Spectro

[sarehm]

So after all these years I've never seen Spectromagic Is it a parade or what? And does Wishes generally start right after? I'm just trying to plan my days and figure if we watch Spectro will we want to stay around the same Main Street area to watch Wishes?

 

[Shubunk]

yea you can stay in the same area, it is a parade! the best parade i think

 

[JulielovesDisney]

It's a parade where all the floats and characters have tons of lights on them. It occurs at night, but not every night. I'd check for the times on ww.disneyworld.com or when you arrive at WDW. I don't know the exact path, but I know it travels thru Frontierland and Mainstreet USA. Frontierland is usually less crowded for viewing the parade. And there's plenty of time between Spectro and Wishes so you can go grab a spot. While Spectro isn't my favorite parade (it's my mom's favorite though!) it is pretty cool! Enjoy!!

 

[Robo]

So after all these years I've never seen Spectromagic Is it a parade or what? And does Wishes generally start right after? I'm just trying to plan my days and figure if we watch Spectro will we want to stay around the same Main Street area to watch Wishes?

Because the SpectroMagic parade STARTS at the front and moves SLOWLY to the back of MK, there is big difference in "wait time" between the end of the parade (depending on where YOU are standing) and the beginning of Wishes (which can be seen at the SAME TIME throughout the park).

Following example based on a 9pm start of Spectromagic:

If you watch from near the Main Street Train Station at the FRONT of MK:
Parade Starts- 9:00pm
Parade Over- 9:20pm
>>"Between" wait time- 40 minutes
Wishes Starts- 10:00pm
Wishes Over- 10:13pm

If you watch from near the Splash Mountain at the BACK of MK:
Parade Starts- 9:25pm
Parade Over- 9:45pm
>>"Between" wait time- 15 minutes
Wishes Starts- 10:00pm
Wishes Over- 10:13pm

The preferred spot to watch Wishes is from Main Street or somewhere around the "Hub" (the circular area right in front of the Castle where the other "Lands" are entered.)
The real "SWEET SPOT" is exactly in front of the ICE CREAM shop.
(Don't stand under the umbrella tables, just NEAR them.)
From this spot, the fireworks appear "centered" over the castle from there (very crowded).
Up Main Street as far as the PAL MICKEY store is great viewing as well.
This is where Wishes is DESIGNED to be fully appreciated.
The Castle's front facade (with added lighting and projections) is actually a part of the show.

NOTE: If you go up toward the train station any FARTHER than the PAL MICKEY store... they DON"T turn off the LIGHTS of Main Street in that area. So you'll be viewing with hundreds of lights still in your line-of-sight.

The next-preferred spot is on the bridge between the Hub and Tomorrowland (on the Hub end, not Tomorrowland.)

"Tinkerbell" also flies from the top of the castle over to just above the "Noodle Station" open-air restaurant at one point early in the show.

The reason to see Wishes at least ONCE from the "sweet spot(s)" is that there are "front" fireworks (fired from the roofs of Fantasyland) that are best viewed from in front of the castle.
There are "rear" fireworks that are aimed to erupt behind (and centered over) the Castle.
So, if you can withstand the CRUSH of people, and don't mind the longer "in-between" wait time after the parade goes by, the Main Street area is tops for viewing "Wishes".

WARNING: No matter how tempting in may seem... Do NOT stand on the sidewalk between the Hub and Frontierland OR on the sidewalk between the Hub and Adventureland... the (nearly INVISIBLE in the dark) trees BLOCK the main fireworks and the sound is ABSENT/MUFFLED here (by design?).

AND in spite of how good the idea may look before the show, unless you KNOW EXACTLY what you're doing, do not attempt to view Wishes from the Noodle Station seating area.
The main fireworks are hidden from MOST of the seats at this restaurant area and they don't kill the lights or pipe in the music.

There are PLENTY of other places to see both SpectroMagic and Wishes.
Many here have their favorites.
MY spot is way back in Frontierland by the "Turkey Leg Stand" (we don't eat the legs, but its a great place to view the parade!) As I stated above, the parade reaches this spot by about 9:25pm.

Then, RIGHT after the parade ends, we jog across the "bridge" to Splash Mountain and take a quick ride ("nobody" is in the queue, most folks are still at the parade route).

Then, after the Splash ride, we walk back to the "bridge" from Frontierland and usually get there just in time to see ALL of "Wishes" from there.
The SOUND is supplied back there, and you can see nearly everything (including Tinkerbell).
The things you MISS back there are the fun/beautiful castle-front effects and the symmetry of being in the "center of the stage" for the fireworks.
But the fireworks are HUGE, regardless, and the BIGGEST ones ("rear" fireworks) are actually sent UP from the back of MK, near BTMRR and Splash.

 

[pouncingpluto]

Spectro is not just a parade. It is a glorious night-time festival of lights set to music.

 

[Robo]

Spectro is not just a parade. It is a glorious night-time festival of lights set to music.

copyright: pouncingpluto productions, 2006



Spectro is not just a parade. It's a BREATH MINT!

copyright: robo productions, 1996

 

[phisigprincess]

I definately think you NEED to make time to see it!! I know some people don't make it a priority, but I think the music alone is worth waiting for. Have fun!

 

[Max Rebo]

How early to you need to line up along the parade route to have a decent view of Spectromagic?

How early do you need to get there to claim a prime viewing spot for Wishes?

 

[sarehm]

Thanks for all the great input! This trip my DH and I are taking the time to do things that we've never done before including MVMCP and Spectro is definitly on that list as well.

 

[Robo]

How early to you need to line up along the parade route to have a decent view of Spectromagic?

How early do you need to get there to claim a prime viewing spot for Wishes?

That could be a "book" of info.
Depends on the crowd levels and WHERE you choose to stand.

I'd say 30-90 minutes for Spectro.

Since you look UP to see Wishes, its easier to "fit in" later without blocking other's views (if you are near the castle).

I'd say 10-30 minutes for Wishes.

If they are BOTH performed the same night (Spectro first), find a good spot for Spectro and STAY there.
See my earlier long post about this "combo".