Spot for MSEP and Wishes w/o a long wait

[newestkg06]

I know that people say seeing the parade and fireworks are the best on Main St and the Hub, but I just can't see us waiting 1.5-2 hours and be elbowed and pushed by masses of sweaty people. This sounds like torture. I know that we could see the fireworks from the beach at the Poly, but I think our boys would want to at least experience the parade.
Has anyone tried the Fastpass + location for the parade? I think it may be worth it for us on MK Day 2. How good of a view of Wishes do you get from that spot?
We will probably not try to get pictures of the parade or fireworks, so the "view" is really more about being less crowded and that the little ones can see.
We'll also have a double stroller, so I know that can make things hard to get around.
I'm thinking Frontierland somewhere, but curious about others' experiences.
Thanks for any help or advice!

 

[HelenParr]

I have not done the FP+ for this -- hopefully others will come along and share their experiences.

A possible alternative: you could watch the parade from Liberty Square (for example, just outside of Hall of Presidents toward Haunted Mansion) and then relocate to watch the fireworks from behind the castle (for example, at the entrance to FLE).

Admittedly, the fireworks from behind the castle miss out on the theming a bit (and you can't really see Tink fly), and you have to look up toward castle and pivot behind you for a view of the larger fireworks. But it's still pretty impressive and less the sea of people so the little ones will see all the fireworks.

 

[Robo]

-relocate to watch the fireworks from behind the castle (for example, at the entrance to FLE).

Admittedly, the fireworks from behind the castle miss out on the theming a bit (and you can't really see Tink fly), and you have to look up toward castle and pivot behind you for a view of the larger fireworks. .

And, a deal-breaker for me is that from behind the castle you can't see the spectacular "Celebrate the Magic" which takes place on the front castle facade starting 15 minutes before Wishes.

 

[Robo]

Here's a map that shows the FastPass+ reserved locations.
The MSEP FP+ area ceases to be "reserved" after the parade passes.
Regardless, it is too close to the castle, which blocks the view of many of the
major fireworks.
If you choose FP+ for MSEP only, I've included red arrows to show where to MOVE
for viewing Wishes (and Celebrate the Magic) right after the parade passes the parade FP+ reserved area.

 

[nkereina]

We did FP+ for MSEP back in November. I'd recommend getting to the spot a good 30 minutes before the parade. It took FOREVER for them to scan bands and let people in, and the line got pretty backed up. It may be better now.

The spot itself is on the side of the hub facing the castle. We were able to lean up against a fence (we're two adults). Even though people were standing in front of us, we were only about two deep back so we still had a good view of the parade. As soon as the parade started, the CMs took the ropes down so the area filled in a little more.

We ended up staying in our same spot to watch Wishes, which worked out well. It did get VERY crowded with people moving around after the parade, but we just sat down on the ground and hung out. It was also crowded trying to get out after Wishes.

Overall, I'd probably do FP+ for MSEP again, but only if I was traveling at a slow time and didn't need that 4th kiosk FP+ earlier in the day.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Here's a map that shows the FastPass+ reserved locations.
The MSEP FP+ area ceases to be "reserved" after the parade passes.
Regardless, it is too close to the castle, which blocks the view of many of the
major fireworks.
If you choose FP+ for MSEP only, I've included red arrows to show where to MOVE
for viewing Wishes (and Celebrate the Magic) right after the parade passes the parade FP+ reserved area.

Robo, been meaning to ask you, isn't the area you indicate to move to, all filled up by the time the MSEP is over?

 

[HelenParr]

Robo is correct (obsv) that behind you also miss the cool show projected onto the castle in advance.

You totally miss stuff (lots of stuff) not being in front.

But it is less crowded in back.

 

[ashg8r]

We did MSEP FP this past April and loved it. We did get in line about 45 min before parade, but we were on the curb right in front of castle and we could leave for bathroom and snacks before the parade started. We also had a double stroller and we're not able to move back for fireworks, but the view for Celebrate the Magic was perfect. We would have liked to leave/move for fireworks but were completely packed in by that point. MAYBE if you tried to move the moment the parade was over you could make it a little ways back down Main St. Double stroller is definitely the rate limiting step.

