Has anyone done Wishes FP+ recently?

[939913Noles]

Going in November and have a day planned at the resort with evening at MK. Considering a Wishes FP+ since most of the day will be at the resort and it won't really impact us getting extra FP+. That said, how are the crowds in the area, how early would we need to arrive, do people sit or stand, etc.

Any information or advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Robo]

Any information or advice would be appreciated.

A report from a day or two ago said guests were required to stand for Celebrate the Magic, but some sat for Wishes.

 

[cakebaker]

I've talked to a couple people via private messages that were very encouraging about the conditions in the fp+ viewing area. From what I gathered, most people crowd towards the front of the area once the pre-show begins, but that you can see fine from the back areas near the fence. They both said the CM's asked people to stand, many of those towards the back did not and that it was not overly crowded. I'm looking forward to trying it out myself in a couple of weeks.

 

[KyGirl]

We had a FP+ for both MSEP and Wishes for Sunday, May 10th (which also happened to be Mothers Day). We arrived at the MK later in the day so, like you, I wasn't worried about tying up our access to additional FP+.

Anyway, in our opinion the MSEP FP+ was a total waste and the one for Wishes was worth it. I'm not sure exactly what time we arrived at the area. We followed the parade up the street like many people here suggested and went directly to the Wishes FP+ area, on the side in front of Casey's so it was whatever time that would have been. It certainly wasn't super early or anything. When we got there, it was already crowded near the front of the area but there was plenty of room left near the back for us to sit on the AstroTurf and rest for a few minutes. Everybody stood up when Celebrate the Magic began but I'm not sure if they just did that or if the CMs made them. I don't remember hearing any CMs but I wasn't paying tons of attention. We probably could have still seen the fireworks over their heads because they are up high but we stood with the crowds. Most people kind of shuffled forward at that point but we shuffled back and leaned against the rail at the back of the area and had plenty of elbow room around us. Our two year old DD would kind of hop down and run around a little bit and then come back to be held up to see. Just having that railing there to lean on was kind of a treat after a day on our feet. (We spent the first part of the day at DHS without any FP+s.)

We've never been the type to stake out a place to watch Wishes so I thought this was great and a well used FP+ opportunity. I'm not the type to fight over a spot so I know if we'd spent an hour or more trying to defend a spot I'd have been frustrated and upset. We did the Wishes dessert party several years ago (maybe five years...?) and I thought this was just as good of a view. (Although it stormed the night we did that and Tink didn't fly and I've always been a little resentful of that for how much it cost!)

For us, it's probably the only way we'd ever see Wishes from the front of the castle again.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I had a FP+ for wishes on the 24 hour day. Best thing ever. We lounged on the fake grass and had plenty of space. A cm came through right before it started and said to stand. Everyone just sat back down when it started. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[Ears2YouVlog]

We did it on the day of the 24 Hour Event and it was well worth it! It was especially packed and once we were in the FP area it felt like we could breathe and really get swept up in the amazing display!!

 

[939913Noles]

Appreciate the responses, looks like something I will try to get for that date when our FP+ window opens up!

 

[azarine]

We had a FP+ for both MSEP and Wishes for Sunday, May 10th (which also happened to be Mothers Day). We arrived at the MK later in the day so, like you, I wasn't worried about tying up our access to additional FP+.

Anyway, in our opinion the MSEP FP+ was a total waste and the one for Wishes was worth it. I'm not sure exactly what time we arrived at the area. We followed the parade up the street like many people here suggested and went directly to the Wishes FP+ area, on the side in front of Casey's so it was whatever time that would have been. It certainly wasn't super early or anything. When we got there, it was already crowded near the front of the area but there was plenty of room left near the back for us to sit on the AstroTurf and rest for a few minutes. Everybody stood up when Celebrate the Magic began but I'm not sure if they just did that or if the CMs made them. I don't remember hearing any CMs but I wasn't paying tons of attention. We probably could have still seen the fireworks over their heads because they are up high but we stood with the crowds. Most people kind of shuffled forward at that point but we shuffled back and leaned against the rail at the back of the area and had plenty of elbow room around us. Our two year old DD would kind of hop down and run around a little bit and then come back to be held up to see. Just having that railing there to lean on was kind of a treat after a day on our feet. (We spent the first part of the day at DHS without any FP+s.)

