I know another msep question...

[DisneyDreamer04]

we are going to magic kingdom four days of our vacation. We have a fastpass for msep on our 2nd to the last day we are going there... Is the fastpass worth it to not watch any of the other nights, because the view is just so unbelievably awesome? Or am I just burning a fastpass?
maybe get in some extra ride time? or watch from a different area?
Side note we haven't been in over four years, and are newbies to the bands, fastpass+..
Where exactly is the viewing area?

 

[jvattes]

I wouldn't use a FPP for any parades or fireworks, but that's me. Plenty of great spots to be had and plenty better ways to use FPP

 

[Tomh]

I agree with the PP. I don't think it is worth using the FP+ for a parade or fireworks.

First off, there are plenty of good spots you can get to see the parade without using FP+

Secondly, if you have an FP+ scheduled for 9:00 at night for the parade, then you can't use your 3rd FP+ until 9 . . . meaning no opportunity to get a 4th, or 5th FP+. If you schedule all 3 in the morning, then as soon as you finish the 3rd ride, you can get a 4th FP+ and there is a fair chance that you will even be able to score a 5th, maybe a 6th depending on how busy a day it is.

 

[JimmyV]

Secondly, if you have an FP+ scheduled for 9:00 at night for the parade, then you can't use your 3rd FP+ until 9 . . . meaning no opportunity to get a 4th, or 5th FP+.

This. The 4th, 5th, 6th, and or 7th FP can and will be far more valuable to you than a preferred viewing spot for a parade. You can usually find a spot to sit for the Electrical Parade in Frontierland without giving up an hour of your day. We got one 20 minutes before the parade started two weeks ago on a day that was a "9" on the crowd calendar. I was hoping/expecting that Disney would have detached the Fireworks and Parade FPs by now, (as they have done with BoG lunch) and have those as standalone options that don't interfere with your other plans, but so far, that has not happened. Unless and until they are detached, they remain, in my opinion, not very desireable.

 

[BrianL]

I agree. FPs are rarely worth it for parades, and I don't really love watching them from the Town Square area. Wishes was a different story, but they are discontinuing that. The FP+ area was in the absolute best viewing locations and it gets so crowded. If I want to escape parade crowds, there's always Frontierland.

 

[Tomh]

Yup, watch the parade in Frontierland, and then work your way out to the hub area for Wishes. It'll be pretty crowded by then, but it is still possible to find a spot to watch from. Use those FP+ to get in as many rides as you can.

 

[hammie59]

The first time we ever used FP+ we got one for the parade, and it was hard to get! Right before we checked in, we ended up finding a spot in front of Caseys on Main St (thanks to a woman leaving), so I switched our FP to something else using the phone app. We've been back one trip since that time and we didn't bother using them for any parades or fireworks and don't plan to for the next. I think maybe it might be worth it if you have small children and want to be able to just walk up to a reserved area without the long wait or searching for a spot.

 

[Robo]

Yup, watch the parade in Frontierland, and then work your way out to the hub area for Wishes. It'll be pretty crowded by then, but it is still possible to find a spot to watch from. Use those FP+ to get in as many rides as you can.

But, that's not really possible to do if you want to see the THIRD evening spectacular at MK, Celebrate the Magic, which starts 15 min. before Wishes.

In a few nights, CtM will be presented a second time, so guests could watch that performance, but on many nights CtM only runs once, and many think that CtM is more original, unique and entertaining than the parade or fireworks.

 

[Tomh]

I've managed to make it to the Main Street / Hub area in time to see CtM. It is close, not a whole lot of time to get there, and you certainly won't get the best spot in the park, but it can be done. Make sure you choose a spot on the Main Street side of FrontierLand to watch the parade from, and move with some degree of conviction as soon as the parade passes you.

 

[jvattes]

But, that's not really possible to do if you want to see the THIRD evening spectacular at MK, Celebrate the Magic, which starts 15 min. before Wishes.

In a few nights, CtM will be presented a second time, so guests could watch that performance, but on many nights CtM only runs once, and many think that CtM is more original, unique and entertaining than the parade or fireworks.

Yes it is - I've done it. Weave with purpose

 

[jvattes]

I've managed to make it to the Main Street / Hub area in time to see CtM. It is close, not a whole lot of time to get there, and you certainly won't get the best spot in the park, but it can be done. Make sure you choose a spot on the Main Street side of FrontierLand to watch the parade from, and move with some degree of conviction as soon as the parade passes you.

What he said ^^