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Contemporary Observation Deck
- Thread starter kar888
- Start date
CoffeeJedi
Active Member
I did research on this recently. Apparently yes.
BUT
There's another observation deck on a lower floor that's free to everyone. They still pipe the music on to that one as well.
BUT
There's another observation deck on a lower floor that's free to everyone. They still pipe the music on to that one as well.
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CoffeeJedi
Active Member
On the 4th floor Grand Canyon Concourse, north end of the floor, past the Concourse Sundries & Spirits shop. Exterior doors lead out to the observation deck.
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Timekeeper
Well-Known Member
They (the restaurant and dining line) say that you need reservations, as a crowd control mechanism, but in actuality you do not. You just hop in the elevator, go up to the top floor, and once you exit the elevator, make a U-turn to the right and the deck is just a few yards away.
In the event that you encounter any hosts who are being difficult, simply opt to order something from the bar (reservations not required), making yourself an instant guest of the restaurant - with open access to the observation deck. Cheers.
In the event that you encounter any hosts who are being difficult, simply opt to order something from the bar (reservations not required), making yourself an instant guest of the restaurant - with open access to the observation deck. Cheers.
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CoffeeJedi
Active Member
O RLY?!
I wondered about the bar actually. That's good to know, my plan is to head there after dinner at The Wave, and would rather go to the "good" deck. I guess if we get turned down, we'll just pop back down to the 4th floor as a backup.
I wondered about the bar actually. That's good to know, my plan is to head there after dinner at The Wave, and would rather go to the "good" deck. I guess if we get turned down, we'll just pop back down to the 4th floor as a backup.
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daliseurat
Member
I thot you needed a res now period. Do you just go over the the res desk and ask to go up to the bar? Last time I was there you couldn't get on the elevator without an escort.
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Timekeeper
Well-Known Member
Good point. There is still an elevator escort.
Also, there is a staircase at end of the observation deck (closest to the MK) that is open-air (exposed). I usually access the deck via the restaurant, and have had no reason to go up or down those stairs, but it could be an equally good observation area. :shrug:
EDIT: I just called Disney Dining to be sure, and yes, the open bar area is first come, first served.
Also, there is a staircase at end of the observation deck (closest to the MK) that is open-air (exposed). I usually access the deck via the restaurant, and have had no reason to go up or down those stairs, but it could be an equally good observation area. :shrug:
EDIT: I just called Disney Dining to be sure, and yes, the open bar area is first come, first served.
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Timekeeper
Well-Known Member
Simple, show up and ask to be taken to the restaurant bar. Grab a drink and enjoy the view. If there is a wait, hit the deck beforehand ...and then, if you change your mind about purchasing that drink, so be it.
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Monorail Lime
Well-Known Member
There are exterior stairs to the upper floor landings from either side of the 4th-floor observation deck as well. Plenty of room out there for throngs of fireworks watchers.
Just watch out for spiders...
Just watch out for spiders...
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prberk
Well-Known Member
I still hate it that they started this mess. It was started sometime after 9-11, but I assume really had to do with making money (if not perhaps controlling people with the urge to jump).
Anyhow, that particular observation deck was one of the simple pleasures I thought of Walt Disney World. I loved to just stroll up there after breakfast at Chef Mickey's for a few minutes. Now they have taken that away (or made it difficult). And that is a true shame.
I actually argued with them one time when they stopped me (because the restaurant wasn't open and no one would escort). I told them that it was rediculous that I had dropped over a grand here for the weekend and I couldn't take a simple look off their observation deck just because I was eating somewhere else with the same company that day....
Sad.
Disney has done a lot of that in the last ten years. It used to be easy to visit the other resorts, too, by just driving up. Now you have to basically tell them you have dinner reservations to drop in (or go through a hassle), unless it is a monorail resort or a resort on Bay Lake that can be gotten to by boat...
They just don't understand how valuable the simple pleasures are to the whole experience ... and may even entice you to spend more money without twisting your arm.
