Best: Firewords Viewing outside of Parks

[MlWinans]

We are not going to have parks tickets the day we arrive but will have plenty of time to go to DS and then head over to a resort or somewhere else to catch one of the evening Fireworks shows.

What is everyone's favorite places outside of the parks to view the fireworks from?

 

[MHDTS]

The bridge between on the walk between Boardwalk and Beach Club Resorts is a good place to watch Epcot Illuminations.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Wishes: Poly Beach, TTC
Water Light Parade: Any of the monorail resorts, Wilderness Lodge
And Fort Wilderness... if you plan well, you could go to the free Chip 'n Dale sing a long, toast marshmallows or make s'mores, and still watch the water parade.
Don't know the best Epcot or HS fw viewing...

 

[Irish_Mike]

Contemporary, the exterior stairway.

 

[Robo]

The Beach at the Polynesian Resort offers a great view
of Wishes and other MK Fireworks shows.

However, the area with an MK view is now much smaller than it used to be
due to the recent construction of the new DVC on-the-water rooms.

They do "pipe in" the audio of the shows, but it is very, very low in volume.
There are several ground-level speakers along the
sidewalk.

They also pipe the audio to the speakers at the Poly pool.

The audio level if better in some places (closer to the sidewalk, for instance) than others (far out on the beach, for instance.)

I marked the area still open with a green arrow and the word "Beach" on the Poly map.

Here's a photo I took from the Poly Beach-
MK Fireworks (MVMCP Christmas Finale)

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More Viewing Spots-



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. There is soon to be a paid "Wishes Dessert Party" that will be held on that boat dock.



The Narcoossee's Deck shown is now reserved only for guests of 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.

(The audio of the fireworks show is also piped in to these locations.)

(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 need ADRs, and most 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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[Robo]

DHS "Star Wars" FIREWORKS

Good views along the plum-colored pathway inside the area that I shaded in green on the map below.

Also (though distant) they can be seen from the beach at the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts.
(Blue line on the map above.)

Also, on the bridge between the Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts (with audio.)

 

[Robo]

On the other hand…
Epcot's "IllumiNations" cannot be seen well, at all, from anywhere outside Epcot's World Showcase.

Only a few of the high-in-the-sky pyro can be seen, and that's not very much when it comes to the complex show called "IllumiNations."

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

@Robo,
As always, you're maps are stupendous.
Thanks!

 

[donnsuz]

Great info!

 

[BethR9]

Probably the dumbest question ever, but how would one get to the TTC using Disney buses (staying at Pop)?

 

[MlWinans]

I marked the area still open with a green arrow and the word "Beach" on the Poly map.

Absolutely great info, THANK YOU!!!

I think the beach at the Poly to the right of the dock (near were I think you were standing when you took the attached picture) will likely be the choice for us. Thank you again.

 

[Robo]

Probably the dumbest question ever, but how would one get to the TTC using Disney buses (staying at Pop)?

You'd take a bus to MK, then get on the Monorail or Ferry Boat to TTC (MK Parking Lot.)

To return, reverse your path.

 

[paulheather7]

Thank you!

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

We will be coming back from Hoop Dee Doo at Fort wilderness to MK on the ferry on a MNSSHP night. Can we watch the fireworks outside the MK towards the busses back to our resort or will they move us along?

 

[Robo]

We will be coming back from Hoop Dee Doo at Fort wilderness to MK on the ferry on a MNSSHP night. Can we watch the fireworks outside the MK towards the busses back to our resort or will they move us along?

That view is very much obstructed by trees, bushes, and MK buildings.
"Just outside MK" is not a good Wishes spot.

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

That view is very much obstructed by trees, bushes, and MK buildings.
"Just outside MK" is not a good Wishes spot.

What would you suggest? We will be leaving Hoop Dee Doo 6:15 show, so probably a little after 8pm. Only using Disney transportation. And Hallowishes is around, what, 10? Where is easily doable?

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

What would you suggest? We will be leaving Hoop Dee Doo 6:15 show, so probably a little after 8pm. Only using Disney transportation. And Hallowishes is around, what, 10? Where is easily doable?

Looking at all the @Robo fantastic maps, trying to answer my above question...it looks like probably the Contemporary 4th floor observation deck would be our best bet??? Does that sound right? We could walk over after getting off the ferry from Ft Wilderness, Hoop Dee Doo dinner and watch the MK MNSSHP fireworks from the deck. Is everyone allowed to use the 4th floor deck or only those people staying at that resort? Is the view obstructed any, the angle looks kind of weird. Thanks!

 

[Robo]

Looking at all the @Robo fantastic maps, trying to answer my above question...it looks like probably the Contemporary 4th floor observation deck would be our best bet??? Does that sound right? We could walk over after getting off the ferry from Ft Wilderness, Hoop Dee Doo dinner and watch the MK MNSSHP fireworks from the deck.
1. Is everyone allowed to use the 4th floor deck or
2. only those people staying at that resort?
3. Is the view obstructed any,
4. the angle looks kind of weird. Thanks!

1. Yes.
2. No. (I would have said so, if that was the case.)
3. No.
4. It's an off-center angle, yes.

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

1. Yes.
2. No. (I would have said so, if that was the case.)
3. No.
4. It's an off-center angle, yes.

Thanks so much!

 

[HatboxHaint]

FireWORDs!!!! and OMG at the Map PRON in this thread!!!!