We've never been the type to stake out a place to watch Wishes so I thought this was great and a well used FP+ opportunity. I'm not the type to fight over a spot so I know if we'd spent an hour or more trying to defend a spot I'd have been frustrated and upset. We did the Wishes dessert party several years ago (maybe five years...?) and I thought this was just as good of a view. (Although it stormed the night we did that and Tink didn't fly and I've always been a little resentful of that for how much it cost!)

For us, it's probably the only way we'd ever see Wishes from the front of the castle again.

How did the MSEP FP+ go for you? We have both booked for next week.

 

[CAS239]

They'll tell you it's standing room only, but you can sit if you're not along the front gate.

We've done it twice and it's really nice. Showed up both times about 15 min prior to celebrate the magic, headed to the back gate and sat down leaning against the gate. Each time we had about 5 ft between us and next group.

Most people crowd the front trying to get as close as possible. Leaving the back and most of the middle pretty empty..even though you can see just as good in the back as you can up front. The front was all standing.

If you want near the front then I'd recommend about an hour early. If you don't care, you should be fine about 5-10 min before celebrate the magic

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Going in November and have a day planned at the resort with evening at MK. Considering a Wishes FP+ since most of the day will be at the resort and it won't really impact us getting extra FP+. That said, how are the crowds in the area, how early would we need to arrive, do people sit or stand, etc.

Any information or advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

We went the Wednesday before Memorial Day (5/20/2015). We arrived about 9:30. At 9:40, they made everyone stand, but never enforced it after that. We stayed by the back fence because I didn't want to feel crowded in. It seemed most people moved forward--but it was not in a packed sardines kind of way. Yes it was a lot of people. But there was breathing room and still green space available, even during the fireworks.

After it was over--we just watched the masses clear out and about 10-15 minutes later, we were on a non-squished stroll down Main Street.

This is about when we arrived before the 9:40pm stand up demand. People did continue trickling in until 10pm, but just a little at a time.


The castle show--can't tell the crowd size here.


During fire works, proof of visible green space. It was through out the immediate area I was standing.


You can see a little of the crowd. Not at all as sardine-ish as it looks. Those people are several feet in front of me and I have plenty of room to breathe.




Results may vary depending on the night. I don't know that I would occupy a 3rd fastpass with this. I would have no problem if MK was my evening park and I saved all 3, I would not hesitate to use one on Wishes. I just don't care for crowds and I enjoyed having a separate area that was not as congested as the non-FP+ areas.

 

[KyGirl]

How did the MSEP FP+ go for you? We have both booked for next week.

We weren't happy with it. We got there at the beginning of the window for the FP+ and there were no spots left at all around the edge of the area. I guess we could have gotten there earlier but 1. That's why we got the FP+ and 2. We actually were following instructions because like I said, we were right at the beginning of the window that we were given. There was "room" in the area but it was packed all along the edge where you could actually see the parade. And it's not like fireworks that are up in the sky. We had gotten the FP+ specifically so our two year old stand and see the parade and not be on our shoulders, which people complain about a lot.

When we got there, a bunch of CM's were standing at the entrance and they didn't really have any advice or anything to say about it. (And to clarify, I know it wasn't personally their fault that Disney gave out more FP+s than they had spots for but they were the ones that were stuck hearing about it from us and the people that were pouring in behind us.) They told us to go wait on the far side and that as the time for the parade got closer, they would "expand the area" with the ropes and that we could try to rush into a spot. This was all very confusing and while they were trying to explain it to us and get us to the right spot, another CM did this complicated rope expansion and people who were closer rushed into the spot. So, then there was all this actual space in the area but not on the edge where you could actually see the parade. We were just going to stay there (because at least it wasn't as crowded as the street was) and let DD sit on DH's shoulders but fortunately a very nice family let DD kind of squeeze in next to them so she could see and we just sort of stood a ways behind them so we weren't crowding them but we could still keep an eye on DD. But we only could see the parts of the parade that you could see around and over other adults standing in front of you. We were really grateful to this other family because they didn't have to do that and shouldn't have had to do it.

