MSEP and/or Wishes FP+

[KyGirl]

We're planning a trip in mid May to take our almost three year old DD (while she's still free!) and I'm trying to roughly sketch out our days because our date for ADR's is coming up.

Anyway, we've been several times before and have never been big on parades or fireworks. Honestly, the thought of having a stake out a spot hours in advance and then defend it with my life just scares me to death. Especially with a toddler. However, I think she would really enjoy both of these experiences. She LOVED the crappy local fireworks we saw on the 4th of July and still tries to run outside to see them every time it thunders. And I would assume that any toddler would love the electrical parade right?

So I'm toying with the idea of sacrificing at least one of our FP+ spots to use for one or both of these but I don't really understand how that works. Can you see both experiences from either of the spots? Or is it better to get them both and then try to move between the two? I'm actually pretty unfamiliar with the area around the castle (even before the construction) because it seems like we usually turn before we get close or are running the other way to beat the after Wishes crowds. Are the FP+s even worth it? I realize that by scheduling late night FP+ I'll be giving up the chance to get extras on those days but I was thinking of doing it on a day where we were going to only be at MK for the later part of the day anyway. The other idea is to just scratch the idea of the MSEP and only use the FP+ for Wishes. I'm really torn.

Any opinions? Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Robo]

We're planning a trip in mid May to take our almost three year old DD (while she's still free!) and I'm trying to roughly sketch out our days because our date for ADR's is coming up.

Anyway, we've been several times before and have never been big on parades or fireworks. Honestly, the thought of having a stake out a spot hours in advance and then defend it with my life just scares me to death. Especially with a toddler. However, I think she would really enjoy both of these experiences. She LOVED the crappy local fireworks we saw on the 4th of July and still tries to run outside to see them every time it thunders. And I would assume that any toddler would love the electrical parade right?

So I'm toying with the idea of sacrificing at least one of our FP+ spots to use for one or both of these but I don't really understand how that works. Can you see both experiences from either of the spots? Or is it better to get them both and then try to move between the two? I'm actually pretty unfamiliar with the area around the castle (even before the construction) because it seems like we usually turn before we get close or are running the other way to beat the after Wishes crowds. Are the FP+s even worth it? I realize that by scheduling late night FP+ I'll be giving up the chance to get extras on those days but I was thinking of doing it on a day where we were going to only be at MK for the later part of the day anyway. The other idea is to just scratch the idea of the MSEP and only use the FP+ for Wishes. I'm really torn.

Any opinions? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Well…

Here's a map that shows the FastPass+ reserved locations.
The MSEP FP+ area ceases to be "reserved" after the parade passes.
They take down the ropes and the area becomes just "another open spot along the sidewalk."
If you choose FP+ for MSEP only, I've included red arrows to show where to MOVE
for viewing Wishes (and Celebrate the Magic) right after the parade passes the parade FP+ reserved area.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

So it's not the most amazing (film for your family archives) view ever; but for the convenience of staying put after MSEP, we found the celebrate the magic and wishes views to be just fine for us in person. Some of the families around us spread a blanket on the sidewalk during MSEP to stake out their spot and kept it through Wishes. Everyone around us sat down except for this one huge guy filming with his iphone - I think it's luck of the draw with that... Since the castle and wishes are up from where you would be, as long as someone isn't hovering directly over you; you should be able to see. Many will argue that it's worth the perfect view to make your way to the hump at the top of Main St per the diagram. You have to weigh the pros and cons yourself. My family would rather stay put. (We have done both. We found the crowds on the hump to be overwhelming and the crush to get there not worth it to us. Obviously, given the crush and number of children on parents' shoulders, many think that it is worth it to move to the prime Wishes spot. YMMV)

 

[KyGirl]

Thank you both so much. This is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. That map is super helpful and I was definitely looking for some "this worked for us" type of information. So based on this information, I'm leaning towards booking the FP+ for MSEP, taking a blanket and trying to hold onto our spot. We definitely don't need a perfect view, as long as we can mostly catch what is going on and can see the fireworks themselves. I think our DD will be more than happy with that. I definitely want to try to avoid the shoulder to shoulder crowds. It just makes me too nervous and uncomfortable.

And it will be nice to not have to blow two FP+ on the nighttime entertainment.

Thanks so much for the advice!

 

[Nuxgwkkw]

I don't yet have 10 posts and so I am not able to post visitor messages nor send private messages, otherwise that is what I would do.

Robo,
Is there a website where I can access all of your maps? I have seen the link to stitchkingdom.com/maps, but that just redirects me to stitchkingdom.com and I cannot find the maps anywhere. I tried using the search feature, and that didn't work, and there doesn't seem to be any kind of navigation bar. Is there another website, or can you explain to me how to get to the maps once I get to the main website?

If anyone else knows the answer to this, please feel free to respond!
If you don't already know, Robo makes wonderful maps that are super-helpful and so far I've only been able to find them randomly in scattered posts.

 

[Robo]

I don't yet have 10 posts and so I am not able to post visitor messages nor send private messages, otherwise that is what I would do.

Robo,
Is there a website where I can access all of your maps? I have seen the link to stitchkingdom.com/maps, but that just redirects me to stitchkingdom.com and I cannot find the maps anywhere. I tried using the search feature, and that didn't work, and there doesn't seem to be any kind of navigation bar. Is there another website, or can you explain to me how to get to the maps once I get to the main website?

If anyone else knows the answer to this, please feel free to respond!
If you don't already know, Robo makes wonderful maps that are super-helpful and so far I've only been able to find them randomly in scattered posts.

Thank you for the very kind words.

At this time, there is no website that contains all of the maps.
I may do some work on that.

 

[Nuxgwkkw]

Thanks for your response, Robo!
Keep up the good work- your maps, as well as all of your other comments that I have seen, are super helpful.
I'll just keep searching disboards to find the maps, then!

 

[Robo]

Thanks for your response, Robo!
Keep up the good work- your maps, as well as all of your other comments that I have seen, are super helpful.
I'll just keep searching disboards to find the maps, then!

As I should have said earlier...

to posting on the DISboards, Nuxgwkkw!