Celebrate the Magic Viewing Area

Mambo Junkie

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Joined
Sep 6, 2011
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3,544
I've been reading and looking at the maps for the viewing areas for Wishes and MSEP, but is the Wishes viewing area (fp) also good for Celebrate the Magic? If not, where is the best spot? Also, are all the walls still up? Last year they were all around Main Street.
Thanks!
 
I was just about to post about Celebrate The Magic :)

I was at MK tonight and had a FP for Wishes. I've used FP for Wishes several times before, and whilst I was on the fence about it. It is growing on me more and more and is always a FP I'll try and get whenever I get to pop into MK.

Firstly, it is a very good view for CTM (IMO). I recommend going on the WEST SIDE viewing area (Adventureland side), as it is more central to Cinderella Castle than the EAST SIDE. The absolute best spot for me, is at the back of the viewing area as there is a part that offers an amazing central, unobstructed view so you can everything really well (and get to sit/lean on the railing for a slightly more elevated view). Also, there seems to be fewer guests inside the area than there were during Spring and Summer past couple of weeks (FP's for Wishes were gone today and the other week I used it so it had used its full capacity), so there is more room in there.

The only negative with it is that because Wishes is towards the end of the night, you're going to really struggle to get a FP for a decent attraction for your 4th choice.

You could always watch the second showing of CTM which is usually around 40 minutes after Wishes. Not many guests watch the second showing and you could easily get right up close and sit on the floor watching it with plenty of room.

The walls are only up around the front of Cinderella Castle now, they're just finishing off the two walkways up towards the castle. The HUB is looking really nice now and there's much more space to stand now compared to earlier this year. My only issue is that with the extra space that has come with the HUB construction, is that there are so many more lamp posts around the area which give lots of obstructed views of the castle if you're trying to watch CTM.

On a final note from tonight regarding CTM, Frozen Holiday Wish and Wishes...

The dream lights/ice lights came up today which was amazing/magical/incredible, but the CTM show had reverted back to the original show from 3(?) years ago when it first came out. No Elsa/Let It Go sequence, which I found rather disappointing as that is the best sequence in the whole show (IMO). The original Brave/Merida sequence was back, with the Christmas sequence at the very end.

I don't know if it's because it was the first night, but Wishes with the lights was different from what I remember from previous years. The lights are not on after CTM, so they don't magically fade out when Wishes starts, and didn't appear towards the end either, or at all during the fireworks. That is my absolute favourite version of Wishes, when the lights are brought into the show. Maybe they'll get used in the coming weeks (I really hope so).

5 minutes before the first Frozen Holiday Wish show started, I don't know if there was a mistake, but the lights came on fully, which, kind of ruined the soon to begin show which was is their to build up towards putting them on. I may be in the minority on this site for this, but I'm a huge Elsa fan and love that she lights the castle. But I do think Fairy Godmother lit them much better, as with her, each turret slowly came on. With Elsa there's cool projections on the castle, and then the lights come on very quickly at once (it's not the end of the world, it didn't ruin my day, just an observation/opinion).
With so many guests not too happy about Elsa lighting the Castle, I've always wondered if Disney would ever consider reverting back to having Cinderella and Fairy Godmother coming out for the show, and Fairy Godmother maybe saying that she can't do it alone and needed help from a special friend, and out would come Elsa, so it appeases both sides (sort of).

Anyways, enough of my rambling, hope you enjoy your trip! :)
 
I was just about to post about Celebrate The Magic :)

I was at MK tonight and had a FP for Wishes. I've used FP for Wishes several times before, and whilst I was on the fence about it. It is growing on me more and more and is always a FP I'll try and get whenever I get to pop into MK.

Firstly, it is a very good view for CTM (IMO). I recommend going on the WEST SIDE viewing area (Adventureland side), as it is more central to Cinderella Castle than the EAST SIDE. The absolute best spot for me, is at the back of the viewing area as there is a part that offers an amazing central, unobstructed view so you can everything really well (and get to sit/lean on the railing for a slightly more elevated view). Also, there seems to be fewer guests inside the area than there were during Spring and Summer past couple of weeks (FP's for Wishes were gone today and the other week I used it so it had used its full capacity), so there is more room in there.

The only negative with it is that because Wishes is towards the end of the night, you're going to really struggle to get a FP for a decent attraction for your 4th choice.

You could always watch the second showing of CTM which is usually around 40 minutes after Wishes. Not many guests watch the second showing and you could easily get right up close and sit on the floor watching it with plenty of room.

The walls are only up around the front of Cinderella Castle now, they're just finishing off the two walkways up towards the castle. The HUB is looking really nice now and there's much more space to stand now compared to earlier this year. My only issue is that with the extra space that has come with the HUB construction, is that there are so many more lamp posts around the area which give lots of obstructed views of the castle if you're trying to watch CTM.