I was pretty annoyed that this happened. I know it sounds dramatic but it was one of the most disappointing moments we had with Disney on our trip. It just seemed very chaotic within the roped off area. I know that nobody really knows the future but hopefully after the construction is finished there will be a better permanent FP+ spot for parades because we were very happy with the Wishes FP+. I had one for later in the week for Festival of the Fantasy and after this experience and realizing that we'd be standing in the sun I switched that one for something else.

I would say that the people that got there well ahead of the FP+ time were probably more satisfied but that was our experience.

 

[Crispity]

We weren't happy with it. We got there at the beginning of the window for the FP+ and there were no spots left at all around the edge of the area. I guess we could have gotten there earlier but 1. That's why we got the FP+ and 2. We actually were following instructions because like I said, we were right at the beginning of the window that we were given. There was "room" in the area but it was packed all along the edge where you could actually see the parade. And it's not like fireworks that are up in the sky. We had gotten the FP+ specifically so our two year old stand and see the parade and not be on our shoulders, which people complain about a lot.

When we got there, a bunch of CM's were standing at the entrance and they didn't really have any advice or anything to say about it. (And to clarify, I know it wasn't personally their fault that Disney gave out more FP+s than they had spots for but they were the ones that were stuck hearing about it from us and the people that were pouring in behind us.) They told us to go wait on the far side and that as the time for the parade got closer, they would "expand the area" with the ropes and that we could try to rush into a spot. This was all very confusing and while they were trying to explain it to us and get us to the right spot, another CM did this complicated rope expansion and people who were closer rushed into the spot. So, then there was all this actual space in the area but not on the edge where you could actually see the parade. We were just going to stay there (because at least it wasn't as crowded as the street was) and let DD sit on DH's shoulders but fortunately a very nice family let DD kind of squeeze in next to them so she could see and we just sort of stood a ways behind them so we weren't crowding them but we could still keep an eye on DD. But we only could see the parts of the parade that you could see around and over other adults standing in front of you. We were really grateful to this other family because they didn't have to do that and shouldn't have had to do it.

I was pretty annoyed that this happened. I know it sounds dramatic but it was one of the most disappointing moments we had with Disney on our trip. It just seemed very chaotic within the roped off area. I know that nobody really knows the future but hopefully after the construction is finished there will be a better permanent FP+ spot for parades because we were very happy with the Wishes FP+. I had one for later in the week for Festival of the Fantasy and after this experience and realizing that we'd be standing in the sun I switched that one for something else.

I would say that the people that got there well ahead of the FP+ time were probably more satisfied but that was our experience.

Definitely a bummer not to get front row when you've used a fastpass for it! We had an MSEP fastpass for the first night of our trip (a crowded Saturday). Like you, we wanted our 2-year-old to be able to see, and didn't want to have to stake out spots way ahead of time. We arrived right at the beginning of the fastpass window and were surprised by how many people were already there. We were very fortunate to grab the last spots on the curb, which made it "worth it" for us, but I would have been very disappointed if we hadn't been able to see well. We actually had MSEP fastpasses for another night as well (MSEP and FoF were probably our favorite things that trip). That time, learning from our previous experience, we got there 10 minutes before the window opened and had no trouble at all getting great spots. So, I would agree that you need to be prepared to arrive before the fastpass window opens, but it's a good experience if you're willing to do that. We just grabbed snacks ahead of time and used the down time as a break. Amazingly enough, my very active two-year-old was so excited to see the parade that she had no problem sitting and waiting for it!

 

[JPDtheJD]

We weren't happy with it. We got there at the beginning of the window for the FP+ and there were no spots left at all around the edge of the area. I guess we could have gotten there earlier but 1. That's why we got the FP+ and 2. We actually were following instructions because like I said, we were right at the beginning of the window that we were given. There was "room" in the area but it was packed all along the edge where you could actually see the parade. And it's not like fireworks that are up in the sky. We had gotten the FP+ specifically so our two year old stand and see the parade and not be on our shoulders, which people complain about a lot.

