Wishes-Polynesian or MK

[susanh]

Are the MK fireworks so much better from right in front of the castle that it would be worth fighting the crowds with 2 small children versus viewing from Polynesian beach?

 

[Minniedap]

My granddaughter prefer watching from the Poly beach. They say it's fun playing in the sand while waiting for the fireworks. Also, you get to view the water parade.

 

[mesaboy2]

Are the MK fireworks so much better from right in front of the castle that it would be worth fighting the crowds with 2 small children versus viewing from Polynesian beach?

Unless your kids don't like loud noises, the answer is yes--Wishes is much better in MK than from Poly.

 

[kidd_freeper]

I don't believe that you can watch fireworks from the Poly anymore unless you are a guest there.

http://www.tikimanpages.com/poly/news/item/199-april-update

"... I am told this will be enforced from now on along with other limits soon to be enforced much more to limit access to the resort by non-resort guests. Either because of all the people trying to get a look at DVC or because over the last decade misuse of the facilities has increased but they will be limiting the amount of non-resort guests on property. Officially the pool and beach area are off limits to non-resort guests so viewing fireworks from the beach if you are staying else ware may be a thing of the past. .."

 

[Aliceacc]

When are you going??

In my humble opinion, the best way to see Wishes is from the Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party. You have an array of desserts, a cup of coffee or tea, a SEAT, and Tinkerbell flies right over your head! There's a bathroom nearby, and a bit of room for the kids to move around.

Here's the info: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/tomorrowland-terrace-fireworks-dessert-party/ You can book at 180+10.

If you choose a night with evening EMH, you can hang around the park for a while as the worst of the crowds leave.

 

[Mollymum]

For me, watching Wishes in MK is something I'll never forget - you are enveloped by the music and the atmosphere and having the fireworks right overhead. Watching them from Poly beach was fine but not as moving. It was relaxing, there was music piped in (not loud enough for my taste), and we could see the fireworks clearly but it wasn't larger-than-life like it is at MK. Having a great dinner beforehand at Ohana made it worthwhile.

Just depends on whether fighting the crowds is worth it to you.

 

[nkereina]

Agree with PP - rumor is they are restricting access to the Poly beach due to the construction. Part of the beach is closed off, making it small and crowded anyway. So between that and the Poly construction itself, I wouldn't bother with it there.

 

[Robo]

Agree with PP - rumor is they are restricting access to the Poly beach due to the construction. Part of the beach is closed off, making it small and crowded anyway. So between that and the Poly construction itself, I wouldn't bother with it there.

I've learned not to trust notices of "restrictions" for the Poly beach and fireworks viewing.

There is an astonishingly long list of perennially-posted "warnings" about them finally restricting non-Poly guests from viewing fireworks from the Poly beach.

Year-after-year we read about it.
Year-after-year we find that it simply is not true.

CAN it be true? Yes.
But, until we have solid evidence of guards posted and non-Poly guests being
turned away (more than one or two "I saw it" posts) I'm not
going to buy into anything new in this regard.

On MOST nights of the year the Poly beach (which is H U G E) is nearly devoid of guests watching the fireworks, (I mean to say fewer than 30 guests, give or take) so restrictions would be costly and unnecessary.

On July 3 and 4 and on Dec. 31, the Poly beach can be ALIVE with guests watching the MK fireworks.
In many years past, Disney has not only ALLOWED outside guests to watch
from the Poly beach, but they have set up special refreshment stands/tents to sell snacks and beverages to those who are there.

Also… if you happen to go to the Poly beach and (for whatever reason) you are not able to see the show from the beach, itself…


It is a short (2-10 minute) stroll over to TTC, where guests can also
view the MK fireworks (with very, very GOOD piped-in audio from the show.)

So, don't worry.
If you go to the Poly area, you can see the MK fireworks,
one way or another.

I'd get to the area at least 30 minutes before the start of the show so
you can get to a viewing spot with plenty of time to spare.

 

[heidijanesmith]

Are the MK fireworks so much better from right in front of the castle that it would be worth fighting the crowds with 2 small children versus viewing from Polynesian beach?

I have watched Wishes inside MK a couple of times. For the first time I would recommend watching it inside MK and save your spot early and deal with the crazy crowds. There is something about watching it inside MK that is very special.

DH hates the MK crowds and prefers to watch at the Poly beach when we are staying there. There are no crowds and it's a lovely place to relax before and after.

You can watch the fireworks from the GCH after eating at Ohana's or while eating at Ohana's, you do not have to stay at the Poly to eat there.

 

[moriaw76]

They are two totally different experiences. MK is definitely the best!

 

[imthemamahere]

Very different experiences.

Watching Wishes from within the Magic Kingdom, close to the hub/castle, is far more immersive. It starts with the imagery projected onto the castle a bit before the fireworks start - those are very cool. Then of course, the music surrounds you, and the fireworks burst practically overhead. Very impressive. Very fun.

You're pretty far removed from the experience when you're watching from the Polynesian. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, just... different. At Polynesian, it's quieter (though you can still hear the booms of the fireworks bursting), it's more peaceful, there's less crowd craziness. But you can still hear (pretty well) the music and see (a bit distantly) the fireworks. It's still fun, but at a slight remove.

We took my little guy at ages 2 1/2 and 3 1/2, and he watched Wishes from beside the castle as well as the beach at Grand Floridian. (And also from the observation deck at the Contemporary, as we ate dinner at California Grill one evening.) He enjoyed all of those. I can definitely say that he was more WOWed by the experience when we were in the park... but he had a smile on his face each time.

