Spectromagic or Wishes??

[mouseplanner]

I have two boys, 4&6, and if I can only see one night time show which should it be: the Spectromagic Parade or the Wishes Fireworks?

 

[Minnie824]

hmm, thats a tough one. we went last year, my DDs were 4 and 1.5. We went to the MVMCP parade, and that ended up being their favorite. Out of the other 2 though...I think Spectro.

 

[Robo]

I have two boys, 4&6, and if I can only see one night time show which should it be: the Spectromagic Parade or the Wishes Fireworks?

I think you might be confused.

Spectromagic and Wishes are both at the same park (MK) and are often presented one after the other.

Example:
Spectro at 9pm followed by Wishes at 10pm (then, sometimes a 2nd performance of Spectro.)

So you should not need to decide WHICH... watch BOTH.

Now, if you meant to include "Fantasmic!" or "IllumiNations", that's another discussion.

 

[Allison]

Spectromagic.

 

[jbdreamer]

I think you might be confused.

Spectromagic and Wishes are both at the same park (MK) and are often presented one after the other.

Example:
Spectro at 9pm followed by Wishes at 10pm (then, sometimes a 2nd performance of Spectro.)

That's what I was going to say. They are right after one another. You won't even have to move. Why wouldn't you just watch both?

 

[mouseplanner]

I realize they are right after one another but my kids are used to going to bed quite early on a normal day - they will be exhausted in Disney! I don't want to plan too many really late nights - we already have one late night planned for Fantasmic. I'm trying to decide which nite to make our late night at MK - one night has just Wishes at 9 and the other has Spectro at 9 and Wishes at 10. Getting back to the hotel at 11ish and getting up super early might be too much for my kids. Thanks to those who responed and any other opinions welcome!!

 

[traviesojmt]

I realize they are right after one another but my kids are used to going to bed quite early on a normal day - they will be exhausted in Disney! I don't want to plan too many really late nights - we already have one late night planned for Fantasmic. I'm trying to decide which nite to make our late night at MK - one night has just Wishes at 9 and the other has Spectro at 9 and Wishes at 10. Getting back to the hotel at 11ish and getting up super early might be too much for my kids. Thanks to those who responed and any other opinions welcome!!

I know that my kids would choose the parade. I have DD3 and DS8. They love the parade. I don't like to keep my kids out late either so I understand where you are coming from. We never stayed for wishes last summer due to the time either. If you are taking a bus back to the hotel, it could be even later than you think. The lines after Wishes for the buses can get crazy.
This year we are going in Aug and I planned to do both but to let the kids sleep in a little the next morning. I also will have my DD3 take a short nap in the afternoon. If I could only choose one though, it would always be Spectromagic.

 

[Kick Save]

I realize they are right after one another but my kids are used to going to bed quite early on a normal day - they will be exhausted in Disney! I don't want to plan too many really late nights - we already have one late night planned for Fantasmic. I'm trying to decide which nite to make our late night at MK - one night has just Wishes at 9 and the other has Spectro at 9 and Wishes at 10. Getting back to the hotel at 11ish and getting up super early might be too much for my kids. Thanks to those who responed and any other opinions welcome!!

Do them both, sleep in the next morning and let them go to the pool at 10AM...they'll think they're in heaven!

Seriously, if we plan a late night, the next day is an easy morning. It's almost impossible to not stay up a couple nights while you're there, in that case just set out later the next morning use a ton of fastpasses or see shows.

Or go to the pool at 10AM.

 

[DebIreland]

Personally I'd choose Wishes by a mile! My children liked Spectro but adored Wishes!!

Are you staying on Disney property? Perhaps you could do your late MK night for Spectro but then on another evening watch Wishes from The Contemporary or The Poly beach - so you'd have the fireworks without the manic crowds and slooooooow departure from MK! Of course it would depend on where you're staying and how convenient the transportation is.

 

[hockeybabe]

Spectromagic

HOWEVER...getting out of the park after Spectro but before Wishes will take some planning. You may have to watch from somewhere close to the entrance if you are planning on getting out before the Wishes starts. Which means you need to scope out a spot about an hour and a half before, since most people want to see the parade and wishes down main street. After the parade, anyone who didn't get a good enough seat starts looking around for a better one, and the crowds can be crushing.

We like to watch in Liberty Square. Not as many people watch from there, and the crowd isn't too deep even if you don't get a "front row" seat, and you don't usually have to claim your watching spot as early. We get to our spot, send a parent down the way to get some funnel cakes, and watch both shows. Since we are on the far end of the park, just follow the throng as it leaves, take our time, and don't get crushed in the mad dash to the busses and parking lot. Makes it much more relaxing

 

[traviesojmt]

Spectromagic

We like to watch in Liberty Square. Not as many people watch from there, and the crowd isn't too deep even if you don't get a "front row" seat, and you don't usually have to claim your watching spot as early. We get to our spot, send a parent down the way to get some funnel cakes, and watch both shows. Since we are on the far end of the park, just follow the throng as it leaves, take our time, and don't get crushed in the mad dash to the busses and parking lot. Makes it much more relaxing

We always watch Spectromagic here too, but we didn't stay for Wishes last year. Can you see Wishes from here or do you have to move? We don't have to have a prime viewing location, so would this be good enough?

 

[erikthewise]

Wishes anyday.

Spectromagic, like any parade, means standing/sitting in the same spot for an hour or more, if you want to be close enough that your kids can actually see.

Wishes can be seen from just about anywhere, without having to grab a spot long in advance, and it doesn't last as long.

And yes, I like Wishes better. Just my preference.

 

[brymolmom]

Do them both, sleep in the next morning and let them go to the pool at 10AM...they'll think they're in heaven!

Seriously, if we plan a late night, the next day is an easy morning. It's almost impossible to not stay up a couple nights while you're there, in that case just set out later the next morning use a ton of fastpasses or see shows.

Or go to the pool at 10AM.

I'm with mouseplanner on this one, kick save - don't I wish I could do this one day on vacation (or on a weekend, or on a Monday, or....). With some kids it is definitely easier said than done. My 2 year old is a VERY early riser, and no matter how late we keep her up hoping for a little later sleep-in (at least until 7:00am) - her internal clock kicks in at about 5:45am and we're awake anyway. About the only thing we have to show for late nights is a 2 year old who really needs a nap all day long until FINALLY it is time for her nap and we're all relieved. So we have to keep to the early evenings for the sanity of us all.

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

Wishes anyday.

Spectromagic, like any parade, means standing/sitting in the same spot for an hour or more, if you want to be close enough that your kids can actually see.

Wishes can be seen from just about anywhere, without having to grab a spot long in advance, and it doesn't last as long.

And yes, I like Wishes better. Just my preference.

I completely agree! And as far as watching Wishes from the Poly beach, we did that last year, and I can truthfully state that watching it there provides only a fraction of the experience.