Where is the best place to be to see Wishes?

[jaimee1024]

Is there a certain place that is the best place to be to see Wishes? Would it be worth driving over to the GF to watch from there? Is there any kind of excursion like there is for Illuminations? And will they be doing it during December?

 

[extraredstuff]

Last year I took the Wishes cruise from WL.... IMHO sitting in Bay Lake just past the ferryboat launch is the best place to see Wishes. Our pontoon didn't have music piped in (this was before it became an option like it is now), but we happened to be near the Grand1 and could hear it just fine.

I was able to join a fellow DISboards poster who had booked the cruise and had some openings. He was willing to share and those who were there spilt the costs. It was fantastic..... next year when my whole family goes down I'll be booking one for sure.

Check this link for more info: http://www.wdwinfo.com/recreation/fireworks.htm

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

We like to stand at the end of Main St (end near the entrance)...so that way we can run for the buses afterward

 

[travelgoddess]

is the very best place. We got there 30 minutes before the fireworks, and pulled some chairs right up to the edge, it also made a for a quick getaway.

 

[Pembo]

I had read that the top of the train station was the best and that's where we stood last June. Although it did make for a very quick exit, I didn't like that they don't turn the lights up there. We stood in the circle in front of the castle another night and I liked being in the dark much better.

 

[Dis-Wiz]

If you are just driving over to the GF, Iwould suggest to go over by the marina. If I am right, and you stand right outside the food court maybe at one of the outside tables, you will have a perfect view of the castle and the fireworks. Even though the castle is far away on the other side of the lake, you can still clearly see the different colors of the castle, tinkerbell, and sometimes even hear the music!!.

 

[Robo]

(Train Station) is the very best place. We got there 30 minutes before the fireworks, and pulled some chairs right up to the edge, it also made a for a quick getaway.

Well, I'd have to say that you were UNUSUALLY, INCREDIBLY, AMAZINGLY lucky to have found ANY "seats" at the upper level of the train station "30 minutes before the fireworks".

That's not been my experience in some 20 years of trips.

That area usually FILLS (all the CHAIRS, I mean) nearly TWO HOURS before SpectroMagic (if scheduled) and certainly at least an hour (on the short side) before the Fireworks when scheduled alone.

And, as another poster said, they no longer turn off the LIGHTS here (on the platform OR on the nearer sets of buildings on Main Street (from about the PAL MICKEY store, on up.)
So you're trying to see Wishes with hundreds of lights in your field-of-view.
Also, many of the "castle fireworks" (and most of Tinkerbell's flight) are obscured by the Main Street stores, and lastly (and probably "least") the flagpole is right in the middle of your view.

So other than that... its a pretty good spot.

 

[Pembo]

ugh...I forgot about the flagpole, that was annoying too.

 

[dawgsgirl]

My fav place is the middle of Main St between Casey's and the ice cream place.

 

[byoung]

I agree with the train platform but tkink it will be though to get a chair at the 30 minute.

 

[Robo]

I agree with the train platform but tkink it will be though to get a chair at the 30 minute.

OK, the Train Platform is a SPECTACULAR place to view SpectroMagic and even the daytime MK parade, but I just can't recommend it for Wishes.

I just got back (last month) from a trip where the Train Station is one of the spots where I videotaped the entire Wishes show.

I shot Wishes SIX different nights, each from a different location.

The Train Platform was one of the WORST two locations where I viewed/recorded the show.
I'll post the info as to WHY again:

They no longer turn off the LIGHTS here (on the platform OR on the nearer sets of buildings on Main Street (from about the PAL MICKEY store, on up.)
So you're trying to see Wishes with hundreds of lights in your field-of-view.
Also, many of the "castle fireworks" (and most of Tinkerbell's flight) are obscured by the Main Street stores, and lastly the flagpole is right in the middle of your view.

I'm not so much trying to ARGUE as I am just making sure folks won't make a mistake in staking-out a good Wishes viewing position.

I'm actually EDITING my Wishes video RIGHT NOW, and the "good" shots I have from the Train Platform are "few and far-between".
(I have much better shots from the beach at the Poly-- MUCH better!)

(BTW, the other "worst place" was on the sidewalk between the Hub and Liberty Square/Frontierland... STAY AWAY from THERE, too!)

 

[jaimee1024]

Thanks for all your input! What is Spectro magic?

 

[Robo]

Thanks for all your input! What is Spectro magic?

Its just the "best darn parade" in the Magic Kingdom!

It takes place at night and all the floats, costumes, characters and props are COVERED with thousands (hundreds of thousands?) of miniature lights.

Beautiful original music, mixed with the classic music of Disney films and attractions.
Many of your favorite characters and films are represented in the show.

Don't miss it. Its a wonderful experience!

Its the successor to the "Main Street Electrical Parade" that ran in WDW for many years... which can now be seen in Disney's California Adventure park in (where else?) California.

 

[Mcmouse]

I shot Wishes SIX different nights, each from a different location.

The Train Platform was one of the WORST two locations where I viewed/recorded the show.

What was the best place inside MK to view Wishes from?

 

[DebbieB]

What was the best place inside MK to view Wishes from?

My favorite place I've seen it is along the walkway between the tip board and Crystal Palace. If you stand at the railing, there is a hill going down to a pond, so no one can stand in front of you and you get a clear view of the castle.

 

[Robo]

What was the best place inside MK to view Wishes from?

The preferred spot to watch Wishes is from Main Street or somewhere around the "Hub" (the circular area right in front of the Castle where the other "Lands" are entered.)
The real "SWEET SPOT" is exactly in front of the ICE CREAM shop.
(Don't stand under the umbrella tables, just NEAR them.)
From this spot, the fireworks appear "centered" over the castle (can be very crowded here, though).
Up Main Street as far as the PAL MICKEY store is great viewing as well.
These areas are where Wishes is DESIGNED to be fully appreciated.
The Castle's front facade (with added lighting and projections) is actually a part of the show.

The next-preferred spot is on the bridge between the Hub and Tomorrowland (on the Hub end, not Tomorrowland.)

"Tinkerbell" also flies from the top of the castle over to just above the "Noodle Station" open-air restaurant at one point early in the show.

The reason to see Wishes at least ONCE from the "sweet spot(s)" is that there are "front" fireworks (fired from the roofs of Fantasyland) that are best viewed from in front of the castle.
There are "rear" fireworks that are aimed to erupt behind (and centered over) the Castle.
So, if you can withstand the CRUSH of people, the Main Street area is tops for viewing "Wishes".

WARNING: No matter how tempting in may seem... Do NOT stand on the sidewalk between the Hub and Frontierland OR on the sidewalk between the Hub and Adventureland... the (nearly INVISIBLE in the dark) trees BLOCK the main fireworks and the sound is ABSENT/MUFFLED here (by design?).

AND, in spite of how good the idea may look before the show, unless you know EXACTLY what you're doing, do not attempt to view Wishes from the Noodle Station seating area.
There are only a couple of tables with a good view... and from THEM, its very good...
BUT, at the rest of the seating (nearly all) at this restaurant area, the main fireworks are blocked by various obstacles and they don't turn off the lights or pipe in the music.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Our favorite place to see the fireworks in Ohanas or the beach at the Poly... esp. the holiday versions since they shoot off fireworks all around the lagoon. Also the music is pumped in and NO crowds...