Is Wishes viewing area worth a FP+ optiion?

[Stuarotra]

Was just wondering if the preferred viewing area was worth a FP+ option? How crowded does it get and would we be better off just finding our own place to watch wishes?

 

[taterheads]

Was just wondering if the preferred viewing area was worth a FP+ option? How crowded does it get and would we be better off just finding our own place to watch wishes?

I haven't personally used the FP+ for wishes yet but have read a lot about it on threads. General consensus is YES it is worth it. You view from the Rose Garden a bit to the side of the castle. My understanding is there is usually room to sprawl out on the grass and relax while you watch. I've only seen one negative review and it was from a visitor using a ECV and they had difficulty maneuvering to the garden because of grass and a curb. All other reviews say there is no other way to go! We intend to FP+ wishes when we go next month.

 

[Katelly]

We used the FP+ for Wishes and are glad we did. It was nice to be able to sit down in the Rose Garden after standing in the crazy crowds to watch MSEP. We didn't bother with a FP for MSEP because we've seen it before and didn't need a front row spot.

The grass in the Rose Garden is a bit damp that time of night so you should bring something to put down on the ground so you're not sitting directly on the grass. You can stand if you prefer. It wasn't crowded at all. There is a lot of room and people had plenty of space to spread out.

I know a lot of people prefer to watch Wishes from Main Street because it's a better view but I thought the view was fine from the Rose Garden. Just getting away from the crowd is worth it to me. It was a totally relaxing and fun way to see Wishes.

 

[Stuarotra]

Thank you both so much for your responses. I feel much better now.

 

[Robo]

 

[Shaden]

I haven't personally used the FP+ for wishes yet but have read a lot about it on threads. General consensus is YES it is worth it. You view from the Rose Garden a bit to the side of the castle. My understanding is there is usually room to sprawl out on the grass and relax while you watch. I've only seen one negative review and it was from a visitor using a ECV and they had difficulty maneuvering to the garden because of grass and a curb. All other reviews say there is no other way to go! We intend to FP+ wishes when we go next month.

I have read the exact opposite for the reason highlighted in the map above.

The wishes FP location isn't really where you want to be to view the fireworks

I have read that a bunch of the "performance" / "Display" isn't visible from the FP+ watching area.

 

[taterheads]

I have read the exact opposite for the reason highlighted in the map above. The wishes FP location isn't really where you want to be to view the fireworks I have read that a bunch of the "performance" / "Display" isn't visible from the FP+ watching area.

I think you are talking about the celebrate the magic lights show (video) that is before wishes. My understanding is that you can see the fireworks well but the view of celebrate the magic isn't as good. It's a trade off. Stand in thousands of people for over an hour and then still possibly have a poor and crowded view or relax in the garden which you don't have to show up and defend territory in order to see fire works but not see the celebrate the magic light show. We intend to see celebrate the magic one night without fast pass and then use the wishes FP+ to view wishes more comfortably another night. I guess it's all about what experience you want and priorities you have.

 

[Shaden]

I think you are talking about the celebrate the magic lights show (video) that is before wishes. My understanding is that you can see the fireworks well but the view of celebrate the magic isn't as good. It's a trade off. Stand in thousands of people for over an hour and then still possibly have a poor and crowded view or relax in the garden which you don't have to show up and defend territory in order to see fire works but not see the celebrate the magic light show. We intend to see celebrate the magic one night without fast pass and then use the wishes FP+ to view wishes more comfortably another night. I guess it's all about what experience you want and priorities you have.

Have never really had a problem with finding a place and enjoying the show(s) ... nor have we ever gotten there an hour early and have still had awesome viewing ...

But, I have actually heard that some of the fireworks are not as visible from the FP+ area, not just the light show on the castle.

But hey, sounds like you are going to go for a full test and see what's what.

You will have to come back and give us a full report !

 

[Stuarotra]

I will definitely give my opinion when we get back. I have seen Wishes before myself but my husband hasn't. I was more concerned with how crowded the designated area was. It sounds like we will have plenty of space and not have to fight crowds, like I have in the past. I have watched from Main Street and I am not a person who likes to be in such a congested area. So it will be fun to make the comparison. Thanks for all the helpful information.

