Firt time at WDW and FW. Which is easier?

[mthds]

Our family is so excited. We will be at WDW and FW for the first time in just about a month. We have younger children so staying out late every night is not an option. However, one night we do want to stay in a park for the firework/night show and then sleep in the next day and not do parks.

In your experience which show would you recommend based not only on the quality of show but also the show and park that is the easiest to get back to FW. (Will be using Disney Transportation) The youngest will be very tired and cranky at that time of night so would like to find the "easiest" option. (Knowing the "easiest" is a term that is relative to the situation )

Also, if we start catching buses in the morning around 7:30 a.m. would we have any trouble making Rope Drop at any of the parks. (No EMH just the 9:00 regular opening)

Thanks for any info!

 

[becky1960]

MK is going to be closest as you can see fireworks from the Beach, but its a lot more fun being close.We have seen smiley faces in the fireworks up close.
We take the boats back but its crowded, it will be crowded where ever you go.

 

[ynottony99]

'Wishes' @ MK will probably be your best choice. Check the schedule for show times. MK is often open for a couple more hours following the fireworks, which may take some of the strain off of transportation back to FW. I enjoy this show the best myself anyhow! Make sure to take lots of photos on your trip and give us a full report when you get back home!!!

 

[WeCampDisney]

Wishes at MK is awesome! We enjoy the boat ride back to the Fort, much more relaxing than a bus, and actually kind of fun especially if you are able to sit outside on the bow of the boat. I hope you have a golf cart reserved. You can park it right by the boat dock at the fort and not have to walk or wait for the Fort's internal bus to take you to your campsite, or walk. You can also park it right by the 2 main bus stops, one om each end of the Fort.

 

[Memph1s]

I too think wishes at MK is the best show and easiest to get back to FW from. However, parts of the show are very loud and can frighten some younger children. If your kids are old enough to understand I would explain ahead of time that it will be loud and prepare them with ear plugs, tissues or fingers in their ears. Kids are different; I have seen some really terrified kids during the show and others who did not even wake up. If your kids do have trouble with loud bangs I would recommend Fantasmic at DHS. It is really a great show too but not as easy transportation wise.

 

[Skyw]

I have gone to WDW when my son was 3 and 4 years old. We also didn't stay out late. But we did watch the fireworks from the beach at FW. One of these days we will see it at MK, but for now, the beach is great. My Ds can run and play while we wait for the fireworks and it is easy to get back to the cabin.

We did see Fantasia.....(I forgot the name) at Disney Studios. We didn't really like it. And my 4 year old son didn't like it either. I was disappointed after all of the buzz about it.

I saw the laser show at Epcot and it was great 10 years ago...not so great now.

I agree with the previous posters....Wishes at MK is the best, even from the beach.

My son liked the parades better then the fireworks.

Have fun!!!!

 

[PolynesianPixie]

Wishes.....I can't even describe! The fireworks tell a story, if you can imagine that! A beautiful story, for that matter! I cry everytime I see it!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Heres a video of wishes....although video could never really do this show justice...its a nice little preview of the real thing if you havent seen it.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

Even the video gives me chills!

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

Add another vote for Wishes

 

[FtWildrns5]

That was a great video. I can't wait for my kids to see that for the first time in June. We were not sure if we would be there that late because of their ages but you just made up my mind.

 

[pamlet]

Wishes ..

Every time we go to Disney there are memories.... I think my FONDEST memory is when we went in 2005 .. my "boys" were 21 and 16 years old... and watching them watch Wishes ... well suddenly they were little boys again..

BigDaddyRog .. thanks for posting the video...

 

[clkelley]

Actually, Illuminations is my favorite. That gives me amazing chills!!

 

[heartsy77]

Wishes! Hands Down! We are also staying at FW for the first time in DEC and I can't wait to watch from the beach every night!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

I REALLY like the girls voice in the first verse of the Wishes soundtrack....very sweet and innocent and makes me picture my daughters in their jammies ready for bed starring out a window with high hopes for life...but with much less attitude!!

 

[Disneymom1220]

Hi! We just got back on Sunday from our first family trip and camped at FW. I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old so we were in the same situation as you. We only did one night as well and we chose MK. We went for the Spectromagic parade which my kids really loved and then stayed for the Wishes fireworks. My kids are both afraid of loud noises, so the fireworks weren't a huge hit for them. My husband does target shooting and has ear mufflers for that, so we brought a set for each child and that muffled the sound and made it much more enjoyable for them. They looked a little silly but at least they weren't freaking out at the noise!

Definitely try to go for a night with Spectromagic. It was truly awesome!!!!

We got lucky with the boat home. A boat was pulling in just as we were walking out and there were enough seats for everyone there. It had rained earlier in the evening so that probably helped with crowd level that night.

Have a great time - I'm sad to be home!!!

 

[the5coops]

We like Wishes the best. We usually wait for the crowd to die down on Main Street in MK and walk over to the Contemporary. We grab the kids a snack (so we don't have to bother when we get to the camper) and take the blue flag boat from the Contemporary. We would rather walk a little than wait in a line.
Shelley