Good location for Wishes?

[Getaway2006]

Where are you favourite locations for viewing Wishes? We have never seen it before and would like a good vantage point, if possible.

Thanks!

 

[Robo]

Wishes has two fireworks "STAGES":
One fires its missiles from a location FAR BEHIND any public area of MK.
The other fires its missiles from the ROOF-TOPS of Fantasyland/Liberty Square/the Castle.
The guests' VIEWING ANGLE will affect "if and how" these two stages can be viewed together (they are designed to be viewed "together".)

There is a full AUDIO TRACK that is synchronized with the fireworks.
It is the "motivation" for the unique fireworks effects that change with each MOOD and SECTION of the audio track.

The audio, and positioning of the two fireworks "stages" relative to the viewer will affect the impact of the show.

The front of the CASTLE ITSELF is part of the "show".
There is an elaborate lighting system that is used to change the color of the castle to suit each MOOD, and even "textures" and shapes are projected on the castle at key points in the show (Mickey's Sorcerer's HAT is a great one).

Tinkerbell's flight (which used to take place PRIOR to the old fireworks show at MK) is now WITHIN "Wishes". She doesn't fly EVERY night, but she OFTEN flies and you should be in a position to see her.
The "sweet-spot" for Wishes IS Main Street and the Hub.
(A good spot is near the "Hub-end" of the bridge between the Hub and Tomorrowland.)
These spots are where the show is "centered" and designed to offer ALL effects.
And that's where MOST people try to see it.

But...
Many view it from near the dock for the paddle-wheel Steam Ship in Liberty Square.
Some watch from the bridge that links the main Frontierland street to Splash Mountain.
Some find spots to sit in other areas of Liberty Square and Frontierland.
All of these areas offer a good view of many/most of the effects, but not all... and certainly not in the "foreground-background/dual-layer" manner in which the show is created.

I will tell you where NOT to view it.
No matter how TEMPTING it may appear before the show:
Do NOT stand on the sidewalk between the Hub and Frontierland,
or on the sidewalk between the Hub and Adventureland.
Trees nearly totally obscure the main larger fireworks, and the audio is (most-likely INTENTIONALLY) MISSING (no speakers) in these areas.

Also, the upper level of the Main Street train station (a great palce to see the "SpectroMagic" Parade) is a tempting but BAD choice for "Wishes".
They DON'T turn off the LIGHTS on the last few buildings on this end of Main Street (or on the train platform) during the show, so the lights are in your eyes the whole time.

Another "ought-to-be-GREAT-but-ISN'T choice is from the "Noodle Station" seating area (the open-air counter-service restaurant that's between Main Street and Tomorrowland).
Not only do they NOT turn off the lights here (and the sound is not clear), most of the fireworks are hidden from view by the roof of the restaurant and/or the large PYLON that's on the bridge to Tomorrowland.
(I will say that there ARE a very few spots in this restaurant area that DO offer GOOD unobstructed views, but you MUST be in those exact spots and not mind the ceiling lights being on and the lack of good sound.)

 

[twinsmamma]

i would like to know this as well. we watched from by the walt statue and it was okay way too crowded though and had to sit neck up for whole time with people banging adn shoving.

 

[civileng68]

Best place is directly in front of the castle on Main St. just where the Main St. ends with the ice cream parlor and casey's.

You dont want to be too close or you wont see some shells behind the castle.

You can also view it on the bridge to tomorrowland but, I think the best place is in front of the castle at the place I mentioned.

I've probably seen it 50 times now and that's my favorite spot.

Also dont go too far back either. There's something about this show in being a little close (not too close), when the flares that shoot up around the castle come up.

 

[flea1267]

We found a new place for us that wasn't too crowded and was nice...it's down in the Rose Garden between the Castle and Tomorrowland....you can sit on the benches or sit on the brick wall around a tree w/ roses planted around it. It's not "center" of the castle but still a great vantage point.

 

[civileng68]

Best place is directly in front of the castle on Main St. just where the Main St. ends with the ice cream parlor and casey's.

You dont want to be too close or you wont see some shells behind the castle.

You can also view it on the bridge to tomorrowland but, I think the best place is in front of the castle at the place I mentioned.

I've probably seen it 50 times now and that's my favorite spot.

Also dont go too far back either. There's something about this show in being a little close (not too close), when the flares that shoot up around the castle come up.

To get an idea of the show from this perspective I list above, you can click the link below to see high-res photos.

