Has "Preferred Firework Viewing" been replaces by FP+?

[2Tiggies]

I just called too and was told that as I have reserved mine and have confirmation numbers, they are still valid. It was also recommended I don't mess with the reservations I already have.

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

Confused! I just spoke to an American Disney agent and she said preferred is no longer and it's FP+ instead. Do you think if I call UK number I'll get a different answer ?

I was speaking to a US agent on Monday to book our Wishes cruise and she actually asked me if I wanted to book the preferred viewing while I was on the line as she could see it on my package. We booked in 7 adults and 2 children for both Wishes and Illuminations, and got confirmation numbers for both. How strange they said that to you yesterday?

 

[chmurf]

last year I tried to book those preferred locations.
I had no luck for MK, the CM on the phone told me it was all booked solid for my whole length of stay (24 nights, 25 days ...)

EPCOT was bookable, for any date.

For the MK spot, it used to be at the Rose Garden, (the small area on the right at the end of Main Street / between MS and the ramp up to Tomorroland Terrace.) but it's now used for FP+, so it would seem logical that preferred viewing is discontinued.

EPCOT on the other hand was on a very small area leading to a loading dock at Moroco's pavilion.
There were 2 cast members there at a gate, with red light sticks. I asked if it was there, he said "probably" and when I offered to give him my reservation number he looked at me like I was from another planet ...

There were 2 other parties (grand total of 9 people including us 3) for the viewing (late october) in that area.
We could have gone there every night without a reservation, the CMs didn't care anyway.

But since it's next to the point where they opened Spice Road restaurant, they might have phased it out too.

FP+ viewing in EPCOT is between the 2 twin stores at the entrance of World Showcase (one of those stores is the Duffy Shop across the Duffy Meet&Greet).

 

[Disney Princesses LW]

Do you have to book 180 days before like ADR or can you book anytime

 

[BudgieMama]

I was told today it wasn't available and they wouldn't honour the option that was part of our booking.

 

[DLPDreams]

I think this is BAD news if you are going at a busy time (as we will be!). 3 FPs and adding this sort of thing into the mix really is quite stingy imo. I don't want to rant on and on but honestly, I really hope something 'more impressive' is still to come with these FPs - as in a greater number or something?

Now, the only way I can see us getting a preferred viewing slot is to forgo a FP ride one day (hardly likely at a busy time when your whole party can ride, and like going on, headliner rides), or try and fit it into a day where we aren't using FPs as we are offsite - at the moment, we will possibly have one day. If you don't like headliner rides or have very young children in your party I can see how this will work, and I suppose for those people, this must be a great use of a FP, same probably as character meets etc, but for others it just doesn't equate imho.

I honestly wonder where Disney are going with all this Some days I feel like I am planning a military operation, not a holiday! The one saving grace is, as we are not going for another 18 months or so, I am praying everything is ironed out by then and all 'testing' is well and truly over and we know exactly what we are getting before we have to make our plans .

 

[2Tiggies]

Some days I feel like I am planning a military operation, not a holiday! The one saving grace is, as we are not going for another 18 months or so, I am praying everything is ironed out by then and all 'testing' is well and truly over and we know exactly what we are getting before we have to make our plans .

Welcome to Disney!

It's not really that bad. I would have been mildly irritated when I called today if they had told me my reservations were not valid, only because they had not notified me otherwise. However, the FP+ spots are better than the ones we were offered. In fact the one at MK is on the lower level of the Plaza restaurant's outdoor seating and quite frankly, unless you wanted your view to be obscured by flower pots (and before they trimmed them, trees!) you had to be there over an hour before in any event. The advantage was having more personal space, but it wasn't fantastic by any means. The Rose Garden is a super place to view from and well worth the use of a FP+ IMO. You are only going to use it one evening. And to be fair, the best viewing spots are always the ones you have to just stake out as we do any other night, so don't let it worry you too much

 

[tinks_1989]

We used ours on a PM EMH night. We didn't do a park during the day went in to MK after an ADR at the grand Floridian. Was perfect we got in the FP+ area for the electrical parade and we were able to watch the dream along with mickey show from where we were. Then we went straight to our FP+ area for wishes. The park closed after or not long after wishes and the park was pretty empty so we still got to do a lot of rides. We met Ariel, went on her ride, dos enchanted tales with belle, Peter Pan, haunted mansion, pirates of the Caribbean, met tinker bell and monster inc laugh floor. That's with a bossy two year old. She wants to go on/see everything we walk past lol.

 

[DLPDreams]

Welcome to Disney!

