What time for Wishes FP?

[xjay]

We leave in 2 weeks and I was able to get a FP for Wishes on our arrival day. What time should we get to the FP area? I know the FP gives us a designated time to arrive, but I've heard reports of people entering the FP area like an hour or so before the FP time. It's my parents' first trip to Disney so I don't want us to be stuck all the way in the back with a bad view.

 

[Robo]

We leave in 2 weeks and I was able to get a FP for Wishes on our arrival day. What time should we get to the FP area? I know the FP gives us a designated time to arrive, but I've heard reports of people entering the FP area like an hour or so before the FP time. It's my parents' first trip to Disney so I don't want us to be stuck all the way in the back with a bad view.

No certain answer for this.
It depends on many unknown factors.
One of the unknowns is if the CMs will require guests to stand up
to view Celebrate the Magic and/or Wishes.

Based on weeks of recent reports, I would arrive at least an hour before Wishes and claim a spot.

 

[BridgetR3]

When we were there in the past, they forced everyone to sit. I certainly hope the CM's will do this on our next trip. Our fastpass says 9:40-9:55 for mid-June but I do plan to be there around 9:15ish.

 

[MommyMK]

If you need to be there an hour before showtime to secure a spot in the fast pass area, then what is the point of the fast pass? I could stake out a good spot just about anywhere an hour ahead of time.

 

[Robo]

If you need to be there an hour before showtime to secure a spot in the fast pass area, then what is the point of the fast pass? I could stake out a good spot just about anywhere an hour ahead of time.

Maybe.
Many things are changing at the Hub.

 

[xjay]

Thanks for the suggestions. Guess we'll be at the FP area around 8:50pm then.

 

[Shelby109]

We were just there last night with a Wishes FP+. We arrived around 920 (got stuck on the wrong side of the electrical light parade..haha). Our FP time was 940. It was PACKED. The cast member told my DH that they started letting people in at 8pm?!? That said, having come in really late we still found a good spot. I really wish the CM would have had everyone sit down. During our last time doing it it wasn't as crowded and everyone sat. This time it was packed and once Celebrate the Magic started everyone stood -

Still - we sat for the 20 minutes before the show started which was very nice.

Even though we arrived late, we still had a good view.

After the show was over, we stayed in that area and sat on the grass listening to music and chatting until the crowds were much less and it was easier to leave. That was really nice.

So - I think it was worth it. When we first walked in I was so disappointed as I remember our first time doing it and it wasn't crowded and we got to sit and chill. We were with my 70+ year old mother and wanted her to have spot to sit. This was different, but in the end, still worked out just fine!

 

[CAS239]

They do let people in early. About an hour+ you can enter. We've done it twice so far and we've entered about 30 minutes prior to the start of Wishes. So about 15 min before the projection show. Both times we never felt we should've arrived earlier.

There's no bad spots within the FP areas, however we highly prefer the back of it against the railing. Everyone tends to clam together toward the front and stand. We comfortably either sit on the rail in the back or sit on the turf with our back against the rail. We have plenty of room between us and the next party. So if you want to be up front against the railing with the rest of the people, I'd recommend showing up about 30-45 min before wishes. I wouldn't go in an hour ahead, that's just ridiculous lol.

 

[Missyrose]

We leave in 2 weeks and I was able to get a FP for Wishes on our arrival day. What time should we get to the FP area? I know the FP gives us a designated time to arrive, but I've heard reports of people entering the FP area like an hour or so before the FP time. It's my parents' first trip to Disney so I don't want us to be stuck all the way in the back with a bad view.

The viewing area opens to guests at 8 p.m. and people will start to trickle in around that time. Sitting in the back of the garden actually provided a better view than all the people crowding up near the front of the garden. A CM came around and told everyone to stand for CTM and Wishes. But I staged a "sit-in" and never stood up. They never said a thing to me and I enjoyed my night immensely.

 

[chefmb]

They do let people in early. About an hour+ you can enter. We've done it twice so far and we've entered about 30 minutes prior to the start of Wishes. So about 15 min before the projection show. Both times we never felt we should've arrived earlier.

There's no bad spots within the FP areas, however we highly prefer the back of it against the railing. Everyone tends to clam together toward the front and stand. We comfortably either sit on the rail in the back or sit on the turf with our back against the rail. We have plenty of room between us and the next party. So if you want to be up front against the railing with the rest of the people, I'd recommend showing up about 30-45 min before wishes. I wouldn't go in an hour ahead, that's just ridiculous lol.

