Wishes Fastpass+ Question

[Abbey1]

We are wanting to see both the Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes on our first night. I was planning on getting a fast pass for Wishes to avoid any stress/hassle, but now I am second guessing myself.

If we find a good spot to watch the parade from, would it be best to just stay there as opposed to making it over to the fastpass area? Is the fastpass area significantly less crowded (we'll be going the first week of February)? Or would we be able to see the electrical parade well enough from the fastpass area that we could just hang out there? Thanks!

 

[Robo]

We are wanting to see both the Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes on our first night. I was planning on getting a fast pass for Wishes to avoid any stress/hassle, but now I am second guessing myself.

If we find a good spot to watch the parade from, would it be best to just stay there as opposed to making it over to the fastpass area? Is the fastpass area significantly less crowded (we'll be going the first week of February)? Or would we be able to see the electrical parade well enough from the fastpass area that we could just hang out there? Thanks!

Viewing (if you can call it that) of the MSEP from FP+ area is very poor.
The Wishes FP+ areas just allow views of the parts of the parade that can be seen above other guests heads.
But, MSEP is designed to be seen from the curb and has many of its most singular and important elements that are just a few feet tall. The intimacy of those elements and characters make up a great deal the the unique charm of the parade.

Also, you are forgetting about the THIRD evening show at MK that many consider more exciting and fun (an innovative) than the parade or the fireworks.
"Celebrate the Magic" begins 15 min. before Wishes and takes place on the front facade of the castle. It is not to be missed.

That said, all three of these shows can be seen best from in front of the castle, either in the Hub or on the northern section of Main Street.
Spots along the parade route in that area are often claimed up to 2 hours prior to the parade start time.
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Below is a "work-in-progress" of my overview of the new Hub. Some of the "outer" sidewalks shown have not been built yet. Some of the unfinished areas have since been finished. The original photo is by Scott Keating, posted on WDWMagic.

 

[GaryDis]

Viewing (if you can call it that) of the MSEP from FP+ area is very, very poor.

If I'm reading the map correctly, that's because they allow people to stand on Main Street inside of the two FP+ areas (the pink areas), as well as around the center hub, thus blocking the view of the parade from the FP+ areas. Correct?

 

[HulkBuster]

yeah

 

[Robo]

If I'm reading the map correctly, that's because they allow people to stand on Main Street inside of the two FP+ areas (the pink areas), as well as around the center hub, thus blocking the view of the parade from the FP+ areas. Correct?

Correct. And, there will be a LOT of people standing there.

 

[GaryDis]

So if you want to see all three, and you choose to get there early enough for the parade, and have both the stamina and patience to stand around for the parade and shows, then the answer is to just do that and forget the FP+? Granted, that's a lot of stamina if it means standing around for a couple of hours before the parade, and staying around for another hour for Celebration and Wishes.

 

[Robo]

So if you want to see all three, and you choose to get there early enough for the parade, and have both the stamina and patience to stand around for the parade and shows,

1. then the answer is to just do that and forget the FP+?

2. Granted, that's a lot of stamina if it means standing around for a couple of hours before the parade, and staying around for another hour for Celebration and Wishes.

1. Yes.
2. Agreed.

 

[sara1215]

We are wanting to see both the Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes on our first night. I was planning on getting a fast pass for Wishes to avoid any stress/hassle, but now I am second guessing myself.

If we find a good spot to watch the parade from, would it be best to just stay there as opposed to making it over to the fastpass area? Is the fastpass area significantly less crowded (we'll be going the first week of February)? Or would we be able to see the electrical parade well enough from the fastpass area that we could just hang out there? Thanks!

I was hoping to catch all three shows too (also going first week of February). The hub was suggested to me as a good place to view them, but I don't plan on getting there two hours beforehand. Waiting 2-3 hours in one spot may be too much for my family. I may have to play that by ear when we actually get there.

 

[Robo]

I was hoping to catch all three shows too (also going first week of February).

1. The hub was suggested to me as a good place to view them,

2. but I don't plan on getting there two hours beforehand. Waiting 2-3 hours in one spot may be too much for my family.

3. I may have to play that by ear when we actually get there.

1. It is THE location to be able to see all three shows.
Disney has created a problem for themselves by focusing all three major evening spectaculars there.

2. It's not a necessity, but with the focus centered so tightly there, guests who DO make these shows
a priority will grab the spots early and hold on to them.

3. Yup. You can only do the best you can.

 

[ekrekel]

What happened to the Hub MSEP FP+ viewing location? I booked FPs for October and was only given the flag pole reserved area.

 

[Robo]

1. What happened to the Hub MSEP FP+ viewing location?
2. I booked FPs for October and was only given the flag pole reserved area.

1. There's still construction in that part of the Hub.
2. That's where it's been for over 6 months.
We do not know if it will stay there or move elsewhere after the Hub is completed.

 

[sdomino11]

Will you be able to be at MK on two different nights? If so, watch the parade one night and then Celebrate the Magic and Wishes on the other night. If you've got to do it in one night then I think your plan is fine. Secure a wishes FP. Grab a decent parade viewing spot and then move for Wishes because the FP area is great!