Where to view Wishes after Chef Mickey's?

[Jnbm63]

We have a 7:20 Chef Mickey's on a 9:00 electrical parade and 10:00 Wishes night. We have never gone to Disney World. Would you view the fireworks and electrical parade from the Contemporary's 4th floor viewing area or head over to Magic Kingdom? Can you see the electrical parade from the Contemporary's viewing area? We are staying at the Beach Club and have young children, so I'm also trying to keep in mind what would be easiest to get back to our resort from. On another note, we have our car, would you park at the Contemporary or take their transportation?

I'm also thinking of dropping Chef Mickey's all together and seeing if the Pirates and Pals fireworks voyage is available. We have plenty of character meals, so dropping one won't be a big deal. Any thoughts on that?

Thanks!

 

[Spork24]

Unless you will be coming directly from a park to chef mickeys, I would definitely bring your vehicle. As far as where to view wishes, the fourth floor viewing area is ok, but for my family, there is nothing in the world more magical than watching wishes from The hub area of magic kingdom. It's a little bit further back to your car of course but I would definitely think it's worth it.

Also the contemporary has no view of any parade.

 

[nj disney family]

I think if this is your first time, you should definitely go in to magic kingdom and watch from main street.

 

[Alesia]

I think if this is your first time, you should definitely go in to magic kingdom and watch from main street.

I agree. Watching wishes from outside the park provides a different perspective for people who have seen it before, but it's no substitute for seeing it from inside the park.

 

[Geoff_M]

I agree that if a first-timer, Main St. or the Hub area is probably the best thing to shot for, but I'll also throw out these thoughts:
- I'm not up to speed on the current CR parking situation, but historically spaces at that resort have been at a premium. They've historically tried to make it difficult for someone to park at the resort, eat a meal, and then head to MK through the use of things like 2 hour parking passes. Paying for valet might be one other solution to this possible bump. I'd check out any CR FAQ thread on the Resorts board for more details.
- If you arrive in MK for Wishes and Main Street is too crowded for your kids to get a good view, walk around to behind the castle (the walkway between 7DMT and BoG is ideal) were the crowds will likely be sparse.

 

[Robo]

Can you see the electrical parade from the Contemporary's viewing area?

No.

we have our car, would you park at the Contemporary or take their transportation?

Resort bus to MK.
Resort Monorail to the Contemporary. (It will let you out very near Chef Mickey's.)
After Chef Mickey's, walk to MK.

 

[Jnbm63]

No.



Resort bus to MK.
Resort Monorail to the Contemporary. (It will let you out very near Chef Mickey's.)
After Chef Mickey's, walk to MK.

Thank you! That helps.

 

[Robo]

Thank you! That helps.

I also suggest that you get to Chef Mickey's by 6:45-ish, and check in as soon as they will let you.
Being "too early" beats "too late" every time.

Also, as soon as you are seated in the restaurant, ask for your check, and pay the bill as soon as you get it.
That way, you won't be delayed at the end of the meal waiting for your bill.

 

[jetengines]

We will be there in January. On our first night I have an ADR at Chef Mickey's but we will not be going into the park that day. Would the 4th floor viewing area work? What is "the hub"? If not, can you suggest a better place to view the fireworks from outside the park?

On our MK day we have a dinner ADR at BOG. Will watching the fireworks from behind the castle be "less magical"? I ask for my mom who is our Disney kiddo on this trip even with my two kiddos. She has been to MK before (it has been a few years) but she loves all things Disney. Would it be better to be on Main Street?

Thank you

 

[MakiraMarlena]

The hub is the area in front of the castle, inside the park.

There are a few places you can view Wishes from outside the park, besides the Contemporary 4th floor:

California Grill (not easy without a reservation at the restaurant)
Ohana (from the restaurant)
Narcoosees (from the restaurant)
Top of the World Lounge (open only to DVC members)
Polynesian beach or terrace (unsure if you get the music)
Grand Floridian boat dock
TTC