Wishes from outside MK

[lchughes75]

Dilemma - we had to change our itinerary a bit, and now we won't be in MK on a day in October when they will have Wishes. Yes, we will see HalloWishes, but we were hoping to see both. Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage is sold out. And, we really aren't interested in California Grill at the Contemporary. So, is there anywhere else outside MK to see Wishes?

Thanks!!!

 

[minnie mum]

4th floor observation deck of the CR. Boat dock at GFR. Beach at Poly. Beach at Ft. W. TTC.

 

[Glenn&Sharon]

We've watched from a bench outside the MK entrance

 

[kj2mom]

I have seen some pics from the TTC and want to watch it from there at some point. Reports say they do pipe in the music!

 

[Alesia]

I like the view from the TTC.

 

[figment_jii]

Contemporary - no view from Chef Mickey or the Wave. You can watch the fireworks from the CR 4th Floor Observation Deck or California Grill (if you are dining there).
4th Floor Observation Deck - guests can watch the fireworks from the viewing area. They pipe in the music. I would guess the view is similar to that of California Grill, but from a lower angle. Below is the view from the CA Grill, which at least gives you a sense of the orientation.

Polynesian - no view from Kona.
'Ohana - a few tables have a view, but most do not. I would not go with the plan to see fireworks from your table. There are some reports indicating that folks do get up and move around to see the fireworks. This would be the approximate view (you can see the castle to the left of the main wall support).

Beach - guests can watch the fireworks from the beach (intermittent). They do pipe in the music, but it can be hard to hear. The view is straight on, but at a distance. There have been reports that the beach is only accessible by guests staying at the Poly due to the construction, so check one of the Poly threads for the latest information.

Grand Floridian - no view from Citricos (a few bursts might be visible, but not really anything worth seeing) or 1900 Park Fare.
Narcoossee's - this is my favorite restaurant in WDW. Most window tables have a view of Wishes, but the view is often blocked by folks standing out on the veranda. You'll probably have to go outside to watch as well. Then dim the lights and pipe in the music (inside the restaurant and outside on the veranda). You can request a window table. I would aim for an ADR about 90 minutes before Wishes.
Boat Dock - guests are able to view the fireworks from the boat dock area. They pipe in the music. Almost the same view as Narcoossee's.

WL Boat - if you happen to be lucky and be taking the boat to MK from WL (or the opposite), you might be able to watch Wishes from the boat.

I've not as familiar with the layout of watching Wishes from WL or the TTC.

 

[Alesia]

Contemporary - no view from Chef Mickey or the Wave. You can watch the fireworks from the CR 4th Floor Observation Deck or California Grill (if you are dining there).
4th Floor Observation Deck - guests can watch the fireworks from the viewing area. They pipe in the music. I would guess the view is similar to that of California Grill, but from a lower angle. Below is the view from the CA Grill, which at least gives you a sense of the orientation.

Polynesian - no view from Kona.
'Ohana - a few tables have a view, but most do not. I would not go with the plan to see fireworks from your table. There are some reports indicating that folks do get up and move around to see the fireworks. This would be the approximate view (you can see the castle to the left of the main wall support).

Beach - guests can watch the fireworks from the beach (intermittent). They do pipe in the music, but it can be hard to hear. The view is straight on, but at a distance. There have been reports that the beach is only accessible by guests staying at the Poly due to the construction, so check one of the Poly threads for the latest information.

Grand Floridian - no view from Citricos (a few bursts might be visible, but not really anything worth seeing) or 1900 Park Fare.
Narcoossee's - this is my favorite restaurant in WDW. Most window tables have a view of Wishes, but the view is often blocked by folks standing out on the veranda. You'll probably have to go outside to watch as well. Then dim the lights and pipe in the music (inside the restaurant and outside on the veranda). You can request a window table. I would aim for an ADR about 90 minutes before Wishes.
Boat Dock - guests are able to view the fireworks from the boat dock area. They pipe in the music. Almost the same view as Narcoossee's.

WL Boat - if you happen to be lucky and be taking the boat to MK from WL (or the opposite), you might be able to watch Wishes from the boat.

I've not as familiar with the layout of watching Wishes from WL or the TTC.

The view from the TTC is basically the same as the view from the Poly beach, but it's less crowded and it's easier to hear the music.

 

[Robo]

You can see the MK fireworks shows very well from the TTC
(and they pipe-in clear, crisp audio from the show.)

You can see them from the boat-dock and an outside
observation deck near Narcoossee's restaurant at the
Grand Floridian. Anyone can stand on Narcoossee's Deck.
The outside deck is not a part of the actual restaurant. (All serving is done inside.)
The deck is accessed from the sidewalk outside the restaurant.

Also, good viewing from the 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.

(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 usually need ADRs for most, and they 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.

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