IS a WISHES FASTPASS really worth it?

[jsrj21]

As I look at my FP's [which I do daily, ] I'm second-guessing myself with regard to one that I have on August 18 - specifically for Wishes. We've never used a FP for viewing fireworks and I'm wondering if I should use that FP for a ride and wing it insofar as where we eventually end up for the fireworks or keep for the "preferred" viewing area access. Would really only change it for Haunted Mansion.... Just wondering if the allotted viewing area is worth using a FP.

Thanks!

 

[BigAlsGal]

I think it is! Have used it twice.

 

[Robo]

Everyone forgets to include "Celebrate the Magic" in discussions of MK's evening spectaculars and FP+ viewing areas.

CtM is considered by some to be the equal to (or even better than) either MSEP or Wishes.

 

[kj2mom]

We think it is great! We used it the last night of our trip and it was soo pleasant!

 

[emm1630]

I'd be interested to hear thoughts on this too. I'm sure the view is great but is it worth not being able to make other Fast Passes all day? (after you use your other two.)

 

[Angieandsteve]

We think it is too! We used it twice on our 4 night stay. Would do it again in a heartbeat. It was perfect viewing for celebrate the magic too!

 

[DatFan]

Everyone forgets to include "Celebrate the Magic" in discussions of MK's evening spectaculars and FP+ viewing areas.

CtM is considered by some to be the equal to (or even better than) either MSEP or Wishes.

Bit off topic here but was thinking of booking the Fireworks Dessert Party for the family for one night, then the Wishes FP for our second nite at MK. I am assuming both have great views of CtM. Is one view better than the other?

 

[DVCcurious]

I'd be interested to hear thoughts on this too. I'm sure the view is great but is it worth not being able to make other Fast Passes all day? (after you use your other two.)

This is exactly why we'll never do it. You're not trading 1 ride FP for wishes, you're trading 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 if you get there at RD and use your first 3 FP+ from 11-12, 12-1, 1-2 and then get more at the kiosk all afternoon.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

i think its worth it because I haaaaaate staking out a spot and defending it before the fireworks start. I like being able to do other things during MSEP and know that I have a spot when it is time

 

[McKelly]

I used to think No........but if you are going to be in MK more than one day, I think definitely YES! I used FP for a second day and I agree with Robo that Celebrate the Magic is WONDERFUL! And THAT show makes the FP worth it to us because you have to be in front of the castle to see it.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

This is exactly why we'll never do it. You're not trading 1 ride FP for wishes, you're trading 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 if you get there at RD and use your first 3 FP+ from 11-12, 12-1, 1-2 and then get more at the kiosk all afternoon.

This is my thought exactly!!! MK is the one park where you can get lots and lots of FPs through the day--and for just about everything except A&E or 7DMT. We always book ours for 10, 11, 12--using the first hour to two to hit rides without long waits. Then we're done by lunch and can start making for FPs for after lunch. Last year we used 8 or 9 in one day! I love the idea of having a spot reserved for the nighttime shows, but hate giving up a whole day of FPs to do it!

 

[Robo]

Bit off topic here but was thinking of booking the Fireworks Dessert Party for the family for one night, then the Wishes FP for our second nite at MK. I am assuming both have great views of CtM. Is one view better than the other?

They both offer fine views of CtM.
And, just like for Wishes:

Wishes FP+ areas are more straight-on for CtM.
Dessert Party is more at an angle to CtM.

 

[wisblue]

This is my thought exactly!!! MK is the one park where you can get lots and lots of FPs through the day--and for just about everything except A&E or 7DMT. We always book ours for 10, 11, 12--using the first hour to two to hit rides without long waits. Then we're done by lunch and can start making for FPs for after lunch. Last year we used 8 or 9 in one day! I love the idea of having a spot reserved for the nighttime shows, but hate giving up a whole day of FPs to do it!

This is exactly why, like most things, this is purely a matter of personal taste and style.

