How Early Do You Have to Arrive at Wishes FP area?

[KangaFan]

We're considering getting FPs since we have never seen Tinkerbell's flight or Wishes from the front of the castle before. We never wanted to fight the crowds or reserve seats so far in advance. Now that the two larger viewing areas are open, does anyone know how early do you have to arrive to get a decent view from the FP area? We're going August 25-Sept 2 and are looking to do Wishes on a Wednesday night.

 

[mom2rtk]

Don't forget Celebrate the Magic starts around 15-20 minutes before Wishes.

I think you could probably find a decent spot to stand in the back of the section fairly close to start time. I went early just because I was looking for a very specific spot to place my tripod.

In general people tend to squeeze in up toward the front of the section.

 

[AngiTN]

We had a FP for them on the 24 hour day, so a VERY, VERY crowded day. We still didn't arrive to the area till about 20 min before they started and had no problem at all finding a prime spot to watch.

 

[BarbieGal457]

We got there at 8:20pm despite our pass being for more than an hour later. There were no more that 10 people there and we got a great spot, were able to snack and relax and just generally had a great time. We had no idea we could get there so early. We stopped and asked the CM if we found the right place to check in at when our time came and he said we could go right in now. We saw the parade, Celebrate the Magic, and Wishes all at once from a great spot! This was Friday 6/5.

 

[ElsasFan]

We got there at 8:20pm despite our pass being for more than an hour later. There were no more that 10 people there and we got a great spot, were able to snack and relax and just generally had a great time. We had no idea we could get there so early. We stopped and asked the CM if we found the right place to check in at when our time came and he said we could go right in now. We saw the parade, Celebrate the Magic, and Wishes all at once from a great spot! This was Friday 6/5.

I thought that I had read here that the visibility for the parade is not great from the Wishes fastpass spot. Where in the fastpass area were you? I have a Wishes fastpass for an upcoming trip and thought that I would just have to forego being able to see the parade very well.

Don't forget Celebrate the Magic starts around 15-20 minutes before Wishes.

I think you could probably find a decent spot to stand in the back of the section fairly close to start time. I went early just because I was looking for a very specific spot to place my tripod.

In general people tend to squeeze in up toward the front of the section.

If you are in the back of the section, can you still see Celebrate the Magic? Or is visibility blocked by those in front of you?

 

[mom2rtk]

If you are in the back of the section, can you still see Celebrate the Magic? Or is visibility blocked by those in front of you?

It all depends on how the crowd behaves when you are there. The inclination is for people to push as far forward as they can get. If you hang in the back and there is a gap in front of you, your view will be quite good. Of course, people can and do still put kids on their shoulders in front of others at the last minute.

 

[KangaFan]

Thanks all for your advice. Sounds like FP is the way to go for us this trip!

 

[whitney37354]

We had a Wishes FP on 6/8. We got there at least an hour early with very few people there. We were on the right side as you are looking at the castle. We were able to sit on the front ledge. We had no problem seeing Celebrate the Magic. We could see MSEP well enough so we cancelled our FP for that on 6/12. If you haven't seen the parade before, you might still want to see it later. It wasn't crowded at all that night in the FP section. People did come up to the front, but we weren't packed in and we stayed seated on that ledge the entire time.

 

[mom2rtk]

We had a Wishes FP on 6/8. We got there at least an hour early with very few people there. We were on the right side as you are looking at the castle. We were able to sit on the front ledge. We had no problem seeing Celebrate the Magic. We could see MSEP well enough so we cancelled our FP for that on 6/12. If you haven't seen the parade before, you might still want to see it later. It wasn't crowded at all that night in the FP section. People did come up to the front, but we weren't packed in and we stayed seated on that ledge the entire time.

..... which brings up an interesting point.

Since guests can choose which section to use, on any given night one side might be more or less crowded than the other.

 

[CAS239]

If you are in the back of the section, can you still see Celebrate the Magic? Or is visibility blocked by those in front of you?

You can see celebrate the magic just as good in the back vs being up front. We sit on the ground in the back anytime we do the Wishes FP and have great views

 

[WEDWDW]

I watched IllumiNations at Epcot and booked it over to Magic Kingdom and entered the FP+ area at 9:59 PM and still had a great view in the back part of the area!

 

[CAS239]

If you want a very front spot and want first dibs then show up an hour early. If you want to go near the back of the area like we do and have room to sit, then about 15-20 min before celebrate the magic and you'll have a good amount of choices in the back.

And you can see the MSEP from the fast pass area. It's not a view like your the first person on the sidewalk closest, but you can see the majority of the floats since most of them are big. You're view will be obstructed for ground level, but imo it's a good enough view and better than fighting the crowds

 

[BarbieGal457]

I thought that I had read here that the visibility for the parade is not great from the Wishes fastpass spot. Where in the fastpass area were you? I have a Wishes fastpass for an upcoming trip and thought that I would just have to forego being able to see the parade very well.

I will say it is a bit hard to get a great view of the parade. We were in the very front of the Rose Garden in front of Casey's. We could see most of the floats but we couldn't see almost any performers on the street level due to crowds, and my boyfriend and I are both pretty tall. I'm not a huge parade person and neither is my boyfriend so we didn't mind too much, but I could see how this could be a letdown for a lot of people. We had a great view for Celebrate the Magic and could see like 97-98% of the entire castle.

 

[BarbieGal457]

Our FP section was also pretty empty, more so than what I had been expecting from reading reviews. We sat on the front ledge and were able to do so the whole time, and we didn't have huge crowds surrounding us. Behind that front row of people, it was really empty and a lot of people were sitting and relaxing and letting their little ones play and stretch their legs without interfering with anyone. Truly the luck of the draw I would say.

 

[kmn952]

Is it possible to FP wishes and the parade on the same night?

 

[CAS239]

Is it possible to FP wishes and the parade on the same night?

Yes of course

 

[kmn952]

Ok. Just wanted to be sure there would be enough time to get from one to the other!

 

[Robo]

Ok. Just wanted to be sure there would be enough time to get from one to the other!

If the parade runs before the fireworks...
With the CURRENT FP locations, you would want to step into the street immediately as the end of the parade passes, and follow the end of the parade down Main St. to the Hub, and move over to the Wishes FP area(s.)

 

[CAS239]

Generally wishes is an hour after the first MSEP from what I've seen. We don't watch the MSEP so don't pay too much attention to its times, but it's enough time to make it to wishes FP. If you really want an up front spot for wishes though, I'd go to the wishes FP spot instead though. By the time you watch MSEP and then get to the Wishes FP, most of the front will more than likely be taken up. If you don't mind having a little more room in the back, then I wouldn't worry.

However, while not the best view. You could get to the Wishes FP early and stand along the side fence and watch the MSEP from there. You won't be able to see all the way to ground level, but you'll be able to see a lot. From the Wishes FP, being the sidewalk there and the CMs keep part of it empty for flow of crowds, you'll only have a couple heads of people standing in between you and the floats. You won't have a clear shot more than likely, but if you worry about getting a good spot for Wishes FP and want to show up there early, it is an option

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Can you leave the FP+ area to go to the bathroom or to get snacks and get back in to the area?