IS a WISHES FASTPASS really worth it?

[Mom2Stitch]

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.

Yep, guess that would be correct

 

[Robo]

We have Wishes FP+'s for two nights of our stay.

A. One has the FP+ window opening up 15 minutes before Wishes
B. and the other 20 minutes.
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

A. Ignore the "entrance" times.
1) 15 minutes before.
B. & 2) Guests have reported entering the secured Wishes FP+ area up to two hours before Wishes.

 

[jsrj21]

Everyone forgets to include "Celebrate the Magic" in discussions of MK's evening spectaculars

......including me! Never thought of including CtM. Thanks for the info.

 

[whitney37354]

We did Wishes FP+ and sat on the east side. We used it because we had both our mothers with us & we knew my mother couldn't sit on the curb to wait for MSEP & Wishes. It had been 29 years since my mom was at WDW & MIL had never been, so we were trying to fit in all the things we throught were important. We arrived early & were able to sit at the front railing instead of on the ground. We had a great view of Celebrate the Magic.

We had a MSEP FP+ for another day, but decided not to use it because we were able to see MSEP well enough from the Wishes FP+ area.

I don't know if we would use Wishes FP+ if it was just the three of us, but DH was very impressed.

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

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.

Is this actually a good strategy for watching CTM and Wishes? Watch the MSEP towards the front area of the park then follow the last float towards the castle to a good spot in the street to watch CTM and Wishes? Can you just stop in the street or not???

 

[jsrj21]

if you are going to be in MK more than one day, I think definitely YES!

I tend to agree with this premise. We will be at MK at least 5 times throughout our trip....making this FP for Wishes a no-brainer. In addition, on the day in question, we will start the day at Typhoon Lagoon and then we have dinner at 5:50pm at Boma...then our FP's start at 8:00pm at MK...ending in our FP for Wishes. Thanks!

 

[kj2mom]

Agree too! I don't think I would do it if I was only going to be at MK one day but we had two days and used it on our last day which was also our last night of our trip. It was a fantastic way to end the trip, a great view without staking a claim far in advance, a comfortable proximity between other guests and just a really pleasant experience! I wavered quite a bit about using a FP but am so, so glad we did.

 

[jsrj21]

a great view without staking a claim far in advance, a comfortable proximity between other guests and just a really pleasant experience! I wavered quite a bit about using a FP but am so, so glad we did.

I had read on other posts that some people felt cramped and not a pleasant experience. I'm keeping my FP and looking forward to it!

Thanks!

 

[thewesterberg]

When my window opens next week we plan on booking FP+ for Wishes on the day that we arrive. We won't be getting into the parks until probably 4pm so we'll just get our 3 FP+ for that night and we'll really work the FP+ system on our full day at MK. My DS isn't a huge fireworks fan but I convinced him that this would be a good way for mom to be able to see them and still be "tolerable" for him - he can sit and wait while reading his book!

 

[emm1630]

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!

Yep, those are pretty much my thoughts exactly! We usually follow the same plan and fit in as many Fast Passes as possible. Maybe one day I'll give it a try just for research purposes!

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Not worth it. The new hub is great for watching celebrate the magic, and wishes is best viewed behind the castle. I wouldn't waste a FP for it.

 

[Robo]

1. Is this actually a good strategy for watching CTM and Wishes?

2. Watch the MSEP towards the front area of the park then follow the last float towards the castle to a good spot in the street to watch CTM and Wishes?

3. Can you just stop in the street or not???

1. I would not say "good" but it is one possible strategy (if it works.)
2. You can do so, but you may not get as far as you'd like on Main Street, because...
3. Yes. (And, that can be a problem if too many other guests stop and clog the street too soon.)

 

[Robo]

-wishes is best viewed behind the castle. I wouldn't waste a FP for it.

If you like to watch Wishes from behind the castle (and some guests do) that's fine.
But, I can't agree that it is "best viewed" from there. The show is not designed to be seen from there.