On a final note from tonight regarding CTM, Frozen Holiday Wish and Wishes...

The dream lights/ice lights came up today which was amazing/magical/incredible, but the CTM show had reverted back to the original show from 3(?) years ago when it first came out. No Elsa/Let It Go sequence, which I found rather disappointing as that is the best sequence in the whole show (IMO). The original Brave/Merida sequence was back, with the Christmas sequence at the very end.

I don't know if it's because it was the first night, but Wishes with the lights was different from what I remember from previous years. The lights are not on after CTM, so they don't magically fade out when Wishes starts, and didn't appear towards the end either, or at all during the fireworks. That is my absolute favourite version of Wishes, when the lights are brought into the show. Maybe they'll get used in the coming weeks (I really hope so).

5 minutes before the first Frozen Holiday Wish show started, I don't know if there was a mistake, but the lights came on fully, which, kind of ruined the soon to begin show which was is their to build up towards putting them on. I may be in the minority on this site for this, but I'm a huge Elsa fan and love that she lights the castle. But I do think Fairy Godmother lit them much better, as with her, each turret slowly came on. With Elsa there's cool projections on the castle, and then the lights come on very quickly at once (it's not the end of the world, it didn't ruin my day, just an observation/opinion).
With so many guests not too happy about Elsa lighting the Castle, I've always wondered if Disney would ever consider reverting back to having Cinderella and Fairy Godmother coming out for the show, and Fairy Godmother maybe saying that she can't do it alone and needed help from a special friend, and out would come Elsa, so it appeases both sides (sort of).

Anyways, enough of my rambling, hope you enjoy your trip! :)

I agree that they did a great job with the hub but there are to many light posts in the way now. It really is a shame.

And I'm sorry, but I giggle every time I see someone post a slightly negative comment, followed up with a clarification that it didn't ruin their trip or anything. I understand why though.
 
Firstly, it is a very good view for CTM (IMO). I recommend going on the WEST SIDE viewing area (Adventureland side), as it is more central to Cinderella Castle than the EAST SIDE.

Sorry, but that can't be true.
Each is equally "off-center" to the castle.
They are virtually mirror images of each other, each on opposite sides of Main St.

MK-Hub-Keating-Robo_072615_zpskierlt9t.jpg
 

Thank you! Also thanks for the show comparisons! I will be there in the Spring, so any Christmas extras won't apply in my case, but it sounds beautiful! I did get to see them last December, but without a fast pass. This time I think I'll go for one.

:)
 
Our FP for Wishes last was was worth its weight in gold to me. It's a great spot for CTM and it's priceless (IMO) to have the extra space. We hung out in the back of the section and leaned on the railing, and had great views and a good 5+ feet of open space in front of us.
 
Sorry, but that can't be true.
Each is equally "off-center" to the castle.
They are virtually mirror images of each other, each on opposite sides of Main St.

No, she's onto something because I've noticed the same thing (and was surprised too) when I was trying to video CTM - I'm not sure if it's the projector placement or some sort of optical illusion but just off to the west side of the hub appears to be more "on center" than directly from the partners statue.
 
That seals the deal. Last night I signed on at my 30 day to check out the fp availability and Wishes was there. On our next trip we are planning 1 magical day for the DGDs so I am going to try to fp FOF and WIshes.
 
This is the first mention I've seen of a second showing of CtM. Are there always two showings?

Not always.
Often, Wishes will "close" MK for the night (like IllumiNations does at Epcot.)
On those nights, no second CtM would be possible.

But, on nights when MK is open for an hour or more after the Wishes start-time,
there can be a second CtM.

Check www.wdwent.com for MK's schedule.
That site is only valid for one week at a time,
so re-check when your trip happens.
 
I'm a little confused. Can I see CTM from the wishes FP area? How early would I have to get there? Going nov 18- nonparty night?
 
I'm a little confused.
1. Can I see CTM from the wishes FP area?
2. How early would I have to get there?

1. Yes. Great spot.
2. Any time before CtM begins. Say, 15 min. before CtM (which is 30 min. before the fireworks.)
 
But, on nights when MK is open for an hour or more after the Wishes start-time,
there can be a second CtM.
Check www.wdwent.com for MK's schedule.
That site is only valid for one week at a time,
so re-check when your trip happens.

Do they normally show it again when MK has EMHs at night?
 
Do they normally show it again when MK has EMHs at night?

I don't think that there's a direct relationship to MK's PM EMH.

More likely, if MK's regular hours run past Wishes by an hour or more (PM EMH happening or not)
expect a second CtM.
 


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