Changes to MK Wishes dessert party-Same Day Reservations

[3smithboys]

It's difficult to try to explain things to so many readers who have never seen these events before.
Anyone reading this needs to know that you cannot see the castle from the MK bus stops.
While just seeing the higher-flying fireworks can be entertaining, it is not the same as being
able to see the show "Wishes," as it was designed.

And, if you can't see the castle, you also can't see any of the newest MK evening spectacular, "Celebrate the Magic," that starts 15 minutes before the fireworks.
"Celebrate the Magic," is a show that is considered by many to be equal to or better than Wishes for excitement and entertainment value.

Are there any places that we can go to be able to see all of this without having to pay for a dessert party or line up 60-90 minutes before the show??? I don't need "prime" location or anything, just a view... On July 3rd... Without being crushed... Or stepped on... Is that too much to ask?!?! Lol

 

[Robo]

Are there any places that we can go to be able to see all of this without having to pay for a dessert party or line up 60-90 minutes before the show??? I don't need "prime" location or anything, just a view... On July 3rd... Without being crushed... Or stepped on...

No.

 

[Andysol]

Are there any places that we can go to be able to see all of this without having to pay for a dessert party or line up 60-90 minutes before the show??? I don't need "prime" location or anything, just a view... On July 3rd... Without being crushed... Or stepped on... Is that too much to ask?!?! Lol

Just remember- anywhere you stand- even if you went 90 minutes beforehand or were on the former FP+ lawn- someone will get in front of you with a kid on their shoulders or film with an iPad as if videos of higher quality dont exist on the internet of the identical fireworks performance- but I digress.

You dont have to appear 90 minutes early- even July 3rd. Theres an entire park you can see the fireworks from. I'd never wait 90 minutes- and I'd never give my money to this scam from Disney, but thats just me.

 

[whiporee]

Are there any places that we can go to be able to see all of this without having to pay for a dessert party or line up 60-90 minutes before the show??? I don't need "prime" location or anything, just a view... On July 3rd... Without being crushed... Or stepped on... Is that too much to ask?!?! Lol

To answer the question, if you want to see the fireworks themselves, behind the castle in Fantasyland is a cool place to do it. You miss the stuff on the castle, but behind the castle is a neat view.

As for the show itself on July 3, I dunno. It'll be crowded, so anything on Main St or the hub is going to be tight. I hate to say it, but that might be a night to pay for it if it's important to you to see the whole thing. But on that date, I'd imagine a sellout would happen, so you'd need to buy early.

Like I said, your best bet is to forgo the castle show and hang out behind the castle. On that date, there's gonna be crowds everywhere, so you might be better off enjoying what you can.

 

[Robo]

Just remember- anywhere you stand- even if you went 90 minutes beforehand or were on the former FP+ lawn- someone will get in front of you with a kid on their shoulders or film with an iPad as if videos of higher quality dont exist on the internet of the identical fireworks performance- but I digress.

Its really not that bad- even July 3rd. Theres an entire park you can see the fireworks from. Id never wait 90 minutes, but thats just me.

But, Disney has created a serious crowd problem with the addition of the THIRD must-see night-time spectacular, "Celebrate the Magic."
It can ONLY be seen from in or near the Hub.
THAT is the situation with which so many guests are trying to cope.

And, July 3rd... it will be bad.

 

[3smithboys]

To answer the question, if you want to see the fireworks themselves, behind the castle in Fantasyland is a cool place to do it. You miss the stuff on the castle, but behind the castle is a neat view.

As for the show itself on July 3, I dunno. It'll be crowded, so anything on Main St or the hub is going to be tight. I hate to say it, but that might be a night to pay for it if it's important to you to see the whole thing. But on that date, I'd imagine a sellout would happen, so you'd need to buy early.

Like I said, your best bet is to forgo the castle show and hang out behind the castle. On that date, there's gonna be crowds everywhere, so you might be better off enjoying what you can.

Thanks for your answer! Not sure how important the castle show is.... Have to think about that one... I'm sure if I asked my men, they'd say... Not in the least!

 

[Andysol]

But, Disney has created a serious crowd problem with the addition of the THIRD night-time spectacular, "Celebrate the Magic."
It must be seen from in or near the Hub.
THAT is the situation with which so many guests are trying to cope.

The member who asked has been a member since 2008. The member is going on an adult trip. I think they can survive not seeing a video projection of Tarzan even if they haven't seen it before. I like CTM, but not at the expense of standing like sardines with stinky park folk. Not to mention standing like sardines and paying $60 for the right.
Me? I'd get on Big Thunder and watch the fireworks while riding- that blows any dessert party out of the water. And it's free- until Disney finds a way to charge for it.

 

[Indecisive]

In addition to all of the other things everyone is [justifiably] complaining about in this thread, I am annoyed that if I wanted to be guaranteed the better (former FP+) viewing area, I would need to physically "walk-up" during prime touring time on the day-of (since those with advanced reservations only have the possibility of moving to the former FP+ area, space permitting). This whole thing is very annoying.

 

[DoingDisney]

In addition to all of the other things everyone is [justifiably] complaining about in this thread, I am annoyed that if I wanted to be guaranteed the better (former FP+) viewing area, I would need to physically "walk-up" during prime touring time on the day-of (since those with advanced reservations only have the possibility of moving to the former FP+ area, space permitting). This whole thing is very annoying.

