How do you entertain Littles while waiting for Wishes?

[wrighter]

It's been awhile since I've had to think about this, and I'm stumped! We are going the week after Easter - my neice (3) and nephew (7) will be joining us. If we decide to stake out a spot for Wishes 60 minutes prior, what do people do to "kill the time?" And where is the best place to wait it out? Honestly, we haven't made it to Wishes in years - long before they redid the hub. Don't judge! Lol!

A treat will obviously be in order. But that won't come close to taking up all that time. I'm open to any and all suggestions on this one - I really want to make this trip special for them.

Thanks!

 

[Mom2Stitch]

I would be sure to grab some glow bracelets, necklaces, wands, etc., and spinning toys if you can find them and carry them into the park with you, Disney will have carts full of light up toys and spinners and kids love them, but quickly forget about them after getting home. Also find one of the apps for your phone like Heads Up to play while you are waiting.

 

[DVC_Dad_Canada]

Or you could be like some people, show up 5 minutes before the fireworks and push your way to the front.

By that time of night for that age, they might be asleep before the fireworks start.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you are willing to splurge and there is availability, I would recommend the fireworks dessert party with Plaza viewing. There are tons of treats involved, you really don't have to show up early to the party (30 - 45 minutes prior to fireworks) and they escort you to a great viewing area about 15 minutes before the fireworks, so not a lot of waiting, no crowds and a great view.

 

[jlsmith376]

We find a spot and then have someone in our group (usually me) run over to get us a snack. Our favorite is the Plaza for ice cream - my kids love the scoop in a cup with chocolate mickey ears. We also get each one a glow toy or balloon - it's a tradition. Those two activities seem to take up enough time before the show. For Wishes we like the old fastpass spot sort of in front of Casey's.

FYI I seem to recall that the vendor carts only take cash.

 

[SaintsManiac]

With DD5 we did what we did when we were kids. We people watched and talked.

 

[Klayfish]

Give them a treat, have them look around at all the scenery.

All else fails, resort to trusty electronic devices...

 

[Wish Upon A Starbucks]

Give them a treat, have them look around at all the scenery.

All else fails, resort to trusty electronic devices...

We like to play Heads Up. There is a disney version you can get when you're in the parks. Sometimes other bystanders get involved too which makes it fun.

 

[MamaBelle4]

My 4 year old made a friend. The two of them sat there talking and laughing, then both families decided to hit up Buzz one last time before leaving. I have about a dozen pictures of them hugging, smiling and playing together.
Plus, there was a castle projection show about 1/2 hour before wishes while we were there.

 

[Robo]

there was a castle projection show about 1/2 hour before wishes while we were there.

Yup.
But NOW...
the new castle projection show (Once Upon a Time) is very often performed at 45 minutes AFTER the fireworks start.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Yup.
But NOW...
the new castle projection show (Once Upon a Time) is very often performed at 45 minutes AFTER the fireworks start.

Oh, well then nevermind.

 

[newestkg06]

Plaza ice cream, talking about what we did that day (favorites, etc.), scrolling through pictures, and talking about what we'll do tomorrow. I brought light up spinner toys and glow sticks from home.

 

[ashleymrush]

We were once having a melt down while waiting to watch the fireworks and this nice Irish family next to us had some mickey lollipops that they bought in a bunch from the bakery. They kindly gave one to each of the boys and it worked like a charm. You get like 6 lollipops in a bunch for a few bucks. It'll last for multiple nights.

 

[Moxiepup]

A couple of small, easy to carry toys such as yo-yos, finger puppets, etc., might help eat up some time.

 

[Thing 1]

When mine were little, we compromised perfect seats for a shorter wait. We tried to find somewhere about 30 minutes out.we would grab a long time to eat snack like popcorn and a drink.

 

[mountdew1]

Accept the fact that you don't need the perfect spot to view the fireworks, and plan on taking whatever space you can on Main Street (or the back of the hub if thats your flavor) when you show up 10-15 mins beforehand. Most 3yo I know would be pretty punchy come 9PM, and not going to be real interested in doing much of anything at that time of night. I think we managed to squeeze 30 or so mins with our 2yo by having his DGM, DGF, DM and myself take turns playing with him and wandering down Main Street and through the stores while the rest of the group kept the space. And the 30 mins was only because we were heading out and ran out of other things to do in the park and still guarantee we could make it to Main Street in time.

 

[denecarter]

talking about what we did that day (favorites, etc.), scrolling through pictures, and talking about what we'll do tomorrow.

Talking about what you have seen and done will help reinforce memories of the trip.

What was your favorite ride in Fantasyland? What was your favorite snack at Animal Kingdom? Who was the coolest character you got to meet? Who was the nicest Cast Member today?

Talking about your plans will build anticipation.

Which ride are you most excited about? What songs do you think they'll sing at the Beauty & the Beast show? What color fireworks do you think they'll use?

Also play games... we've overheard several ABC games. Pick a Disney topic and try to name things, people, movies, songs, etc that start with the letters. Aladdin, Belle, Cinderella, Dumbo, Elsa, Flounder, etc. My DD28 and I played those and sometimes you just have to skip letters or use Google. Or just pick one letter and name all the characters you can like A is for Aladdin, Alice, Andy, Abu, Ariel (and all of her sisters), Aurora, Anna... you get the idea.

 

[DisTXMom]

We like to play Heads Up. There is a disney version you can get when you're in the parks. Sometimes other bystanders get involved too which makes it fun.

Disney Heads up game for sure! We played it at Disneyland and the CM's got excited and played it with us, as did people around us. Super fun way to play a contagious game

 

[jvz82]

We bought popcorn and just settled in! The kids made friends with a boy sitting by us and they sat and chatted too.

 

[Roobear77]

We find a spot and then have someone in our group (usually me) run over to get us a snack. Our favorite is the Plaza for ice cream - my kids love the scoop in a cup with chocolate mickey ears. We also get each one a glow toy or balloon - it's a tradition. Those two activities seem to take up enough time before the show. For Wishes we like the old fastpass spot sort of in front of Casey's.

FYI I seem to recall that the vendor carts only take cash.

Was happy to discover last week that these carts now take all forms of payment! They have tablets, and when I asked the CM said they had phased almost all the carts to the tablet by now.