Sometime roughly around 8 PM, jump on the monorail and head to the Contemporary. Grab a drink and make way out to that 4th floor viewing area at approximately 8:30ish.
Watch fireworks and then jump on the monorail to the TTC and drive home (we will be parked there). We are 4 adults.
The assumption of course is that we are leaving after the fireworks. If I understand the route right, we will be slightly ahead of the crowd going from the Contemporary to the TTC from the monorail perspective? We also like the idea of a great view and not in the crowd.
Of course if that area is full any other options nearby? I hear either the Outer Rim lounge or the outdoor seating area on the bridge connecting the resort to Bay Lake Tower (I believe that is just beyond 4th floor viewing area). We won’t have a reservation for California Grill. Could we realistically jump back on Monorail to the Poly or Grand Floridian for a spot if Contemporary spots are full?
I think that this strategy is fine. I would probably be getting in line for the monorail closer to 7:45 to give yourself time to ride it and get around the Contemporary.
If you really want to beat the crowds to the TTC I would just watch from there! The ferry dock area is great or you can walk along the path to the far edge of the Poly beach.
My first thought was Poly boat dock but @melcort10 has the better idea if you’re parked at TTC and want to beat the hordes leaving MK.
If a beverage sounds good, take the resort boat to the Poly, grab a drink (mobile order if possible) and walk to the ferry area. I haven’t walked that in years but remember it as being a short walk.
I’m with the others, if you are looking for the quickest getaway after fireworks, the ferry dock at TTC is your best option! I haven’t watched from there before, but it is my understanding that the music is also piped there for the fireworks.
Thank you all for the great responses. The Poly sounds like a great option, lots of space as my concern that the Contemporary section could be full or closed, whereas we should find a space on the Poly docks. And good call leaving early!
So we take the resort boat from the MK to the Poly docks? What’s the best way back to the TTC from the Poly after the fireworks? Thanks.
You could take the resort boat but that’s the other side of the Poly. Nothing wrong with that if you want to stop in the lobby or grab a Dole Whip! But it’s a little bit of a walk. But you could watch from the beach anywhere if you wanted.
For simplicity and least walking, I would recommend just taking the TTC ferry and finding a spot right there to watch. There is a small walking path (to your right when you get off the ferry with your back to the lagoon) that goes to the Poly and you could watch from that far side of the Poly and then just retrace your steps back to your car after.
Watching from the TTC also puts a person ahead of the crowds departing MK.
This map shows the Poly dock at left and the ferry dock at right.
The Poly dock is well known and sometimes crowded. You’d want more time if walking across the Poly resort. At end of day - ferry to TTC is least energetic.
