Spectromagic, Wishes, Fantasmic... is it necessary to...

[Suivi]

I will be in WDW from May 17.-19. 2005. Is it really necessary to be there 1 hour early before the shows, parades starts to have a good view?!

I think for "Wishes" it's not so important to be that early... it that correct? And what about Spectromagic and Fantasmic? What do you think about the crowds during this May 17.-19.?

Is there an advice for a good view for Spectromagic when we just be there 15min. before the Parade starts??

Thank you for your answers!

Bye,
Chris

 

[DebbieB]

If you don't mind standing behind people sitting on the curb, you can get a spot 15-30 minutes before for Spectro. I've had luck finding a spot right where it comes out near City Hall.

Fantasmic - you may not get into the stadium if you wait until less than 30 minutes before.

 

[Shells9]

People start lining up w-a-y before Spectro. Getting there 15 minutes before it starts, depending on crowds, it may be hard to navigate your way out of the own square, let alone anywhere along the parade route! I would be there an hour before Spectro if you could. Another option is if they have two showings (like 9 and 11 pm), go to the second one.

We have always stayed in the same place for Wishes and Spectro pretty much, unless there are two showings. When there are two showings we like to watch Wishes from the restaurant near Tommorrowland, let the crowds die down, then move to Main Street for the parade. We also watch the first showing of the parade from the restaurant/patio area, but the view is not very good.

Fantasmic will have a line to get into also. The fullest I have seen the stadium was when we were there in December. It was FULL. I think we got there about 30 minutes before it started and were seated in the last section.

From what is being posted on the resorts board I think May will be pretty crowded.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

For Spectro and Fantasmic, we always find our 'seat' at least an hour prior to start. For Wishes, we end up moving closer to the exit of MK, at the end of Main St. USA to stand and watch.

 

[Suivi]

Thank you very much for your advices....

Perhaps someone has a park-map where it is shown in like the Spectromagic parade runs. And where you draw in where the best places for a view are. That would be very helpful for me, since I have never bin to Magic Kingdom.

Thank you very much!

Best greetings from Austria,
Chris

 

[dbanzai]

I just got back. For March at least, we were in the photo store just before Spectro began and were able to find viewing areas on the steps to the building no problem. That was five minutes before the parade started.

A night before though, we got to Fantasmic maybe a half-hour before the show and they only had standing room.

 

[jb.brooks]

I have read that watching wishes from the train station is not really worth the wait and that furthur down main street is probabley still the best view with the lights off. Can anyone elaborate.

 

[vossjemi]

What about in september? Still standing room only?

 

[tiredmommy]

I was hoping Fantasmic might not be that bad. We are going in May. It's our 6th trip but we have not been to Fantasmic yet. OUr kids are 2 & 4 and the thought of sitting for an hour is unbearable. Any thoughts on Fantasmic DIning pkg? We are doing MYW dining but could spring for another meal.

Thanks

 

[Shells9]

One nice thing about waiting for Fantasmic is that you can snack in the stadium, which helps the time pass by!

 

[KK Cat]

One nice thing about waiting for Fantasmic is that you can snack in the stadium, which helps the time pass by!

That's a good idea, I must remember to save snacks for the Fantasmic wait rather than using up valuable time eating earlier. On my proposed itinerary I have scheduled in Fantasmic for Saturday May 7th, hope Sat isn't too crazy. We are going to Kennedy Space Center that day and I hope to go to MGM on the way back just for Fantasmic (the advantages of being able to add on extra days to base MYW ticket for a few extra dollars ) As Fantasmic is at 20:30 if we are there about 18:00 we should be OK I hope.

 

[Queenie]

September is still standing room only. Our group never gets to parade routes more than 10 mins before the beginning of the parade and we nearly always get a good view but that may just be down to luck. I also wouldn't try it if you have small children as we've only been able to see by standing behind a bin, parked stroller or ECV so we can see over without disturbing anyone, obv a small person wouldn't be able to see. Basically if you want to *guarantee* a good view, get there as early as possible but you can take a chance and it might pay off.

We've had the same luck with Fantasmic, showing up 10 mins before the start of the show and getting seats but again it was all down to luck and you shouldn't try it if you're desperate to see the show. Plus we were some of the last to get in!

As for Wishes, I would say it's not nearly as important as after all it's above you. Just try and avoid getting stuck anywhere with trees! Me and my friends found a great spot to see the fireworks if you don't mind missing Tinkerbell fly. Stand by the bell in liberty and you get a fantastic view and barely any crowds. We sat on the little steps by the stocks together and loved it all.

 

[Toni300z]

I would say for Fantasmic, get there an hour early and just hang out with family and get bathroom breaks out of the way while the others sit and hold your seats. We tried last August to go 30 minutes before the show, and it was soooo packed. No where to stand neither. I said forget it. It was toooo hot to be standing and etc. We found great seats an 1 before the show.

Best of Luck!

What is Spectromagic? What park is that at?

 

[scootch]

Spectro lines up very quickly and if you are not upfront, you really miss out on view. I get the dinner package for Fantasmic. Wishes, there are tons of good spots anywhere.

 

[Lizzybee]

While waiting in line for food in MK, a CM overheard us talking about Fantasmic and he offered the suggestion that we get there about 2 hours early and get great seats in the front and center because it was an amazing show. We followed his advice with a 5 year old and an 8 year old. My kids are generally well behaved although not at all "calm and quiet". We let them pick out a light souvenir just before entering, we took turns taking them to the bathroom, got snacks, sat and chatted with the people around us and before you knew it, we had fabulous seats for an even more fabulous show. It was not at all a bad wait, besides after ALL that walking, sitting for a while and resting our feet was almost as good as the show!

 

[GarrettJD]

I agree with those who said that an hour in advance is a good idea for Fantasmic. Of course, I still haven't seen the whole show yet, mind you... as we've been rained out completely TWICE, plus once halfway through the show.

(As a service to the DIS, I will post our planned Fantasmic nights well in advance of our trip so that others will avoid those dates. I GUARANTEE it will rain. )

Anyway, not so much waiting is really necessary for Wishes and Spectro. Anywhere on Main Street is fine for Wishes... I'd say about 15-20 minutes is usually OK. As for Spectro, if it's showing twice on a night that you are there, go for the second showing-- it's less crowded. If you do go to the first showing, watch it from Frontierland.