To be fair, I don't actually think the FP+ viewing areas are "better" ... they are pretty good, but they are set back a good bit and are off to the side a bit. I'd give them a 7 / 10. So good, but not great.

 

[Cluelyss]

To be fair, I don't actually think the FP+ viewing areas are "better" ... they are pretty good, but they are set back a good bit and are off to the side a bit. I'd give them a 7 / 10. So good, but not great.

They are far better than the view from the Terrace, though.

 

[DoingDisney]

They are far better than the view from the Terrace, though.

I could very much believe this, though not too long ago I was engaged with someone who was adamant that her view from the Terrace was the best view possible, and I mean, possible in the park. It was ... interesting.

 

[OhMari]

I really have no desire to spend the $$$ for this... We will be at MK for the July 3rd fireworks and I know it will be jam packed that evening! It will be DH, DS (17), and myself... So no littles...

Suggestions on where to go to watch where we can have decent views?? We're not super picky... We don't need to have a "prime" viewing location, but I don't think my guys will have the patience/desire to wait anywhere for 60 minutes for a spot...

We used to go to the Rose Garden (I think that's what's it called..) but we've not been in years....

Walk in from Adventure Land towards the Castle, you will have no problem seeing the Fireworks. People get up and move away after the parade. I have been at the MK during Spring Break and I have never had a problem watching the Fireworks. A lot of families with little kids leave, because their little one's don't like the loud noise. I can't believe people are flipping out, worrying that they will not have a spot to see the fireworks. I know a lot of people, that like to be behind the Castle, FrontierLand and say the fireworks are awesome back there.

 

[Snookies]

We usually do this dessert party every year. We actually love it, even with the price b/c to us it beats standing on Main St for an hour+ in August.

That said, I'm glad we passed on it this year b/c this new 'feature', along with the new way some say they are doing the tables and no standing is ludicrous.

It was already super crowded at the buffet lines and now adding a whole area's worth of people will make it a mad house. And with the 1st come 1st pick tables/no standing I'm not gambling with that charge to get stuck in the back under a roof.

On the flip side, I wonder how this will pan out...figure anyone who was willing to pay for this, most likely would have had it booked in advance (i.e. table guests) and there will be minimal day-of/walk ups. I'm going to wait for the reviews, but in this instance, being a walk-up may actually be better in the long run b/c you may have a good chunk of that Hub area to yourself.

Same here - we've done the Wishes party many times. However, the last time was before the price increase of last summer and the change from reserved seating. Although we have it booked from an upcoming trip, if people come back and report they are serving many more guests from the same set-up that was dedicated to those reserving the terrace, the combination of price increase, no reserved seating and substantially longer lines to check-in and get refreshments means I'll just cancel. The interesting question is whether (and if so how) they are going to keep those who have reserved the terrace separate from the walk-ups who want to be in the hub. Unless there are separate check-in and serving areas, it may be very difficult to do so. I'm thinking those who reserved many months ago will be really unhappy if the plan is to have everyone check-in and be served from the same area.

 

[Robo]

The interesting question is whether (and if so how) they are going to keep those who have reserved the terrace separate from the walk-ups who want to be in the hub. Unless there are separate check-in and serving areas, it may be very difficult to do so.

During the check-in process, I'm guessing specific wristbands will be attached to specific guests.

 

[Ava]

Walk in from Adventure Land towards the Castle, you will have no problem seeing the Fireworks. People get up and move away after the parade. I have been at the MK during Spring Break and I have never had a problem watching the Fireworks. A lot of families with little kids leave, because their little one's don't like the loud noise. I can't believe people are flipping out, worrying that they will not have a spot to see the fireworks. I know a lot of people, that like to be behind the Castle, FrontierLand and say the fireworks are awesome back there.

This is what we (accidentally) ended up doing during a sold-out MNSSHP in 2014. We lost track of time and were over by Sleepy Hollow when we heard Celebrate the Magic (or whatever the Halloween version is called) starting. Walked across the bridge towards the Hub, CMs told us to keep moving along, and we eventually ended up on the Tomorrowland side of the Hub with a fine view of what was left of CTM and then Hallowishes.

I sat at Tomorrowland Terrace to watch the fireworks years ago before they started offering the dessert party. It was fun to have Tink fly right towards you, and a decent view if you stood up at the railing, but it's not a view worth paying for IMO, which is why I was never interested in doing the dessert party. Also the fact that you don't even get a refund if the show is cancelled due to weather is pretty much a deal-breaker for me. I will do a dining package, because we have to eat dinner anyway, but that's about it.

 

[horse11]

But, Disney has created a serious crowd problem with the addition of the THIRD must-see night-time spectacular, "Celebrate the Magic."
It can ONLY be seen from in or near the Hub.
THAT is the situation with which so many guests are trying to cope.

And, July 3rd... it will be bad.

How well can "Celebrate the Magic" be seen from the Wishes Dessert Party or what use to be the Wishes FP area? It Is the main thing our family is interested in.

 

[Ferrentinos]

Does this start tonight or is only bookable starting today?

 

[mom2rtk]

Does this start tonight or is only bookable starting today?

I believe it's C) All of the above.

Starts tonight. Booking is same day, so booking starts today.

 

[Ferrentinos]

I believe it's C) All of the above.

Starts tonight. Booking is same day, so booking starts today.

So I guess we can see how it plays out tonight... interested to see

 

[Mikie]

So I guess we can see how it plays out tonight... interested to see

Give us something to read up about while we wait for DAH night #2 results on Thursday.