 

[Harlon]

Just to add to the comments, we did this in December. My family really did not care for the view. There's just something magical about watching the fireworks perfectly framed around the castle. From this spot they are well behind it. Still nice. Just not as nice. Another thing - it was actually pretty crowded for us. We had to stand, and my daughter (9) still had to struggle behind some taller guests to see.

One final point. Cerebrate The Magic started 15 minutes before Wishes. But they started letting people with Wishes fastpasses in the roped off area about the same time. And there was a really long line. By the time we got to our area, Celebrate had already started and there were still many people waiting to get in. Just something else to keep in mind. Plus, while it's not a great view for Wishes, it's an even worse spot for Celebrate the Magic.

If I had it to do over again? I'd get the Electrical Parade FP. It's perfect and you can get there 10 minutes before the parade and still get that great spot (they rope it off). Then, after the parade just move back a bit ( the parade viewing area is a bit close for Wishes and CTM, in my opinion) and you'll be in a perfect spot.

Just my opinion, of course. Have fun! I wish I was going back!

 

[WEDWDW]

I've done FP+ for Wishes,MSEP and IllumiNations.

My personal opinions on the FP+ locations are(on the 1-5 Mickey scale):

Wishes----3 Mickeys

MSEP----5 Mickeys

IllumiNations----5+ Mickeys!

 

[Robo]

If I had it to do over again? I'd get the Electrical Parade FP. It's perfect and you can get there 10 minutes before the parade and still get that great spot (they rope it off). Then, after the parade just move back a bit ( the parade viewing area is a bit close for Wishes and CTM, in my opinion) and you'll be in a perfect spot.

 

[OatsZoo]

Am glad I found this thread, I was wondering about the FP+ location. I have watched Wishes from the Fantasyland bridge before and it really is not the best. A great view of Tink's flight but that is about it. You do not get the full effect unless you are head on with the castle. I do like the idea of no crowd and last time encountered some not so happy guests when trying to find a spot to watch the fireworks (people laying down in the middle of the street to get a great view while taking up 6ft of space). I will not be wasting a FP+ on Wishes and just heading there early for a spot instead.

 

[Stuarotra]

Thanks for the new information!! I was hoping to get a FP+ for MSEP, that's what I really wanted but it didn't show up on my choices. Originally, Wishes didn't show up either. So yesterday I looked and Wishes was listed as an option so I took it. Maybe I will check closer to out arrival and it may be available for MSEP. I will swap my wishes FP for the parade one. Everyone has been so helpful!!

It could be that there are no FP available for the parade because I think it is the only night that they are having it the whole time we are there. So I may just be out of luck.

 

[ghertz]

I've seen a couple of these threads and it seems some people like it and some people don't. I think it would be great if someone could post some pics or a video from the FP+ spot.

 

[tndisneyfan]

I watched the fireworks from that area before it was the FP+ area. I didn't care for the view from that area. From that angle the fireworks are off to one side, not framed around the castle. IMHO, it really takes away from the "magic" of the fireworks. But on the other hand it would be nice to spread out and even be able to sit while you wait for the fireworks to start.

 

[KirbKirb]

My dates are 2/22-3/1 and I'm not being given the option to FP+ Wishes or the MSEP for any of our days.

Does anyone know why?

 

[taterheads]

My dates are 2/22-3/1 and I'm not being given the option to FP+ Wishes or the MSEP for any of our days. Does anyone know why?

They aren't released until 1 or 2 weeks prior to the date. You kinda just have to pick a FP for something else and then be vigilant about checking back to swap out FP when they open them up

 

[TX Momof2]

We leave in 20 days and I still haven't seen the parades or wishes as a FP+ option. I can't decide if I'll swap it out from what I have or not...We've never seen Wishes, so watching from the rose garden area would be fine. At least, we wouldn't know what we're missing. Also, going with a DS who is 5 and my MIL...it'd be great to have a place to sit without the crowds.

 

[Stuarotra]

We leave in 20 days and I still haven't seen the parades or wishes as a FP+ option. I can't decide if I'll swap it out from what I have or not...We've never seen Wishes, so watching from the rose garden area would be fine. At least, we wouldn't know what we're missing. Also, going with a DS who is 5 and my MIL...it'd be great to have a place to sit without the crowds.

That's the perk that I will most enjoy. Out of the crowds.