It's not really that bad. I would have been mildly irritated when I called today if they had told me my reservations were not valid, only because they had not notified me otherwise. However, the FP+ spots are better than the ones we were offered. In fact the one at MK is on the lower level of the Plaza restaurant's outdoor seating and quite frankly, unless you wanted your view to be obscured by flower pots (and before they trimmed them, trees!) you had to be there over an hour before in any event. The advantage was having more personal space, but it wasn't fantastic by any means. The Rose Garden is a super place to view from and well worth the use of a FP+ IMO. You are only going to use it one evening. And to be fair, the best viewing spots are always the ones you have to just stake out as we do any other night, so don't let it worry you too much

2Tiggies - I can't remember when you are going? Is it a busy time? That is what is worrying me with regard to all this going on - our first two weeks in particular will be busy as US kids still off school, our last week will be quieter (a little) but the hours will begin to reduce.

I have never been to WDW but have been to DLP a fair amount of times, I know it is a different beast but although I planned much of it, I did feel we could change things fairly easily on a whim. It just doesn't seem that way with WDW. I guess that was my point about planning a military op!

We used ours on a PM EMH night. We didn't do a park during the day went in to MK after an ADR at the grand Floridian. Was perfect we got in the FP+ area for the electrical parade and we were able to watch the dream along with mickey show from where we were. Then we went straight to our FP+ area for wishes. The park closed after or not long after wishes and the park was pretty empty so we still got to do a lot of rides. We met Ariel, went on her ride, dos enchanted tales with belle, Peter Pan, haunted mansion, pirates of the Caribbean, met tinker bell and monster inc laugh floor. That's with a bossy two year old. She wants to go on/see everything we walk past lol.

Wow, you got a lot done but then I would expect that in January to be fair. August school holidays, I am sure, will be very different . Like I said, we will probably use a FP for it one night if we've been offsite. With only 3 FPs I am fairly sure in a busy park, we'll need to use them during the day for rides. I am planning a fair few rope drops but then I am sure my party won't want to be up by 6-6.30 am most days - we are on holiday after all .

BTW Tinks - where is the TR???? Looking forward to seeing little lovely in her costumes x

 

[2Tiggies]

We are going to be there over 4th of July. July is the busiest calendar month at WDW according to Tourinplans.com, as opposed to December which comprises of a busy week but is relatively calm for the rest of it.

So in a word, yes, we are probably there at a busier time than you are. Hopefully that is good news (?)

 

[DLPDreams]

We are going to be there over 4th of July. July is the busiest calendar month at WDW according to Tourinplans.com, as opposed to December which comprises of a busy week but is relatively calm for the rest of it.

So in a word, yes, we are probably there at a busier time than you are. Hopefully that is good news (?)

Yep, busy busy, but then August isn't exactly going to be quiet is it . But I suppose you have the advantage of having been a lot of times before so know the ropes better That is, if they don't keep changing things .

 

[2Tiggies]

Wow, you got a lot done but then I would expect that in January to be fair. August school holidays, I am sure, will be very different . Like I said, we will probably use a FP for it one night if we've been offsite. With only 3 FPs I am fairly sure in a busy park, we'll need to use them during the day for rides. I am planning a fair few rope drops but then I am sure my party won't want to be up by 6-6.30 am most days - we are on holiday after all .

Firsty, sorry about the multiple posts. I'm having trouble on this site right now for some reason when I try quote.

We have been in September when the parks are almost empty. We have been over Easter a couple of times and were there for MK's 40th Anniversary - so the park was closed to capacity on a number of the days we have visited, i.e. busy times vs very quiet times I am comparing.

From my experience, we achieved far more in the busier times because
1. We were more organized
2. We made time for time out
3. Extended park hours meant we could easily pack in a full day at the parks and add in a good few hours for a rest.

When we were there early September, the first week was quite frustrating because we'd head to the resort for a swim and after an hour or so I felt I was nagging DD to get out the pool so we could get to our evening park by 6 because the parks closed at 9 pm (rather than 12 am or later as in busy times). It's great to have no crowds, but I am sure I even mentioned in my 2010 TR which I have not read over for a few years to be frank, that I really struggled with various aspects of the quieter season =

I'm looking forward to the busier times. There are lots of advantages. FP+ is not one of them but don't be put off by some of the things you hear. Just be informed, be prepared and be ready to go with the flow or call time out when things go pear shaped

 

[DLPDreams]

Firsty, sorry about the multiple posts. I'm having trouble on this site right now for some reason when I try quote.

We have been in September when the parks are almost empty. We have been over Easter a couple of times and were there for MK's 40th Anniversary - so the park was closed to capacity on a number of the days we have visited, i.e. busy times vs very quiet times I am comparing.

From my experience, we achieved far more in the busier times because
1. We were more organized
2. We made time for time out
3. Extended park hours meant we could easily pack in a full day at the parks and add in a good few hours for a rest.

