Wishes Viewing

[TexasBelle7]

We will be arriving on 8/19, we do not want to waste an entire park day ticket just to watch Wishes! I have heard of various spots to watch wishes from, two main places being 1. California Grill and 2. The Poly Beach
I was wondering which everyone preferred, or if they knew of an even better spot to watch the fireworks from [And possibly enjoy a frosty beverage after a long travel day!]

 

[mesaboy2]

We will be arriving on 8/19, we do not want to waste an entire park day ticket just to watch Wishes! I have heard of various spots to watch wishes from, two main places being 1. California Grill and 2. The Poly Beach
I was wondering which everyone preferred, or if they knew of an even better spot to watch the fireworks from [And possibly enjoy a frosty beverage after a long travel day!]

Poly Beach was once a great place to watch Wishes, but with recent changes not anymore (my opinion only, of course). I would suggest these days the observation deck outside the main lobby of the Contemporary is probably the best option.

 

[mom2rtk]

The Ticket and Transportation Center is not as magical as watching inside the park, but the lack of crowds and relaxed atmosphere sure do make it a new favorite of mine.

Plus, proximity to your parked car is a real bonus.

 

[VS85]

We once watched from the boat dock at the GF, which was nice. There are a couple little benches and it doesn't get too crowded. There is also a little marina area by Gasparilla's Grill at the GF that seemed like it would have a lovely view. This year we made reservations at Cali Grill for an hour before the fireworks so we can go out on the observation deck during dinner. I believe you can also see fireworks from 'Ohana, so you could check for reservations there too.

We lucked out - our arrival day is evening EMH at MK so we're going to spend the day relaxing/napping, watch the fireworks from the CG observation deck and then head to MK and enjoy the park until 2am.

MK fireworks are such a great way to start a trip

 

[Jadyreen1282]

How's about you check it out on your MK day and hit hit yeehaw Bob instead .

 

[DisneyCAL]

There are lots of spots at GF. If you feel like a splurge, eat at Narcoosee's and watch fireworks with the music piped in.

 

[Robo]

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. 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 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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[IceSkatingPrincess]

I love watching from Cali Grill or Narcoosees.

 

[cmfitz14]

What website are those maps from? I've come across them multiple times & really like them, but I always forget to add the page to my favorites. Thanks!

 

[Robo]

What website are those maps from? I've come across them multiple times & really like them, but I always forget to add the page to my favorites. Thanks!

As of now, you can only see them in posts on the DIS.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Awesome maps! I was wondering about this, too, since we get "kicked out" one night thanks to MVMCP.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

I will admit that viewing from Gasparilla Grill is pretty good and as stated above the music is piped in. I think that is one of the better places outside of the park because not too many people know about it. Most will go to the boat dock at the GF.

 

[Ladyfish77]

Great information, thanks!

 

[TexasBelle7]

You guys are the BEST!

 

[Imaginique]

We watched Wishes from the outdoor patio of Trader Sam's on Thursday night. Great spot to sit and have a few drinks. They pipe in the music from the show as well.

 

[TexasBelle7]

S

We watched Wishes from the outdoor patio of Trader Sam's on Thursday night. Great spot to sit and have a few drinks. They pipe in the music from the show as well.

So excited to know that you can see them from Trader Sams, was planning to go to the Poly Beach so we can enjoy drinks at Trader Sams after, but good to know that we can see them from the patio (since its unlikely to sit inside, since everyone and their mother is trying to get in currently!)

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

We did Poly Beach last week since we had APs but our friends didn't. It was such a cool perspective. The castle looked ITTY BITTY and the fireworks were ENORMOUS! Normally, when you are there, the castle is your main view with big fireworks behind it. This is worth doing at least once. I loved being able to dig my toes in the sand, everyone was chill and easy going, and there was a family movie playing on the beach that stopped during fireworks. Not sure if it was a mix up between the movie sound switching to the fireworks, but sadly, we missed half of the music for Wishes. They kept trying though, so we got it after the Genie sequence. Things happen, I don't hold it against them at all. Our visitors said "Wow, the music REALLY makes a difference."

We will be back.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

We watched Wishes from the outdoor patio of Trader Sam's on Thursday night. Great spot to sit and have a few drinks. They pipe in the music from the show as well.

I need to work this out at as well. I still can't figure out where or how to get to Trader Sams!

 

[Robo]

I need to work this out at as well.
1. I still can't figure out where
2. or how to get to Trader Sams!

1. It's in the lobby of the Poly (in the Great Ceremonial House, same building as 'Ohana or the Kona.)
2. From MK, take the Resort Monorail.
Or, park at TTC or the Poly parking lot and walk to the Great Ceremonial House.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

1. It's in the lobby of the Poly (in the Great Ceremonial House, same building as 'Ohana or the Kona.)
2. From MK, take the Resort Monorail.
Or, park at TTC or the Poly parking lot and walk to the Great Ceremonial House.

Ahah, I was mistakenly under the assumption that it was the new DTD Indiana Jones style bar coming.... we were so close to it on Thursday, we took pics at Kona Cafe.