One day at MK, best strategy for viewing all nighttime shows.

[lvdis]

We (4 adults) have only one day in Magic Kingdom on Saturday, April 30, and plan to spend the whole day there starting with an 8:20 am reservation at Crystal Palace. I'm working on some loose touring plans for the group and need help knowing the best places to be for watching the 9:00 MSEP, 9:45 Celebrate the Magic and 10:00 Wishes. I had originally thought we'd watch MSEP from the Frontierland area, but then wondered if it might be better to already be somewhere near where we can also see the castle/fireworks. Help!

 

[Robo]

We (4 adults) have only one day in Magic Kingdom on Saturday, April 30, and plan to spend the whole day there starting with an 8:20 am reservation at Crystal Palace. I'm working on some loose touring plans for the group and need help knowing the best places to be for watching the 9:00 MSEP, 9:45 Celebrate the Magic and 10:00 Wishes. I had originally thought we'd watch MSEP from the Frontierland area, but then wondered if it might be better to already be somewhere near where we can also see the castle/fireworks. Help!

Disney's (MS) Electrical Parade starts near the Firehouse and exits near Splash Mtn.

The 3 O'Clock Parade (Festival of Fantasy) and both the MVMCP and MNSSHP parades start near Spalsh Mtn. and exit near the Firehouse.

Less crowded than on Main Street, but still spectacular viewing can be found near the Hall of Presidents, or deep into Frontierland, past the Country Bears. (But, from those locations you won't be able to see the spectacular, not-to-be-missed show that is actually projected on the front of the Castle, "Celebrate the Magic," which begins about 15 minutes before the fireworks.)
You must be in or near the Hub to fully appreciate "Celebrate the Magic."

A look at the MK Parade Route-

 

[HM2012Butler]

I like to watch Wishes form Main Street near Casey's Corner (but a little bit back). I've never seen the fuss in getting close to the castle. The show is such a spectacle that being a bit back is not an issue. Usually not the hardest place to get especially since the hub expansion. I have never been in a spot more than 10 minutes before MSEP or Wishes. We are CMs so we see it more often than not. So believe me, its really not hard to get these spots and you do not need to be there for a very long time. As for MSEP you've got the right idea with Frontierland. If not there, we like Liberty Square where it opens up near river boat. This isn't something for if you've only got one night to see Wishes but I like the view from the Haunted Mansion greeter position. Not the same but there is no one around and its very peaceful

 

[lvdis]

In the past I've always tried to watch the 2nd MSEP, so getting to Wishes was never an issue. This time there isn't a 2nd MSEP. In this case, do you think it's best to already be in place to see all 3? Or can a group of 4 reasonably work their way from the Frontierland or Liberty Square area after MSEP to find a decent place to view the castle projections/fireworks? I know, I'm probably overthinking it... just trying to plan ahead and be prepared!

 

[Robo]

In the past I've always tried to watch the 2nd MSEP, so getting to Wishes was never an issue. This time there isn't a 2nd MSEP. In this case, do you think it's best to already be in place to see all 3? Or can a group of 4 reasonably work their way from the Frontierland or Liberty Square area after MSEP to find a decent place to view the castle projections/fireworks? I know, I'm probably overthinking it... just trying to plan ahead and be prepared!

Since Disney has created this problem by adding a third "must see" evening show (Celebrate the Magic,) there is no way to "over-think" your plans.

Remember that if you watch MSEP in Frontierland (let's say near Country Bears,) the parade will just be finished, at that point along the route, by the time Celebrate the Magic begins (15 min. before the top of the hour.)

By extension, MSEP won't be finished near Hall of Presidents until about the bottom of the hour.
So, you'd have 15 minutes to try to get through the crowd and find a spot in the already teeming and rapidly over-filling Hub.

It's not an easy process.