Wishes-Favorite Spot

[traciedee]

Anyone have a top secret or favorite spot to catch Wishes and not get caught in masses of people?

 

[Robo]

Anyone have a top secret or favorite spot to catch Wishes and not get caught in masses of people?

You had me until you added that LAST part of the sentence.

The "sweet-spot" for Wishes IS Main Street and the Hub.
(A good spot is near the "Hub-end" of the bridge between the Hub and Tomorrowland.)
These spots are where the show is "centered" and designed to offer ALL effects.
And that's where MOST people try to see it.

But...
Many view it from near the dock for the paddle-wheel Steam Ship in Liberty Square.
Some watch from the bridge that links the main Frontierland street to Splash Mountain.
Some find spots to sit in other areas of Liberty Square and Frontierland.
All of these areas offer a good view of many/most of the effects, but not all... and certainly not in the "foreground-background/dual-layer" manner in which the show is created.

I will tell you where NOT to view it.
No matter how TEMPTING it may appear before the show:
Do NOT stand on the sidewalk between the Hub and Frontierland,
or on the sidewalk between the Hub and Adventureland.
Trees nearly totally obscure the main larger fireworks, and the audio is (most-likely INTENTIONALLY) MISSING (no speakers) in these areas.

Also, the upper level of the Main Street train station (a great palce to see the "SpectroMagic" Parade) is a tempting but BAD choice for "Wishes".
They DON'T turn off the LIGHTS on the last few buildings on this end of Main Street (or on the train platform) during the show, so the lights are in your eyes the whole time.

Another "ought-to-be-GREAT-but-ISN'T choice is from the "Noodle Station" seating area (the open-air counter-service restaurant that's between Main Street and Tomorrowland).
Not only do they NOT turn off the lights here (and the sound is not clear), most of the fireworks are hidden from view by the roof of the restaurant and/or the large PYLON that's on the bridge to Tomorrowland.
(I will say that there ARE a very few spots in this restaurant area that DO offer GOOD unobstructed views, but you MUST be in those exact spots and not mind the ceiling lights being on and the lack of good sound.)

 

[kcork1026]

We say next to Dumbo and the view was SPECTACULAR

 

[Pig Pen]

The last few visits we have managed to get a relatively good spot at the Noodle Station site. If the area is patrolled by CMs they are pretty strict about moving the chairs and blocking the aisles (which is a good thing in my opinion). But to get the best spots you have to get there VERY VERY early!

We watched from the top of the train station once and thought it was a fine spot. I stood within a windowsill and was able to see find. I don't remember being bothered by the lights. However this was during a very off off peak trip and the park was practically empty. I suspect that during a busier time of year there would be no way to get a good viewing spot here.

Main Street is chaotic during Wishes. I wonder if now that the trees have been cut back in the hub if the viewing is better from over towards Adventureland?

 

[TAKitty]

We say next to Dumbo and the view was SPECTACULAR

I was next to Dumbo in July and hated it! I made my family return another day so that we could get a good view. I had to keep turning my head to see the various fireworks and some I never saw. It didn't feel like a show but rather just a bunch of fireworks. There is just something magical about seeing the fireworks from the front of the castle.

 

[Robo]

I was next to Dumbo in July and hated it! I made my family return another day so that we could get a good view. I had to keep turning my head to see the various fireworks and some I never saw. It didn't feel like a show but rather just a bunch of fireworks. There is just something magical about seeing the fireworks from the front of the castle.

Yeah, I couldn't believe someone actually would LIKE the show viewed from Fantasyland!

That would be a terrible place to view it as (like you said) you can't see BOTH SETS (layers) of fireworks together from "behind" the castle.

"Wishes" is a specially designed "work of art" that must be viewed at the correct ANGLE to be able to see the combination of fireworks together.

 

[Robo]

I wonder if now that the trees have been cut back in the hub if the viewing is better from over towards Adventureland?

Nope, as I said its AWFUL from there and the sound is "absent" (hallow, echoey and unintelligible).

I was just there (and I mean THERE, near Adventureland) within the last two weeks.

 

[Bashful'sMom]

The train station at the entrance gets my vote. We got there really early though. Spectromagic started at 7 pm, and we got there around 5:30. My 4 year old DD waited with me while DH and DD8 went to Space Mountain. Fabulous viewing spot. A nice place to relax and people watch.

 

[Golliwobbler]

we like it exactly as laid out by Robo...the hub bridge into tomorrowland. That is where it is centered, and Tink passes right overhead. Our DDs 6&8 love that.

We did watch from behind the castle in Fantasyland in front of Pooh, and it was fun to be so close to the first tier fireworks right behind the castle (they are RIGHT ON TOP OF YOU!)...I am an adrenaline junky. But once you do it once, you really don't need to do it again

 

[crazyj4488]

Without crowds = Main Street Main Plaza (provides for a quick exit ahead of crowds)

With crowds = Tomorrowland Bridge - non congested with great views (take your time exiting the park - do some shopping or have a snack - don't fight the crowds)

My .02 cents. Hope it helps.

 

[Contemporary_Man]

The only place I have found to watch the MK fireworks that will not get you caught up in the masses would be at one of the monorail resorts.

 

[gigi1313]

from a pontoon boat out in the lake! PERFECT SPOT! and if you spring for the "premium" you get flawless audio to go with it

 

[clombardi]

Standing in front of Pinochio's Village Haus. You are right under the fireworks that go off from Mickey's Philharmagic.

Added bonus: much more intimate feel because it is a smaller area. You are not surrounded by thousands of people and you can weep uncontrollably with only your family to make fun of you. Not that I have ever cried during wishes ...but I know that some of you do and would like to know where you can do it in private.

 

[GarrettJD]

I just couldn't imagine watching Wishes from anywhere except in front of the castle. There was one memorable night, though, when during an E-ride night (boy, do I miss those) we had the Wishes fireworks giong off over our heads while riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. It's a memory I won't soon forget.
(We had already seen it twice before that in front of the castle.)

 

[ajleone]

There was one memorable night, though, when during an E-ride night (boy, do I miss those) we had the Wishes fireworks giong off over our heads while riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

I used to ride BTMR at closing just so I could watch the fireworks from there. Its sooo incredible!!

I just couldn't imagine watching Wishes from anywhere except in front of the castle

I so agree, however make sure your back aways.I was watching from right in front of the castle(like where you'd sit to watch cinderellabration) one time last year and found I couldn't see most of the fireworks

 

[mum of two pirates]

great tips thanks