Wanted: insights on using FP+ for parade viewing

[ksprefton]

Has anyone used FastPass+ to reserve parades or Wishes? We are heading down in a couple weeks and wondering if its worth using a fastpass for a reserved parade spot.

If you have used it, where was the viewing spot and was it good? How did you get to the spot ie, roped area, show your band? Did you still have to arrive way in advance?

Really appreciate any insight you could give. I hate to waste a fastpass if the viewing area isnt great . Thanks!

 

[mesaboy2]

See the link in my signature for a couple of my thoughts. In short, the viewing area for MSEP is in a great location and may be worth a FP while that for Wishes is uncrowded but off-center. Personally, I don't think the Wishes FP is "worth it" since it doesn't save any real time, but reasonable people can disagree.

 

[prisjoyce]

Has anyone used FastPass+ to reserve parades or Wishes? We are heading down in a couple weeks and wondering if its worth using a fastpass for a reserved parade spot.

If you have used it, where was the viewing spot and was it good? How did you get to the spot ie, roped area, show your band? Did you still have to arrive way in advance?

Really appreciate any insight you could give. I hate to waste a fastpass if the viewing area isnt great . Thanks!

We used a FP+ for the evening MK parade during our Oct visit, and found it helpful. The spot was in the Hub, between the Walt statue & the castle. We showed up about 15 min (this is why I loved it!) before start time, showed our Magic Bands to a CM, and went into the roped area. My kids were first row, and we sat behind them, but there was plenty of room to spread out. They removed the ropes before the parade started, but we had no trouble with people pushing us out/encroachment. I did have a bit of trouble finding the right CM to scan us through, and most CM's I asked didn't know where to direct me. The entrance was in the center hub where the bridge to Tomorrowland comes out.

The parades have always been an annoyance to us bc we would arrive early, and get pushed and shoved around. DH was so pleased with how FP+ worked for the parade that for the rest of the night he repeated "That worked great!" over and over. So for us, the parade FP+ was worth it, particularly since we had used our other FPs for our must-do rides throughout the trip.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Robo]

We used a FP+ for the evening MK parade during our Oct visit, and found it helpful. The spot was in the Hub, between the Walt statue & the castle. We showed up about 15 min (this is why I loved it!) before start time, showed our Magic Bands to a CM, and went into the roped area. My kids were first row, and we sat behind them, but there was plenty of room to spread out. They removed the ropes before the parade started, but we had no trouble with people pushing us out/encroachment...

 

[ksprefton]

Really appreciate your posts! Thank you. Now we just need to decide .

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

We used a FP+ for MSEP in Sept. It was amazing. We strolled up a few minutes before the parade, found a front row spot with lots of room dead center in the Hub, and watched the parade and then Celebrate the Magic from the most amazing location ever. Tons of characters stopped to interact with my DD because she was so close and not crowded in by lots of other people. It was magical. Really. The best use of a FP+ of the trip for us.

(But take that with a grain of salt because we were able to double dip and used tons of FP-...I'm not sure if I would feel differently if we had been limited to only 3 FP+.)

 

[csmith041177]

Awesome info! Thanks!

 

[Raidra]

So the Wishes viewing location is off center.. but how does it work as far as kids being short and adults standing in front of them? Our problem is that my kids are always swamped by the crowd and can't see over the heads of the adults standing in front of them, so they can't see anything low at all. Does FP+ for Wishes help that?

Thanks!

 

[mesaboy2]

So the Wishes viewing location is off center.. but how does it work as far as kids being short and adults standing in front of them? Our problem is that my kids are always swamped by the crowd and can't see over the heads of the adults standing in front of them, so they can't see anything low at all. Does FP+ for Wishes help that? Thanks!

I would say yes, because there are relatively few around you.

 

[jaiminee krikit]

So the Wishes viewing location is off center.. but how does it work as far as kids being short and adults standing in front of them? Our problem is that my kids are always swamped by the crowd and can't see over the heads of the adults standing in front of them, so they can't see anything low at all. Does FP+ for Wishes help that?

Thanks!

I did the Wishes FP+ back in August, and I could have laid down and watched the fireworks without anyone in my way - it was great! I'm okay with it being off-center. I got to sit down, sprawl out, and enjoy some quiet time for Celebrate the Magic and Wishes.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I have read that there are a few chairs available in the fireworks section........if this is true I am very interested for my 75 yo DM. We have been shut out of the dessert buffet, and i would really love a sit down option for her.