where to watch WISHES outside of MK?

[tinkerddeedee]

I'm not sure yet how many days we will visit MK and we really don't want to fight the crowds at the end of the night. I was wondering if there are other places we could go to watch wishes. I'm sure we would still fight traffic, but I'm hoping it wouldn't be as bad as park closing!

[olivegirl]

We LOVE watching Wishes from the beach at the Polynesian. We are not fans of fireworks up close so this is a perfect spot for us!!

[Kerry823]

Sit on the dock at the Grand Floridian.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

We watched from the Poly beach last year. We got Dole Whips and then walked out for the fireworks.

We took a taxi back to our resort, so there was no fighting crowds...it was awesome!

[pluto 77]

You can definatly get a good view from either the Poly of GF, but if you want to have a nice relaxing meal too I suggest watching from CA Grill!

[Mousemates]

From the beach at the poly, the dock at GF, or if you can time it right on the shuttle boat to the GF.

[badkitty]

The boat launch at TTC is a nice spot. They even pipe in the music.

[slegrant]

The beach at Fort Wilderness, it's a spectacular view over the contemporary. They also pipe in the music

[Polynesian Dweller]

As much as I agree about the views from the Poly and GF if you are only coming there to watch the fireworks please don't. The guests who pay to stay at those resorts have the right to not have to fight the crowds in those areas. If you are coming because you have dinner at one of the restaurants then watching the fireworks afterwards is fine, you have also paid for the access.

The issue is the same as that for parking and pool hopping. Resorts guests have paid extra for the access to these areas and should not have to fight others for that.

That said, you can get a good view of Wishes from the ferry dock at the TTC if you are going back to your car.

[ThanxForNoticin]

As much as I agree about the views from the Poly and GF if you are only coming there to watch the fireworks please don't. The guests who pay to stay at those resorts have the right to not have to fight the crowds in those areas. If you are coming because you have dinner at one of the restaurants then watching the fireworks afterwards is fine, you have also paid for the access.

The issue is the same as that for parking and pool hopping. Resorts guests have paid extra for the access to these areas and should not have to fight others for that.

I understand what your saying, but unlike pool hopping, there are no restrictions saying people cannot share those resorts to enjoy the fireworks. We have gone to the Poly beach just for the fireworks 2 or 3 times. We told the security guard why we were there, he gave us a guest parking pass, and told us to have a nice evening. At least from the perspective of the Poly Beach, there's plenty of room for guests to spread out.

Getting back to the original question by tinkerddeedee, I would highly recommend the Poly Beach - maybe even find out the schedule for the water pagent, too. That's another really fun thing to see from the shore.

[Pally]

P. Dweller, I see that you have stayed at the Poly many times and feel a certain entitlement. But, your feeling of entitlement is very unDisneylike. Disney welcomes everyone. Don't discriminate. People visiting the GF and Poly might even one day decide to stay there because of that visit. Let people have there magical dreams. We are not party crashers just dreamers.

PS-I loved seeing the fireworks from our top floor room at Wilderness Lodge.

[PixieMagic]

Definitely the beach @ Poly! It's especially great if you grab a hammock and a Lapu Lapu...so relaxing and beautiful! Plus you can catch the EWP!!!

[jillluvsdisney]

The dock at the GF outside of Narcooses is very nice. The music is piped in over speakers.

[realtreebar]

As much as I agree about the views from the Poly and GF if you are only coming there to watch the fireworks please don't. The guests who pay to stay at those resorts have the right to not have to fight the crowds in those areas. If you are coming because you have dinner at one of the restaurants then watching the fireworks afterwards is fine, you have also paid for the access.

The issue is the same as that for parking and pool hopping. Resorts guests have paid extra for the access to these areas and should not have to fight others for that.

That said, you can get a good view of Wishes from the ferry dock at the TTC if you are going back to your car.

so that being said I guess at christmas i can not go to GF to see the decorations? its there for everone sorry you feel that its all for you because you paid the price to be there. but so did others as they bought a park ticket! and disney lets you visit there sorry you feel the way you do but I for one could care less the more people the merrier as i am at WDW!!!

[Tigger&Stitch]

As much as I agree about the views from the Poly and GF if you are only coming there to watch the fireworks please don't. The guests who pay to stay at those resorts have the right to not have to fight the crowds in those areas. If you are coming because you have dinner at one of the restaurants then watching the fireworks afterwards is fine, you have also paid for the access.

The issue is the same as that for parking and pool hopping. Resorts guests have paid extra for the access to these areas and should not have to fight others for that.

That said, you can get a good view of Wishes from the ferry dock at the TTC if you are going back to your car.

Wow. Yikes. Definitely NOT the Disney spirit. Take your 'entitlement' elsewhere please. Rooms cost more at those resorts for many reasons (primarily room and convenient transport to MK), but the beaches are for everyone.

[deedeebee]

I can see both sides of this issue and I have never personally done this and I wouldn't even think about doing it but everything is good in Disney. The Poly beach is a great place to see fireworks.

[tjstrike]

We were lucky enough to catch a boat to Ft.Wilderness right as the fireworks were starting, our very kind captain stopped the boat and let us watch them from the middle of the lake, it was awesome. Never watched them from the Poly but I might just have to now !!

[dmosher]

I think it should be said that even the "Official" Disney Guidebooks say that the beach at the Polynesian is a great place to see the firworks. If you ask a castmember or virtually anyone on staff they will say the same, regardless of wher eyou are staying. Also, this can not be compared to pool hopping without taking into account that as DVC members, DW and I are allowed to poolhop. In fact it is in the Member Benefits guide. So... only guest and DVC members are allowed to watch from a beach now?
Disney is not really big on exclusions and while I agree with certain stated rules (i.e. if you did nto pay for a hard ticketed event, you shoudl not bethere), this whole "where to watch fireworks from "is not a ruled statement, nor should it be. You can go up to the contemporary and out on the balcony at the Californian Restaurant without eating at the restaurant and no one bats an eye, so I seriously doubt it is against any rules to watch from a beach or any other place.
I have watched the fireworks from the Poly Beach during some of the most busy times of the season and let me assure you that there is never such a crowds that I have had to "fight for a spot" or anything of that nature. If Disney thought this was an issue, they would do what they normally do and that is to rope off an area strictly for Poly guests. Relax, get there early and grab a hammock and enjoy it.

D

[tinkerddeedee]

Thank you everyone! I think my family will have a MAGICAL time watching Wishes from the beach at the POLY!!!!
Hey, we have ressies at O'hana for breakfast, does that count?

[Grim Grinning Marathon Runner]

If you want to stay in the MK without having to feel like a salmon exiting the park, stake out a spot on or near the landing at the train station. The castmembers do an excellent job of keeping guests entertained while waiting, you have a great unobstructed view of the castle, and you have quick and easy access to exit.

The Poly and the GF are great places too, though. Any way you slice it, you'll be able to enjoy a fantastic show!!