdw likes to recommend MK days when Wishes is not showing.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I would pick California Grill Don't they pipe in the music ? Then you'll already be " home " in a few minutes Yes that's what I would do especially with little ones like yours Then I would smugly smile knowing I didn't have to deal with the mass exodus from MK

 

[Belleandtinker]

Fireworks at the park would be my preference.

We find that our DS has lots of energy at the beginning of the trip and our one hour time change benefits him also at the beginning so be back it into the front end of our trip.

Later in the week, we relax alittle more.

Enjoy!

 

[Indecisive]

I was just at BLT last week with my 4 and 7 year olds! After our full park day, we came back to BLT and ate at the Contempo Cafe. After resting in the room for a bit, I took DS7 (only) back to the park for the Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes. Although there were, of course, A LOT of 4 year olds in the park when I went back with DS7, my own DS4 would have been a disaster sitting in the crowd, reserving a good spot for MSEP/Wishes. In fact, I saw a lot of wee ones fast asleep in their strollers or putting up a big fuss before Wishes began. I chose to let my little guy sleep in his bed while my older guy got a night out with mom (me). Of course, that was easier to do since DH didn't really feel like going to the park for MSEP/Wishes anyway!

On a different night, DH and I had a date night at California Grille and saw Wishes from there. I have to say, HANDS DOWN, Wishes is better seen from inside the park! The perspective is all wrong from anywhere else. When you are in the park, all the fireworks look like they are right behind the castle. From CG, it looks sort of like two simultaneous fireworks shows because some are, in reality, done close to the castle and others are done farther away. From inside the park, you do not know this.

For these reasons, if you do want to take DS4, I would recommend going to the park, and I agree that it may be worthwhile to look into the Dessert Party to avoid the crowd, which your 4yo would probably not enjoy.

 

[Indecisive]

P.S. I don't know whether you will be using a stroller or not (we didn't), but DS7 and I just walked back to BLT along the path instead of waiting for the monorail after Wishes. We had a pleasant walk back together! Of course, if DS4 had been with me, he would have been in no condition to walk on his own.

 

[keishashadow]

Hi We are staying at Bay Lake Towers at the Contemporary and will be traveling with my 4 and 7 yo dcs. On our first full park day, we are planning on being at MK at rope drop. After the parade at 3pm our plan is to go back to the hotel and rest before heading out again for the evening. My choices are
A.Grabbing a casual meal at the Contemporary Cafe and then heading back to MK to see Wishes - maybe do the dessert party to avoid crowds?
B. Going to Ohana for dinner and maybe watching the fireworks from the beach C. Going to California Grill and watching the fireworks from the observation deck

We are first timers. Do you think its a must do to see Wishes at least once at the park?? I think since its Day 1, the energy levels will still be high and the next day we plan on sleeping in late and heading out to Epcot in the late morning. I can't decide which option I should chose and I am coming up on my 180 day ADR and need to book reservations! TIA!

Yes, Wishes in the park would be a must-do for a 1st timer. You can easily walk back to hotel, so no issues with dealing with the crowds/transportation unless you want to grab the boat or monorail.

If you are a DVC member you can watch the FW from the BLT rooftop venue

You might luck out and be able to watch them from your balcony. note that they pipe the music in via ur tv set.

Contemporary café is nice but limited options, you may just want to select a MK CS.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I say rest up, grab something at the Cafe and then head back.
I would try to get a FP for Wishes or do the Dessert Party.
The Dessert Party is super fun, especially for a first-night!

 

[disney meema]

I think going for the dessert party would be the best : )

 

[dledger]

I agree with the others that it would be worth it to go back and try and get reservations for the dessert party. I've done it twice so far and have it booked again in Aug. It's worth it to avoid the crowds, have somewhere to rest and the desserts are pretty yummy too!

 

[Canuckbiggs]

Hi We are staying at Bay Lake Towers at the Contemporary and will be traveling with my 4 and 7 yo dcs. On our first full park day, we are planning on being at MK at rope drop. After the parade at 3pm our plan is to go back to the hotel and rest before heading out again for the evening. My choices are
A.Grabbing a casual meal at the Contemporary Cafe and then heading back to MK to see Wishes - maybe do the dessert party to avoid crowds?
B. Going to Ohana for dinner and maybe watching the fireworks from the beach C. Going to California Grill and watching the fireworks from the observation deck

We are first timers. Do you think its a must do to see Wishes at least once at the park?? I think since its Day 1, the energy levels will still be high and the next day we plan on sleeping in late and heading out to Epcot in the late morning. I can't decide which option I should chose and I am coming up on my 180 day ADR and need to book reservations! TIA!

On our first trip I had read about the great view of the fireworks from the California Grill. Kids where 3 and 5 at the time. Travelled in November and there was one night with early fireworks. Booked the restaurant.

Food for the adults was good. Kids food is the usual stuff.

On that given night our kids did not get blown away by the fireworks from up there. Not sure why, just was a disappointment for us.

They were much more engaged with watching them from the MK.

JMO

 

[TaiTai1]

We were also there last week and did something similar. If you are a DVC member, this will work for you. After your pool time, I'd get a quick meal for everyone at the Contempo Cafe. Then head back into the park about 7:45-8:00 and grab a seat on the curb near the front of the park by the railroad station and/or Tony's. As soon as the Electrical Light Parade is done, exit the park and walk back to the hotel. Then head to the DVC desk, where someone will escort you to the top floor where you can view the fireworks from there. The music is piped in for you as well. After the fireworks, it's a quick elevator ride to the room for bed! Worked great for us.

This worked for us when the Electrical Light Parade was at 9:00pm and the Fireworks display was at 10:00pm.

If you are not a DVC Member, you will not be able to go to the 16th floor. Then you'll have to make other arrangements.

 

[stamot]

ok so I will break the line here.
I think the best view is from the Poly beach. I will pick dinner at Ohana. They pipe the music inside the restaurant, at least they did last time I ate there. The view from the Poly beach is unbeateable. Personally I hate watching Wishes from the park the view is not good and some people get very rude.
'
Another good option is the "Pirate and Pals Firework cruise". We did it one year and loved every minute and it was extra special. It comes out from the Contemporary resort. My daughter and husband love it and the view was spectacular.
Here is the information just in case: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/e...ary-resort/pirates-and-pals-fireworks-voyage/