Wishes from the Contemporary

[disnerd]

Hello, everyone! I'm not sure if I am posting in the right category so feel free to move the thread if needed.

I was just wondering if anyone has watched Wishes! from the top of the Contemporary? My mother and I have a reservation for one night in July and we are planning on watching Wishes! from the resort. What were your opinions on it? Was it worth it? Thanks!

 

[ABQ]

Well, opinions are just that. Mine, it was underwhelming. Sure, it's a totally different perspective, but when you watch from up there, at the odd angle, it really shows you how the designers intended it to be seen from the hub.

 

[copcarguyp71]

Well, opinions are just that. Mine, it was underwhelming. Sure, it's a totally different perspective, but when you watch from up there, at the odd angle, it really shows you how the designers intended it to be seen from the hub.

I was pretty much going to type exactly this! It was a neat experience but the perspective really is ruined. A lot of what seems like it is going off right behind the castle is actually back behind the railroad and all of the layered effects are lost in the off angle viewing. Worth doing once but IMO it is over rated.

 

[zurgandfriend]

We do it just about every trip and we love it. As stated it does give you a different perspective but we find it very enjoyable.

 

[epcotisbest]

I think it is a fantastic view. We have watched from Cali Grill and Top of the World lounge multiple times and found it to be an incredible view. Now, mind you, we have seen Wishes from inside the parks many, many times, so we see the different perspective as a nice change of pace.

 

[Tom]

Well, opinions are just that. Mine, it was underwhelming. Sure, it's a totally different perspective, but when you watch from up there, at the odd angle, it really shows you how the designers intended it to be seen from the hub.

Yup, this.

If you can be in the park, watch it from there. Contemporary is OK, but as stated, you lose the depth since you can see the different launch points.

 

[wdwmagic]

If you have seen the show many times before from inside the park, and want a different angle, it is great. For a first time viewing, it is not a good choice. As others have said, the angle is way off, and the lack of framing with the castle reduces the impact of the show.

 

[JIMINYCR]

We've dined there several times and enjoyed our meals. As far as watching the fireworks... its not so great. A lot of diners view it for a short time and being unspectacular, wander back to their tables. After watching the first time we now dont even bother getting up to watch. If you have never done it before, sure, go out and watch for the experience but be prepared to be let down. The best viewing is in the park.

 

[Bairstow]

I think it's a pretty fun place to watch the show from, especially since Disney goes the extra trouble to pipe the show music in on the speakers there.

If you don't have reservations at the California Grill, you can get into position by riding the Contemporary elevator up to the 10th floor, exiting the northwest fire escape, and ascending the final couple floors on foot. Just be aware that you'll either have to barge into the restaurant or walk all 12 stories on the fire escape to get back down. You might as well just get down the hard way, and don't doddle, because on most nights a showing of the Electrical Water Pageant kicks off right after the fireworks end. You can get a good viewing area if you immediately head down the stairs, across the resort, and out onto the Contemporary's long dock.

 

[Berret]

As others have said, it's not a good angle to view the show, but it's still neat to do. I would certainly watch the show from the park first, though.

 

[disnerd]

We have seen Wishes from inside the park so this is basically just something different we wanted to try!

 

[Chef Mickey]

Essentially, the only "good" place to see Wishes is in front of the castle, where it was intended to be seen.

Sure, you can see it from other places for another perspective, but the impact is severely reduced and it essentially looks like a medicore show. The music and perspective from Main Street makes it an incredible show.

 

[Bairstow]

Essentially, the only "good" place to see Wishes is in front of the castle, where it was intended to be seen.

Sure, you can see it from other places for another perspective, but the impact is severely reduced and it essentially looks like a medicore show. The music and perspective from Main Street makes it an incredible show.

Oh, I don't know about that.
I think the Be Our Guest bridge gives the "correct" spot for Wishes more than a run for its money.

 

[TXDisney]

I think it's awesome to watch up there but we prefer inside the park. Feel more in the magic there.

 

[MaryJaneP]

As others have stated, not the best for a first time view of Wishes, but certainly better than not being in WDW at all. We have seen it from atop the CR at Cali Grill and from the 4th floor outside the CR as well as in the Park, the CR Dock (pre-BLT) and from our balcony in the tower at CR with a MK view. Certainly great to have the audio (speakers, on TV) to help you understand where you are in the show. Especially, as you have noted, you have seen the show before from inside the park. We like Wishes, and in the Park is best, however, we hope you enjoy your viewing it from wherever you get to view it.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Oh, I don't know about that.
I think the Be Our Guest bridge gives the "correct" spot for Wishes more than a run for its money.

That spot falls into the category I mentioned. Interesting, but way too detached.

 

[Eckert]

I did this for my birthday in April and while it was nice, I still much prefer being at the Magic Kingdom. There's a certain energy that comes from being at the hub being surrounded by all types of people, newcomers and return guests.

Plus, you get to listen to the amazingly cheesy R&B Wishes reprise after the fireworks at the park, as opposed to a hard cut back to elevator music at the Contemporary top.

Beware of bugs up there!

 

[aw14]

We have seen Wishes from inside the park so this is basically just something different we wanted to try!

CR is our hotel of choice. We were fortunate to have a theme park view and watched it from our balcony regularly. We absolutely loved it and plan to do it again this August.