Wishes - how crowded is it?

[Penguinempress]

My husband and I are going to Disney in April, we'll be at Magic Kingdom Sunday April 10th (crowd calendars show a 6 that day). I like fireworks but I also hate people - the idea of being pushed and shoved in a giant crowd seems like a bad way to end a great day at the park. Just how packed is it? Am I going to have people actually touching me (or close to it)? We've never seen Wishes before so I'm not sure if we're missing out on something awesome or if it's just a guaranteed way to be irritated at the end of a long day. Opinions?

 

[Robo]

My husband and I are going to Disney in April, we'll be at Magic Kingdom Sunday April 10th (crowd calendars show a 6 that day). I like fireworks but I also hate people - the idea of being pushed and shoved in a giant crowd seems like a bad way to end a great day at the park.

1. Just how packed is it?
2. Am I going to have people actually touching me
3. (or close to it)?
4. We've never seen Wishes before so I'm not sure if we're missing out on something awesome 5. or if it's just a guaranteed way to be irritated at the end of a long day. Opinions?

1. Wishes viewing in the Hub area is "packed" (relatively speaking) virtually every night.
2. It's possible. Doesn't have to be that way, certainly not all the way through the show.
3. Yes. Plan on that.
4. Wishes is one of the most-loved evening spectaculars.
PLUS... starting 15 minutes BEFORE Wishes is one of the most AMAZING shows at WDW,
"Celebrate the Magic" which, to be enjoyed, requires a good view of the front of Cinderella Castle.,
5. Whether you are irritated or not is only something you can decide.
However, you will be among tens of thousands of your closest friends if you are standing in or near the Castle Hub.

 

[tndisney5]

This sounds like us. It can get really, really crowded and if you want a good standing spot you'll need to claim it early. During one of our last visits we ate dinner at Crystal Palace and caught the beginning of the 9:00 fireworks as we were leaving. Instead of hanging out there we went to ride the Magic Carpets and saw the rest of the show from the air--one of our best memories!

 

[DWillowBay]

Boy, did you pick the wrong vacation spot if you "hate people". I agree with the PP that staking your spot for Wishes early is a great idea, but don't think that there won't be MANY people around you, no matter where you decide to watch from. You'll have to decide for yourself which event is more important to you...seeing Wishes...or avoiding a crowd. You cannot do both.

 

[Penguinempress]

Thanks for the feedback guys. We're doing Epcot this year as well so maybe Illuminations would be a better bet. I understand that Disney is busy - we did 3 Disney parks & 2 Universal parks last year and had a great time. So I can deal with crowds and long lines etc. but it's the idea of being stuck in a big mob of people (potentially pushing and shoving) that gets to me (especially at the end of the day, when patience is probably running low for everyone). Maybe I'll just watch a Youtube video of Wishes instead.

 

[heidijanesmith]

I will also be there that night! Wishes is a fantastic show and the castle show is not to be missed. That said, I really don't like the crowds that come with Wishes. I get FP+ and then there is really no issue with crowds. I have never been touched, but I have been uncomfortably close to people.

 

[Robo]

I really don't like the crowds that come with Wishes. I get FP+ and then there is really no issue with crowds.

It looks like that option won't be available for much longer.

 

[heidijanesmith]

It looks like that option won't be available for much longer.

Shoot! They are taking it away completely, ugg.

 

[razor58]

I've always stood on main street between the bakery and emporium, and while it's crowded I've never experienced people in my space. At a minimum, I could easily put my elbows out and have that space, if not more, around me. And this is on a Saturday night in December. Sometimes I stake out my spot near the Disney photographers and then when they pack up, I claim that area. I've never done the Hub for wishes, but walking by it I can see it being crowded, but don't know if the view is that much better.

 

[Robo]

 

[JessicaW1234]

It looks like that option won't be available for much longer.

When is it going away?

 

[Amanda999]

OP: all good info by PPs, but I just want to urge you to NOT try to leave when the fireworks are over if you don't like a crush of humans on you. I left after Wishes on a crowd level 1 day in mid Jan. 2015 (did not seem empty at all - but apparently it was a 1) and I thought the stampede was frightening (and I didn't even have kids with me). Just do anything but try to leave the park - sit on a bench, go shop, anything else.

 

[Robo]

When is it going away?

Wishes FastPass last night would be April 18, 2016.

 

[JessicaW1234]

Wishes FastPass last night would be April 18, 2016.

Why are they getting rid of it? Will they be putting something else in its place?

 

[UncleMike101]

OP: all good info by PPs, but I just want to urge you to NOT try to leave when the fireworks are over if you don't like a crush of humans on you. I left after Wishes on a crowd level 1 day in mid Jan. 2015 (did not seem empty at all - but apparently it was a 1) and I thought the stampede was frightening (and I didn't even have kids with me). Just do anything but try to leave the park - sit on a bench, go shop, anything else.

I equate the dash to the exit after Wishes to the Running Of The Bulls in Pamplona Spain.
With over 75,000 bulls.....

 

[SaintsManiac]

You can watch from outside the park. Maybe book a meal at California Grill and enjoy them there?

 

[Robo]

1. Why are they getting rid of it?
2. Will they be putting something else in its place?

1. Looks to be cutting the costs of CMs to staff the FP areas.
2. Unlikely. But, nobody knows.

 

[Billybob7]

Where does it say they are cutting FP for Wishes? Thanks.

 

[Robo]

Where does it say they are cutting FP for Wishes? Thanks.

Get a cup of coffee (or something stronger) get comfy and read THIS thread.

 

[dachsie]

Last time I went, I was on the walkway towards liberty square just to the left of the castle and saw everything and was not crowded at all and this was Spring break last year. You can find a spot not overly crowded to be more comfortable