 

[labdogs42]

Robo, been meaning to ask you, isn't the area you indicate to move to, all filled up by the time the MSEP is over?

No, because they don't let people stand in the street for the parade, but they do for the fireworks. So, there's lots of room to migrate back into there. I haven't done it quite that way, but I have moved from the train station end of main street up to the intersection by Casey's for fireworks many times. It can get a little boring standing there , but the view is worth it!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Robo, been meaning to ask you, isn't the area you indicate to move to, all filled up by the time the MSEP is over?

We've moved into that area several times after the first parade. If you're determined, there is plenty of room. Last summer we actually sat on the ground right in the area where Robo's arrow turns from yellow to orange to the right of the Walt statue until Wishes started. Then everyone stood up, so we had to, too, to be able to see. But we weren't crammed in there. It wasn't as ideal as being on the actual Main Street bridge, but it was still a great vantage point.

OP, is the second parade doable for you? If so, you can literally walk up to it and sit on the curb in front of the Hall of Presidents right at the time the parade starts. My daughter and I were the only people sitting in our little area last June during the second parade. If avoiding the masses is your priority and you have to hit the first parade, I'd stake out a spot in Frontierland maybe 30-45 minutes before the parade starts. That should be plenty of time to find a curbside spot without being crowded. You don't see people 5-6 deep in Frontierland like you see on Main Street.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

We did MSEP FP this past April and loved it. We did get in line about 45 min before parade, but we were on the curb right in front of castle and we could leave for bathroom and snacks before the parade started. We also had a double stroller and we're not able to move back for fireworks, but the view for Celebrate the Magic was perfect. We would have liked to leave/move for fireworks but were completely packed in by that point. MAYBE if you tried to move the moment the parade was over you could make it a little ways back down Main St. Double stroller is definitely the rate limiting step.

I think that's because you were moving against the crowd, inside the crowd. We've had a lot of luck getting into Robo's primo viewing area by getting into an enforced walkway (taped off areas on the sides of the Hub), walking on that to Main Street, and then turning and walking toward the castle. We've done this with a double stroller. The great thing about the stroller is that you can engage the brake and then no one is going to be able to push you ahead...any surge naturally makes its way around you.

 

[Kristina4109]

On our arrival night in June, we used FP+ for both MSEP and Wishes. The MSEP area is fantastic. We felt like we were VIP's. Back then there were many people who were turning up, scanning their MBs or tickets, and being turned away. Not sure what that was about. We had no problems at all.

Afterwards we moved to the Rose Garden to watch Wishes. The CM kindly told us that we would not be able to see Celebrate the Magic from where we were. However, we were able to watch it, just with an obstructed view. Didn't bother us at all.

It was lovely to sit on soft grass instead of standing on hard pavement to watch Wishes. Tinker Bell flew right over our heads. Did not notice as many people having trouble with getting scanned here.

 

[11290]

On our arrival night in June, we used FP+ for both MSEP and Wishes. The MSEP area is fantastic. We felt like we were VIP's. Back then there were many people who were turning up, scanning their MBs or tickets, and being turned away. Not sure what that was about. We had no problems at all.

We have a LOT of guests that "claim" to have FP's for parade viewing but do not. They really clog up the line a bit for entry.

In response to a previous poster who said CM's take the ropes down and then it fills up, we only take down the "front" ropes (those that are on the "street side" of the HUB area and only for the night parade). We do not take down the back ropes so no one, other than those that have FP for the parade, enters the FP viewing area.

Little bit too close to the Castle for Wishes (IMHO) but still doable just the same. Several times when I've worked the FP viewing area I've stayed with the rope/stanchion cart during Wishes and I wasn't all that happy with the view. Just my $.02 about that though.