Paul
Anyhow, that particular observation deck was one of the simple pleasures I thought of Walt Disney World. I loved to just stroll up there after breakfast at Chef Mickey's for a few minutes. Now they have taken that away (or made it difficult). And that is a true shame.
I actually argued with them one time when they stopped me (because the restaurant wasn't open and no one would escort). I told them that it was rediculous that I had dropped over a grand here for the weekend and I couldn't take a simple look off their observation deck just because I was eating somewhere else with the same company that day....
Sad.
Disney has done a lot of that in the last ten years. It used to be easy to visit the other resorts, too, by just driving up. Now you have to basically tell them you have dinner reservations to drop in (or go through a hassle), unless it is a monorail resort or a resort on Bay Lake that can be gotten to by boat...
They just don't understand how valuable the simple pleasures are to the whole experience ... and may even entice you to spend more money without twisting your arm.
Paul
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Lord Pheonix
Active Member
im sorry, but your all wrong, lol.
not wrong about there is another platform on another floor, but wrong about the top floor deck is off limits to everyone except cg guests, you just have to work for it.
according to federal fire codes, there must be an egress point incase of a fire in which the elevators cannot be used. the lobbby, or first floor stair doors are locked from the lobby, but the rest of the floors are unlocked. simply take the elevator to the highest floor u can get to, and then take the stairwell the rest of the way up. it opens on the rooftop. done it several times, except the last time i was there was 2008, but im sure it still works.
not wrong about there is another platform on another floor, but wrong about the top floor deck is off limits to everyone except cg guests, you just have to work for it.
according to federal fire codes, there must be an egress point incase of a fire in which the elevators cannot be used. the lobbby, or first floor stair doors are locked from the lobby, but the rest of the floors are unlocked. simply take the elevator to the highest floor u can get to, and then take the stairwell the rest of the way up. it opens on the rooftop. done it several times, except the last time i was there was 2008, but im sure it still works.
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Lisalyn
Well-Known Member
Actually as I understand it, you are escorted up to the 15th floor after having dinner at the CG. My sister knows the drill back and forth and says no way can you get up there unless you eat at the CG - period. She is a frequent WDW visitor and DVC member and goes 5-6 times a year so I have no doubts she is correct 
She did mention a viewing deck on the 4th floor but also mentioned you must eat at Chef Mickey's to be on that deck - however it's not impossible to crash
She did mention a viewing deck on the 4th floor but also mentioned you must eat at Chef Mickey's to be on that deck - however it's not impossible to crash
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MysticOrient
Member
I completely agree. The fact that you need a reservation, a blood sample and your first born to simply walk around and visit a resort is insane. I used to LOVE "resort-hopping" in years past but now it's damn near impossible without "faking" a dinner reservation or some other nonsense.
As you pointed out, it's those simple pleasures which add to the whole experience.
Judy
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French Quarter
Well-Known Member
Actually as I understand it, you are escorted up to the 15th floor after having dinner at the CG. My sister knows the drill back and forth and says no way can you get up there unless you eat at the CG - period. She is a frequent WDW visitor and DVC member and goes 5-6 times a year so I have no doubts she is correct
She did mention a viewing deck on the 4th floor but also mentioned you must eat at Chef Mickey's to be on that deck - however it's not impossible to crash
You aren't escorted anywhere after having dinner. The observation deck in question is on the same floor as CG. You are, however, escorted up in the elevator to CG after you check-in for your ADR. The 4th floor is open to the public. You don't need an ADR at CM's.
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Timekeeper
Well-Known Member
I would certainly hope so! :brick: I've never run into any nudity problems at WDW. The dress code for the Grill is not that strict. Anything other than a swimsuit is pretty much appropriate (exaggerating). I'm even surprised at how casually dressed the "models" are in the photo of the Grill on the official Disney dining site. I know they want to give off that "family" vibe in the photos, but nicer dress could help guests better understand the kind of price bracket there (which is not accurately reflected in the general pricing info).
Having dined at the Grill numerous times, I have never encountered this. :shrug:
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Princess_L
Member
This might seem silly, but where do u check in for cg? We been to cm many times, but never remember cg. I think we should try to go on our next trip.
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