Wishes without a MK ticket

[Zela]

Is there anywhere that I can go to watch wishes and hear the music without paying for admission to MK besides Narcoosee's and California Grill?

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Poly beach.

 

[Singinglizzie]

The word is out about going to the Polynesian and watching the fireworks from the beach! There is also a boat "cruise" you can take on the seven seas called Illumination Cruise, but it costs about $50 per person, however I hear it is great. If I had the evening free and could afford it, I would love to do this. You need to call 407-939-7529 exactly 90 days before the date you want to reserve. Does anyone know if you can see the fireworks, outside the gates to MK?

 

[WEDWDW]

TTC Ferry Dock.

 

[disneykc9691]

Contemporary 4th floor observation deck. Just take the resort monorail to the Contemporary and u can walk out to the deck located behind Fantasia, the gift shop in between the arcade and Bay View Gifts

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

4th Floor observation deck at the Contemporary.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

The word is out about going to the Polynesian and watching the fireworks from the beach! There is also a boat "cruise" you can take on the seven seas called Illumination Cruise, but it costs about $50 per person, however I hear it is great. If I had the evening free and could afford it, I would love to do this. You need to call 407-939-7529 exactly 90 days before the date you want to reserve. Does anyone know if you can see the fireworks, outside the gates to MK?

It's actually called a Wishes Cruise. The Illuminations cruise is for the fireworks in Epcot. That's a good option, too, but it's not $50 a person unless you can find 9 other people to share it with! You actually have to pay for the whole boat, you can't just book a single spot. It's something like $350 for the boat that has the music. We did this a few weeks ago and ended up giving the captain $400 (with tip) and found other DISers to share it with.

Oh, and you can now book these 180 days out, not 90.

 

[mitsybella]

you can do pirate and pals fireworks cruise and pay per person, you go out onto the lake from CR and they pipe the music into the boat

 

[Traveliz]

Is there anywhere that I can go to watch wishes and hear the music without paying for admission to MK besides Narcoosee's and California Grill?

All the suggestions below are good - but remember Wishes is not the fireworks show that is now at WDW.

Liz

 

[billsfan]

Sorry I can't help myself

From our room at the BLT Wednesday October 20th 2010. It will be our first trip home to the BLT. If you are at Disney then I invite you to watch with us

 

[MomtoAlexnWilliam]

Poly beach.

Yes, the word is out about this and someone reported that at least for the July 4th holiday time, resort guests were given id bracelets and CMs only let resort guests on the beach. I don't know if they are doing this all of the time....just a heads up!

 

[Robo]

Yes, the word is out about this and someone reported that at least for the July 4th holiday time, resort guests were given id bracelets and CMs only let resort guests on the beach.

Sorry, that is not correct information.

 

[MomtoAlexnWilliam]

No, that was not the correct information.

So they didn't hand out ID bracelets and/or they didn't only let resort guests on the beach? I would have sworn I read it on the Poly thread. I'll go back and re-read what they posted.

 

[MomtoAlexnWilliam]

Post #2961 is what I referenced earlier. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2423127&page=198

This poster said they issued ID bracelets and used them for the pool and then had a rope up to the beach stating the beach was for resort guests only.

Of course, I wasn't there and am relaying what a guest at Poly reported on the Poly thread.

 

[Robo]

Post #2961 is what I referenced earlier. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2423127&page=198

This poster said they issued ID bracelets and used them for the pool and then had a rope up to the beach stating the beach was for resort guests only.

Of course, I wasn't there and am relaying what a guest at Poly reported on the Poly thread.

---------------

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37270968#post37270968

July 06, 2010 (Liz was at Poly Beach on July 3 & 4, 2010)

Traveliz
DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Posts: 5,328

I was there on the third (on purpose) and then we ended up there on the 4th as well.

It is true there are signs at the entrance of the parking lot but that refers to parking only - anyone is welcome - in fact that sign is up often and it only refers to the parking situation not entering the Poly area.

On the 3rd it was lightly raining and not as busy.

On the 4th we got crazy and were Downtown Disney and about 8 decided to go over to the MK.

We had no trouble entering and parking the TTC and to be honest I was shocked at the number of people arriving that late.

We parked in Grumpy and we walked to the TTC (the trams were running even from the closer Dopey area. As we entered the TTC area to go to the Poly walkway we noticed dozens (if not hundreds, seriously) of people walking from both the parking lot, monorail and ferry area directly onto the Poly walkway. It was unlike anything I have ever see over there.

We went to the GCH to use the restrooms and the building was busy but not crazy. Outside the beach was mobbed. The Poly was clearly expecting and welcoming visitors.

We have gone many times over the 4th and NYE and this is the first time I have seen this...there was an additional tent up (between Hawaii and the sidewalk but not in front of the guests rooms there) serving food and drinks and a long line of customers. There were CMs (with the Poly costume on) walking up and down the beach and sidewalk selling the light up toys etc that they sell at the parades, and there were trucks (I saw three) of towels being delivered for anyone (no resort ID needed, nothing asked for) for people to take to sit on at the beach or wherever.

The beach right in front of the pool was jam packed. Sunset Pointe was pretty busy too although still spots there and there were plenty of spots all along down the beach and walkway.

The sound on the 3rd was better than the 4th - it was clearer and it came from the Electrical Water Pageant barges. There is a spot in the fireworks where the patriotic lights of the Water barges come on and that is something that only viewers from the Poly area would see -- it was really neat.