Also be aware, the area marked on Robo's map for MSEP viewing might be smaller than his map shows on a given night dependent on the total number of FP reservations made for that night or that particular parade time. We adjust the size of the area accordingly.

 

[letsgoreds]

The Wishes and MSEP were my favorite uses of FP+ last December. When we were there, the rope wasn't dropped for MSEP, so we remained able to dance our way through the restricted FP+ area, if you so desire. I agree to show up early (30 minutes is good) to scan and get a front row spot. At most, people are 2 deep.

I am not a fan of waiting for parades and fighting for my spot. It isn't my idea of a great vacation.

 

[serene56]

After our last visit with my dad in an evc it was a nightmare that I will forgo on future visits. I couldn't even imagine a double stroller. We waited for about an hour in our spot. When the parade started people surged ahead and there was about 10 people between me and my dad. Of course they don't speak English. The family then stood in front of my dad and put their kids on their shoulder. One fell and landed on my dad. Of course he spoke English then and told my dad he needed to move back. There was no moving anywhere.

 

[newestkg06]

Thanks for the great map! OP here. I have two boys who will be 4 and 7. I know there are things like seeing Tink fly and the Celebrate show that would be cool, but I really don't know how much they would appreciate them compared to it being really crazy crowded (which would cause Mom some stress!) . I think given their ages, the late parade is out. We are pretty firm on 8pm bedtime at home, so even with an "early" Wishes at 9pm, we're not likely to get back to the hotel and sleep until at least 10:30-11:00. I think they'll be asleep if we try for the second parade (or so cranky we'll leave before the parade even starts!).
I think the MSEP fastpass makes the most sense for us and is a good compromise. Somewhat relaxed during the parade and good view, view of the castle and Celebrate the Magic, and somewhat obstructed/too close view of the fireworks. And we'll have a "spot" without having to bruise anyone's ankles with the stroller.
Thanks for the help!

 

[martinmont]

After our last visit with my dad in an evc it was a nightmare that I will forgo on future visits. I couldn't even imagine a double stroller. We waited for about an hour in our spot. When the parade started people surged ahead and there was about 10 people between me and my dad. Of course they don't speak English. The family then stood in front of my dad and put their kids on their shoulder. One fell and landed on my dad. Of course he spoke English then and told my dad he needed to move back. There was no moving anywhere.

I would be pissed if someone did that after staking out for an hour! Any tips on how to deal with such situation? I'm only 5'2, quite a small frame girl, so I need to be pretty front to be able to see

 

[SillySallySews]

We did FP for MSEP and Wishes last month. The first MSEP was canceled due to rain. We wound up watching the later parade and the park was so empty you could grab a spot on the street while it was passing by.

I don't think I would waste a FP on Wishes again. We were not allowed on the grass because it had been raining. The view is off to the side and if you have seen the fireworks from straight on it's very different and awkward. But if it's your first time I guess you wouldn't notice lol...Tink did not fly that night due to weather, but we could see the cable and she would've gone straight over us. I think the biggest advantage to this location is not having to stand in a crowd or stakeout your spot really early. In that aspect it was nice.

 

[sweepy109]

I'm assuming that using FP+ for MSEP means no ability to escape from the park before wishes starts? We planned on leaving right after the parade but I'm sure that would be a huge challenge given the amount of people moving at that time. Thoughts?

 

[Robo]

I'm assuming that using FP+ for MSEP means

1. no ability to escape from the park before wishes starts?

We planned on leaving right after the parade but

2. I'm sure that would be a huge challenge given the amount of people moving at that time.

3. Thoughts?

1. Not "no" ability... but it would be a difficult swim upstream.
2. Yes.
3. Some choices:
a. If you use the MSEP FP+ (or watch from another spot along Main St.)
exit through the inside of the Main St. shops.
Most are internallly-connected by doors.

b. Watch MSEP from a spot near the Main St. Railroad Station, and exit will be MUCH faster/easier.