Does Wishes have to be viewed from the front of the Castle?

[ImagineEar]

Here is my dilema: I want to stay to see Spectro and Wishes in the same night - Spectro is at 9 - Wishes at 10.

We love watching the Parade in Frontierland, however I have heard that Wishes is really better viewed from the front of the castle. Is this true?

If so I will have to rush to Main Street right after the Parade...which will already lined with "squaters" from the parade just waiting for Wishes to start. This area is always so conjested which is why I find it more pleasant to watch the parade elsewhere. During MNSSHP we happened upon Liberty Square during the Fireworks and I was very pleased with that view. Would Wishes be good from there?

Does anyone have any advice as to where else I can watch Wishes and still get the full impact? Anywhere near Frontierland? Thanks

 

[dwmlaf]

I imagine if you enjoyed the view in Liberty Square the fireworks would be the same as would be for Wishes

 

[WDWNicole]

My opinion is that no view is as good as in front of the castle. We watched from off to the side once (towards Liberty Square) and it was awful.

 

[christinou]

Some of he mortars are shot from around the castle, so unless you are in front of the castle you do not get the full effect, my kids love playing on the new Pooh playground during the fireworks, and we will watch from there, but it really is not as good as from in front of the castle.

 

[Robo]

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 (very crowded here, though).
All the area heading up Main Street from there, 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 one of the "sweet spots" 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 Wishes' sound here either.

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!)

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.

 

[Robo]

I imagine if you enjoyed the view in Liberty Square the fireworks would be the same as would be for Wishes

This must be from someone who has not seen Wishes.

The two shows' presentations have nothing in common.

 

[estnh]

We have seen Wishes several times, and love it. Up until last time, we had always been in front of the castle. Last trip, we were late coming back from a ride, and got stuck at the rear of the castle. It totally ruined the show--it was nothing remotely like the experience from the front, and we'll be careful never to do that again!

 

[ImagineEar]

Thanks to all -

Especially you Robo, but - Could you be more specific about what Bridge from Froniterland you watch it on? The Bridge right infornt of the Splash Drop?

 

[kimmikayb]

We sat directly in front of the castle and although the show was great....I think it would have been better a little further back, like someone suggested around the ice cream parlor area. We were able to watch it twice and the second time watched it from behind the castle. I would not suggest this unless you've already seen the "full" show from the front. From the rear you get the full effects of the fireworks but none of the "show". However, you are relatively alone and it makes for nice dancing with your sweetie!

 

[rtobe]

I agree with folks who have said inside the park, in front of the castle. If you want to see a really different view, try California Grill (restaurant on top of Contemporary) - you have to be eating there at the time and it is hard to get reservation when Wishes is showing. The other place is Narcoosees at the Grand Floridian - again you need to be eating there.

 

[dreamscometrue47]

Last time we watched both Spectromagic and Wishes from outside Casey's. It was a fantastic spot for both but we did have to "secure" out spots at least an hour before Spectro, and then not leave until Wishes. Well worth it.

 

[Robo]

I agree with folks who have said inside the park, in front of the castle. If you want to see a really different view, try California Grill (restaurant on top of Contemporary) - you have to be eating there at the time and it is hard to get reservation when Wishes is showing. The other place is Narcoosees at the Grand Floridian - again you need to be eating there.

Same goes for "Ohana" restaurant in the Poly.