Wishes FP+ - is it worth it?

[SteveInOmaha]

On Friday, Jan. 10 we'll be in MK and I'm considering getting FP+ for Wishes. Couple of questions:

1) Is is worth it? Where is the reserved area? Do you really get THAT much better of a view?
2) We've never seen Celebrate the Magic. Sounds cool. Is THAT better from the Wishes reserved viewing area, or is that better if you're further back to "take it all in"?
3) If we have FP+, does that guarantee us a spot in the reserved area?

Thanks.
Steve in Omaha

 

[Robo]

on friday, jan. 10 we'll be in mk and i'm considering getting fp+ for wishes. Couple of questions:

1a) is is worth it?

1b)Where is the reserved area?

1c) Do you really get that much better of a view?

2) we've never seen celebrate the magic. Sounds cool. Is that better from the wishes reserved viewing area, or is that better if you're further back to "take it all in"?

3) if we have fp+, does that guarantee us a spot in the reserved area?

Thanks.
Steve in omaha

1a) Depends on, well, everything else you're planning that day and how busy the park is.

1c) "Better view" is not the real reason. In fact, the view is "off angle" quite a bit.
It will mainly save having to grab a spot up to hours before Wishes starts, if the park is busy.

1b)

2) Celebrate the Magic's view from the Wishes FP+ area is OK. It is still quite "off angle."
The show can be better seen centered to the castle.

3) It does if you arrive within the specified arrival time window.

 

[letsgoreds]

We used both MSEP and Wishes FP+ during the second week in December, and they were two of our favorite experiences (Wishes was DH's favorite). We hopped to MK that evening just for this, so didn't need the FP+ during the day (rope drop at Epcot). It was a slow period, but a not reccomended day for MK, because it was only 1 of 2 nights that MSEP was on (other nights were party nights). So...it was packed, and the roped off areas were awesome.

For Wishes, what we loved is bringing our ponchos to lay down on (blanket or towels would work too), decent view of the castle show (a bit off center), having Tinkerbell fly right over our heads, and the best view for fireworks.

The Wishes area is a big, grassy gated area that is maybe filled 25%. Everyone was sitting for our show, so laying down, with kids crawling on you was lovely. Otherwise, it is tricky finding a spot for the kids to see, as most everyone stands up and packs in in front of the castle. As you see in the maps, definitely stay in the back area of the hub, as the castle blocks a lot of the fireworks.

There were also a couple of benches in the Wishes FP+ area that my inlaws used, and a Photopass Photographer, which was fun.

If you need the FP+ for other headliners, you can skip it, but if you have a larger party, older or younger people in your group, or want to do something special to finish up a magical day, then I say go for it.

 

[MUtiger98]

We had the FP+ for Wishes on Christmas Eve. The park was INSANE, but once we got to the Rose Garden we went in and had plenty of room. DD1 (9 years old) lay down in the grass and watched the fireworks from there. There were likely only 150 or so folks in there.

 

[nkereina]

In November, we only did MSEP FP+. During the parade, the ropes are taken down for the MSEP FP+ reserved area so once the parade was over, we stayed in place for Wishes. We had a spot leaning against a railing. Worked out well, and allowed us to have an extra FP+ to use on something else.

 

[swebb0310]

I've been trying to figure out where the location of the fp+ area for the parade is. I have tried to open Robo's picture but I have never been able to open it.

 

[Robo]

I've been trying to figure out where the location of the fp+ area for the parade is. I have tried to open Robo's picture but I have never been able to open it.

Try clicking HERE.

 

[swebb0310]

Thanks!! That worked! That's where I thought it was.

 

[heidi8]

Last night, we had FastPass+ for the Main Street Electrical Parade, and we didn't have to move out of that area for the fireworks; if you don't mind having it take at least 30 minutes on a crowded day for you to get back to the front of Main Street afterwards, I would recommend doing the MSEP FP+ and planning to stay in that area through the fireworks. While we ended up not staying for the fireworks last night, as we'd already seen them on this trip and the little ones were very tired, our friends did stay in that spot and thought the view of the fireworks was absolutely perfect. More straight-on than the Rose Garden, to be sure!

 

[jodeeb]

Can anyone tell me how the Fire Works Desert Party compares to the Firework FP+. We have a reservation for the Desert Party for my birthday in June, but now I am wondering if I should just try for the FP+ option.

 

[SteveInOmaha]

Thanks all! So on Friday, January 10 would Main St. be jam-packed? Should we go with the FP+ viewing for Wishes?

Steve in Omaha

 

[alh921]

We LOVED the FP+ area for Wishes. Full disclosure, I am not super concerned with having a dead center view of the castle, so it being a little off-center did not bother me in the slightest. Having an unobstructed view while being to stretch out on the well-manicured lawn and SIT through the whole show more than made up for it being a little off-center. There was no pushing, kids on shoulders in the way, etc.

The other awesome thing about it was being able to walk up to the area and get situated less than 10 minutes before the start of the projection show.

 

[Robo]

Last night, we had FastPass+ for the Main Street Electrical Parade, and we didn't have to move out of that area for the fireworks; if you don't mind having it take at least 30 minutes on a crowded day for you to get back to the front of Main Street afterwards, I would recommend doing the MSEP FP+ and planning to stay in that area through the fireworks. While we ended up not staying for the fireworks last night, as we'd already seen them on this trip and the little ones were very tired, our friends did stay in that spot and thought the view of the fireworks was absolutely perfect. More straight-on than the Rose Garden, to be sure!

Thanks all! So on Friday, January 10 would Main St. be jam-packed? Should we go with the FP+ viewing for Wishes?

If you stay in the MSEP FP+ area, many of the fireworks of Wishes will be blocked by the castle.
A simple solution is to wait until very near the end of the parade,
then turn and walk about 50 feet south (on the opposite side of the "Partners" statue in the center of the Hub.)
I've included red arrows to show where to MOVE
for viewing Wishes (and Celebrate the Magic) just as the parade passes the parade FP+ reserved area.

If you can't see the map above, click HERE.