Will we regret missing Wishes and a night in MK?

[SFMommy]

We are not night time people...early to bed suits us very well.

We are staying at an Epcot resort, so we are planning on seeing Illuminations one night and Fantamic one night. Since we can walk back to our resort and they are both an hour earlier than Wishes...I think we can handle them.

I can't imagine staying in MK until after Wishes (at 10:00) and then dealing with getting back to our resort. But i hope we don't regret it!

It's me, DH and DD9.

Thoughts?

 

[Robo]

We love IllumiNations.
We love Fantasmic!
We love Wishes.

 

[mom2rtk]

We do rope drop almost every morning we are at WDW. We are the early to bed, early to rise sort.

But our trip wouldn't be complete without seeing Wishes at least once. There's just something about seeing the fireworks over Cinderella's castle. I think it's far more impressive than seeing the fireworks at DLR. (FWIW, we actually prefer DLR, but prefer the fireworks at the MK)

 

[Angieandsteve]

Don't skip it!!! The first time we saw it 2 years ago it brought me to tears. My mom saw it for the first time last year and I looked over at her and she had tears streaming down her face. Between it and the parade it is hands down our favorite thing to do at Disney. It truly is so magical. Sure you will be tired but we just do not plan anything early the next morning. And our daughter loves it more. She will be 9 in September.

 

[JessicaW1234]

I understand the late issue; it's way too late for our kids too!
We are going to try it once; we're giving ourselves the next morning off

 

[Taylor'sMom]

We are annual visitors. We have never done a trip WITHOUT seeing fireworks over the castle. It's a must-do for us.

We are also big fans of Fantasmic.

Illuminations we honestly don't care for as much, and often skip it.

 

[AlliGirl]

I know that a 10pm showtime is very late for little ones, but Wishes is the one show I really suggest you see at Disney! I'd say you could watch just Wishes and skip the other two. First of all, Wishes is two shows for one! Before the fireworks, they have Celebrate the Magic, which is a castle projection show. There's really no way for me to describe it...you just have to see it! It's very easily the most magical thing in all of WDW. Also, the reason I would skip Illuminations: the show does not use Disney music, characters, etc. Is it impressive and entertaining? Yes. But when it comes to comparing the two, Wishes is filled with beloved Disney characters and music, it's what you come to Disney for. You can see fireworks anywhere, but to see Tinkerbell fly and Mickey projected onto THE Cinderella Castle? That's a once in a lifetime opportunity!

I hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[mj512]

I would try to see Wishes if you can, it's a great show!

 

[5kidsmommy]

We've actually never see wishes from in front of the castle, we've always been off at other places. I guess we'll be watching it this December when we go.

 

[Disfan1968]

Must be a bummer to be seeing post after post saying you have to do wishes... but here's yet another. It's a must do for us, and has to be on the final night of our park attendance as well.

 

[hopeful4fl]

I am not a fan of crowds, but even that did not deter me from Wishes and MK.
I would definitely do it if I were you. There was something magical about it to I, so am sure your family, specially your daughter would love it.

 

[AllieBoo]

I would definitely try to see it at least once during your trip. It really is magical!

 

[Doug M]

My wife and at the time 2 yr old son missed out on MK at night in 2010 and regretted it. We realized how much last June when back now him 6 and a daughter 2. We saw wishes twice and well worth stretching bedtime. In fact, we stayed to park close at 12am once, and made 11 one other time, best time to ride rides and the oppressive summer heat was gone. Also 7DMT and BTMRR are different and more fun experiences at night.

Make the effort to stay up once, you will not be disappointed.

 

[Jfsag123]

Yep, gotta see Wishes at least one night. Our youngest was 2 the first time and we still all stayed up for Wishes. My recommendation for avoiding the crowds leaving, at least somewhat, is to watch the fireworks, then go ride one ride in Tomorrowland, then exit. You'll get out in about the same amount of time as you would have had you left immediately after Wishes, but can spend the extra time on a ride rather than slowly crawling down Main Street elbow to elbow with other people. By the time you've had your ride, it should have cleared out some. Have a great trip!

 

[pumpkin_tx1]

You NEED to see Wishes. If there is one "show" that epitomizes everything about Disney World and the absolute happiness you feel in the parks, it is Wishes. Makes me tear up every time I see it.

 

[CAS239]

When are you going? Wishes right now is at 9pm. Even if it gets bumped to 10, that's not late at all. Stay up and watch it because if you don't you'll regret it.

 

[DisneyFive]

Let me be the first to say... You really should see Wishes!

Dan

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Piling on here. Not only should you see Wishes but you should see it at the Wishes Dessert Party!...plug over.

 

[DisMommyTX]

Wishes is awesome, but you don't have to be in the middle of the crowds. The view from TTC is pretty amazing. You can drive over and park at TTC, then make a quick escape. We've also been at the end of Main Street for great views, able to make a pretty quick exit to the boats or monorail. We always stay to late to see the fireworks, then plan on a leisurely morning the next day.

 

[Monykalyn]

Another vote for Wishes-even my kids who thought Illuminations was "OK" and Fantasmic as "eh" loved Wishes enough to see it for 2 nights on our trip last year...We watched on our last night at the very end of Main street by Emporium, then caught last showing of MSEP there right outside of Emporium by Barber shop... way ahead of crowds but it did make me sad walking out our last night and looking back at the lit castle not sure when we would be back...be warned-it will make you want another trip