We have used the Wishes FP area twice and have found it to be a great way to relax at the end of the day. We can sit in the FP area while listening to the MSEP go by and then have a great view of Celebrate the Magic and Wishes without having to fight for space. Because we typically park hop and use FPs late in the day, we are only sacrificing one FP ride, and we think that it's well worth it. We are able to do all of the rides at MK that interest us with short waits when we start the day at MK.

It's also interesting to hear the differing opinions about the ability to get good FPs same day. There are some people who say that all of the good FPs are gone 30, if not 60, days out and that long kiosk lines make SDFP worthless, even at MK. Of course, this can vary greatly depending on crowd size.

 

[karly05]

Everyone forgets to include "Celebrate the Magic" in discussions of MK's evening spectaculars and FP+ viewing areas.

CtM is considered by some to be the equal to (or even better than) either MSEP or Wishes.

THIS is exactly why I want a Wishes FP next year. I can see the fireworks from lots of places, but I've never seen "Celebrate the Magic" because I don't want to pack in with the sardines.

ETA: I'm a hoppin' fool, and I will book my Wishes FP for a day when I plan to do MK just for the evening. On my "all day MK day," I want to book/use my FP in the morning so I can try to get more.

 

[Mamapapa]

It's also interesting to hear the differing opinions about the ability to get good FPs same day. There are some people who say that all of the good FPs are gone 30, if not 60, days out and that long kiosk lines make SDFP worthless, even at MK.

This is what has me thinking I should switch a FP+ to Wishes. I've heard more stories against the kiosks then for them. More people say the lines are long and not worth the wait, but we're going at a slightly slower time of year, so maybe kiosks won't be busy? I just can't decide!!

 

[DisTXMom]

I don't like getting squeezed in for the fireworks an CTM so for us yes worth it.

 

[Mom2Stitch]

We are using a Wishes and MSEP FP for our "down" day. We will spend the day at DTD and relaxing at the resort and then hit MK. I have FP+ scheduled for Meet Mickey, then MSEP, and then Wishes. I know I'm going to have to swim upstream to get to the Wishes spot, but I think we will be ok, we can get through crowds fairly efficiently. Not giving up ride FPs this way.

 

[Robo]

I have FP+ MSEP, and then Wishes. I know I'm going to have to swim upstream to get to the Wishes spot...

Actually, you will be "swimming downstream" as you will be following along with and behind the last float of the parade as it continues down Main Street.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

This is what has me thinking I should switch a FP+ to Wishes. I've heard more stories against the kiosks then for them. More people say the lines are long and not worth the wait, but we're going at a slightly slower time of year, so maybe kiosks won't be busy? I just can't decide!!

It's funny. I hear those stories about long lines at the kiosks as well, but our experience was just the opposite! We went towards the end of August last year, so not as busy as middle of summer, but not a totally empty park either. We never waited behind more than 1-2 people at a kiosk. And then we'd get a FP for like 5-10 minutes from now for a ride we wanted. Okay--we couldn't get A&E, 7DMT, even Splash and Space got hard towards evening. But everything else. And it amazed me. I'd see people standing in line for Small World. Posted wait 30 minutes. I'd walk up the kiosk right there in Fantasyland, grab a FP for 5 minutes from now, walk to Small World and get right in the FP line! Same for Pooh, HM, and I can't even remember which other ones. The kids were laughing about it! Even if we had to wait 20 or 30 minutes, we'd grab a snack and rest a bit. Or we'd jump on something else with a shorter line.

So this is why I really struggle! I'd love that FP for a prime spot at night, but I REALLY don't want to give up multiple FPs throughout the day. It's different if you're only hitting the park for the evening. But even then, if you plan to park hop and be somewhere else during the day, you've essentially blocked any FPs for the day at all. I really wish they'd do the evening shows as separate, disconnected FPs somehow. I know---wishful thinking...

 

[DisneyFive]

We have Wishes FP+'s for two nights of our stay. One has the FP+ window opening up 15 minutes before Wishes and the other 20 minutes.

Two questions:
1) Trying to remember... how many minutes before Wishes starts does "Celebrate the Magic" begin?
2) Even though the FP's say I can enter 15-20 minutes before, do they actually allow you to enter the area earlier than that?

Thanks!
Dan