CRT, Projections on the Castle, and Wishes Strategy

[epe105]

We have CRT dinner reservations at 8:05. How long does CRT dinner usually take to get the full experience? Is there usually a delay at that time to eat ? Will we have enough time to get a good viewing place for the castle projections and wishes?

 

[Irish_Mike]

A good viewing place? Likely not - with the parade going on at 9, the Hub and Main Street are going to start filling up by 7:30ish. You might get lucky, but it's gonna be hard - especially with the fact that you likely won't finish your meal until around 9.

If the projections aren't the most important to you, I'd say stick around in Fantasyland for Wishes. It's much less crowded and the viewing is a whole different experience in my eyes.

 

[epe105]

A good viewing place? Likely not - with the parade going on at 9, the Hub and Main Street are going to start filling up by 7:30ish. You might get lucky, but it's gonna be hard - especially with the fact that you likely won't finish your meal until around 9.

If the projections aren't the most important to you, I'd say stick around in Fantasyland for Wishes. It's much less crowded and the viewing is a whole different experience in my eyes.

A few years ago, we saw wishes from Fantasy Land and from the Polynesian Beach. But we've never done it facing the castle up close. If we get out at CRT around 9pm, should we head to main street during the parade and hope we can find a viewing spot or somewhere else? Also, do they show projections after wishes?

 

[DisneyCAL]

We had a 6:45pm res and got out after 8. Then they had to test the fireworks so we were held back. We missed everything except the fireworks, but had to view the fireworks from behind the castle near 7DMT. It was a neat perspective but still missed a lot.

 

[mshanson3121]

We have CRT dinner reservations at 8:05. How long does CRT dinner usually take to get the full experience? Is there usually a delay at that time to eat ? Will we have enough time to get a good viewing place for the castle projections and wishes?

Doubtful. You need to plan on at least 75 minutes, which means you won't be getting out at probably 9:20. Our CRT was for 6:50 and we didn't get out until 8:20.

 

[mshanson3121]

A few years ago, we saw wishes from Fantasy Land and from the Polynesian Beach. But we've never done it facing the castle up close. If we get out at CRT around 9pm, should we head to main street during the parade and hope we can find a viewing spot or somewhere else? Also, do they show projections after wishes?

No projections after Wishes. And yes, you'll want to head to Main Street. Realizing it'll be extremely slow progression through the crowds. I really doubt you'll make it to see the projection. Your best bet would be to watch Wishes behind the castle. I've heard you can get a great view from back there.

 

[epe105]

So you could not cross into main street at 9/10pm for the Wishes show? Was it roped off or was it because it was too crowded?

We had a 6:45pm res and got out after 8. Then they had to test the fireworks so we were held back. We missed everything except the fireworks, but had to view the fireworks from behind the castle near 7DMT. It was a neat perspective but still missed a lot.

 

[epe105]

Thank you. We will set our expectations we will miss the projections show. Hopefully we can make it to main street for the fireworks show since we've already seen it from behind the castle in fantasy land.

No projections after Wishes. And yes, you'll want to head to Main Street. Realizing it'll be extremely slow progression through the crowds. I really doubt you'll make it to see the projection. Your best bet would be to watch Wishes behind the castle. I've heard you can get a great view from back there.

 

[DisneyCAL]

It was roped off, we waited at the ropes for an extra 30minutes, timing just didn't work out for us, but that was a 9pm fireworks. Perhaps a 10pm would work out better.

 

[Robo]

No projections after Wishes.

Are you speaking because you know the schedule?

There is very often a second show of Celebrate the Magic ("projections") after Wishes on nights when the park is open after Wishes.
And, that show will be much easier to see than the one before Wishes.

What is the date we are discussing?
I didn't see a date posted.
Knowing that is a huge help in answering these kind of questions.

 

[mshanson3121]

I was under the understanding there was only one show.

 

[Robo]

I was under the understanding there was only one show.

There is very often a second performance of CtM when MK is open after Wishes.

Since CtM is not listed on the calendars like fireworks and parades, you have to go to the Times Guide (or Times Guide sites) to check performance times.

That's why knowing the DATE in question is so important.

 

[epe105]

The date is November 6th this year. I'm not seeing any schedule for Wishes or the Projections yet. I do know that MVMCP starts on November 7th and 8th. This is our one and only day at Magic Kingdom since we don't want to pay for tickets and MVMCP. So hopefully it does work out.

 

[epe105]

Does the board know if they test fireworks early like this or is it kind of rare?

It was roped off, we waited at the ropes for an extra 30minutes, timing just didn't work out for us, but that was a 9pm fireworks. Perhaps a 10pm would work out better.

 

[DisneyCAL]

Does the board know if they test fireworks early like this or is it kind of rare?

I'm not sure, it may be rare it was the night after a MNSSHP so perhaps they test when fireworks have changed over.

 

[bbjunkie]

As Robo pointed out, there is often a second showing of Celebrate the Magic after Wishes. IF there is a second CTM when you are there, that will likely be a better time to view anyway.

I think another piece to your puzzle is that the curtain will be drawn across the Cinderella Castle pass-through before CTM and throughout the show. Not only will you have some difficulty making it out of CRT in time to see it, but you'll have to walk around as well because you won't be able to go through.

If you have never seen Wishes from in front of the castle along Main Street, it is really how the show is meant to be seen. Several people "recommend" seeing it from new Fantasyland, but that isn't how the show was designed, and you miss a lot of the fireworks as well as any of the color changes, etc on the castle itself. It's true that the fireworks are shot up well behind the MK, but you miss a lot of the effect of you are not viewing from the vantage point for which it was designed. Honestly, the only place Wishes can be viewed with the correct angle other than on MainStreet and the spots recommended by Robo on his fabulous map, is from the TTC. The show is "lined up" properly from that place as well. Yes, it can be seen from all over the place: the Poly, Narcosses', California Grill, the beaches at Fort Wilderness, New Fantasyland, BTMRR, etc, but it just isn't the same as seeing it from Main Street.

 

[epe105]

Thanks everyone for the great advice! I've read the parade is 20 minutes long.

So let's say the parade ends around 9:20pm, do people watch CTM and Wishes on the street/pavement after the parade ends? What have you guys seen is the etiquette on that? I understand people are trying to walk through, but once the CTM and Wishes starts, do people on the street/pavement stop and watch?

 

[bbjunkie]

Yes, you will absolutely be able to watch from the street after the parade is over. In my experience, although it is crowded, this is your best bet. You'll want to be far enough back from the castle to see well. Try to get to the Main Street side of the hub or right in the middle of Main Street, kind of near the Parlour and Casey's, to make sure you're far enough back to get the whole view. Again, Robo's map of this gives you the very best advice on best viewing areas.

 

[epe105]

Perfect! We will use this strategy.

Yes, you will absolutely be able to watch from the street after the parade is over. In my experience, although it is crowded, this is your best bet. You'll want to be far enough back from the castle to see well. Try to get to the Main Street side of the hub or right in the middle of Main Street, kind of near the Parlour and Casey's, to make sure you're far enough back to get the whole view. Again, Robo's map of this gives you the very best advice on best viewing areas.