FastPass Plus - Fireworks Viewing

[qman6975]

Are the fireworks viewing areas you can reserve with FastPass worth it?

Is it also true that I can't get an additional FastPass until after the return windows have expired on my original three so if I use one for Fireworks, at the end of the day, I'm locked out of any additional FastPasses?

 

[CAS239]

Yes we highly enjoy the fireworks FP area. We won't watch fireworks from the hub without a FP.

Yes you can't select additional FP's until your first 3 initial expire or are used.

 

[Skywise]

Yes and yes.

It's great for Wishes as you'll have a dead-on center view of the castle but I don't think it's as useful for Illuminations.

Note that if you're going during a more crowded time it's difficult to get the 4th FP anyway because the more popular rides will be "sold out" anyway. Less popular rides will still have them but you'd generally be able to get on them with standby anyway.

 

[McKelly]

Yes because the projection show right before Wishes is AMAZING.

 

[MomForFrozenAddicts]

Yes. You have to wait for all 3 FP+ are used before you are able to book the 4th. That means if you book a Wishes FP+, you are done for the day with FP+ unless the park remains open for another 2-3 hours as in the summer.

If you have more than 1 day in MK, I think it is a good way for FP+. Of course there are many places to view the show and the firework, but a nice spot without wait and people on top of you--you need a FP+. The Wishes FP+ is quickly booked along with A&E and 7DMT (good time slots). You can book the Wishes on your 60 day mark and give yourself time to figure out if you want the FP+ or not.

 

[cvjw]

I will disagree about the FP for illuminations. We originally thought that a FP for Illuminations was a waste, because the fireworks are so visible from all over the park.

We have seen Illuminations dozens and dozens of times, from all over the World Showcase.

We watched them from the FP viewing area last week, and were blown away with the view. The whole fireworks show was lined up perfectly from the FP viewing are. Best view we have ever had.

Fully agree on the Wishes viewing FP. It is a great view and so much less crowded than all of the other regular viewing areas in front of the castle.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

We watched Wishes from the FP+ area over Christmas and thought it was a good spot because you got to see everything, but I still prefer to watch them back in Fantasyland as I find it hard to justify a FP+ for the show.

I will also state that the FP+ viewing area at Epcot is ok, but I wouldn't waste a FP on the location. As stated above, you can watch the show just about anywhere around the promenade. The one tip I will state is that you need to be aware of the wind direction as that can affect where you want to watch the fireworks from.

 

[joe1946]

Where exactly is the FP+ viewing area for Illuminations?

 

[Skywise]

Where exactly is the FP+ viewing area for Illuminations?

World Showcase pavilion - Basically it's just in front of the bridge between Future World and the World Showcase where you first see the lake. The Dessert Party is on the left and the FP+ are on the right.

I will amend my comments and say that the view is probably better than you'd normally get as part of the show involves the pavilions lighting up which you won't see as much of if you're on the other side of the lake (EG near the American pavilion) Also I got there half an hour early and all the front row spots were taken and I had to stand about 2 rows of people back.

 

[joe1946]

World Showcase pavilion - Basically it's just in front of the bridge between Future World and the World Showcase where you first see the lake. The Dessert Party is on the left and the FP+ are on the right.

Ah, I see -- thanks!

 

[Cee]

I'm looking forward to my first FP for Wishes next month. Whee!

 

[serene56]

When you get into the area-- look around you making sure there is no trees or poles in your vision line. there are several in there. We arrived about 20-30 minutes early and it was already packed.

 

[DavidNYC]

Main reason I've never considered the fireworks FP is exactly because you can't get extras. When I go in lower crowd seasons I've usually gotten 4-5 extra FP before fireworks time. It's just not worth it to me - so many good places to watch fireworks from you can usually get a decent spot not too long before.

