so tempted to get FP for wishes, should I?

[Melyssa]

New idea... What if we watched MSEP from Train Station, then took the ferry and stayed on it to watch the fireworks? Is this possible? Or could we monorail it back to Contemporary for and watch the fireworks from there? I know we'd miss the 15 min pre-fireworks show but would we get a good view AND would we be able to hear the entire thing as well? We did the Pirates and Pals cruise 3 yrs ago and they piped in the entire show.

 

[Robo]

New idea... What if we watched MSEP from Train Station,

then took the ferry and stayed on it to watch the fireworks?

1. Is this possible?

2. Or could we monorail it back to Contemporary for and watch the fireworks from there?

3. I know we'd miss the 15 min pre-fireworks show but

4. would we get a good view AND would we be able to hear the entire thing as well?

1. It would, sorta.
It requires the luck of timing. You might be on the water -or- you might be at a dock during the show.

2. Very good plan.
3. Yup.
4. Yes.

 

[Melyssa]

Since the ferry idea is a "might work, might not", I think we'll monorail it to a resort to watch fireworks. Assuming a clear night, is the Contemporary a better spot to watch than Grand Floridian or Polynesian or Fort Wilderness? Is there a particular location at one of these spots that you'd recommend?

Also, if I were to watch from the Contemporary, can I park my car there (is there a fee? I've seen mixed info on this) and take Monorail to MK to watch MSEP? I figure if my car is there, I can just drive back to my non-Disney resort after Wishes is over and avoid the chaos of getting on the monorail back to the TTC if my car were parked there. TY.

 

[Robo]

Since the ferry idea is a "might work, might not", I think we'll monorail it to a resort to watch fireworks. Assuming a clear night, is the Contemporary a better spot to watch than Grand Floridian or Polynesian or Fort Wilderness? Is there a particular location at one of these spots that you'd recommend?

You can see the MK fireworks shows very well from the TTC

(and they pipe-in clear, crisp audio from the show.)

Note: you are not allowed to stand directly in the actual Ferry loading area.

You can see them from the boat-dock and an outside

observation deck near Narcoossee's restaurant at the

Grand Floridian. Anyone can stand on Narcoossee's Deck.

The outside deck is not a part of the actual restaurant. (All serving is done inside.)

The deck is accessed from the sidewalk outside the restaurant.

Also, good viewing from the Patio overlooking the Marina.

The sound of the show is piped into these areas too.

At the Contemporary, there is viewing on an outdoor

observation area on the 4th floor.

The California Grill observation areas are reserved for patrons that day of the Grill or Bar.

(Fireworks shown above are simulated.)



At Wilderness Lodge, the "secret place" to watch the MK fireworks is from the northern area of the Cast Member (CM) Parking Lot.

At the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds Marina (angle shown on the map below,) some of the view (especially of the "Fantasyland" pyro) is blocked by the now unused Discovery Island in Bay Lake and by the high-rise buildings of the Contemporary Resort.

But, the view from the Ft. Wilderness' sand beach (farther north) is more open.

Still the tree-level can block the views of the lower-firing pyro.



Here are the angles of the views in the Bay Lake area.

Below are the angles of the views in the Seven Seas Lagoon area.

----------------------------------



As for viewing from INSIDE the dining area of restaurants

(you usually need ADRs for most, and they are usually busy during the shows)...

you can see (and hear) them at California Grill at Contemporary,

'Ohana at Poly, Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian,

and (if you have access there) the Top of the World at Bay Lake Tower.

----------------------------------

 

[Robo]

if I were to watch from the Contemporary, can I park my car there (is there a fee? I've seen mixed info on this) and take Monorail to MK to watch MSEP? I figure if my car is there, I can just drive back to my non-Disney resort after Wishes is over and avoid the chaos of getting on the monorail back to the TTC if my car were parked there. TY.

The "legitimate" way to do this is to pay to Valet Park at any of the monorail resorts.
Figure with tip, you'll spend about $20-25 to do so.

From the CR, I'd not take the monorail to MK (it's the last stop of the route, so maybe 20-30 minutes, depending on, well, everything.)
I'd walk to MK. (Figure 8-10 minutes.)

 

[Melyssa]

Robo- Much thanks for your many replies. I like the idea of watching from the TTC and then heading to the car (parked there) to leave. Not only does it avoid the $25 valet fee but it also means easier transportation by avoiding the post-Wishes monorail from CR to TTC.

