Spectromagic first-timer

[willis37862]

DH and I are going to watch Spectromagic for the first time on our next trip. I am looking for tips about where to watch it and still get to watch Wishes from a good spot. The day we will be there Spectro will be at 8pm and Wishes at 9pm. Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Try to find a good spot along Main Street. We like the area just around Casey's. You probably will want to stake your claim around 7pm. After Spectro just hang out and wait for Wishes. The best thingt o do after Wishes is just piddle instead of rushing out with the ocean of people.

 

[ainmama2001]

Near Casey's is really good. We watched Spectro from in front of the Emporium when we went last time. I heard that watching Wishes from the Main Street Train platform is really nice too.

 

[willis37862]

Thanks.

 

[msmouse]

If you want the all time greatest spot to watch Spectro, especially for the first time, it will require patience on your part. You have to stake your claim about 2-3 hours before the parade. Go to the balcony of the train station at the entrance to MK. Get your chairs and people watch. It is without a doubt the most spectacular view. By that time of the evening, I am ready to sit and people watch, so the wait does not bother me. My sister and I take turns riding the train, going to get food, etc to pass the time. You will not be sorry. Viewing Wishes from there is also very good. However, I do like to watch wishes just a little in front of Caseys because the train station lights do not go out, so it is a little too lit up for me.

 

[almacdonald]

We saw Spectro-magic twice this past week.

The first time we went we wanted to watch from main street so we could also stick around for Wishes. BAD move. There were people sitting around and waiting 2.5 hours before the parade! People are NUTS! We scoped out a spot a little more than an hour before the parade and people were already at least 2 deep all along main street (we opted for a spot right by the ice cream shop.) It was the worst hour of our trip. People pushed their way in front of us, were practically sitting in our laps etc. We were so annoyed by all the people around us with their screaming, booger flicking children kicking us that we left before the fireworks!

The second time was the last night of our trip. This time we watched from Frontier land. We sat in the rocking chairs right outside of shops and restaurants and had a very comfy wait with an unobstructed view of the parade! And we waited for less than an hour! After the parade we made our way over to the central hub and sat right near the statue of Walt and Mickey. It was the perfect spot to watch the fireworks!

I know a lot of people will disagree with me but don't waste your time staking out a parade spot on main street hours in advance, Frontier land is the place to be!

 

[slo]

We also sit on Main Street right on the corner by the candy store. To get this spot we always get there 1 hour before the parade starts. After the parade we then move out into the middle of the street and stay there for Wishes.

Last year, my DD was asked to help end the parade - so we walked with her to the front of Cindy Castle. We then stayed there for Wishes - I wouldn't recommend it . The fireworks are much nicer from farther away.

Here's a picture of my DD helping out with the parade - a very good childhood memory for her!!

 

[willis37862]

That was nice for your daughter Slo . Thanks everyone for the tips. I hope it won't be overly crowded when we are there. Guess we will just have to wait and see. Thank you everyone.

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

whatever you do, dont get the misnotion that being very close to the castle would be perfect for wishes\... you cant really see a thing.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Add me to the Main Street fans. I like to stand near the little 'island' by the train station - you get to see the floats coming close before they pass by. If we're heading home, it's easy to get out, and if we're staying for Wishes, MS is a good place for them, too.

 

[willis37862]

whatever you do, dont get the misnotion that being very close to the castle would be perfect for wishes\... you cant really see a thing.

Yes that is true. I don't like to be too close, just hate any large obstuctions in the way. We watched wishes from in front of the Crystal Palace last time. And it was a nice spot. But there wasn't a spectromagic that night so we didn't need to be where we could catch it too. Thank you all for your help. I appreciate all the tips!

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

We just got back and thought we had found the perfect place to view wishes was right in front of the castle. Boy were we wrong. The view was awful. Luckily we had seen it many times before and we really only wanted to see Tinkerbell up close and we did so it was no big deal . Usually we sit at the beginning of the circle that goes up to the castle and the view is really good. Thsi year we were havign dinner at O'hana's and had a perfect view of the castle. We were pleasantly surprised that they even played the whole audio from Wishes while it was going on.
As for Spectromagic, get there early. People start gettign their seats around 6:45 for an 8:00 parade. What amazes me is when people come 15 minutes before the parade and expect to squish between you and the people next to you.

 

[Angel16]

You will have to get your spot very, very early. We have seen Spectro-Magic once. It was last year and it was the most horrible experience we have had at WDW. We had just finished dinner at CRT, an nice anniversary dinner. My DH is in a ECV, we ask at the top of the entrance of the castle if we could stay up there to watch the parade. Dinner had taken longer then we excepted and we had no idea that people started lining up 2 hours or more in advance. The CM told us no we could not stay at the top (which would have been a wonderful view, especially for my DH). We went down and found a spot and waited. About 15 minutes before the start a very thin woman wedged her way between people next to us and right in front of my DH. He ask her very nicely "I hope you don't plan on staying there for the parade." Her answer was "you won't be able to see anything anyway because everyone in front of you is going to stand up when the parade starts." During the next 15 minutes there were 6 other people in her party that pushed and shoved their way up front. Some people next to us got mad and there was almost a fight. However, the woman and her party stayed for the parade. Then a family of 4 with 2 little children proceeded to place one child (about 3) with his feet to stand on the back of my husband's ECV, while the other one was pushed to stand between the controls and my husband. Between his legs. (I am not making this up) That was it for my DH. We tryed to explain to the people that this was not right, however, they just shook their heads and said they didn't speak english. They moved over and pushed their children and themselves up in front of a group who had been waiting long before we arrived. It was not a good experience from that point on for all the people involved. We did not see any CM's or have anyone with authority try to stop these actions. (Side note: I turned around and looked up at the castle, people were up there watching the parade)

I would love to see Spectro, however I don't think I will ever get my DH to attend again. It is just too crowded and Disney does not offer Spectro on a nightly basis. In fact while we were there for two weeks last fall it was only offered three times. Ok, I am done with my rant Sorry. Guess it just had to come out. I did not write about it when we returned last year, because it was such a sour experience and Disney is usually so wonderful.

As far as a spot to watch, I think some of the other posters have a good idea to go to Frontier Land or go very early and sit up on the train platform. I truley hope you have a wonderful time and if you find a good spot, please share.

 

[brianm27]

I have seen Spectro and MSEP from just about every parade zone. There is a certain charm about Main St. viewing, but I wouldn't stake a claim hours in advance. About 15 minutes is all we ever wait, even in the busy season.

First of all, the floats are huge. If you sit on the curb, you do lose some of the impact from being so close. I am not saying to avoid the curb, but don't feel bad if you can't sit there.

In the 90's, when EPCOT was open until 10, during Easter crowds, my wife and I would do Spectro and Illuminations on the same night, when Spectro was shown at 9 and 11. We would typically stand on the steps of City Hall to get a view just a little above the crowd then we could head out to Illuminations. If we chose to do Illuminations first, we could make it back for the 11 Spectro, which usually had small enough crowds so that you could pretty much stand anywhwere. I miss those days!

Now with a three year old, we tend to go in the area between the Christmas Shop and Liberty Tree Tavern. There is a tree planter to sit on while we wait. We usually stand on the elevated ramp to the side exit of the liberty tree tavern. Would I call the spot perfect?- probably not. Am I 99% certain I can get there 10 minutes before the show and enjoy it - yes!

After Spectro we walk over the small foot bridges to watch Wishes from in front of the Crystal Palace.