Wishes from Comtemporary - CA Grill Deck, 4th Floor Deck, or Stair Case?

[wareagle57]

Does anyone who has been recently have a definitive answer on if anyone can view the fireworks from the California Grill Observation Deck without reservations? I'm seeing conflicting info everywhere I look ranging from: "You can walk up the stair case on any floor to the observation deck", to "You can just stroll up there no matter what and watch. Worst case you can just order a drink at the bar and then be a customer." to "no way to do it without an ADR. You are escorted up there, and they have people checking receipts on the deck even if you could get out there via the stair case."

So which is it? And assuming you CAN'T watch from the 15th floor, is the view that much better than on the 4th floor? And can you actually watch from an outdoor stair case just below the 15th floor? Can you hear the music from above on the deck?

 

[ArmyVet80]

For the Cali Grill Observation deck... We were there 3 weeks ago and you had to have a receipt from eating there earlier in the day or have a reservation. They were checking for receipts on the deck. We had drinks from the bar as we got up there about 30 minutes before our ADR and did not have a receipt yet.

We did find that the best view of Wishes (hallowishes) is from the south side observation deck. You get a better "straight line" look at the castle and you can see Illuminations at Epcot too.

 

[wareagle57]

shameless bump