We just did this last Wed. It sounds like it depends on the CMs as to whether they enforce the standing rule. I read another report of someone who went to the other fp area (front of Casey's) on the same night as us and they said about half the people stood and half sat. On our side (in front of Plaza), we were able to sit until Celebrate the Magic was over. Then the CMs came around and told everyone they must stand, which they did. It was a great view and we'd do it again. We also sat against the back rail. If you want to see more of the parade, get there by 9 and go all the way to the front so you have a better view. We got there around 9 because we were ready for a break and enjoyed sitting down in the area.
We also almost got to see security take someone out of the park! A man was sitting on the wall on the walkway behind us. The CM in charge of keeping that path clear told him that he needed to keep moving--there was no stopping on that walkway. The man refused to leave. The CM got another CM to try again. The man refused to leave. Finally, a security guard showed up and the man did leave. It was interesting! It was also funny when a woman asked a CM, "How do I get in there???" and pointed to the fp area.
When DH really likes something from our trip, it becomes a must do. The Wishes fp is now a must do for us

 

[ForeverAlice]

Great info!! Trying this out next week!! Sorry to piggyback but I just wondering do you just scan back in if you leave to get snacks?

 

[chefmb]

Great info!! Trying this out next week!! Sorry to piggyback but I just wondering do you just scan back in if you leave to get snacks?

I saw a few people leave for snacks. Not sure if they scanned back in or if the CMs just recognized who left, but I didn't see any problems. The lady right in front of us came back with a tray full of ice cream for her kids. Wish I had been with them!!

 

[xjay]

I saw a few people leave for snacks. Not sure if they scanned back in or if the CMs just recognized who left, but I didn't see any problems. The lady right in front of us came back with a tray full of ice cream for her kids. Wish I had been with them!!

Awesome! Guess we'll just get to the area around 8pm and just sit and relax before the show and fireworks

 

[mom2rtk]

The viewing area opens to guests at 8 p.m. and people will start to trickle in around that time. Sitting in the back of the garden actually provided a better view than all the people crowding up near the front of the garden. A CM came around and told everyone to stand for CTM and Wishes. But I staged a "sit-in" and never stood up. They never said a thing to me and I enjoyed my night immensely.

Hi Missy! Did Franklin shoot Wishes from that area?

 

[CAS239]

Great info!! Trying this out next week!! Sorry to piggyback but I just wondering do you just scan back in if you leave to get snacks?

Yes you can exit the area to go somewhere then scan to get back in

 

[Missyrose]

Hi Missy! Did Franklin shoot Wishes from that area?

He did, I'll tell him to post a photo from that area.

 

[mom2rtk]

He did, I'll tell him to post a photo from that area.

Thanks Missy! I'd love to know where he set up and if he had any issues with finding a spot for his tripod.

 

[Pixel Dust]

Thanks Missy! I'd love to know where he set up and if he had any issues with finding a spot for his tripod.

We chose the West side, but you can also do the respective spot on the East side.

Here's a view of the West side. I'm standing right at the FastPass+ entrance. The castle is to the left, Casey's is to the right with the red and white umbrellas. Main Street is straight ahead and beyond that is the East side and Tomorrowland Terrace.

There are 3 topiary in the middle of the FP+ viewing area. The spot I set up for fireworks (and Celebrate the Magic and MSEP... (I was really just too lazy and didn't want to move)) was behind the topiary closest to Main Street, against the back railing. I choose to stay as far back as possible as everyone else will cram to the front. That will create and empty space between you and the crowd, giving you the better view.

Here is the view from that spot. This was taken at 8:37 PM (April 21st). I got there around 8:20 and was one of the first ones let in. 16 mm on a full-frame.

MSEP from the same spot. You can only see the top of the floats from here. 120 mm.

Also from the same spot, Celebrate the Magic. 50mm lens on a full-frame camera.

Right before Wishes everyone is wonderfully considerate and moves toward the front to give you a better view. Notice, most people are in front of the topiary. The back half is nearly empty.

