New Wishes fp+ Viewing Area

[MikeandReneePlus5]

It's worth something to be in that spot though, no? even if it's just as crowded? assuming you can mosey up 15 mins or so before and still get in the FP+ area I can see why people would book them.

 

[AngiTN]

The point is not to create a FP that is worth something. The point is to add capacity to the Fastpass system for something you could have done previously for years without a FP. Same idea as slapping FP on rides that never had it, and never needed it, and function better without it.

Assuming that these FPs end up being in a crowded area....people will still pick them. Some will think that they need the FP to see the show, some will hope that it's a teensy bit less crowded, some will think it's something special.

In my case I booked a FP for Wishes so I don't have to stake out a good spot hours in advance on what is sure to be a very crowded day. Sure I need to arrive early. Sure I'll likely need to stand. Both things I have to do without FP. But in my case it means I don't have to arrive quite as early or stand quite as long. I'm ok with that.

 

[AngiTN]

Yep. I think the repeat visitors will figure it out quickly. But I could totally see first-timers grabbing up these FPs thinking that maybe you need them to see the show or that they are high-value.

Hey, if they can charge $50 to eat a cupcake on Tomorrowland Terrace during the fireworks, anything goes

And that's still standing and with a less than optimum view. I was way more disappointed with the Desert Party than I can ever be with a FP for Wishes.

 

[jade1]

Ummm.... I am pretty sure one of the points of a board like this is to offer opinions/views on how things might be better implemented. I can't for the life of me figure out how it is that you think Mesaboy2's observation lacked merit. It makes perfect sense. If you are just going to "cram" a FP+ viewing area, how on earth does that make it any more desirable than any other decent viewing area? FP+ should procure you some advantage over what you would otherwise do, otherwise what's the point?

Oh it makes perfect sense. I was just saying the statement was as if "ALL FP+" was bad.

It didn't say-"isn't WISHES FP+ grand. It said "Isn't FP+ grand".

FP+ wasn't the problem.

Following it up with:

"Wishes FP looked pretty attractive--even to me--when it was relatively uncrowded and people could spread out a bit"

Is a great response/observation, but oddly needed to be challenged to get it.

The value of having FP for quite a few attractions has been unclear to me from the inception of FP+, and Wishes is one of them. I understand the systemic reasons for offering them, but considered in isolation many are rather worthless. For a brief time last month, Wishes FP looked pretty attractive--even to me--when it was relatively uncrowded and people could spread out a bit, but then they couldn't resist tinkering and devaluing it again. Now it sounds like it's getting just as crowded as outside the FP area, soooooo what's the point again?

It's kinda like going to a restaurant and your kid ordering ice water with her meal. She could get milk, tea, or soda instead and the ice water for the same cost.

Oh and I went when it was "relatively uncrowded" (the park that is) and it was spread out and seating. Maybe certain times will be less busy for Wishes FP+.

Sorry, but yes it was a "screen cap" showing it.

 

[Robo]

Happiness is an open sidewalk.

 

[mesaboy2]

It's worth something to be in that spot though, no? even if it's just as crowded? assuming you can mosey up 15 mins or so before and still get in the FP+ area I can see why people would book them.

Maybe. Can you not mosey up just outside the FP area 15 minutes before also? My point earlier was that it isn't very clear what the worth is. For some things it's obvious--save 30, 60, or even more minutes in line. This FP and others are relatively weak choices because their worth is so nebulous. Others may like these choices, and I truly respect that. But it's not as if there aren't other ways to get almost the exact same thing.

 

[jade1]

Maybe. Can you not mosey up just outside the FP area 15 minutes before also?.

Try 5 minutes.

Kinda depends where you are coming from, but those new sidewalks on Robo's map were wide open the first week of March.

EX: leave Space and walk around toward the ice cream shop-that one was wide open. I think I have a pic.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

And that's still standing and with a less than optimum view. I was way more disappointed with the Desert Party than I can ever be with a FP for Wishes.

wow I didn't realize they DOUBLED the Dessert Party price!

We did it a few times when it was like $25 a head....barely justifiable then but in the end I liked it.

It's an easy "no way" at $49 though lol

 

[cakebaker]

wow I didn't realize they DOUBLED the Dessert Party price!

We did it a few times when it was like $25 a head....barely justifiable then but in the end I liked it.

It's an easy "no way" at $49 though lol

They supposedly upgraded the experience and the price now matches what they charge at Epcot- it hasn't started yet so no one really knows what the it will be like compared to the current one. We've got reservations at the old price. I doubt we'd do it at $49 no matter how nice. We're there because we can be comfortable sitting until just before the fireworks and be out of the masses fighting for spots. Desserts are not our primary goal.

 

[BroganMc]

That is a shame. As a wheelchair user I've used the Wishes FP+ to get a spot where there aren't people standing in front of me. I'd hang out toward the back of the area while everyone sat in front of me. If they tell everyone to stand then I guess I'll have to look for a new spot.

Do not, I repeat DO NOT waste your FP+ on this one. I am also a wheelchair user so my visual height is around 4 feet tall. We tried this at the viewing area on March 10 when they'd just opened the West side area. At the time they were restricting Wishes FP+ to the number allowed in the Rose Garden last year. That left plenty of space for people to stretch out and picnic. No one needed to stand up because everyone had a good view. I was feeling like a giant in my chair so I parked in front of one of those statue planters so as not to block the view of guests sitting and laying down.

I had another FP+ I booked for March 23. I got both 60 days out on my first booking day. Now they were packing in 500 people into that tiny area. (I checked with CMs on duty to see what the capacity was.) The entire area is no bigger than one of the ferries to TTC and that takes 600 people on two levels. People were practically climbing on top each other to see. No one gave a fig for the wheelchair users trapped inside. (Most of them had parked themselves in the back because they didn't want to block the view of people lying on the ground.)

