Wishes a must from park?

M

Melanie415

New Member
Scenario: 12 days at WDW for 3 adults and an 8 year and 5 year old. First trip.

Location: split stay BLT TPV room 7 nights, BCV 5 nights

Dates: October 16-28

Question: is seeing Wishes a Must do? Love the idea of seeing the castle projection show and Tink flying overhead. (Would like to book a dessert party to avoid crowds in "personal space" (son has Sensory Processing Disorder) and great view of Tink and the projection show., most likely on our day off for nighttime entertainment. Room viewing or park....Hmmmm? However, Fireworks are not that important cuz we could see them from our room, hopefully.
Also, plan on going to 2 MNSSHP with Hallowishes viewing from park. May decide to attend 1 party to save $ and use those funds for a Wishes dessert party on a day off instead.

This will probably be our only WDW for the foreseeable future as we are travelling from Maui.

Bonus Question: what would be more impressive for my mom's last night. Fantasmic (then running over to the Star Wars Fireworks, if they are on that night) OR an Illuminations cruise? Perhaps, seeing SW FW from boat? We will be staying at Beach club Villas that night.

*. I realize one option is "Free" with a park ticket and the other is not. Not a priority as we (minus mom) still have 4 more nights at BCV to see Fantasmic/HS FW. Plus, sharing the cruise with up to 5 others could be an option.
 
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DisneyFans4Life

DisneyFans4Life

Well-Known Member
IMO, seeing Wishes from in front of the castle is a must do...at least once...especially if it's your first time. The Wishes Dessert Party is great, but I'd check now to see if you can even get a reservation because they fill up quick.

I've never done an Illuminations cruise, so can't comment on that...but Fantasmic is always a great show to see. If you haven't looked yet...there is a dessert cruise that you can take and watch Wishes from the lagoon.
 
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sxeensweet

sxeensweet

Love a little Disney every day!! ;)
Yes if it's your first time, seeing the original Wishes (Hallowishes is different and awesome too) in MK facing the castle is top priority! Also a must if your it going back anytime soon. There is nothing like it and the other places outside of MK to view it is okay but definately not the same. Also recommend seeing all nighttime shows at all parks while there if you are first timers. We watch all of them at least once every trip. ;)
 
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JIMINYCR

JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
Yes...plan on viewing from close up inside MK. You get a very different feel being there in the park as opposed to viewing from the distance of the resort. You can also book a Wishes cruise on Bay Lake, make arrangements online for Sammy Duvalls, Contemp. We've done that as well and it was a very fun thing to do and gives you another perspective of the show.
 
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KikoKea

KikoKea

Well-Known Member
**waves from Oahu**I
Oct is a great time to go to WDW and you'll find less crowds during the week. I agree with everyone that seeing Wishes from in the park is a must, especially if you don't plan to return soon. Main St and the Hub are very crowded and people stake out spots over an hour or more ahead of time

since we are in no hurry to leave after fireworks and do not want to fight our way against the Main St crowd, we usually watch it from the Tomorrowland Bridge, right under where Tink flies. It is on the edge of the crowd and you do not get a full view of the castle and the light show, but you can still see most of it.

If avoiding crowds is essential, Fantasyland is a good place to watch the fireworks. You'll miss the show, but you are much closer to the fireworks- might be overwhelming for your son, though since some are going off nearly right overhead. You can also see the fireworks from Frontierland or Tomorrowland, but not the castle and there might be trees or buildings blocking the view of some fireworks.

We like to watch the parade in Frontierland, at the parade turn by the boat. Another fun place is near where the parade enters/leaves between AL and FL. They follow a wooded, inclined path with the music and lights on and disappear over the hill, as if they just keep going. The crowds are less, particularly if there's a second parade that night.

Don't forget the Kiss Goodnight, which is about 30 minutes after the park closes. Once everyone clears out, the castle area is empty and it is a great time to have a snack and just sit and watch the castle change colors and talk about the day. Transportation is still running so you can get on a nearly empty boat or bus to wherever you need.

At Epcot, it is pretty easy to avoid crowds during Illuminations since the area is huge and the crowds are less then. Most people sit/stand right along the fence, but you can stand back, away from everyone, and see most of the show.
 
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L

liveforholidays

Member
Melanie415 said:
Scenario: 12 days at WDW for 3 adults and an 8 year and 5 year old. First trip.

Location: split stay BLT TPV room 7 nights, BCV 5 nights

Dates: October 16-28

Question: is seeing Wishes a Must do? Love the idea of seeing the castle projection show and Tink flying overhead. (Would like to book a dessert party to avoid crowds in "personal space" (son has Sensory Processing Disorder) and great view of Tink and the projection show., most likely on our day off for nighttime entertainment. Room viewing or park....Hmmmm? However, Fireworks are not that important cuz we could see them from our room, hopefully.
Also, plan on going to 2 MNSSHP with Hallowishes viewing from park. May decide to attend 1 party to save $ and use those funds for a Wishes dessert party on a day off instead.

