Watching Wishes from Pinocchio Village Haus or Other Similar?

[kaymil]

I have seen Wishes before, albeit it was 7 years ago (No idea why we haven't watched it once the past 3 times we've been at Disney...). My boyfriend has not seen them, though, and I don't think he would enjoy it as much standing in the crowd on Main Street trying to see around shoulder kids. So I'm looking for a more chill place to sit with a reasonable view (neither of us would care if we couldn't see Tinkerbell's flight). Which brings me to my question:

I've seen it mentioned on a few different websites that it is possible to watch Wishes from Pinocchio Village Haus. Has anyone ever done this before? If so:
1. does the music come through well in that area? That's all I really care about
2. Is it well-known by others that this is an option (meaning, does it get crowded up there and do we need to stake out a spot more than 30 min. early)?

I'm also wondering about Celebrate the Magic. Is it projected on the back of the castle as well? Would we be able to see it at all from any location (including Village Haus) besides standing on Main/the Hub?

Are there other good sitting spots for CTM/Wishes that you know of besides the train station?

 

[Robo]

Never mind.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I do know that Celebrate the Magic is not projected on the back of the castle.

Use FP+ for it, if you can get it or if you can stand giving it up for another attraction. It's not a head on view, but you sit on the ground in an uncrowded area with no shoulder kids.

 

[SnapesGirl]

Standing behind the castle is definitely a different experience than watching Wishes from the front. We had seen it several times from Main Street and just didn't feel like fighting the crowds. About 10 minutes before Wishes, we grabbed a seat on the benches outside Pinnochios and there were barely any people there. The view was fantastic. The fireworks go off right on top of you and all around you. There were times where I didn't know where to look, but it was definitely a great view and our new spot for Wishes!

Your other option would be to do the Dessert Party. We do it once a trip and at least from there you can see the castle projection show and the fireworks!

 

[kaymil]

Standing behind the castle is definitely a different experience than watching Wishes from the front. We had seen it several times from Main Street and just didn't feel like fighting the crowds. About 10 minutes before Wishes, we grabbed a seat on the benches outside Pinnochios and there were barely any people there. The view was fantastic. The fireworks go off right on top of you and all around you. There were times where I didn't know where to look, but it was definitely a great view and our new spot for Wishes!

Your other option would be to do the Dessert Party. We do it once a trip and at least from there you can see the castle projection show and the fireworks!

I've considered the dessert party, but it seems to be booked at this point, and I am gluten intolerant so am worried that I would be paying for a lot of desserts I would only be able to stare at longingly

 

[puffkin]

I could care less about just fireworks. We never go see them at home during the 4th of July. It is the show elements, music and the synchronization that I love about the Disney fireworks shows. I would suck it up and deal with the crowds for a first viewing. It was designed that way for a reason. If you were veteran visitors I don't see a problem with your plan if you like just fireworks, but not for a first showing of Wishes.

 

[subtchr]

I agree with the PPs, for the first viewing I think you should see it from the front of the castle somehow. Especially since you would totally miss Celebrate the Magic, which is amazing. I'd say sacrifice a FP+ to it if you don't want to be in the crowds.

I actually enjoy talking to people around me waiting for nighttime shows, but I DON'T like all the shoulder kids blocking my view. So I'd say FP+ is the way to go.

 

[Robo]

I'd say FP+ is the way to go.

But, the likelihood of being able to actually GET a FP+ for the evening parade and/or fireworks is very low.

There are so very few of them available that they get snapped up quickly.

 

[Traveliz]

I've considered the dessert party, but it seems to be booked at this point, and I am gluten intolerant so am worried that I would be paying for a lot of desserts I would only be able to stare at longingly

My husband has celiac's and has been to the party many times....the array of desserts they bring out for the gluten free guest is amazing. I would not eliminate the Dessert Party based on that fear.

Liz

 

[kaymil]

But, the likelihood of being able to actually GET a FP+ for the evening parade and/or fireworks is very low.

There are so very few of them available that they get snapped up quickly.

Yeah, FP+ really isn't an option for us because we are only at WDW for one day (tragedy, I know), so we're using our FPs at HS and we won't be at MK until around 2:30.

Our current 9 PM BOG reservation is holding us back some, which is why I'm looking for a place that is relatively unknown that we can just sneak up to shortly before Wishes starts. I don't want to try and make it all the way back to Main Street and push through the crowds. I won't be crushed if we can't see CTM as I just saw it this summer.

On a somewhat related note, what about sit down places to view the 3 pm parade? Again, I think the BF will be willing to see the parade if we can sit and relax, but we won't be at the park until 2:30ish. I assume our options will be limited, but are there somewhat unknown tables outside of any of the Adventureland/Liberty Square buildings we could snag?

 

[kaymil]

My husband has celiac's and has been to the party many times....the array of desserts they bring out for the gluten free guest is amazing. I would not eliminate the Dessert Party based on that fear.

Liz

Thanks for the tip! If we're able to move our BOG reservation to an earlier time I'll definitely consider it! Did you feel like the cost was worth the experience? I've seen very mixed sentiments about the dessert party.

 

[Robo]

3 pm parade... we won't be at the park until 2:30ish.... are there somewhat unknown tables outside of any of the Adventureland/Liberty Square buildings we could snag?

I'd say about a zero percent chance of that.
Sorry.

 

[kelleybean]

We always watch the fireworks in that area. You don't get the effect of the fireworks going off around the castle, and the fireworks go off around you in several different directions. But for us the trade off of not dealing with the crowds is worth it.

 

[kaymil]

We always watch the fireworks in that area. You don't get the effect of the fireworks going off around the castle, and the fireworks go off around you in several different directions. But for us the trade off of not dealing with the crowds is worth it.

This is what I'm thinking. As long as we can hear the music and see the majority of the fireworks, I think we'll be happy. And not having to fight through crowds to get back to Main Street will be worth it I hope.

 

[kaymil]

I'd say about a zero percent chance of that.
Sorry.

I had a feeling this would be the case. Maybe we'll get lucky and find a good spot. If not, oh well. I'm not opposed to standing if necessary.

 

[Traveliz]

Thanks for the tip! If we're able to move our BOG reservation to an earlier time I'll definitely consider it! Did you feel like the cost was worth the experience? I've seen very mixed sentiments about the dessert party.

Well as I mentioned we have done it many times so I guess I would say yes it is worth it to us. I like sitting, spending some down time and desserts so it's a win win for me.

Liz

 

[Kirby]

We were there last week. We've been before so watching the fireworks from in front of the castle was not important. We watched them from the bridge between Be Our Guest restaurant and Gaston's Tavern. They were just as beautiful and sometimes seemed right overhead. There was little to no people around. That will be our go to fireworks spot from now on.

 

[allysetraskos]

We watched it from Cosmic Rays... Totally by accident, my husband went to use the bathroom and when he came back my son had passed out on a table.. Nobody was there, pretty decent view by the window and we ate dinner while watching.

 

[kaymil]

We watched it from Cosmic Rays... Totally by accident, my husband went to use the bathroom and when he came back my son had passed out on a table.. Nobody was there, pretty decent view by the window and we ate dinner while watching.

Awe, so sweet!

I was wondering about Cosmic Rays; it looked like it may have somewhat of a view. Maybe we'll try that!

 

[coolbrook]

We watched the parade from the dock for the Riverboat ride leaning on the rails. It was a little farther back but we had a good view and no one around us.