Viewing Wishes from inside CRT

[mmc123]

Hi all!

We have 8:30 reservations for dinner in the castle. Wishes is set for 10:00. Our whole hope in having such a late dinner (we're normally 6:00 eaters!) was to do something new and special by being inside the castle for the fireworks. Did I book too early? Are they going to kick us out? Has anyone been inside when the fireworks are going off? It's just a party of two so I'm hoping we get the sweet spot by the window (we've been fortunate to get that spot twice before). Any advice would be appreciated!!!

 

[IrishNYC]

From what I've read you won't see anything from inside.

 

[cdnjason]

I would recommend a 9pm reservation, if possible. Either way, if still at CRT when Wishes! starts, you'll get to experience some of the fireworks. But, you will miss out on the full experience. You won't get the soundtrack or the close-up fireworks. It's also difficult to watch them through those windows. On the other hand, it's neat to see the color burst through the window while you eat your meal. Hope this helps.

 

[mmc123]

Oh boo

 

[mmc123]

I would recommend a 9pm reservation, if possible. Either way, if still at CRT when Wishes! starts, you'll get to experience some of the fireworks. But, you will miss out on the full experience. You won't get the soundtrack or the close-up fireworks. It's also difficult to watch them through those windows. On the other hand, it's neat to see the color burst through the window while you eat your meal. Hope this helps.

I just want to experience something new! It's getting harder each year (what a terrible problem to have!) Thanks!

 

[mmc123]

I'm also surprised they don't pipe the music in. It's so magical!

 

[cdnjason]

I just want to experience something new! It's getting harder each year (what a terrible problem to have!) Thanks!

If you've already experienced Wishes!, then I recommend it. It's definitely cool to see the color bursts, as the princesses make their way through the restaurant. Try for an 9pm ADR, and of course, request a table by the window. Enjoy!

 

[Robo]

Have a great trip.

 

[Catvondita]

If you've already experienced Wishes!, then I recommend it. It's definitely cool to see the color bursts, as the princesses make their way through the restaurant. Try for an 9pm ADR, and of course, request a table by the window. Enjoy!

I'll second this. If you time it right you can see the fireworks and even though its not the full experience it has its own novelty. The food for me wasn't great so I wont be back but its nice to be able to cross it off your list.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

The view from inside CRT isn't great, and is far from a complete view of the show.
You'd do MUCH better to have dinner at Cali Grill or Nacoosee's: better food and likely a nice view of the water parade to boot! (though no characters)

As for Robo's reasoning, I suppose those could be true, but several dining options DO pump in the music.

Other otpions for dinner w/a (better) view: 'Ohana doesn't have a super view, but folks don't make much of a mad dash to the window to see the fireworks. Last we went, the food was one of the best on WDW property. (A few tables have okay views, many do not.) The new Cali Grill has better views and pumped in music. (Some folks prefer to go outside, but most who do, IME, were folks who paid their bill.) If you haven't been to Cali Grill since the remodel, and the view from many tables is much improved! Many more tables now have a view, previously, only the window seats could see.

Narcoosee's also has good food and a nice view.

Thou, IMO, all three: CRT, Narcoosee's, and CG are a bit overpriced.

The only place where we really saw guests get up - at the bidding of staff - was GF Café. To see Wishes you have to go outside.

 

[Chavaleh]

When we were there in 2009 they lowered the lights and piped in the music. My daughter was dressed in a Cinderella dress my dad had sewn for her, lost her shoe (a 'glass' slipper) on the staircase up and then we were seated right by the window overlooking the carousel, my baby who'd been fussy and whining his way through most every sit down meal fell asleep and remained asleep for the entire dinner and a man proposed to his girlfriend at the table next to us. No, you couldn't see the entire show and there were very few tables near the windows, we just got gobsmacked by fairy dust that night (even got escorted to the VIP seating for the electrical parade after dinner for some completely unknown reason). Turned my husband into a Disney fanatic for life.

 

[figment_jii]

Interesting, when did they stop piping in the music?

As others have said, it's not the ideal view of the show, but I do think it's a fun alternative view of Wishes. When I was there (admittedly, several years ago), they did dim the lights and pipe in the music. Not all of the tables have a view of the fireworks, but we could see them from our table (second level, against the railing, on the right side of the room). You'll miss the effects on the castle and the low level fireworks, but you can see some of the higher up fireworks through the stained glass windows. I wouldn't recommend CRT as a place to view fireworks if you've never seen Wishes before, but if you're looking for something different, I think it was a fun view.

 

[DisneyFive]

Not my choice of location to see Wishes. It's a very late meal, and for the cost I would prefer to eat at a more normal time. That's just me though. YMMV.

I am very glad that we did CRT once, but it's a one and done for us.

Dan

 

[Kirkules]

We loved watching the fireworks from CRT. We had an 8:45 reservation and the fireworks began right when they sat our desserts on the table. I would echo the suggestion of requesting a table near the windows. I also agree that if you haven't seen Wishes yet, this isn't the best place, but it is a wonderful and unique experience! It's one of those magical experiences that my family will never forget!

 

[mmc123]

When we were there in 2009 they lowered the lights and piped in the music. My daughter was dressed in a Cinderella dress my dad had sewn for her, lost her shoe (a 'glass' slipper) on the staircase up and then we were seated right by the window overlooking the carousel, my baby who'd been fussy and whining his way through most every sit down meal fell asleep and remained asleep for the entire dinner and a man proposed to his girlfriend at the table next to us. No, you couldn't see the entire show and there were very few tables near the windows, we just got gobsmacked by fairy dust that night (even got escorted to the VIP seating for the electrical parade after dinner for some completely unknown reason). Turned my husband into a Disney fanatic for life.

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THIS is why I love Disney And your pictures are exactly what I had in mind!!!

 

[mmc123]

Thank you all so much for your suggestions and tips! We're suckers for the castle (Cinderella is my mom's favorite) and eat there every year. We've had the same amazing server the past few times and I'm always pleasantly surprised when he shows up again! I have seen Wishes several times before (it pretty much always makes me tear up) and I just thought being inside the castle and seeing fireworks would be an extra hit of pixie dust and magic! We have yet to get around to the signature dining of Narcosse's, California Grill etc. Mom is hesitant and we usually have young family members with us. On another note one year we ended up coming out of the big tent after visiting the fairies and were so happy with the different view of the fireworks! Thanks again all!