And of course, Wishes. This is not cropped, 16 mm. I wanted to get the topiary in the foreground, but a couple stepped right in front of it as Wishes started. (10 pm)

Those who want to use a tall tripod at this exact spot should have no issues of blocking anyone's view. There is a tall topiary directly behind this spot.

 

[mom2rtk]

We chose the West side, but you can also do the respective spot on the East side.

Here's a view of the West side. I'm standing right at the FastPass+ entrance. The castle is to the left, Casey's is to the right with the red and white umbrellas. Main Street is straight ahead and beyond that is the East side and Tomorrowland Terrace.

There are 3 topiary in the middle of the FP+ viewing area. The spot I set up for fireworks (and Celebrate the Magic and MSEP... (I was really just too lazy and didn't want to move)) was behind the topiary closest to Main Street, against the back railing. I choose to stay as far back as possible as everyone else will cram to the front. That will create and empty space between you and the crowd, giving you the better view.

Here is the view from that spot. This was taken at 8:37 PM (April 21st). I got there around 8:20 and was one of the first ones let in. 16 mm on a full-frame.

MSEP from the same spot. You can only see the top of the floats from here. 120 mm.

Also from the same spot, Celebrate the Magic. 50mm lens on a full-frame camera.

Right before Wishes everyone is wonderfully considerate and moves toward the front to give you a better view. Notice, most people are in front of the topiary. The back half is nearly empty.

And of course, Wishes. This is not cropped, 16 mm. I wanted to get the topiary in the foreground, but a couple stepped right in front of it as Wishes started. (10 pm)

Those who want to use a tall tripod at this exact spot should have no issues of blocking anyone's view. There is a tall topiary directly behind this spot.

Franklin, Franklin, Franklin...... you absolutely rock! Gorgeous shots as always!

A couple questions:

1) Just to confirm, the entrance to that west section is on the west end? I suppose that makes sense to keep from bottling up Main Street. I don't know why I pictured it on the other side. That's helpful!

2) Can I assume Wishes was at 10 that night?

3) Do you shoot the celebrate the magic show handheld or on your tripod? What were your settings on that shot? I assume you're going for a fast shutter speed.

4) How tall is your tripod?

I really appreciate the run-down. I feel a lot better about this now. I just need to put on my battle gear. We'll be there on a crowd level 9 Saturday night.

 

[Pixel Dust]

Franklin, Franklin, Franklin...... you absolutely rock! Gorgeous shots as always!

A couple questions:

1) Just to confirm, the entrance to that west section is on the west end? I suppose that makes sense to keep from bottling up Main Street. I don't know why I pictured it on the other side. That's helpful!

2) Can I assume Wishes was at 10 that night?

3) Do you shoot the celebrate the magic show handheld or on your tripod? What were your settings on that shot? I assume you're going for a fast shutter speed.

4) How tall is your tripod?

I really appreciate the run-down. I feel a lot better about this now. I just need to put on my battle gear. We'll be there on a crowd level 9 Saturday night.

Thank you!

1) Correct. The West side entrance is near Crystal Palace. East side entrance is toward Tomorrowland Terrace. After the fireworks, they both exit toward the Castle. No access along Main Street or along Plaza/Casey's side.

2) Yes, Wishes was at 10 that night. I could have probably entered at or after 9 and still would have been fine. People usually try to get spots closer to the front anyway. There were a couple folks there early with tripods to get spots in the front.

3) I shoot Celebrate the Magic on a tripod. That show is like my prep for Wishes. Equipment is set the same for both, just change camera settings for each show. No need for a mad scramble right after Celebrate the Magic to set up for Wishes. Everything is set manually since you are taking photos of video, the exposure doesn't change. I used a 50 mm f/1.4 at f/2, for a bit of sharpness. Shutter speed was at 1/30 second. You don't want to go slower than that shutter speed, or you will get blurring from multiple video frames. You also don't want to go too much faster (1/60 or 1/120 will still work), or you will get weird banding effects. My ISO was at 1600, but you can adjust it to match your aperture and shutter speed. Don't forget to lock your focus. Since I use a remote for Wishes, I'll use it here too. You can also use burst mode here. Some video sequences move quickly.

4) My tripod is 64 inches with a 5 inch ball head. I have a battery grip on the camera, so that's another inch and a half. Though, I didn't fully extend it this time. Maybe just 3-4 inches from max.

Crowd level of 9? Ouch, good luck!