Wishes & OUAT viewing for small kids

[starjazz]

Is there a spot where I won't have to lift my kid up to see OUAT and Wishes? The fireworks, usually not a big deal since they're in the sky, after all. But the projection shows are often tough. I hate to be the guy with my kids on my shoulders blocking views, but at the same time, a 3-4' kid standing behind a 6' adult makes things pretty tough.

 

[mom2rtk]

Is there a spot where I won't have to lift my kid up to see OUAT and Wishes? The fireworks, usually not a big deal since they're in the sky, after all. But the projection shows are often tough. I hate to be the guy with my kids on my shoulders blocking views, but at the same time, a 3-4' kid standing behind a 6' adult makes things pretty tough.

Just as a 6 foot guy with a 3 foot kid on their shoulders makes things pretty tough for the person right behind you.

 

[starjazz]

Just as a 6 foot guy with a 3 foot kid on their shoulders makes things pretty tough for the person right behind you.

Right, which doesn't answer my question at all, and completely misses that I wrote "I hate to be that guy...".

I swear, some people just like hanging out in here for the debates.

 

[mom2rtk]

I hope you find an alternate spot.

My apologies if I misread your intentions. I read as meaning that if you didn't find an alternate spot, that's what you would do. Sorry if I read that wrong.

 

[starjazz]

I hope you find an alternate spot.

My apologies if I misread your intentions. I read as meaning that if you didn't find an alternate spot, that's what you would do. Sorry if I read that wrong.

I would lift my kids up....like, hold them in my arms. I'm not the guy that blocks everyone else's view with my kid, a large iPad, or anything else. Problem is, they're getting bigger and heavier, so I was hoping to find a place where we could either sit, or stand up against a railing with no one in front, etc. Something like that. Thanks for the apology.

 

[elaine amj]

I like to find a spot with a railing,etc in front of me where someone else cannot stand. My kids are now in their teens and that's still our preference - I'm only 5ft and its hard to see around other people. For fireworks, this usually means a spot around the Hub.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If it's an option and seeing Wishes and OUAT with a good view is important to you, I would suggest considering the Wishes dessert party with Plaza Garden viewing if it's available. We have been going to WDW for years and I swore, after countless times staking out spots and still never being able to see or getting crushed by crowds at the last minute, that we would never do the MK fireworks again. This past December DS9 and I (I'm 5'2", he's 4'6") finally sprang for the dessert party as a special treat. The difference was stunning. In the Plaza Garden viewing section, there was no crowd and, if you go to the back railing, there will be no one standing in front of you. I mean, we could have done cartwheels back there without bumping into anyone. And, though, they open the space to general guests for OUAT, no one really came in there the night we saw it. Yes, it comes with a price tag, but you will have a spectacular, uncrowded, unobstructed view of Wishes no matter your height.

 

[starjazz]

I like to find a spot with a railing,etc in front of me where someone else cannot stand. My kids are now in their teens and that's still our preference - I'm only 5ft and its hard to see around other people. For fireworks, this usually means a spot around the Hub.

Are there places in the hub where there's a railing with no one on the other side of it? Like, truly blocked off parts that would give the littles a better view? How do most other little kids see the castle for the projection show?

 

[elaine amj]

I believe the redo of the hub in the last couple of years created more viewing locations. I didn't look that closely to be honest and my brain is still stuck on the old hub design. Anyway, I usually stake out a spot right in the centre so the Walt and Mickey statue is right in front of me. No one can stand in front of u. It gets crowded but people always sit until it gets close to showtime. I do tend to get my spot pretty early though - we like the night shows a lot and we like our fave spots so usually set aside the time to stake it out early.

 

[AngiTN]

Are there places in the hub where there's a railing with no one on the other side of it? Like, truly blocked off parts that would give the littles a better view? How do most other little kids see the castle for the projection show?

It's really not that hard to see. The castle is up. DGD has never struggled to see it. The key is not standing too close. Further back, closer to Casey's is great.

 

[starjazz]

I believe the redo of the hub in the last couple of years created more viewing locations. I didn't look that closely to be honest and my brain is still stuck on the old hub design. Anyway, I usually stake out a spot right in the centre so the Walt and Mickey statue is right in front of me. No one can stand in front of u. It gets crowded but people always sit until it gets close to showtime. I do tend to get my spot pretty early though - we like the night shows a lot and we like our fave spots so usually set aside the time to stake it out early.

Wouldn't it be better if everyone just stayed seated? That'd get my vote, but impossible to regulate I suppose.