When we got there, a bunch of CM's were standing at the entrance and they didn't really have any advice or anything to say about it. (And to clarify, I know it wasn't personally their fault that Disney gave out more FP+s than they had spots for but they were the ones that were stuck hearing about it from us and the people that were pouring in behind us.) They told us to go wait on the far side and that as the time for the parade got closer, they would "expand the area" with the ropes and that we could try to rush into a spot. This was all very confusing and while they were trying to explain it to us and get us to the right spot, another CM did this complicated rope expansion and people who were closer rushed into the spot. So, then there was all this actual space in the area but not on the edge where you could actually see the parade. We were just going to stay there (because at least it wasn't as crowded as the street was) and let DD sit on DH's shoulders but fortunately a very nice family let DD kind of squeeze in next to them so she could see and we just sort of stood a ways behind them so we weren't crowding them but we could still keep an eye on DD. But we only could see the parts of the parade that you could see around and over other adults standing in front of you. We were really grateful to this other family because they didn't have to do that and shouldn't have had to do it.

I was pretty annoyed that this happened. I know it sounds dramatic but it was one of the most disappointing moments we had with Disney on our trip. It just seemed very chaotic within the roped off area. I know that nobody really knows the future but hopefully after the construction is finished there will be a better permanent FP+ spot for parades because we were very happy with the Wishes FP+. I had one for later in the week for Festival of the Fantasy and after this experience and realizing that we'd be standing in the sun I switched that one for something else.

I would say that the people that got there well ahead of the FP+ time were probably more satisfied but that was our experience.

Definitely a bummer not to get front row when you've used a fastpass for it! We had an MSEP fastpass for the first night of our trip (a crowded Saturday). Like you, we wanted our 2-year-old to be able to see, and didn't want to have to stake out spots way ahead of time. We arrived right at the beginning of the fastpass window and were surprised by how many people were already there. We were very fortunate to grab the last spots on the curb, which made it "worth it" for us, but I would have been very disappointed if we hadn't been able to see well. We actually had MSEP fastpasses for another night as well (MSEP and FoF were probably our favorite things that trip). That time, learning from our previous experience, we got there 10 minutes before the window opened and had no trouble at all getting great spots. So, I would agree that you need to be prepared to arrive before the fastpass window opens, but it's a good experience if you're willing to do that. We just grabbed snacks ahead of time and used the down time as a break. Amazingly enough, my very active two-year-old was so excited to see the parade that she had no problem sitting and waiting for it!

Did either of you have trouble leaving the MSEP FP+ area to get to the Wishes FP+ area? We have scheduled both for the day we arrive since we are getting there late in the day.

Thank you for the advice to get there early. We will keep that in mind.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Heard reports that some people had their view of Wishes blocked by all the lamp posts, anyone experience this?

 

[CAS239]

Heard reports that some people had their view of Wishes blocked by all the lamp posts, anyone experience this?

View of Wishes blocked? Nearly impossible

Maybe a slight view of celebrate the magic blocked by a lamp post, but that's by choice. You're not forced to stand or sit behind one. There's plenty of room to have a good view.

The two times we were there the light posts weren't of any issue

 

[cakebaker]

What I've read about lamp posts is that it was more of an issue with those trying to take photos and not wanting anything interfering.

 

[JPDtheJD]

Also, I have a question about getting to the area early. If you get to the MSEP area early, will they let you go ahead in? Or is there already a line?

 

[Robo]

Also, I have a question about getting to the area early. If you get to the MSEP area early, will they let you go ahead in? Or is there already a line?

The current MSEP (and FoF Parade) FP+ area is just the flagpole area at the head of Main Street known as "Town Square."
That area is entirely open to all guests most times of the day.

You can get there very early (even before they actually rope it off) and just wait there, if you like.
(But, in most situations, that would not be at all necessary.)

 

[ELSA711]

Curious, any reason they make u stand for Wishes?

 

[MataHari22]

I've talked to a couple people via private messages that were very encouraging about the conditions in the fp+ viewing area. From what I gathered, most people crowd towards the front of the area once the pre-show begins, but that you can see fine from the back areas near the fence. They both said the CM's asked people to stand, many of those towards the back did not and that it was not overly crowded. I'm looking forward to trying it out myself in a couple of weeks.

I am hoping this will be the case and I'm hoping to snag a FP+ for it.