Best viewing option for Wishes?

[Mchurchill96]

So, we're going to celebrate our 20th anniversary at WDW in August, and I really want to see Wishes on the night of our anniversary. I want a good view, without having to jockey for a spot. Initially, I thought about booking the Fireworks Dessert Party, but got a lot of feedback that for the cost, the desserts aren't that great, and the view isn't either. Fastpass was suggested, so I thought, great--we'll have a spot and it won't cost an arm and a leg. But tonight I saw on another thread, that they are no longer doing FP for Wishes? At least, after a certain date? I just looked into the Fireworks Cruise, and don't see any available dates (nothing highlighted) in August at all. Any suggestions?

 

[ella48]

Hopefully the release more dates for the cruises.

 

[MichelleWDWfan]

Have you been back to WDW recently? They have completely redone the hub the outlying areas are larger and there are now "grassy areas" to sit.
The hub is always crowded like a tin of Sardines, but it can't be helped really, it is the best place for viewing.

Here is another possibility...book a reservation at California Grill and you can go out on their restaurant walkway on the top of the Contemporary by the restaurant and watch Wishes.
They pipe the music on speakers on the balcony walkway. It's definately a different spot to view. A little more intimate then a crowded main street and hub.
An alternative to Cali grill would be dinner at Narcoosee's at the Grand Floridian, they have a private viewing area as well right on the water.
Or there's the beach at the Polynesian..and the music is played on speakers.

If you want to do a reservation, book for an hour or so before Wishes. Then you can get up and go outside when Wishes starts and return to your table after.

Personally I don't do crowded main street and hub anymore. it's just too many ppl.
I prefer fantasyland past the carousel and I stand in between the new turrets back there sort of between Belle's and Mine train in the middle.
It's a whole different view and not crowded.

If you haven't seen the castle projection show...you definately want to do it in FRONT of the castle.

 

[Dariansue]

So, we're going to celebrate our 20th anniversary at WDW in August, and I really want to see Wishes on the night of our anniversary. I want a good view, without having to jockey for a spot. Initially, I thought about booking the Fireworks Dessert Party, but got a lot of feedback that for the cost, the desserts aren't that great, and the view isn't either. Fastpass was suggested, so I thought, great--we'll have a spot and it won't cost an arm and a leg. But tonight I saw on another thread, that they are no longer doing FP for Wishes? At least, after a certain date? I just looked into the Fireworks Cruise, and don't see any available dates (nothing highlighted) in August at all. Any suggestions?

Hi! We are both on the same page about our anniversary! I'm planning to surprise my husband in August with dinner at Narcoossees and then The Wishes Fireworks cruise. I first looked on MDE in where you make dinner reservations and I found it there but saw that there are no dates for June, July and August listed yet. I called to make sure that it would still be offered and the CM explained that the dates will become available closer to the date. I will keep checking and post as soon as I see dates open up. I can't believe no more FP for Wishes! That would is soo sad! We're celebrating our 27th and I can think of no better way than to celebrate at WDW watching fireworks on a boat eating pastries! It's a little expensive at $99.00 pp but I figure We'll try it at least once. Hopefully someone will post if it's worth it or not. Happy Anniversary!

 

[North of Mouse]

IMO, there is no better place to view Wishes, and the pre show projection on the castle than directly in front, crowds and all. Yes, you can see them from the New Fantasyland area (we did once) but it definitely didn't 'get it' for us. I just ignore the crowds and enjoy the full frontal view, and I 'don't' wait a long time beforehand to do it.

In fact, we enjoy the projection show on the 'front' of the castle as much as the fireworks. They are awesome! We actually watch them twice - before, then after, the fireworks. The fireworks are 'up' so crowds really don't impact that much.

 

[Robo]

You also want to be able to see the spectacular show that is actually projected on the front of the Castle,
"Celebrate the Magic," which begins about 15 minutes before the fireworks.

It is possible that the sections that I have labelled as "FP+ area" will be available for
any guest... after the FP+ for those is no longer used.

 

[jenniy122]

My favorite is the train station. You need to stake it out around an hour in advance, but there's benches up there so you guys can take turns holding your spot and sitting. Personally I HATED the view from California Grill. The fireworks are make to look like they're going off right behind the castle, but they're not. From Cali Grill, you see how far off they are, it just wasn't worth it to me.

 

[Mchurchill96]

I had read people saying they enjoy the fireworks from Narcoossee's, too. We're doing the Disney Dining plan, and we've already made our ADRs (which can be changed at this point, I realize), but Narcoosses's is 2 credits, and I don't want to give up some of the character dining we've already chosen. I'll have to check the menu and see how expensive it would be to just pay for that meal out of pocket (we have 3 kids who count as adults, and one child in our family.)

 

[AngiTN]

If you have another time to watch Celebrate the Magic (I agree with Robo, do not miss this) then I suggest the back side of the castle. The fireworks themselves are spectacular from back there. You are immersed in the middle of the fireworks with them going off 360° around you. And you do not need to stake out a spot early at all. Just don't sit while they are going off, you want to be able to turn easily.

 

[AngiTN]

You also want to be able to see the spectacular show that is actually projected on the front of the Castle,
"Celebrate the Magic," which begins about 15 minutes before the fireworks.

I'm sure your maps are not easy to do but have you thought of doing a similar one for Celebrate the Magic? If you feel it's different

 

[Robo]

I'm sure your maps are not easy to do but have you thought of doing a similar one for Celebrate the Magic? If you feel it's different

The "Wishes/MK Fireworks" map (seen in my Post #6 above) is also for use regarding the viewing of Celebrate the Magic.

Both shows are best-viewed with a clear, full width view of Cinderella Castle.

 

[stinkpickle]

If you have another time to watch Celebrate the Magic (I agree with Robo, do not miss this) then I suggest the back side of the castle. The fireworks themselves are spectacular from back there. You are immersed in the middle of the fireworks with them going off 360° around you. And you do not need to stake out a spot early at all. Just don't sit while they are going off, you want to be able to turn easily.

I agree. That's our favorite spot, because we don't have to deal with crowds.

Spot #9...

 

[Robo]

I agree. That's our favorite spot, because we don't have to deal with crowds.

Spot #9...

[/

Gee, I wonder where the "creator" of this map came up with the layout?

 

[stinkpickle]

Gee, I wonder where the "creator" of this map came up with the layout?

Disney Magic.

 

[Robo]

Disney Magic.

Tinker Bell, likely. (She's a naughty little fairy!)

 

[maryj11]

Ok if there is no FP+ then how far ahead of time do you think would be good for staking out a spot in the areas made for FP+?

 

[Robo]

Ok if there is no FP+ then how far ahead of time do you think would be good for staking out a spot in the areas made for FP+?

There is no simple answer that would cover that question.

Even WITH a FP, some guests arrive at those areas, NOW, two hours before Wishes.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I was just starting to collect maps and thought I needed to go search for Robo's Wishes map, and here it is! Thank you for putting it together!

The "Wishes/MK Fireworks" map (seen in my Post #6 above) is also for use regarding the viewing of Celebrate the Magic.

Both shows are best-viewed with a clear, full width view of Cinderella Castle.

Our experience was that it was nice to be closer to the castle and ok being off center for CTM. We were on the bridge to tomorrowland and it was a good view. Not so good for Wishes. But if you just want to see CTM and don't want to deal with the Hub crowds, it's pretty nice.

 

[sharadoc]

Book a room in the Contemporary, theme park view, and watch from your balcony