Behind the castle viewing is fine if all you want to see is "fireworks," (and, they are pretty impressive seen from back there) but if you want to fully experience the show, Wishes, as it is designed to be seen, you ought to see it from the front (near the Hub or on the northern half of Main St.,) with both fireworks "stages" combined, at least once.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

If you like to watch Wishes from behind the castle (and some guests do) that's fine.
But, I can't agree that it is "best viewed" from there. The show is not designed to be see from there.

Behind the castle viewing is fine if all you want to see is "fireworks," (and, they are pretty impressive seen from back there) but if you want to fully experience the show, Wishes, as it is designed to be seen, you ought to see it from the front (near the Hub or on the northern half of Main St.,) with both fireworks "stages" combined, at least once.

I have seen it from many different angles, and I maintain they behind the castle is best. Or from the top of Dumbo. Thats an awesome experience as well, but you cant hear the music.

That being said, have you been since they redid the hub? It is so easy to get a good spot in front of the castle now. We got ours just 10 minutes before celebrate the magic last week. their i so much room and the CMs do a great job keeping traffic flowing while making sure you get a good view. I just wouldn't waste a precious fastpass on it.

 

[smellyia]

We did Wishes FP+ and sat on the east side. We used it because we had both our mothers with us & we knew my mother couldn't sit on the curb to wait for MSEP & Wishes. It had been 29 years since my mom was at WDW & MIL had never been, so we were trying to fit in all the things we throught were important. We arrived early & were able to sit at the front railing instead of on the ground. We had a great view of Celebrate the Magic.

We had a MSEP FP+ for another day, but decided not to use it because we were able to see MSEP well enough from the Wishes FP+ area.

I don't know if we would use Wishes FP+ if it was just the three of us, but DH was very impressed.

Wen you watching MSEP from the East Wishes FP+ area was already roped off for Wishes?

Also, anyone have a strategy for seeing MSEP prior to a Wishes FP+? We liked to watch MSEP out in front of Pecos Bills and in past have just caught Wishes wherever we were, but our group wants to try the Wishes FP+ on an evening MK day.

 

[GrumpyBelle]

We think it is worth it. We are doing it again in a couple of weeks.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

Personally, as a park hopper, I like the late fast passes such as for Wishes. I might go to Epcot for RD, and don't need any fast passes there in order to do everything I want. Then I go to MK in the evening and use my fast passes there. So I wouldn't have time for 4 or 5 FP+s anyway.

Before they had the Wishes FP+ I had never seen the show from Main Street. I don't like the crowding. So if I'm going to watch the show at all I want that FP+.

Works for me, but we're all different.

 

[Accident]

If I had someone new or never saw it, I would try to fastpass it but I wouldn't use up a fastpass in advance. We have a pretty decent technique to get near the steps (last time tried all the construction was in the back near main street) by going up the path that leads from castle to the teacups (starting at teacups). It seems swamped with people waiting but you'll be surprised how much room without being a rude guest is in front of the castle and you just can't find a nice way to get there except that walkway over.

 

[Robo]

1. Wen you watching MSEP from the East Wishes FP+ area was already roped off for Wishes?

2. Also, anyone have a strategy for seeing MSEP prior to a Wishes FP+? We liked to watch MSEP out in front of Pecos Bills and in past have just caught Wishes wherever we were, but our group wants to try the Wishes FP+ on an evening MK day.

I can answer some of this.

1. The Wishes FP+ areas are "roped off" up to two hours before Wishes starts.

2. Watch from a spot on the route on the northern end of Main Street or in the Hub.
As the parade ends, head for the nearest FP+ area.

 

[bbjunkie]

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!!

Just my experience, but I never saw a line at any kiosk, on any of the 9 days we were there in June. In fact, the opposite. Usually, if there was anyone at a kiosk, there was a kiosk next to it that was empty. I had the opportunity to notice them in particular in front of Philharmagic and Stitch.