Really, do what's best for your family - you know your (and your kids') needs best.

If your budget permits, and you want to see the fireworks from a remove, but have a really great experience overall, you might want to look into the Pirates and Pals Fireworks cruise. That begins with a snack/dessert party at the Contemporary - cake, ice cream, fruit, popcorn, pretzels and such. Captain Hook and Mr Smee do a meet & greet (limited just to those going on the cruise) while people snack. Then you follow your pirate guide, Patch, to your boat. On the boat, seating is on forward-facing benches on either side of a center aisle. Your family of 4 would have your own bench - no fighting, no squeezing, nobody stepping on your toes or standing in front of your kids. Patch cracks jokes and asks trivia questions and announces celebrations and gives away pirate booty on the way to the fireworks viewing area of the lagoon. Once there, the boat stops (and drifts a bit), and the Wishes music is piped in. You have a lovely view (a bit distant, but clear) of the fireworks. Then the boat returns to the dock and a surprise character is there to greet you. Everyone on the boat gets some meet & greet time, then your night is through.

My son LOVED it at 3 1/2 and has been begging to do it again on our next trip. He doesn't yet know that we're going later this year - we're trying to come up with a little extra room in our budget so we can go!

 

[nkereina]

I've learned not to trust notices of "restrictions" for the Poly beach and fireworks viewing.

There is an astonishingly long list of perennially-posted "warnings" about them finally restricting non-Poly guests from viewing fireworks from the Poly beach.

Year-after-year we read about it.
Year-after-year we find that it simply is not true.

CAN it be true? Yes.
But, until we have solid evidence of guards posted and non-Poly guests being
turned away (more than one or two "I saw it" posts) I'm not
going to buy into anything new in this regard.

On MOST nights of the year the Poly beach (which is H U G E) is nearly devoid of guests watching the fireworks, (I mean to say fewer than 30 guests, give or take) so restrictions would be costly and unnecessary.

On July 3 and 4 and on Dec. 31, the Poly beach can be ALIVE with guests watching the MK fireworks.
In many years past, Disney has not only ALLOWED outside guests to watch
from the Poly beach, but they have set up special refreshment stands/tents to sell snacks and beverages to those who are there.

Also… if you happen to go to the Poly beach and (for whatever reason) you are not able to see the show from the beach, itself…


It is a short (2-10 minute) stroll over to TTC, where guests can also
view the MK fireworks (with very, very GOOD piped-in audio from the show.)

So, don't worry.
If you go to the Poly area, you can see the MK fireworks,
one way or another.

I'd get to the area at least 30 minutes before the start of the show so
you can get to a viewing spot with plenty of time to spare.

I know what you are saying, but I have read that it's being enforced now due to the construction. Different than other times of the year when the beach isn't sectioned off. Just a rumor from what I have read, not sure if there are actual recent experiences since the construction began.

 

[Amanda999]

I would watch from inside MK once, at the end of the trip (so you don't have kids begging to do it again). We loved watching from Poly beach when we stayed at Poly (in PJs; went to bed right after - priceless!), but it is an amazing experience to be right there inside MK enveloped by the fireworks.

Maybe a pirates and pals cruise (or whatever the option for a boat ride during fireworks is)? Might be worth the cost to be out of the crowd?

If you can't do Poly beach, I'm sure you can find a spot at TTC, or parking lot of Contemporary (latter is short walk from MK and buses).

 

[Hootch]

to watch from within the UK. Last trip we were able to get a spot on Main Street about 15 minutes before the fireworks. There was enough separation that our daughter had no problems seeing the show without being lifted. Nearer to the hub, the crowds were heavier.

 

[pampam]

I agree with most of the posters here. Watching from Ploly beach was nice, but it was something distant, like watching it on tv. There is much more atmosphere to experience, when you are right in the midst of things.

 

[linzbear]

I've learned not to trust notices of "restrictions" for the Poly beach and fireworks viewing.

There is an astonishingly long list of perennially-posted "warnings" about them finally restricting non-Poly guests from viewing fireworks from the Poly beach.

Year-after-year we read about it.
Year-after-year we find that it simply is not true.

CAN it be true? Yes.
But, until we have solid evidence of guards posted and non-Poly guests being
turned away (more than one or two "I saw it" posts) I'm not
going to buy into anything new in this regard.

On MOST nights of the year the Poly beach (which is H U G E) is nearly devoid of guests watching the fireworks, (I mean to say fewer than 30 guests, give or take) so restrictions would be costly and unnecessary.

On July 3 and 4 and on Dec. 31, the Poly beach can be ALIVE with guests watching the MK fireworks.
In many years past, Disney has not only ALLOWED outside guests to watch
from the Poly beach, but they have set up special refreshment stands/tents to sell snacks and beverages to those who are there.

Also… if you happen to go to the Poly beach and (for whatever reason) you are not able to see the show from the beach, itself…


It is a short (2-10 minute) stroll over to TTC, where guests can also
view the MK fireworks (with very, very GOOD piped-in audio from the show.)

So, don't worry.
If you go to the Poly area, you can see the MK fireworks,
one way or another.

I'd get to the area at least 30 minutes before the start of the show so
you can get to a viewing spot with plenty of time to spare.

Robo, you may want to update your poly map because the DVC bungalows are going up already and the beach near them is definitely closed.