Best spot to watch Wishes?

[mommy2savannah]

I know it's been posted before, but I can't find it now! I am looking for a good place to watch Wishes. Please share your past experiences. I am so excited to watch this because I hear that it is really magical. Also, where do you recommend watching Spectromagic? We leave in May and i just can't stop thinking about these minor but very important details!

 

[Robo]

Because the SpectroMagic parade STARTS at the front and moves SLOWLY to the back of MK, there is big difference in "wait time" between the end of the parade (depending on where YOU are standing) and the beginning of Wishes (which can be seen at the SAME TIME throughout the park).

If you watch from near the Main Street Train Station at the FRONT of MK:
Parade Starts- 9:00pm
Parade Over- 9:20pm
>>"Between" wait time- 40 minutes
Wishes Starts- 10:00pm
Wishes Over- 10:13pm

If you watch from near the Splash Mountain at the BACK of MK:
Parade Starts- 9:25pm
Parade Over- 9:45pm
>>"Between" wait time- 15 minutes
Wishes Starts- 10:00pm
Wishes Over- 10:13pm

The preferred spot to watch Wishes is from Main Street or somewhere around the "Hub" (the circular area right in front of the Castle where the other "Lands" are entered.)
The real "SWEET SPOT" is exactly in front of the ICE CREAM shop.
(Don't stand under the umbrella tables, just NEAR them.)
From this spot, the fireworks appear "centered" over the castle from there (very crowded).
Up Main Street as far as the PAL MICKEY store is great viewing as well.
This is where Wishes is DESIGNED to be fully appreciated.
The Castle's front facade (with added lighting and projections) is actually a part of the show.

NOTE: If you go up toward the train station any FARTHER than the PAL MICKEY store... they DON"T turn off the LIGHTS of Main Street in that area. So you'll be viewing with hundreds of lights still in your line-of-sight.

The next-preferred spot is on the bridge between the Hub and Tomorrowland (on the Hub end, not Tomorrowland.)

"Tinkerbell" also flies from the top of the castle over to just above the "Noodle Station" open-air restaurant at one point early in the show.

The reason to see Wishes at least ONCE from the "sweet spot(s)" is that there are "front" fireworks (fired from the roofs of Fantasyland) that are best viewed from in front of the castle.
There are "rear" fireworks that are aimed to erupt behind (and centered over) the Castle.
So, if you can withstand the CRUSH of people, and don't mind the longer "in-between" wait time after the parade goes by, the Main Street area is tops for viewing "Wishes".

WARNING: No matter how tempting in may seem... Do NOT stand on the sidewalk between the Hub and Frontierland OR on the sidewalk between the Hub and Adventureland... the (nearly INVISIBLE in the dark) trees BLOCK the main fireworks and the sound is ABSENT/MUFFLED here (by design?).

AND in spite of how good the idea may look before the show, unless you KNOW EXACTLY what you're doing, do not attempt to view Wishes from the Noodle Station seating area.
The main fireworks are hidden from MOST of the seats at this restaurant area and they don't kill the lights or pipe in the music.

There are PLENTY of other places to see both SpectroMagic and Wishes.
Many here have their favorites.
MY spot is way back in Frontierland by the "Turkey Leg Stand" (we don't eat the legs, but its a great place to view the parade!) As I stated above, the parade reaches this spot by about 9:25pm.

Then, RIGHT after the parade ends, we jog across the "bridge" to Splash Mountain and take a quick ride ("nobody" is in the queue, most folks are still at the parade route).

Then, after the Splash ride, we walk back to the "bridge" from Frontierland and usually get there just in time to see ALL of "Wishes" from there.
The SOUND is supplied back there, and you can see nearly everything (including Tinkerbell).
The things you MISS back there are the fun/beautiful castle-front effects and the symmetry of being in the "center of the stage" for the fireworks.
But the fireworks are HUGE, regardless, and the BIGGEST ones ("rear" fireworks) are actually sent UP from the back of MK, near BTMRR and Splash.

So pick your spot, and enjoy the show.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

Having seen DL's Remember, Dreams Come True and how they utilized the castle as part of the show, I appreciated the tip about where Wishes was designed to be seen from. The lighting effects they used are phenomenal. When DL does the Haunted Mansion they made the castle look eerie and freaky. The laser effects for Tomorrowland were awesome as well. From what I've read, I understand that Wishes does something similar.

 

[mommy2savannah]

Wow! Thanks for the detailed info!

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

The BEST place to watch WISHES! IMO is right on Main Street near partners ... and I've seen it from every angle!!

As for Spectromagic ... get a spot up front and don't let ANYONE get in front of you!!!

 

[mumzie2three]

Then, after the Splash ride, we walk back to the "bridge" from Frontierland and usually get there just in time to see ALL of "Wishes" from there.
The SOUND is supplied back there, and you can see nearly everything (including Tinkerbell).

I'm jumping in here to say thanks. I had the same question as the OP as far as where to stand for both the parade and the fireworks, but I'm not clear on the "bridge" to which you refer. What is it located near?

 

[MyZoeJane]

I was under the impression that the parade started at 8pm down Main Street.... Does it really take an hour and a hald for the parade to get to Frontierland?