 

[bluezy]

When we were in MK this past June, we were able to get 10 FP's (3 pre-selected, 7 additional) all before 10:00 p.m. (and that was with a 5 hour break at the hotel in the afternoon). We continued to ride numerous things even after 10:00 without FP. If we had gotten a FP for Wishes, we wouldn't have been able to get in nearly as many attractions as we did (at least not with that 5-hour break). If I was going to get a FP for Wishes, I wouldn't do it on our full day at MK (at least not during the summer when the park is open really late). I'd plan it for another day when we only plan to be at MK for a few hours at night. Possibly on a night with EMH so that we could schedule 2 FP's before Wishes, and then still stay for a few hours after that to get in some more rides.

 

[Shanti]

Are the fireworks viewing areas you can reserve with FastPass worth it?

Is it also true that I can't get an additional FastPass until after the return windows have expired on my original three so if I use one for Fireworks, at the end of the day, I'm locked out of any additional FastPasses?

Yes, and yes.

 

[jawa7400]

When we were in MK this past June, we were able to get 10 FP's (3 pre-selected, 7 additional) all before 10:00 p.m. (and that was with a 5 hour break at the hotel in the afternoon). We continued to ride numerous things even after 10:00 without FP. If we had gotten a FP for Wishes, we wouldn't have been able to get in nearly as many attractions as we did (at least not with that 5-hour break). If I was going to get a FP for Wishes, I wouldn't do it on our full day at MK (at least not during the summer when the park is open really late). I'd plan it for another day when we only plan to be at MK for a few hours at night. Possibly on a night with EMH so that we could schedule 2 FP's before Wishes, and then still stay for a few hours after that to get in some more rides.

This gives me hope for multiple FPs when we go in early June this year! What were some of the rides that were available for the additional FPs?

 

[bluezy]

This gives me hope for multiple FPs when we go in early June this year! What were some of the rides that were available for the additional FPs?

When we went to schedule our 4th FP+ at about 1:15 p.m. that day, nearly everything still had availability at some point during the day for a party of 5. Many things had almost immediate availability (within 15-20 minutes). The only things I noticed that didn't have availability at that point were 7DMT and A&E. Even Wishes and MSEP had availability at that point (which was probably due to someone cancelling right before I started to search). I don't remember if the afternoon parade had availability (probably not). I didn't want to hold up the line of people behind me while I checked to see exactly how many rides still had availability but I know for sure that Splash, BTMRR, Space, HM, Tomorrowland Speedway, Buzz Lightyear, Enchanted Tales With Bell, Jungle Cruise, and Magic Carpets all had availability because I specifically looked at Splash & BTMRR (even though we had ridden those with our pre-scheduled FP's) and we got FP's throughout the rest of the day for the other rides listed. I quickly scrolled through the entire list and remarked to my husband that other than the Big 2, it looked like every other attraction still had FP's available (which surprised me). I will mention that we were there on a most recommended day so that probably helped.

 

[JenniferW33]

Where do you get the FP for Wishes and Illuminations? Is there a Kiosk somewhere close to the viewing area? And by what time are they usually "sold out"??

 

[Robo]

Where do you get the FP for Wishes and Illuminations? Is there a Kiosk somewhere close to the viewing area? And by what time are they usually "sold out"??

You likely cannot get them in the park at all, as they are usually all taken ("sold out") well before the day of the performance.
There are so few of them available that they will be taken by those who book 30 to 60 days in advance.

But, for information purposes, ALL of the (still available) FP+ in the parks can be booked at kiosks at a multitude of locations found inside each theme park. Any still available FP can be booked at any kiosk.
The kiosk locations can be found on the park maps.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

We are there 9 days so we have plenty of days to get in all the FP we want. We want a break day, to sleep in, check out the pool, spend some time over at DS etc. but we got the 9th day on the park tickets anyway because it didn't cost much more. In the end I wanted the ability to get additional FP so decided to add MSEP and Wishes FP on that day. We will eat dinner at Cape May and then head to MK just for the evening shows, have a POTC FP as well if we get there in time and want to use it but the purpose is the evening shows. I figure we will be well rested after not having toured that day and other evenings we can just head back and not have to worry about it. Not sure if we will do Illuminations or Fantasmic. We will see how we're feeling in the evenings and would grab FP later if available, if not, they are both very doable without.