Wishes FP, worth it?

[SweetieinVT]

Thoughts from anyone who has used it lately on whether it is worth it. How early do you need to be there for the FP?

 

[Robo]

Thoughts from anyone who has used it lately on whether it is worth it. How early do you need to be there for the FP?

Let's go at it from a different angle...
The FPs for Wishes are all taken so fast that the chance that a guest can actually GET one is slim.

As to when to arrive...
You'll want to be there in plenty of time to see "Celebrate the Magic" which starts 15 minutes before Wishes.

As to "worth it..."
Many details, logistics, and FP+ priorities found HERE.

 

[Laketravis]

^ what he said.



.

 

[SweetieinVT]

I already have the FP, I snatched it when I saw it was available since I already had my must haves. Now I'm second guessing whether I want it though. So maybe the better question is what do you really get for the FP? If I'm still going to have to get there just as early so my kids can see anything, am I really getting anything? Looking for some insight from anyone who has used the FP lately so I can decide to keep or cancel the FP.

 

[Robo]

If I'm still going to have to get there just as early so my kids can see anything...

You won't have to be there as early as if you didn't have a FP.
And, generally, the FP+ area is not nearly as crowded as being out on the street.

The main consideration is that if you keep the Wishes FP+, it happens so late that you won't be able to make a 4th, 5th, 6th, etc. FP+ during the rest of your MK day.

One of the extra complications of FP+.

 

[Tuffcookie]

The main consideration is that if you keep the Wishes FP+, it happens so late that you won't be able to make a 4th, 5th, 6th, etc. FP+ during the rest of your MK day.

One of the extra complications of FP+.

That is the issue I have to decide on. We are having other family members join us for 4 days. They have never been to WDW before so I would like them to experience either one of the parades at MK or Wishes, in a preferred viewing section. Decisions, decisions!

 

[ajfd]

We did it once. We got to the viewing area early and were one of the first people in. That allowed us to stake out a "front row" seat where we could lay on the ground and stretch out for a bit before the shows (that may sound weird, but it makes sense if you are there). If anyone stopped in the walkway directly in front of the viewing area, CMs were quick to clear them out. Being able to chill out as a family, relax in the grass, and be able to watch such spectacular displays was quite an experience and one I will never forget.

BUT

If it is your only chance to see Celebrate/Wishes and there are not extenuating family/physical circumstances, I would generally not recommend it as the alignment for both shows is off. Better to spend a few extra minutes and stake out a spot on the "downhill" side of the Main Street bridge (closer to the Hub). Also, I'm not sure how I would have felt if we didn't get "front row" as we may not have had the option of laying down. Finally, we chose a day where we were going to all 4 parks, so we put all FP+ in MK at the end, which didn't hurt. If I were only to be going to one park (very rare for our touring style), I'm not sure that I would have been happy with the FPs being so late.

 

[cakebaker]

We find the crowds to be just too much anymore. If you get a spot early, you have to practically fight to keep people from pushing and shoving you around. If you get there late, you don't get as good a view. We considered getting a fp+, but booked the dessert party instead. It's not a perfect view, but it's decent and it will be nice to watch the fireworks without having to stay in one spot forever standing or sitting on the ground. If I didn't have the buffet, I'd be allocating a fp+ for it.

 

[reisdawg]

We find the crowds to be just too much anymore. If you get a spot early, you have to practically fight to keep people from pushing and shoving you around. If you get there late, you don't get as good a view. We considered getting a fp+, but booked the dessert party instead. It's not a perfect view, but it's decent and it will be nice to watch the fireworks without having to stay in one spot forever standing or sitting on the ground. If I didn't have the buffet, I'd be allocating a fp+ for it.

I totally agree. We once got a great location and as it started, someone moved right in front of us and took flash pictures throughout. This was very frustrating so we are getting FP+ for the parade and the fireworks.

 

[cakebaker]

I totally agree. We once got a great location and as it started, someone moved right in front of us and took flash pictures throughout. This was very frustrating so we are getting FP+ for the parade and the fireworks.

My grown daughter got her foot ran over by a wheelchair and in the process some piece of metal somewhere hit her ankle doing a pretty good number on her ankle- it was swollen and painful the rest of the trip. I had a woman who was shorter than me, literally leaning and pushing on me the entire time with her hands on my shoulders trying to peer over me until I finally turned around asked if she didn't mind, could she please keep her hands off me. She told me I was rude. lol Once I have to get nasty with someone, I find it hard to enjoy what I'm doing- so we'll just do reserved from now on.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I was able to get a fp for Wishes for our April trip. The reason I got one is because we have never been able to get a good view of Celebration the Magic or Wishes. We don't like to "stake out a place" ahead of time. We can't stand to be in huge mobs of people. And after many sideways and partial views, I just want to see the show without being in a mob. The only fp I need besides Wishes is for 7 Dwarfs, so I am fine with not getting a 4th fp. And I picked a night when we will spend the day at the pool or DTD and have a nice dinner, so we might not have time for too many fps anyway.

 

[luvgoing2disney]

We have one for our next trip, using it on the first day. Our thought was that since we will be flying in and arrive in the park around 3:00, to ride some attractions using our other 2 FP+ that we have, as well as anything ride that we can, then hopefuly make it a little easier to watch Wishes. Hopefully a more relaxing day to end the evening.

Then on Monday, we hit the parks commando style.

 

[oceanmarina]

Great question! I was wondering about this!

 

[JimmyV]

One person's opinion:
The 4th-10th FPs at the MK are worth more to me than hanging on to my third which locks me out of getting any more.
Watching Wishes isn't hard to do, and doesn't have to occupy large chunks of time. Just look up. And there they are. If you watch the fireworks from the back side of the castle, you get a great view of the fireworks and don't have to fight for a spot. The trade-off is not being able to see the pre-show. But watching that is way down on my list of priorities, which is why I started off by saying that this is just one person's opinion.

 

[Bluegrrl]

Agree totally about dessert party!!! For us, it is worth it to have an excellent spot to watch Wishes with desserts, drinks, and seating. They let you come up to the railing to watch wishes, Tink flies right above you, and there was no pushing/shoving or crowding! If it's a once in a lifetime or first time visit, then this is the thing to do. Plus, they don't "bum rush" you out, you can sit and wait for the crowds to thin out. You also can get a bit of a view of the ELP too (not great, just a glimpse).

 

[chelseabun76]

I used a fp+ for it our first full park day. It ended up being a pretty busy, crowded day... and to be able to walk into this area with room to sit on the grass and relax with ROOM around you to spread out, was amazing. We even had a little bunny hop up in front of us before it started and that was my dd's highlight of the night. lol Compared to the next night we stayed for Wishes on Main Street and had to fight for room, dodge selfie sticks and strollers, and get sore legs and feet from standing waiting for an hour, it was heaven. I would definately use it again if given the chance.

 

[hcox31]

We loved our FP for wishes. Like others said, no fighting for a spot, everyone was sitting on the grass and relaxing. We were able to sit and enjoy the show with my son who was absolutely in awe. There was also a photo pass photographer inside the FP area so we got an awesome, not crowded, castle at night shot after.

 

[prudence64]

I plan to try for one on a day when I'll be hanging around the resort during the day and just going to MK for evening activities.

 

[Wood Nymph]

By the way, where is the fp viewing area? I need to find it by April.

 

[SeilerBird]

There are a number of reasons why I think the Wishes FP+ is the best FP+ you can get. First the crowd level is much lower. You won't have someone pop up in front of you at the last moment and hold an iPad up in front of you. You are standing on grass and not concrete. But most of all the view is spectacular.