This will probably be our only WDW for the foreseeable future as we are travelling from Maui.

Bonus Question: what would be more impressive for my mom's last night. Fantasmic (then running over to the Star Wars Fireworks, if they are on that night) OR an Illuminations cruise? Perhaps, seeing SW FW from boat? We will be staying at Beach club Villas that night.

*. I realize one option is "Free" with a park ticket and the other is not. Not a priority as we (minus mom) still have 4 more nights at BCV to see Fantasmic/HS FW. Plus, sharing the cruise with up to 5 others could be an option.
Click to expand...
Our two kids were the same age as yours and we all really enjoyed the Pirates and pals boat trip. It is at the contemporary and starts with as much 'loot' as you want in the form of cake and snacks. Captain Hook and smee are there for photos and to have some fun with the kids. Then it is into the boats to see the water pageant on the lake followed by wishes. It was a really good view and perhaps a little easier for your son to cope with being away from the crowds and intensity within the park. I would recommend the Pirates and pals whole heartedly. We did go back and view wishes at a later date and loved the feel of being right in the middle of it all in Main Street but then we didn't have your special circumstances to worry about. I hope you all have a great time. We will be there at the same time as you across the lake at the Polynesian!
 
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Abby's Daddy

Abby's Daddy

Member
Wishes in the park is a must. We love the dessert party and do it every year. Couple of pointers on the Dessert Party though. As it takes place on the Tomorrowland Terrace the view is off to the side. So the view of the fireworks can be skewed as opposed to seeing them head on. The bonus though is that Tink does fly to the roof almost right above you so you get a great view of her going by.

Also while the dessert party is less crowded people are not required to sit at their table while the shows are presented so while there is no need to worry about what table you are seated at people will stake out an area on the railing. Sometimes depending on how busy that is that group can run 2-3 people deep, which obviously is less than the crowd in front of the castle. But if you are worried about personal space for your son if you are on the railing people due tend to crowd those people in as they are trying to get a better view.

My humble opinion though is the dessert party is a great way to see wishes without having to stake out a spot in front of the castle and definitely worth the price of admission.
 
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JohnD

JohnD

Well-Known Member
First time, definitely in the park. As for your final night, have you thought about Ferrytale Wishes? It's a dessert party on one of the ferries in Seven Seas Lagoon. Desserts, wine/cheese, sodas, and adult beverages are served. Note that times are only showing through August at this time. Hopefully September and later will open up later on.
 
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M

Melanie415

New Member
Original Poster
Thanks for all the responses! :) I've got a lot to think about. Gotta go over my itinerary and try to fit in Wishes (hopefully a dessert party, when it comes out for October).
Not sure about the Illuminations cruise yet...
 
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disneygirl76

disneygirl76

Carey Poppins - Nanny and Disney Enthusiest
Melanie415 said:
Scenario: 12 days at WDW for 3 adults and an 8 year and 5 year old. First trip.

Location: split stay BLT TPV room 7 nights, BCV 5 nights

Dates: October 16-28

Question: is seeing Wishes a Must do? Love the idea of seeing the castle projection show and Tink flying overhead. (Would like to book a dessert party to avoid crowds in "personal space" (son has Sensory Processing Disorder) and great view of Tink and the projection show., most likely on our day off for nighttime entertainment. Room viewing or park....Hmmmm? However, Fireworks are not that important cuz we could see them from our room, hopefully.
Also, plan on going to 2 MNSSHP with Hallowishes viewing from park. May decide to attend 1 party to save $ and use those funds for a Wishes dessert party on a day off instead.

This will probably be our only WDW for the foreseeable future as we are travelling from Maui.

Bonus Question: what would be more impressive for my mom's last night. Fantasmic (then running over to the Star Wars Fireworks, if they are on that night) OR an Illuminations cruise? Perhaps, seeing SW FW from boat? We will be staying at Beach club Villas that night.

*. I realize one option is "Free" with a park ticket and the other is not. Not a priority as we (minus mom) still have 4 more nights at BCV to see Fantasmic/HS FW. Plus, sharing the cruise with up to 5 others could be an option.
Click to expand...

Yes, I do think that Wishes is a must do. It's such a magical Disney moment! As for which is better - Illuminations or Fantasmic/Star Wars Fireworks - absolutely Fantasmic/Star Wars. Assuming the fireworks show is similar to what they had earlier this year, it is spectacular! And Fantasmic is such a cool show. What a magical trip you will have!!!
 
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TXDisney

TXDisney

Well-Known Member
I would say yes and I still will but it's tons less appealing now that they added it as a FP. Viewing is a pain now without it. You won't get a spot you want inside the park unless you FP it.
 
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Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Premium Member
TXDisney said:
I would say yes and I still will but it's tons less appealing now that they added it as a FP. Viewing is a pain now without it. You won't get a spot you want inside the park unless you FP it.
Click to expand...
Wishes is no longer a FP option. The special FP viewing area is now used for Wishes Dessert party guests.
 
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