To get upper train platform viewing area for the MSEP, would you suggest getting there 30 minutes in advance or more to secure our spots? And could we take the ferry back to TTC from MK after the MSEP and get back to TTC with enough time to get to a good spot for Wishes?

 

[siskaren]

To get upper train platform viewing area for the MSEP, would you suggest getting there 30 minutes in advance or more to secure our spots?

You'd need to stake out those spots much earlier than 30 minutes - it's a very popular spot. I'd say an hour at least.

 

[Melyssa]

Oh, good to know. Perhaps we will get there by 830 and bring some games to kill time.

Enought time to get back to TTC for Wishes?

 

[Robo]

Oh, good to know. Perhaps we will get there by 830 and bring some games to kill time.

Enought time to get back to TTC for Wishes?

You'll have 45 minutes. Be ready to get out of MK just as Wishes is ending.
(There will be a LOT of guests who exit DURING the fireworks, so the monorails and ferry boats will not be empty.)

 

[ELSA711]

We did FP+ for MSEP and Wishes, after sitting for the parade we didn't need it for Wishes - we could have just stayed in the same spot.
With that said it was well worth it!!!
Amazing - I've been many times but we loved it.
We had a FP+ for A&E right before our dinner at BOG, left BOG at 8sh and picked up coffee, hot cocoa for everyone and had a seat for MSEP and Wishes, an amazing night for us!

 

[Robo]

We did FP+ for MSEP and Wishes, after sitting for the parade we didn't need it for Wishes - we could have just stayed in the same spot.
With that said it was well worth it!!!

When did you do this, and where was the Wishes FP+ viewing area?

 

[ELSA711]

When did you do this, and where was the Wishes FP+ viewing area?

October 2014, MSEP viewing area was in the hub and we would have had to leave to go to Rose Garden for Wishes.
We just stayed put, plus we had two sleeping kids

 

[Robo]

October 2014, MSEP viewing area was in the hub and we would have had to leave to go to Rose Garden for Wishes.
We just stayed put, plus we had two sleeping kids

That has all changed, very significantly, since that time.

The current FP+ viewing for MSEP is up by the flagpole in MK's Town Square...
a very poor place to try and stay to see Celebrate the Magic and Wishes.

(The Rose Garden is gone, by the way.)

 

[ELSA711]

That has all changed, very significantly since that time.

oh bummer, what's different? I'm planning our annual trip for October again?
Construction?

 

[Robo]

oh bummer, what's different? I'm planning our annual trip for October again?
Construction?

Read post #19, #27, and #73 in this thread.

Below is the current parade FP+ viewing area.
(Which could change by Oct. we just don't know.)

 

[Juwu]

We had a Wished FP last week. We got there just after 8:00pm and they let us in (Plaza side).

We were told by the CM's that once it was fireworks time we would have to stand - no exceptions. They jammed as many people into the new area as they could. It was still nicer than being out with the masses, but NOTHING like the rose garden.

If you went to the far side of the viewing area you did have a very nice view of the EP (little added extra).

 

[Melyssa]

You'll have 45 minutes. Be ready to get out of MK just as Wishes is ending.
(There will be a LOT of guests who exit DURING the fireworks, so the monorails and ferry boats will not be empty.)

I may not have been clear:
My current plan is to get to Train Station at MK by 730pm (830pm was a typo in prior message) to stake out spots for MSEP.
As soon as MSEP ends, I will take the monorail or the ferry (will both work?) to get to the TTC to watch Wishes.
Does this make sense and does the timing seem right?

 

[kteeter]

We are going ealy May, If you have a FP for Main Street EP do you have to move for Whishes? and if so how long is MSEP in order to move for Whishes. We are thinking about on leaving the park as we have a 20 month old who may not like the noise. (Looking at TTC or staying near bus pick up at MK)

 

[dljacob]

with the additional FP space for wishes will there be possibility of wishes as a 4th FP? We are going in August on a predicted 3 day...thoughts?

 

[capegirl]

We are going ealy May, If you have a FP for Main Street EP do you have to move for Whishes? and if so how long is MSEP in order to move for Whishes. We are thinking about on leaving the park as we have a 20 month old who may not like the noise. (Looking at TTC or staying near bus pick up at MK)

Wondering the same thing. If what PP's said still applies, would a FP+ for MSEP secure us a decent spot for Wishes, or would we be asked to leave the area once the parade ends!