MK Night with Two MSEP's?

[Amore Disney]

It looks like WDW added a second MSEP on the day I'm heading to MK! We are really hoping to see both Wishes and MSEP for the first time, and now we are unsure what our best strategy is. I've seen that the second MSEP is much less crowded, but I'm not sure how we could squeeze in the fireworks. Our priority is a good viewing spot for the night shows, so we were originally planning to arrive an hour prior to the first MSEP. Is it really reasonable skip the first MSEP yet still snag a decent viewing spot for Wishes (Wishes+MSEP2)? Or should we just stick to the first MSEP then Wishes to secure a spot (MSEP1+Wishes)?

So far, the night time entertainment schedule is as follows:
MSEP 1@9pm
Celebrate the Magic 1@9:45pm
Wishes@10pm
Celebrate the Magic 2@10:35pm
MSEP 2@11pm
Park Closing @11pm

 

[pens4821]

We went in February, so a slower time. We had no plans of seeing the first MSEP, but got separated (bathroom) at the entrance with some on one side of the street and some on the other. Our own stupidity, but we aren't regulars and didn't really notice the time, and that they were starting the parade right where we were. So we waited so we could get together again. Anyway, as it finished right there, we met up and started walking towards the castle. We were planning on going to Fantasyland, but once again not being regulars didn't realize there was no way to cross without going behind the parade.

As we were waiting, we just figured we'd stick around for Wishes. We got an awesome spot, just a little off center of the castle, to the left of the left FP viewing area. I couldn't tell you exact time, but it was probably a little less than a half hour until wishes. As the parade finished, we only waited maybe 10 minutes tops for CtM, with wishes right behind that. I don't know if it's regular or not, but I'm assuming that it was such a great spot because MSEP was going on and you could see nothing of it (well, the high stuff), but as we looked at the castle we knew it would be good.

After that we went to Jungle Cruise, POC, then BTMRR. Once again, we had no intentions of stopping for MSEP, but as we were across from country bear jamboree we were walking towards HM, we realized there was very, very few people on that side of the street. The other side was quite full though. So we went over towards the rope, and had no one to our left for probably a 20 years, and people to our right were few and far between. It was awesome, almost as if the characters were just interacting with us (well, they kinda were when they were looking on our side).

Not sure if this just fell into place right or not. Next time we may try the same thing. Snag a spot for Wishes with a good view of the castle, but no/limited view of MSEP. Then, head over across the street from country bears for the second (if they continue two) MSEP.

 

[DWillowBay]

People always say to wait until the 2nd MSEP because the crowds are less. That is usually true, but the logistics if you want to see Wishes (at least from the front of the castle) and then staying for the 2nd parade is hard, at least in my experience, due the "herd" stampeding for the exit. I'm sure it can be done and that many people do it that way. I have not felt comfortable doing that way. On 2-parade nights, we see the first parade, watch Wishes and then head back into the park for the second parade. SOOOOOO not crowded in lines at that point. To each, his own....

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

We got a great viewing spot on Main Street for the second parade about five minutes before it started. It had been a jam packed crowded day and we were actually leaving the park, but we heard the announcement that the parade was about to begin and we saw a completely vacant front row sit on the sidewalk area, so we sat. It was a much better experience than trying to see the first parade. Leaving after the second parade was not bad at all. Much better than it would have been if we had left right after Wishes.