Originally Posted By TDLFAN If you're planning to see the 4th of July fireworks from the beach at the Polynesian hotel, DO NOT WALK TO POLY FROM TTC. There are CMs on the walkway checking for resort ID and if you're not a guest you will not be allowed to access the poly that way. Plan accordingly. Take monorail or walk from main parking lot to poly instead. But avoid avoid avoid the walkway between TTC and hotel.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I think Disney is doing the right thing. They should add to that by checking the ID of folks coming off the monorail for a resort ID or reservations at one of the Poly dining rooms before allowing admittance. Same goes for allowing cars into the Poly parking lot. After 6PM on the Fourth of July, if you don't belong there you don't get in. If you were one of the people paying BIG $$$$ to stay at the Poly, would you want your experience lessened by people looking for a freebie?
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub There is a lot of construction over in that area with changes being made to the parking lot and the sidewalk and fenced off area on the Poly beach due to the bungalow construction. Perhaps it was a safety measure to control crowds in the dark after the fireworks? Eventually the entire area will be changed to control access to the beach/DVC bungalow area. TDLFan did you have any luck viewing the fireworks from the traditional beach area at the POLY tonight? How much change did you witness due to the construction. I guess Universal"s fireworks aren't as good as Disneys...
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Roadtrip, I partly agree with you on this. Yes Disney should control the amount of guests trying to see the fireworks from the Poly beach, just like traffic headed to the MK park is restricted to resort guests and selected few non resort guests. However, there are other Disney guests who are not Poly guests like those who go there to enjoy a meal at O'Hana or do the dinner Luau. Additionally, a lot of the people who go to the beach for the 4th of July and New Year's countdown fireworks are also CMs and their families on days such like this when Main Gate passes are blocked, or annual passholders looking to avoid the overly crowded conditions in the MK for such special events. In my many years, and there are many for sure, I have never seen the beach crowded to the point of being horribly uncomfortable. Busy crowded yes, but never to the point of being a nightmarish issue with traffic in that area or even in other areas of the hotel. Even Disney has found an opportunity to cash in on these crowds by selling liquor and beverages on the nearby bars and also by sending light up toy sellers to the beach. So allowing non guests to enjoy the fireworks from the beach is a win-win for Disney and non Poly guests. However, I do understands the need to control crowds but if they are going to do so then it must be done at ALL points where the Hotel can be accessed, such as parking lot check point, at monorail station and all walkways from around the lagoon that lead into the Poly. I assume the Grand Floridian also gets it's fair share of non-guests since many folks are seen along the shore between the Poly, wedding pavilion, and the Grand FL. Like I said.. I have been watching the fireworks from the beach for years, yet this is the first time where I see CMs blocking/restricting access on the walkway leading from TTC to the Poly. Mickeymouseclub, in previous years they have never made an attempt to control crowds in the dark to get to/from the TTC and Poly. This was as far as I know, a first. But you are correct, there is a lot of construction in the area between the TTC and the Poly. The entire parking lot and building closest to the TTC are behind construction walls and closed off to guests' traffic, but a temporary walkway and signage show the way around that construction. The main lobby or Ceremonial House as it used to be called is in shambles and will probably be in such conditions until God knows when. Sad to see the garden and waterfalls go in that area. But... To answer your question, YES I did see the fireworks from the beach at the Poly. In fact, I started this topic as I waited for the fireworks on the beach. However, you brought up another good point about the possible changes that will be made to this area and whether such changes will impact viewing the show from the Poly or the shores up to the Grand Floridian.. I assume when all is said and done, the traffic into the beach will be restricted most of the time for these events. If there was one possible reason to deny entry to non guests from the TTC then it may be due to the fact that the viewing area for the fireworks is now reduced to some degree because the new DVC Bungalows have effectively blocked the most desirable areas to view the fireworks. So that has effectively reduced the viewing space on the beach by a large percentage. Not only are the bungalows blocking the fireworks, but also blocking the view of the first and possibly 2nd floor rooms that overlook the beach area. I wonder if Disney thought about that when designing and choosing location for those bungalows. I also wonder if Disney will continue to charge prime rates for those rooms now that guests there on the lower levels will see bungalows as opposed to Cinderella Castle and the lagoon from their rooms... Hmmm
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I think they are still charging those outrageous rates even during the construction so I am sure they will continue after the construction with blocked views. Furthermore you will probably be the only person on LP that will actually be invited to enter one of those bungalows. It seems like you are a lucky guy with lots of good Disney and Universal friends.So thanks for keeping us posted with your updates . Comments from people that actually "frequent" the parks are so much more digestible aka interesting!
Originally Posted By dizneed << So thanks for keeping us posted with your updates . Comments from people that actually "frequent" the parks are so much more digestible aka interesting! >> Here, here!! Thanks TDLFAN
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<I have never seen the beach crowded to the point of being horribly uncomfortable. Busy crowded yes, but never to the point of being a nightmarish issue with traffic in that area or even in other areas of the hotel.>> That is good to hear. I've never been at the Poly beach on the 4th of July and probably never will. But I've seen what complete jerks guests can be when trying to secure a prime viewing location for fireworks or the parade in the MK and thought the same might happen if they left the Poly beach wide open to anyone. As Mickeymouseclub said, you will have to give a report on the Poly DVC when you stay there. I will probably get there eventually, but not for a few years. This year I am staying at the Bay Lake Towers for the first time. It made sense this year because it was a short 5 night trip and we will have a relative with us. To get the privacy Ann and I wanted, staying in a 2 bedroom unit there made sense and was affordable from a points standpoint. My daughter has stayed at Bay Lake several times on rented points, but has decided she prefers the location and feel of the Boardwalk. I'll have to see what I think.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Thanks for the kind comments above. One of the reasons why I have partly started commenting here again is because of the hundreds of requests from friends to bring back my trip reports from the various Disney parks in my unique and frank ways. While I don't want to make this a habit again, I will try to bring some more perspectives. Will be in Paris later this month to review the new Ratatouille Ride, and you can already find some trip reports and reviews about TDL's new Castle show "Once Upon a Time" and Universal's Hogwarts Express, and even my opinions on the Mine Train at the MK.. so enjoy those as well. Roadtrip, I have no plans to stay in the new Poly bungalows. In fact the last time I stayed in a Disney hotel was at the Sequoia Lodge in Paris several years ago. So I am afraid it won't be me reviewing that property when it opens. I much rather save my pennies and stay at the Aulani at least once.
Originally Posted By dizneed TDLFAN - passion is often mistaken as negativity. "Pette le feu" as much as you want. LOL!
Originally Posted By sjhym333 Our family has on a couple of occasions watched the 4th of July fireworks from the Poly. I was surprised to hear that they were checking resort ID's on the walkway. I agree that it probably has to do with the narrowing of the Poly beach front. I have seen the new DVC construction and they look cool but it does seem to take away from the overall feel from the beach.
