Give It To Me Straight...

[DisneyBeef]

In your opinion, is a FP+ worth using on a parade or fireworks show? I think Id rather use them on priority stuff like Soarin, 7DMT or A&E, but I was curious about general feedback. We very well may opt to watch Wishes from the observation deck at the Contemporary or just take our chances trying to find a little out of the way place in Japan or France to see Illuminations. Again, just wondering what you all think...

 

[Robo]

FP+ priorities found HERE.

One big drawback of scheduling evening show FP+ in advance is that you won't
be able to book a 4th or 5th (etc.) FP+ because the evening shows run so late in the day.

 

[rtbreneman]

No. and it keeps you from obtaining any other FP for the day.

 

[Belle61513]

IMO, no way. But I also don't have kids.
We'll definitely watch the parade (at least once) and do all the fireworks we can, burning a FP+ on it isn't something I can justify.

 

[clambert1273]

we had 0 issues seeing any fireworks, shows or parades and never used a FP for them... I even scheduled my daughters Tinkerbell meet around 7:05 so that we could sit at Town Square early enough for the electrical parade @ 8pm. My hubby took her to the meet while we sat on the curb

 

[ShayBells]

I'm wondering the same thing cause I really want to try the new viewing area but I hate to waste a FP+ on it and others not being able to get more. I'm wondering at my odds of getting it as a fourth or fifth the day of if I park hop from another park later in the afternoon. Anyone know in September if my odds would be 0 or worth it to try?

 

[Luckybee]

It really depends on your personal priorities. Dh and I are overall not fp+ fans. That said I really did enjoy using a fp for the MSEP in that we strolled up about 10 minutes before the parade started and had a perfect uncrowded view. We were however in and out of the parks with 7 day passes and we were only going to the park that night for the parade and fireworks.
Also add to that is that I am a huge parade/fireworks fan. YMMV !

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

Is it generally possible to get a 4th+ FP+ for MSEP/Wishes/IllumiNations/Fantasmic after the initial 3 fastpasses have been used? I'd like to have a decent view, but would hate to be limited to only 3 FP+ in a day bc the third is for a late show.

 

[Monykalyn]

No FP left for wishes. Don't need one if there is a second showing of fantasmic. Illuminations lots of spots to view from

 

[cakebaker]

We have had issues watching Wishes. We won't watch them again without a fp+. But, we park hop and only schedule late afternoon fp+'s, so being tied up one night by not getting additional fp+'s is not an issue for us. Parades and illuminations I don't really see a need for those.

 

[minnie mum]

Is it generally possible to get a 4th+ FP+ for MSEP/Wishes/IllumiNations/Fantasmic after the initial 3 fastpasses have been used? I'd like to have a decent view, but would hate to be limited to only 3 FP+ in a day bc the third is for a late show.

MSEP and Wishes FPs are hard to come by even as a first 3 pick never mind as a 4th. Fantasmic might be available if you are finished your first 3 early and the crowd demand isn't high that day. I've never seen the need for FP for Illuminations, since there are good viewing spots all around the lagoon. I won't waste a FP on MSEP or Wishes on a short trip. But I would get them on a longer trip if I was only popping into the MK for a couple of hours in the evening of an otherwise non park day.

 

[Mousin' Around]

We did not get a FP for it and we had no issues seeing them in a great spot. 30 minutes before they started.

 

[ZoZo]

I'm wondering the same thing cause I really want to try the new viewing area but I hate to waste a FP+ on it and others not being able to get more. I'm wondering at my odds of getting it as a fourth or fifth the day of if I park hop from another park later in the afternoon. Anyone know in September if my odds would be 0 or worth it to try?

September is a pretty slow time of the year, so you'd probably have a good chance to getting additional FPs later in the day.

But those odds are pretty good mostly at MK, not so much at the other parks. The other three parks only have a few rides -- and MK has tons, so your chance of getting additonal FPs at MK are much higher.

 

[powbob]

I've been to WDW probably a hundred times. I very often leave EPCOT About an hour before Wishes. I have never had a problem getting from EPCOT to MK and finding a good viewing spot. My favorite spot is actually behind the castle between the carousel and New Fantasyland because there you are sort of in the midst of the fireworks going off. At times I've not gotten there in time so I just stood on Main Street at the beginning of the Hub about where Casey's is. Most people would probably prefer this spot as this is where the show is choreographed to be viewed from. This is actually the sweet spot. Getting closer to the castle actually obstructs your view a bit. Wishes lasts 12 minutes, so I don't find standing a problem. Unless you have a bunch of small children to keep track of or some sort of handicap I don't understand why anyone would get a fast pass.

 

[Mikie]

I did not use a FP for any parade or fireworks and was glad. We saw Festival of Fantasy (not sure there even is a FP available for that one) Wishes, and illuminations easily without a FP. I was glad to have used the FPs for other things.

We saw Fantasmic with a dining package and Im not sure whether I'd like a FP for it in the future - I did like our prime seating, and didn't have to wait long in advance of the show (but we DID have to wade through a giant mass of people to get in). I think FP would be somewhat similar for that show, but all seats in the theater seem to have a fine view. I'd probably only use it there if there was nothing else I wanted it for.

 

[GillianP1301]

I think it depends on how important fireworks and parades are to you. It probably also has a lot to do with whether you're there in peak season or not. For my family, they just aren't so I would never FP them, but we travel in lower crowd times. I have no desire to cram in front of the castle to watch wishes, we're just as happy back off in Fantasyland somewhere. We also don't camp out for parades. If we happen to be around when one is starting & we see a half decent spot, we'll watch it.

I've used the Fantasmic Dining package before, but that was because I was wanting that meal anyway. I don't think I would change my eating plans just for the reserved seating.

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

We are going in July for a 10 night trip/6 park days. We have only been in July and I know how crazy parades/fireworks get. MK especially was just a mass of people one night for MSEP/ Wishes trying to get (and keep) their perfect spot. You blinked and your spot was gone. For us fp for these and FOF is a priority. We will only see them once during our 3 days at MK so 3 less rides is not such a big deal.

 

[senadler]

I plan to use one for Wishes our first night. We won't be getting to the park until after 5 PM, so not getting an extra FP+ doesn't really impact us much in this case. I wouldn't have considered it before, but I wanted to try the new viewing area.

 

[Robo]

1. We saw Festival of Fantasy (not sure there even is a FP available for that one)

We saw Fantasmic with a dining package and Im not sure whether I'd like a FP for it in the future - I did like our prime seating, and didn't have to wait long in advance of the show (but we DID have to wade through a giant mass of people to get in).

2. I think FP would be somewhat similar for that show, but all seats in the theater seem to have a fine view.

3. I'd probably only use it there if there was nothing else I wanted it for.

1. There is.
2. It is.
3. The main difference regarding a FP+ for F! is that are are MANY available.
So many that it is often possible to get a FP+ for F! on your way walking to the F! theater.
(Especially, if you arrive 45-50, or so, minutes before show time.)

 

[mesaboy2]

In your opinion, is a FP+ worth using on a parade or fireworks show? I think Id rather use them on priority stuff like Soarin, 7DMT or A&E, but I was curious about general feedback. We very well may opt to watch Wishes from the observation deck at the Contemporary or just take our chances trying to find a little out of the way place in Japan or France to see Illuminations. Again, just wondering what you all think...

There is no general answer, since it depends on the guest. The green link in my signature breaks down the pros and cons.