I was so disgusted I left in the middle of the Castle projection show and went off to one of my other favorite non-FP+ spots. I also gave Guest Relations an earful of feedback on my way out of the park.

Disney is not using their FP+ system even remotely correct with this one. Trying to pack 500 people inside a tiny gated area isn't safe. Save yourselves the aggravation and boycott this one. You're much better off anywhere else along the hub. Wheelchair users should definitely seek another spot. (And complain loudly until management sees fit to provide safe viewing spaces for them like EPCOT does.)

 

[bauer1168]

I had a FP+ for Wishes last week, I arrived slightly earlier than the time I could enter stated I could on the FP+ WEST side, which was about 3/4 full already. The CM scanned my park ticket and told me I could sit if I'd like to, but they would be asking all guests to stand 10 mins before Wishes started. Much of the good spots were taken, so I sat down on some astro turf, near the back of the FP+ viewing area, as most guests were near the front part.
The view was ok, but my biggest problem was all the new lamps they've put up around the hub. I personally found them to be a distraction, (more for Celebrate the Magic). No CM came along to tell everyone to stand, everyone just started to stand.
The experience reminded me of when I had a FP for World of Color at DCA. Unless you start queueing a good 30 mins (or more) before your window opens, then you're not going to have the greatest view around.
There were also a few guests arriving as Wishes began to start doing the 'excuse me, excuse me' snaking through everyone.

I didn't think it was too clear on how to find the viewing area, unless you know the park well. The best thing about the area (in my opinion) is that it was fairly easy (and quick) to exit the area and (from the west side) head into Adventureland before the masses started to build up.

 

[mesaboy2]

I love the Ignore feature.

Hopeless for me, because I want to see all the cars when they wreck.

 

[cakebaker]

There were also a few guests arriving as Wishes began to start doing the 'excuse me, excuse me' snaking through everyone.

Still beats the experience outside the area where they just push and shove themselves or their strollers or wheelchairs over you silently.

 

[Astylla]

When I see a FP for a show I don't anticipate it being more luxurious , I see it as a timesaver. As a Disneyland native in which they just recently started Fastpasses for Fantasmic , I am a fan of not having to trip over people 6 hours before the show or having to stake out a spot so much in advance. I happily booked the Wishes FP for our May trip for two reasons : 1. it's our first trip and I would like to be as close to the castle as possible 2. I know I have an area to go to without worrying.
As DH and I always arrive early as possible to any window we feel it will be fine for us. We are used to standing for shows and will still take an hour or so over several. It's definitely not a perfect system but it may appeal to some more than others. Like anything it's a choice , just for us it's a good one.

 

[Cormoran]

Those document actual "in park positive FP+" results-can be tough for some to look at I'm sure.

Skipping them doesn't make the truth go away though.

Really they don't provide any real detail. Like for example, how many FP+'s you're trying to book and if you were successful in getting them. IMO the pictures add nothing to the conversation.

 

[mom2rtk]

Really they don't provide any real detail. Like for example, how many FP+'s you're trying to book and if you were successful in getting them. IMO the pictures add nothing to the conversation.

Agreed. And it means nothing to me if something is available on odd occasion. I'm interested in what I'm able to replicate day in and day out.

 

[jade1]

Really they don't provide any real detail. Like for example, how many FP+'s you're trying to book and if you were successful in getting them. IMO the pictures add nothing to the conversation.

Actually they did have a lot of detail, some just choose to ignore them. Also LT confirmed he had a lot of success as well.

 

[Cormoran]

Actually they did have a lot of detail, some just choose to ignore them. Also LT confirmed he had a lot of success as well.

Were the number of people you were reserving FP+ for in the screen shots? I couldn't see that info, maybe I wasn't looking in the right place.

 

[jade1]

Were the number of people you were reserving FP+ for in the screen shots? I couldn't see that info, maybe I wasn't looking in the right place.

No-but my DD has the screen shots of the evenings with the names (for meeting up purposes) I can get them.

But certainly will grab more shots next time-so look forward to that.

Having everything available in 4 parks, 4 days in a row should be a glue there was availability.

Regardless-there was huge availability the first week of March, that's all I'm able to provide. You can believe it or not. How that translates to other times of the year can only be assumed.

And again-LT came the 2 weeks after (busier) and reported a lot of availability as well-so maybe question him as well I guess.

 

[PythonFan888]

I'm a "photographer" and having lamp posts and people potentially crowding in there standing in front of my tripod isn't going to make for special shots and defeats the purpose really. Seems just as advantageous to save a FP and stand in the crowd else where on Main Street if that's how it's going to be. I'm actually considering just shooting from Frontierland or Fantasyland to avoid the chaos I'm sure will be on Main Street that night in particular.

Thoughts and opinions on this? Should I keep the FP or just try to photograph from a unique angle elsewhere in the park for the 24 hour event? I don't want to jump to conclusions though and I'll save the FP for the moment, but I'll be curious to see more responses about this as the time gets nearer.

I shot these from the FP+ viewing area in front of Casey's:

Friday Fireworks by Allen Castillo, on Flickr


Friday Fireworks by Allen Castillo, on Flickr

There are 2 large bushes in the middle of the viewing area. I suggest setting up your tripod behind the 2nd bush - the one closer to Main Street. Extend your tripod to its maximum height and you should get an unobstructed view of the castle. This spot avoids the light posts. I had my lens at 28mm and was able to get all of the bursts.

Good luck!