Wishes:fastpass or a good spot to watch

[heatherking06]

Suggestions:
This is our second trip to Disney! We r going dec 16-21. Didn't get to see Wishes bc we were staying so far out (AoA) everyone was so tired to go back, so we r staying at Contemporary this time! Should we fastpass Wishes or are there other great places to watch parade and fireworks as well. We r planning on going to MK the night we get there, the 17th, and have pirates and pals booked for the 18th. I've seen wishes from far away like Ohana and observation deck at Contemporary but want closer.

 

[Robo]

Less crowded than on Main Street, but still spectacular viewing can be found near the Hall of Presidents, or deep into Frontierland, past the Country Bears. (But, from those locations you won't be able to see the spectacular, not-to-be-missed show that is actually projected on the front of the Castle, "Celebrate the Magic," which begins about 15 minutes before the fireworks.)

 

[PoohsHunnyBee]

Wishes FP area was great. If you can get it for your arrival night, do it! It's a nice view and much less crowded and chaotic than the surrounding area. Perfect for an arrival night when you wouldn't be trying for a 4th FP anyway.

There are other great places to watch (and better places if MSEP is a priority) but we got an OK view of MSEP standing in the SE corner of the West FP area on Robo's map (able to see most of the ground-level characters and floats through a gap CMs kept clear for a walkway) and a fantastic view of CTM and Wishes while sitting on the astroturf.

 

[Danman]

Robo's map is excellent as always. There is another place we try to make at least once every trip and that is behind the castle. Standing between small world and the carousel you are literally in the middle of it looking in several directions. Not the traditional view but the advantage here is no crazy crowds.

 

[theone74733]

I love the FP viewing area for Wishes. Basically you are able to watch 3 shows for one FP (MSEP, Celebrate the Magic, and Wishes). Also, there is a long ledge for sitting or you can sit on the grass area while you wait for shows to begin. I saw people on Main Street without FP standing for long periods of time from the beginning of MSEP to the end of Wishes which didn't look fun. It was nice having a sit for a few minutes in between shows before you stand for Wishes to start.

There is also plenty of room between you and the nearest stranger. I had at least 4-feet between me and the nearest person. If I were standing on Main Street, it would be shoulder to shoulder.

 

[Robo]

I cannot agree that the Wishes FP areas offer a good view of MSEP.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

So, for MSEP, should we be on the north or south side of the walkway in front of Hall of Presidents?

 

[abinormal]

I used a FP on our trip and I loved it. It wasn't terribly crowded, and I didn't feel swept up in the cattle rush to the exit, we hung around for a bit to let it thin out.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Does anyone know if the Wishs FP+ area is "open for everyone" during MNSSHP? If we went to the party, would we be able to watch fireworks from this area?

 

[theone74733]

I cannot agree that the Wishes FP areas offer a good view of MSEP.

Yeah, the MSEP view is around 5 rows back plus the row for people to walk, but I didn't care too much about front row seats for the parade. I think it also helps that I am 6' 2" so I can see mostly everything okay.

 

[jacknsally19]

honestly, I think the best views of wishes is from your hotel! I love watching it off the 4th floor where the pipe I. The music. Don't waste your FP on wishes if you will be staying at CR

 

[WIcruizer]

I've found Fantasyland is a great spot. The fireworks near the castle go almost right over your head, and you can see the "bigger" fireworks perfectly. Plus, it's not crowded at all. We can always find a seat near the carousel.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I personally would skip the FP for Wishes. I actually prefer the sections on the map that are listed as good/ok because I like to get a view down Main Street with the Castle and fireworks. I know you're packed in the crowd on MS, but I just love the view down MS with the castle and fireworks at the end. For me, not worth wasting a FP.

 

[JustAKid]

I cannot agree that the Wishes FP areas offer a good view of MSEP.

If this is true, is it possible to get from the Hall of Presidents to the Wishes FP viewing area in time to see both things in one night?

 

[Robo]

1. Does anyone know if the Wishs FP+ area is "open for everyone" during MNSSHP?
2. If we went to the party, would we be able to watch fireworks from this area?

1. Yes.
2. Yes.

 

[Robo]

If this is true, is it possible to get from the Hall of Presidents to the Wishes FP viewing area in time to see both things in one night?

Depends on the crowd level that evening.

You will have about 15 minutes after the parade fully passes there to then make your way through the crowd to the FP area before "Celebrate the Magic" begins.

 

[401Disney]

Robo's map is solid per the usual.

When I went with my wife in may for our honeymoon we did wishes FP and got there early and had an awesome view of Celebrate the Magic and Wishes. It wasn't crowded in the viewing area by any means at all except for directly in the front. My wife and I stayed towards the back a bit and had enough room to sit down on the "grass" and relax while watching the fireworks.

Because we got there pretty early we were able to catch some of MSEP while we waited for Celebrate the Magic. Would I recommend this as a good spot for viewing the parade? Definitely not. You can see some of the floats that are higher in the air but you can't see anything that's actually down on the street. If you wanted to have good views of both id follow robos map/advice and then just head over to the FP viewing area after the parade ends.

 

[GreatLakes]

It has been years since I watched Wishes from inside the park. We have watched it from the Poly beach (even post bungalow construction) and from California Grill since and it is a much better experience IMO. If I were staying at the Contemporary I'd make a reservation just before Wishes one night or watch it from the level 4 observation deck.