When we were there early September, the first week was quite frustrating because we'd head to the resort for a swim and after an hour or so I felt I was nagging DD to get out the pool so we could get to our evening park by 6 because the parks closed at 9 pm (rather than 12 am or later as in busy times). It's great to have no crowds, but I am sure I even mentioned in my 2010 TR which I have not read over for a few years to be frank, that I really struggled with various aspects of the quieter season =

I'm looking forward to the busier times. There are lots of advantages. FP+ is not one of them but don't be put off by some of the things you hear. Just be informed, be prepared and be ready to go with the flow or call time out when things go pear shaped

Excellent advice especially the last paragraph .

I agree with you, again comparing my trips to DLP, having the advantage of staying onsite (literally stones throw from the gates) and having long park hours meant we could have a mid day rest which worked well once we got into the holiday. Times we've been when it's been quieter we haven't had that luxury due to 6 pm close - but parks have been much quieter so we were still able to do lots!

What will be, will be I guess. But it still makes me sad that they've withdrawn this 'perk' of booking direct in the UK. Watch this space.... a memory maker 'perk' is coming, I can feel it in my water .

 

[2Tiggies]

But it still makes me sad that they've withdrawn this 'perk' of booking direct in the UK. Watch this space.... a memory maker 'perk' is coming, I can feel it in my water .

It's something we all deal with. I can look back at the last few years and lament: The removal of the second snack from QSDP, no more characters roaming the parks freely during evening EMH, no more AK evening EMH, only 3 EMH instead of 2 ..... There is a whole list of them and I've been bummed at every one, but there will be more. And I will have my little rant and forget about it as I adapt. You're not alone. But don't let it become a big deal for too long before you move on.

 

[Elise79]

Honestly unless you want to set up a tripod or similar you don't need to worry about the loss go the preferred viewing spots!

Epcot especially has a the whole way round the lagoon - turn up 15-30 minutes before and pick a spot. Some are more popular bug no where is a bad view unless you pick an area with a tree

Wishes if fine too - best viewing is on Main Street. We arrived at the park 30 minutes before Holiday Wishes on 22 December (so not a quiet time ) and walk down Main St and had a great view.

 

[duffdo]

I don't think the loss of preferred fireworks viewing is a biggie. We did the Illuminations one in EPCOT in November and the view from the Morocco boat dock was OK bit not brilliant. We staked out a better spot another night at the entrance to a World Showcase. My favourite spot has to be the dining terrace at Rose and Crown but that was LOUD!

In terms of Wishes at MK we didn't use the preferred viewing offered to UK guests in November. Instead we used MDE on the day to get FP+ for the Rose garden. We sat on the grass. It was AMAZING and not too crowded. My favourite place to watch Wishes though will always be on the viewing deck in California Grill. The beach at the Poly is also an awesome spot, especially if you manage to get a swinging seat. They don't pipe the music there though, like they do at California Grill.

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Just spoke to someone at Disney and was able to book a preferred viewing place for Wishes for 25th AugustNot entirly sure where it is,she said it was standing only in front of the castle.
Speak to different CMs get different answers!

 

[2Tiggies]

Just spoke to someone at Disney and was able to book a preferred viewing place for Wishes for 25th AugustNot entirly sure where it is,she said it was standing only in front of the castle.
Speak to different CMs get different answers!

I'd call back and check. The FP+ parade viewing is in the Hub in front of the castle. The Preferred Viewing you get with your package is on the lower level of the outdoor seating area of the Plaza Restaurant (left hand side when facing the Castle) so not sure if she described that badly. That is the reason I phoned as well. If I need to make different arrangements, so be it. What I do not want is to be getting to the wrong spot and then having to battle through the crowds between a parade and the fireworks to get to where I need to be. Anyone who has been on Main Street just between parade and fireworks will be able to relate to this. And this is a bit of a challenge with all the preferred areas at MK: You might have your area, but you can't plan to show up 10 minutes before because aside from not getting a decent place within the designated area, it takes forever just to get there; and folk you are excusing yourself past think you are cutting in front

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

She said infront of the castle,so from what you say it sounds like the FP+ area we've been given,but we are nowhere near the 60 day window for booking FP+ It is confusing, but be it the Plaza or infront of the castle doesn't really matter , we have a confirmation numbers and will be there in plenty of time.It's no deal breaker for us , it will just be nice to have a bit of elbow space ;-)

 

[tinks_1989]

The parade is at central plaza the fireworks are in the rose garden. We used them both a couple of weeks ago.

They said they couldn't use the same locations for both because it took to long to empty the Electrical parade FP+ and fill it with Wishes FP+ and has too many people complaining that had FP+ for both.