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

What is the best time to start camping out for the prime viewing area for Wishes?

 

[Robo]

I was under the impression that the parade started at 8pm down Main Street.... Does it really take an hour and a hald for the parade to get to Frontierland?

Well, if you'll note, my example is for a NINE O'CLOCK parade and a TEN O'CLOCK Wishes.

On a night that the parade starts at EIGHT, simply adjust the times by an hour.

Here's the list again.

If you watch from near the Main Street Train Station at the FRONT of MK:
Parade Starts- 9:00pm
Parade Over- 9:20pm
>>"Between" wait time- 40 minutes
Wishes Starts- 10:00pm
Wishes Over- 10:13pm

If you watch from near the Splash Mountain at the BACK of MK:
Parade Starts- 9:25pm
Parade Over- 9:45pm
>>"Between" wait time- 15 minutes
Wishes Starts- 10:00pm
Wishes Over- 10:13pm

 

[Robo]

I'm jumping in here to say thanks. I had the same question as the OP as far as where to stand for both the parade and the fireworks, but I'm not clear on the "bridge" to which you refer. What is it located near?

As you walk from the street that runs through Frontierland, when you turn to go toward Splash and Big Thunder Mtns., there is a bridge right there.
(It is above the water channel were the logs of Splash return to the mountain after the "big drop".)

This is a large, wide wooden bridge.
From it, you can see much of the top of the castle (and that's why you can see Tink fly from here.)
Good audio from the speakers here and good views of both sets of fireworks
(although both sets will be viewed as totally separate displays from each other at this angle... standing in front of the castle, both sets appear much more "together and centered".)

 

[mumzie2three]

Thank you Robo! 15 mins between shows sounds good to me!

 

[MyZoeJane]

Well, if you'll note, my example is for a NINE O'CLOCK parade and a TEN O'CLOCK Wishes.

On a night that the parade starts at EIGHT, simply adjust the times by an hour.

Here's the list again.

If you watch from near the Main Street Train Station at the FRONT of MK:
Parade Starts- 9:00pm
Parade Over- 9:20pm
>>"Between" wait time- 40 minutes
Wishes Starts- 10:00pm
Wishes Over- 10:13pm

If you watch from near the Splash Mountain at the BACK of MK:
Parade Starts- 9:25pm
Parade Over- 9:45pm
>>"Between" wait time- 15 minutes
Wishes Starts- 10:00pm
Wishes Over- 10:13pm

Ouch. This response felt a bit snarky. I was asking a legitimate question... I wasn't trying to undermine your "authority"... I've only been once. Forgive me.

 

[Dis-Wiz]

Last year, in July (one of the most crowded time at WDW), right before and during Wishes, Adventureland was completely BARE! We were walking around after we rode BTMR four times in a row, (which reminds me, if you go another night after you have seen wishes, go on the major rides during Wishes, there are practically NO lines!) and we were able to jump onto Aladdin's Magic carpets without a wait, and watched the fireworks while riding at the highest we could on the carpets.

However, the BEST place to watch the fireworks is at the top of splash mountain right before the drop, but seeing how unusual that is, maybe you should stick with somewhere esle, lol. We got stuck at the very top once for a few minutes. However, with our luck Wishes had already ended.

 

[NJFireman22]

We watched Wishes from several spots, but found the Rose garden to be the best area, but you need to get there early to claim the spot.

 

[crazy4disney01]

We also watch from the Rose Garden and found it to be a great spot for Wishes.

 

[Robo]

Ouch. This response felt a bit snarky. I was asking a legitimate question... I wasn't trying to undermine your "authority"... I've only been once. Forgive me.

My reply only contained a response to your question.

Which part did you find offensive?

 

[bdklein]

My kids (6 and 3) like the display of fireworks, but they do not like the loud noises. From where can we see and hear the fireworks, but at a distance where the sound is not loud? Someone mentioned to me the Boardwalk, but we are staying at the Poly and don't have a car nor car seats so it seems to me that transportation to the Boardwalk will not be easy. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[Robo]

My kids (6 and 3) like the display of fireworks, but they do not like the loud noises. From where can we see and hear the fireworks, but at a distance where the sound is not loud? Someone mentioned to me the Boardwalk, but we are staying at the Poly and don't have a car nor car seats so it seems to me that transportation to the Boardwalk will not be easy. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

You're in luck.

Wishes can't be seen from Boardwalk.

But good viewing can be found at the beach of the Polynesian Resort (walk along the sidewalk there until you see a view of the castle unobstructed by trees.)
The Ohana restaurant at the Poly offers good views (and they pipe in the audio of the show). Same goes for the California Grill Restaurant (and outdoor terrace) at the Contemporary Resort.
At Grand Floridian, "Narcoossee's" is the restaurant with the MK and Wishes views (and sound).

 

[Allison]

My reply only contained a response to your question.

Which part did you find offensive?

Hey Robo, I agree with you. Your response was fine.

 

[mrstomrice]

We sat at the noodle station, in the comfy red cushioned seats. It was a bit off centered, but I will never sit anywhere else for fireworks. It wa a perfect view of the castle, and it seems to be a lttle known spot. We only sat there about 20 minutes before and we were there spring break. The seats were almost full, but not quite.