Wishes at MK

[Smithermom]

Besides California Grill which is really pricey, where is the best place (restaurant or non-restaurant) to see Wishes?

 

[Robo]

Besides California Grill which is really pricey, where is the best place (restaurant or non-restaurant) to see Wishes?

The Beach at the Polynesian Resort offers a great view

of Wishes and other MK Fireworks shows.

However, the area with an MK view is now much smaller than it used to be

due to the recent construction of the new DVC on-the-water rooms.



They do "pipe in" the audio of the shows, but it is very, very low in volume.

There are several ground-level speakers along the

sidewalk.



They also pipe the audio to the speakers at the Poly pool.

The audio level if better in some places (closer to the sidewalk, for instance) than others (far out on the beach, for instance.)



I marked the area still open with a green arrow and the word "Beach" on the Poly map.

Here's a photo I took from the Poly Beach-

MK Fireworks (MVMCP Christmas Finale)

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More Viewing Spots-



You can see the MK fireworks shows very well from the TTC

(and they pipe-in clear, crisp audio from the show.)

Note: you are not allowed to stand directly in the actual Ferry loading area.

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.

At the Contemporary, there is viewing on an outdoor

observation area on the 4th floor.

The California Grill observation areas are reserved for patrons that day of the Grill or Bar.

(The audio of the fireworks show is also piped in to these locations.)

(Fireworks shown above are simulated.)



At Wilderness Lodge, the "secret place" to watch the MK fireworks is from the northern area of the Cast Member (CM) Parking Lot.

At the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds Marina (angle shown on the map below,) some of the view (especially of the "Fantasyland" pyro) is blocked by the now unused Discovery Island in Bay Lake and by the high-rise buildings of the Contemporary Resort.

But, the view from the Ft. Wilderness' sand beach (farther north) is more open.

Still the tree-level can block the views of the lower-firing pyro.



Here are the angles of the views in the Bay Lake area.

Below are the angles of the views in the Seven Seas Lagoon area.

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As for viewing from INSIDE the dining area of restaurants (you need ADRs, and most are usually busy during the shows)...

you can see (and hear) them at California Grill at Contemporary,

'Ohana at the Poly, at Trader Sam's and Trader Sam's outdoor patio at the Poly, Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian,

and (if you have access there) the Top of the World at Bay Lake Tower.

 

[Smithermom]

Wow, this is really thorough - thanks so much!!!

 

[Robo]

Wow, this is really thorough - thanks so much!!!

You're welcome, Smithermom.

As you might have guessed, this question gets asked a lot.


And, as I should have said earlier,
to the DISboards!

 

[GaryDis]

Perhaps @Robo got distracted by the restaurant part of your question, or perhaps you really did intend to focus on places outside the park. But if you want recommended viewing places within MK, you can find his map of that here.

 

[Alesia]

The best place to see wishes is in the park, preferably on main street. If you want someplace outside of the park, I recommend the TTC.

 

[Robo]

Perhaps @Robo got distracted by the restaurant part of your question, or perhaps you really did intend to focus on places outside the park. But if you want recommended viewing places within MK, you can find his map of that here.

Inside the MK?
Now why didn't I think of THAT?

 

[bbjunkie]

I'm another vote for the TTC if you want to watch from outside of the park. The thing about Wishes, is that the show was designed to have the best effect from MainStreet looking straight at Cinderella Castle. The TTC happens to be located at almost the same angle giving you, in my opinion, the best view of the show if you are not on Main Street. And as Robo said, the music is piped in clearly!

 

[akl432]

Hi, are they still allowing you to watch Wishes from the Poly beach, if you are not staying at the Poly? We're staying at AKL. Thanks!

 

[Robo]

Hi, are they still allowing you to watch Wishes from the Poly beach, if you are not staying at the Poly?

That was the first place I mentioned in my long post #2 of this thread, listing outside-MK viewing locations.

 

[akl432]

I had thought they had recently tightened up on who they allowed onto the Poly beach for Wishes viewing, checking bands and allowing only those staying there. Thanks for confirming this is no longer the case.