Tony's Lunch + MSEP viewing area package

[Yusani]

This will be my first WDW trip in 15 years. We usually go to DL. This a a spur of the moment trip. We will be in Florida and decided to stop in for a very short trip (2 days). We plan to be at MK on Aug 3. I haven't booked anything yet so I will have to just take what I can get from whatever is left reservation wise. Dessert parties are, alas, all booked up.

I really hate waiting for parades, foreworks, and nighttime shows. I am also very short (5' 0") and have memories of seeing very partial views of shows because taller people were in front of me.

My children (even shorter) love nighttime shows.

I am looking at this Tony's package... I hear Tony's is not very good, but we would get priority seating for MSEP. How good is this priority seating? Would we have to get there early and stand around waiting to get in to the priority area? Would we end up crammed into an area with a lot of people anyway? Will I be able to see? Is there a chance we could sit down while we wait for the parade to start?

Could we stay sat right there once the parade is over and watch the fireworks (I think the fireworks show is called wishes, right?) or would we need to move to a different location? How much time is there between the end of MSEP and the beginning of Wishes?

Anybody know of some good marked up maps that show where the viewing areas are for MSEP and Wishes?

I'm looking forward to everything (except the heat... And standing around waiting for parades and night shows, HA!). Thanks!

 

[Robo]

I am looking at this Tony's package... I hear Tony's is not very good, but we would get priority seating for MSEP.

1. How good is this priority seating?
2. Would we have to get there early and stand around waiting to get in to the priority area?
3. Would we end up crammed into an area with a lot of people anyway?
4. Will I be able to see?
5. Is there a chance we could sit down while we wait for the parade to start?
6. Could we stay sat right there once the parade is over and watch the fireworks (I think the fireworks show is called wishes, right?) or would we need to move to a different location?
7. How much time is there between the end of MSEP and the beginning of Wishes?

8. Anybody know of some good marked up maps that show where the viewing areas are for MSEP and Wishes?

1. To be clear, there is no "seating" (unless you sit on the curb, of course.)
2. Well, you would want to get there early enough to stake out your spot.
(Maybe 30 min., or so.)
3. Although Disney does tend to "experiment" with the number of guests they put into areas, I figure the you would not be "crammed," at least.
4. That would likely be the case, regardless.
5. See #1. (Also, you can sit on the grass, but that would not be on the street viewing space.
6. Yes. "Wishes." However, that is only a marginal place to see the fireworks.
They turn the lights on at that end of Main Street, so you'd be trying to see the fireworks
with lights shining in your eyes.
7. At the MSEP VIP area, 45 minutes.

Also, you are forgetting about the spectacular show that runs between the parade and the fireworks.
"Celebrate the Magic" is considered by many to be more exciting and entertaining than the parade and the fireworks. It begins 15 min. before Wishes.
CtM is projected on the front of the Castle, and you want to be
much closer to the Castle to see that show!

8. FP and /or "VIP" viewing shaded in pink below:

Less crowded than on Main Street, but still spectacular viewing can be found near the Hall of Presidents, or deep into Frontierland, past the Country Bears. (But, from those locations you won't be able to see the spectacular, not-to-be-missed show that is actually projected on the front of the Castle, "Celebrate the Magic," which begins about 15 minutes before the fireworks.)

 

[Yusani]

Oh wow! I didn't know that there were 3 night shows. Thanks for that.

Also, the prospect of sitting on the curb whether in a priority area or not is nice! Thanks! Last time we did WOC and Fantasmic at DL the cast members came by and made us stand to wait and then stand through the whole show. I didn't like standing in one place for such a long time after walking all day.

 

[Yusani]

So if we did this priority area we would need to get there 30 minutes ahead? If we were just grabbing a spot on the street, how far in advance would we need to get there?

 

[Robo]

1. So if we did this priority area we would need to get there 30 minutes ahead?
2. If we were just grabbing a spot on the street, how far in advance would we need to get there?

1. I would not say, "need."
HOWEVER, I will always say, at WDW it better to arrive far too early than to arrive one minute too late. So, the earlier, the better.
CAN you show up 10 min. early?
Yup.
But, that could be a very poor idea on some nights.

2. Same answer, in general.
The exact time will change with the date you are there and where you choose to stand.
Figure 45-90 minutes before start-time, depending on, well , EVERYTHING.

 

[skojo]

I booked Tony's for the VIP viewing. I watched a video on youtube of the parade taken from that area and since you are situated at almost the start of the parade, as the last float passes everyone starts to follow the parade down Main street. Which my family plans on doing. I'm hoping this will give us an easy walk to a spot in the "Prime Viewing Area" (per the map posted above) since that area only opens up after the parade has past it. I've never been to MK so can anyone confirm that this can work? Also, is the "Prime Area" where the ground is also on a slight slope up that I've read is a great spot to be at? TIA!

 

[Robo]

I booked Tony's for the VIP viewing. I watched a video on youtube of the parade taken from that area and since you are situated at almost the start of the parade, as the last float passes everyone starts to follow the parade down Main street. Which my family plans on doing. I'm hoping this will give us an easy walk to a spot in the "Prime Viewing Area" (per the map posted above) since that area only opens up after the parade has past it. I've never been to MK so

1. can anyone confirm that this can work?
2. Also, is the "Prime Area" where the ground is also on a slight slope up that I've read is a great spot to be at? TIA!

1. It CAN work, although it is unpredictable if everyone else will "cooperate" and not push and shove to fill up the vacated area. You just never know.
2. Yup.

 

[momof3baldwins]

We had wishes fast passes last year and we liked the view from where we were. I see now that only the left grassy side is open if you don't have a dinner package. If we get there early enough to stake out a spot, can you see the electrical parade from that area? If not is there a good area where you can see the electrical parade and wishes from? Thanks!

 

[Robo]

We had wishes fast passes last year and we liked the view from where we were. I see now that only the left grassy side is open if you don't have a dinner package.
If we get there early enough to stake out a spot,
1. can you see the electrical parade from that area?
2. If not is there a good area where you can see the electrical parade and wishes from? Thanks!

1. Very poorly.
2. Many great spots. All of them in very high demand.


Use the bottom two maps that I provided in Post #2 above.
Choose a good Wishes viewing spot... that is ALSO directly on the parade route.
Arrive early and stay there for all three nighttime shows.