Bastille Vs Wishes

[chinhk]

Hi everyone, I have been told that the summer festival for 2007 will begin on the 14th of July. However, I have two questions regarding the first day of the summer festival. It will be much appreciated if any of you could let me know the answers.

First of all, I believe Bastille will be on instead of Wishes on the 14th of July. Am I right?? I remember reading somewhere that the french celebrates Bastille and the park is usually crowded due to that day being a national holiday??

Secondly, what is the difference between Bastille and Wishes? I know the both of them have fireworks but is it worth seeing the both of them or are they the same with different names? I am still planning for my summer trip to DLP next year, hence wish to know if I should leave on the 15th or 16th of July. If they are not the same, I will definately stay till the 16th so that it gives me the chance to see them both.

 

[nifferwilko]

Firstly, yep you're right. Although the summer season starts on the 14th july, wishes does not start until the 15th july as Bastille day is celebrated. They are different, the Bastille day is fireworks & lights to random french music (I'm sure they're really famous songs in France but I was clueless) whereas wishes is fireworks, lights & images around the castle.

Bastille day was PACKED!!!!! I went 11th - 15th july this year and the difference between the 13th & the 14th was enormous. There were queues for everything so Fast Passes are your best friend. But the weather was fantastic so it wasn't too bad

 

[chinhk]

Thanks for the info nifferwilko.
I have also noticed that the disney fantillusion parade will be on for the summer. Does it starts on the 14th or 15th of July??
Do you know what time do bastilles,wishes and the fantillusion parade begins in the summer??
I was told that the park will be open till 11pm?! does the park only opens till 11pm on weekends or everyday??

 

[nifferwilko]

Fantillusion starts on the 14th and preceeds the Bastille fireworks. And the park is open until 11pm everyday in the summer season (I think, hopefully someone can confirm this!)

 

[chinhk]

I have called them up today and been told that the park will be open till 11pm throughout my stay (12th to 16th July). So I think the park will remain open till 11pm every night during the summer festival.

 

[Raci]

Chinhk - What no' did you call to check park opening hours for your stay?
Thanks!

 

[MJGirl]

Hi ... I'm going to be visiting DLP July 18 - 20 (Wednesday to Friday). Am I going to be hitting the busy time? Or am I going to miss it as Bastille Day will be passed and I won't be there on a weekend? Would it be safe to assume the parks will be open till 11:00 on these days. We get in at 4:00 on Wednesday, not sure what time we will be leaving on Friday, so I should be able to count on at least a day and a half. Can I do it ?

 

[chinhk]

The number I called was 08705030303. The number directs you to the US -based reservation department most of the time but if you are lucky, you may reach the UK-based department.

 

[Raci]

Thanks!

 

[Ware Bears]

Would it be safe to assume the parks will be open till 11:00 on these days.

After Bastille Day the park stays open until 11pm until approx the last weekend of August. Although the park will be busy the extra hours in the evening make it seem less so than when it shuts at 8pm ~ hope that makes sense?

 

[Raci]

We are considering changing the dates of our trip if we find the castle will be covered in March. At the moment we're weighing up the choices we have.

The dates we are looking at will include Bastille Day (14th July). In 2007 the 14th is on a Sat.
Does anyone know if the 13th and 15th are likely to be busier than usual because of it being on a weekend? If the parks likely to be really packed we'll look again at different dates.

 

[chinhk]

Hi Raci,

I have not been to the park in July myself, hence can't let you know if it will be busy or not. However, I am sure that Bastille Day will be very busy. Before you book your trip, do doublecheck with your travel agent or disney direct on when is the bastille day. When I booked my trip with Disney Direct last month, they told me that the Bastille day is on the 14th of July 07 (Sat) and Wishes will begin on the 15th July. Fantillution parade will begin on the 14th of Jul. However, I started panicking on Mon when I read a thread on magic forum because one of the guy there said bastille will be on the 16th of July (mon) and wishes starts on the 17th. I have booked my trip from the 12th to the 16th, so it will be a disaster if we are missing the bastille and wishes.
Anyhow, I have already sent an email to disney direct and am still waiting for a reply from them. Does anyone knows the exact dates for bastille,wishes and fantillution parade fpor next summer??
I doubt that bastille will be on a mon?! or is that possible??

 

[Ware Bears]

Bastille Day is 14th of July. I cannot imagine it would be celebrated on any day other than the 14th??