I have been many times over the 4th and NYE and this night was absolutely the busiest I have ever seen the Poly beach. It was fun too. I thought it interesting the Poly has gotten on the bandwagon and brought out additional CMs for food, drinks and souvenirs...smart move on their part!

Liz

 

[Mysteria]

Sorry I can't help myself

From our room at the BLT Wednesday October 20th 2010. It will be our first trip home to the BLT. If you are at Disney then I invite you to watch with us

We arrive the 21st. How long are you there for?

 

[MomtoAlexnWilliam]

---------------

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37270968#post37270968

July 06, 2010 (Liz was at Poly Beach on July 3 & 4, 2010)

Traveliz
DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Posts: 5,328

I was there on the third (on purpose) and then we ended up there on the 4th as well.

It is true there are signs at the entrance of the parking lot but that refers to parking only - anyone is welcome - in fact that sign is up often and it only refers to the parking situation not entering the Poly area.

On the 3rd it was lightly raining and not as busy.

On the 4th we got crazy and were Downtown Disney and about 8 decided to go over to the MK.

We had no trouble entering and parking the TTC and to be honest I was shocked at the number of people arriving that late.

We parked in Grumpy and we walked to the TTC (the trams were running even from the closer Dopey area. As we entered the TTC area to go to the Poly walkway we noticed dozens (if not hundreds, seriously) of people walking from both the parking lot, monorail and ferry area directly onto the Poly walkway. It was unlike anything I have ever see over there.

We went to the GCH to use the restrooms and the building was busy but not crazy. Outside the beach was mobbed. The Poly was clearly expecting and welcoming visitors.

We have gone many times over the 4th and NYE and this is the first time I have seen this...there was an additional tent up (between Hawaii and the sidewalk but not in front of the guests rooms there) serving food and drinks and a long line of customers. There were CMs (with the Poly costume on) walking up and down the beach and sidewalk selling the light up toys etc that they sell at the parades, and there were trucks (I saw three) of towels being delivered for anyone (no resort ID needed, nothing asked for) for people to take to sit on at the beach or wherever.

The beach right in front of the pool was jam packed. Sunset Pointe was pretty busy too although still spots there and there were plenty of spots all along down the beach and walkway.

The sound on the 3rd was better than the 4th - it was clearer and it came from the Electrical Water Pageant barges. There is a spot in the fireworks where the patriotic lights of the Water barges come on and that is something that only viewers from the Poly area would see -- it was really neat.

I have been many times over the 4th and NYE and this night was absolutely the busiest I have ever seen the Poly beach. It was fun too. I thought it interesting the Poly has gotten on the bandwagon and brought out additional CMs for food, drinks and souvenirs...smart move on their part!

Liz

Why do I feel like I am submitting a brief to a judge or judges in this case? "My evidence is better than yours and should be the only one considered." heheehe! mdrob214 - the source I used - has 3,942 posts and has been a member since 2005. Your source has higher numbers on both counts but so not much higher as to completely discredit my source.

Looks like we have two different experiences at the same resort. One from a resort guest and one from a non-resort guest who went specifically to see the Fireworks at the resort. The reason for my original post was to give a heads up to all who were considering watching the fireworks at the Poly. I would hate for someone to have their heart set on it and then be turned away.

Happy Disney trips everyone!

 

[Traveliz]

Wow what a surprise to find myself quoted.

I WAS most definitely there both nights but I don't sit on the main beach either...however both nights we walked right on the sidewalk near it and in fact on the sidewalk around the side of the pool to the beach and then we go down further to watch.

At any rate the 3rd was less busy than the 4th (light rain) and when we walked by on the 4th we could have easily stepped onto the sand without question (I am not a sand person though) BUT it was very crowded in that area.

I saw no eviddence of ropes, resort ID bands (for the beach...didn't look at the pool) or security checking anyone anywhere (other than the main parking lot)

Literally dozens (if not hundreds) of people were streaming into the Poly from the TTC walkway (coming from car, ferry and monorail when we walked in). I told my family I should take a picture of this and the beach because I would be doubted and they laughed at me. It was almost shoulder to shoulder walking along that pathway...I have never ever seen more than a couple of groups of people on the pathway.

If those were all Poly resort guests on the beach I would be shocked! Last year we were Poly resort guests and watched from our balcony. In talking with people over the week we were there many did not watch from the Poly and were at the MK or Epcot or the Studios.

Liz

 

[MomtoAlexnWilliam]

Wow what a surprise to find myself quoted.
....
I told my family I should take a picture of this and the beach because I would be doubted and they laughed at me.
....
Liz

You didn't know you were so popular?!

No need for pictures --- I believe you both. You were both looking at it from two different perspectives and, it appears, in slightly different areas of the resort.

 

[Sammie]

Well I can tell you they have done that before at the Polynesian on the 4th of July. They have also stationed CMs at the Monorail platform, and on the beach asking for Polynesian ID. Does that mean it kept everyone out that was not a Polynesian guest, well of course not.

But we have stopped staying at the Polynesian because of the crowds at the Pool and the beach. I am not going to pay that kind of money to feel like I am still in the park.

I go back to my resort to take a break from the crowds, don't want to stay where they follow you.

I say if you want to see the fireworks from one of the monorail hotels make an ADR have a meal and then go watch them.