These shots are actually taken closer to the statue (as another person mentioned, but said it was crowded). In reality, anywhere on Main . St. is crowded during the show, but it's not too long and worth every second, IMO.

Click here to see high res photos of wishes

 

[twinsmamma]

how do you get such clear pictures of fireworks my always seem to be blurry. BLW oh my gosh those pictures were truely magical.

 

[civileng68]

how do you get such clear pictures of fireworks my always seem to be blurry. BLW oh my gosh those pictures were truely magical.

I use a Nikon D200 Digital SLR

I use a tripod. That's right, a tripod. On that night, I actually planned on getting some fireworks shots and took my tripod to the park with me.

I dont open the legs any wider than my own legs to avoid being intrusive but, they do the job.


Thanks for the compliments on the photos.

 

[surfer_ed]

Wow, great picture.

I like the Rose Garden but you can't always get in there so we found that we like the path that is just off of the bridge to the right of the castle. It is a little closer than the Tomorrow Land bridge, which was out old preferred location, and not as crowded.

 

[Hobbes]

If you've seen Wishes before and don't mind not seeing it with Tink, and witht the castle, a great place is in Fantasyland-I watched from next to poohs playground last year-theres benches to sit on and the fireworks are right overhead, plus it was practically empty. The only downside is you can't see Tink and you don't get the amazing view of the fireworks framing the castle. Plus your feet might get a little wet afterwards....

 

[johnvree]

Wishes has two fireworks "STAGES":
I will tell you where NOT to view it.
No matter how TEMPTING it may appear before the show:
Do NOT stand on the sidewalk between the Hub and Frontierland,
or on the sidewalk between the Hub and Adventureland.
Trees nearly totally obscure the main larger fireworks, and the audio is (most-likely INTENTIONALLY) MISSING (no speakers) in these areas.

Great info Robo. I am pretty sure that we watched Wishes from the sidewalk on the Adventureland side of the hub and thought it was a great view. We were pretty close to the top of MainStreet. Do you recommend against this spot, or are you talking about the walkway leading to the Adventureland bridge?

 

[MinnieNurse]

To get an idea of the show from this perspective I list above, you can click the link below to see high-res photos.

These shots are actually taken closer to the statue (as another person mentioned, but said it was crowded). In reality, anywhere on Main . St. is crowded during the show, but it's not too long and worth every second, IMO.

Click here to see high res photos of wishes

Wow, your pictures are great. None of my fireworks or Fantasmic pictures turned out from last year. I hope to have better luck this year. Love your pictures.

 

[Robo]

Great info Robo. I am pretty sure that we watched Wishes from the sidewalk on the Adventureland side of the hub and thought it was a great view. We were pretty close to the top of MainStreet. Do you recommend against this spot, or are you talking about the walkway leading to the Adventureland bridge?

I'm talking about
the "walkway going between" the hub and Adventureland and
the "walkway going between" the hub and Liberty Square/Frontierland.
The trees are firmly between those spots and the "rear" fireworks.
If you were THERE, you would have KNOWN it.

If you were back by "Casey's" that area is a good one.
(But I think as you move toward the "Crystal Palace", the sight-lines get cut off there, too.)

Of course anywhere IN the hub (as long as you're not TOO close to the castle) is a pretty good spot.

 

[2nd childhood]

Great answers. Just subscribing.

 

[jjarman]

If you have already seen Wishes and want something different try this. I had heard of if from these boards and thought I would try but not real hard and if it worked out fine. DS and I got on Big Thunder Mountain just when the fireworks started so we got to see them as we rode. It was really cool.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We found a new place for us that wasn't too crowded and was nice...it's down in the Rose Garden between the Castle and Tomorrowland....you can sit on the benches or sit on the brick wall around a tree w/ roses planted around it. It's not "center" of the castle but still a great vantage point.

Shhh! Now that the secret's out, I hope there's still a seat for me and DH in a couple weeks.

 

[Robo]

Shhh! Now that the secret's out, I hope there's still a seat for me and DH in a couple weeks.

There are several of these kind of spots but many (most) have tree branches in your line-of-sight.

But I guess the "sitting" advantage can be a "over-riding factor" by that time of day.

 

[Getaway2006]

Thanks very much!

Also, I just have to say that those photographs are fabulous! It makes me look forward to seeing the show in person.

 

[stschaefer]

Along the lines of BTMR - we got DD on Dumbo right at the start - you can get a good picture of Dumbo and the fireworks in the same shot. DD loved watching the fireworks while riding also.