 

[AngiTN]

If it's an option and seeing Wishes and OUAT with a good view is important to you, I would suggest considering the Wishes dessert party with Plaza Garden viewing if it's available. We have been going to WDW for years and I swore, after countless times staking out spots and still never being able to see or getting crushed by crowds at the last minute, that we would never do the MK fireworks again. This past December DS9 and I (I'm 5'2", he's 4'6") finally sprang for the dessert party as a special treat. The difference was stunning. In the Plaza Garden viewing section, there was no crowd and, if you go to the back railing, there will be no one standing in front of you. I mean, we could have done cartwheels back there without bumping into anyone. And, though, they open the space to general guests for OUAT, no one really came in there the night we saw it. Yes, it comes with a price tag, but you will have a spectacular, uncrowded, unobstructed view of Wishes no matter your height.

If that location is what you are after you don't have to book a Dessert Party. Only half the Plaza garden is for the party. The other half is open to anyone

 

[kj2mom]

We had a little one with us last year and we were in the Plaza Garden area (not dessert party, just the open area) with a wonderful view. There was no need to lift her up, she could see just fine. We were towards the back near the railing.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Don't tell anyone, but the garden areas in front of Plaza and Casey's (the one-time FP areas) are BY FAR the #1 most overlooked spots for OUAT and Wishes viewing. For whatever reason - I guess the way the fence surrounds the area - people just don't go there!

I have consistently been able to find decent, often SEATED viewing in these locations during even heavy crowd times.

Here's where I'm talking about just in case it's not clear. Caveat, I am not sure if the dessert party people reference above takes up all of the east garden in front of Plaza or only some of it, I'm just not sure. The Casey's side is where I tend to end up.

It's not a 'perfect' view of OUAT, but it's 'good enough' for me.



This was a few weeks ago. I'm sitting towards the middle / left of the west circle above. In my experience most people in this area tend to sit. I have seen where people in the "front" stand which causes everyone to have to stand (and boo/hiss!).

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If that location is what you are after you don't have to book a Dessert Party. Only half the Plaza garden is for the party. The other half is open to anyone

Right, but the part open to anyone gets crowded (see photo above). If you want a great view and NO crowds, book the party.

 

[ShellieMimi]

Don't tell anyone, but the garden areas in front of Plaza and Casey's (the one-time FP areas) are BY FAR the #1 most overlooked spots for OUAT and Wishes viewing. For whatever reason - I guess the way the fence surrounds the area - people just don't go there!

I have consistently been able to find decent, often SEATED viewing in these locations during even heavy crowd times.

Here's where I'm talking about just in case it's not clear. Caveat, I am not sure if the dessert party people reference above takes up all of the east garden in front of Plaza or only some of it, I'm just not sure. The Casey's side is where I tend to end up.

It's not a 'perfect' view of OUAT, but it's 'good enough' for me.

View attachment 223967

This was a few weeks ago. I'm sitting towards the middle / left of the west circle above. In my experience most people in this area tend to sit. I have seen where people in the "front" stand which causes everyone to have to stand (and boo/hiss!).
View attachment 223968

We tried sitting twice. Both times, people came & stood directly in front of us. We learned to stand at the rail. "Boo/hiss" away!

 

[starjazz]

Alright, this year, we're gonna check out the Plaza Garden, then. Looks reasonable. How early does one need to set up camp in there? Is is legit to send in a couple people with a blanket to hold down the fort for the rest of the family?

 

[starjazz]

We tried sitting twice. Both times, people came & stood directly in front of us. We learned to stand at the rail. "Boo/hiss" away!

Do you prefer the rail because of the gap between you and folks in front of you?

Regarding boos and hisses, I suspect if you're at the rail, and the people immediately on the other side of the rail are standing, that'd force you to stand as well.

 

[ShellieMimi]

Do you prefer the rail because of the gap between you and folks in front of you?

Regarding boos and hisses, I suspect if you're at the rail, and the people immediately on the other side of the rail are standing, that'd force you to stand as well.

Yes - that and so that nobody else in the area can block your view! The rail is one side of a rectangular plant bed, so you get a bit of a buffer as nobody is directly on the other side of it. You have the space occupied by the plants between you and the next rail.

Also, the fireworks are "up," but the projection show is not.

 

[starjazz]

Also, the fireworks are "up," but the projection show is not.

Right, this is what I was wondering about - giving the kids a better view of OUAT. Given we'll be there on Friday of this week, and it's nearing some pretty busy Spring Break time, how much time before the show do you think we'd need to be there to get that spot?