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Tag Archives: Wishes
Walt Disney World Quick Tip – Watching Wishes At The Magic Kingdom
A lot of my tips come from careful study and planning but this one was a total accident. A lot of visitors love to watch Wishes (Hallowishes etc.) from Main Street USA for many reasons. Some think they will get out of the park faster, but unless they watch from the far end near the train station they will not. Others like the crowds (not me) and still others just have to see the fireworks framing Cinderella Castle. I can appreciate the last one but I’m not quite that fussy as long as I see the fireworks.
On one particular evening we were searching for a spot on the Tomorrowland Bridge but found it just as crowded as the Hub. Apparently not everyone has to see the Castle framed by the fireworks. We headed towards the Hub to see if we could get to the other side and just at the end of the bridge there was a small path off to the left that looked like it could be a shortcut. We took the path and about 1/3 of the way down we happened to look toward the Castle and the view was perfect. We decided to try viewing the fireworks from that spot and were surprised to find that we could see all of the fireworks and even more surprising there were only five or six other people standing there. That spot is where we will stand from now on!!
If you are coming down Main Street USA, the path is off to your right just after you cross the water coming into the Hub area. Hush – don’t tell anyone and enjoy the fireworks!!
Chip’s Secret Spot to see Wishes for Couples
Narrated by Jiminy Cricket, “Wishes” takes Disney guests through treasured tales of adventure and romance from classic Disney films, accompanied by bigger, brighter, bolder pyrotechnics never before seen in a Disney theme park. Wishes are performed most nights in the Magic Kingdom.
Now I may be giving away one of my top and most secret spots here. I stumbled upon this location at just the right time by accident a long time ago. Ever-since then we try to make it a point to go here while on vacation.
This secret location is outside of the Magic Kingdom and is more for adults. If you have kids with you I would recommend staying in the Magic Kingdom and watching Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes soon after. Try sitting near Crystal Palace for some great family views.
Ok now for the couples here is how to get to my secret spot:
If you take the monorail to the Polynesian Resort and head outside to the beach you can look across the lake and see Cinderella’s Castle. The Polynesian Resort has swings available on a first come first sit basis. To get one on these spots your going to have to get there early as they fill up fast. Anywhere on the beach is a great place to see the fireworks, but for a place even more romantic I suggest venturing just a bit farther.
If you walk past the beach and head out to this little peninsula and sit, it kinda feels like your on an island. (see picture above) There seems to be less people and kids and makes for the most romantic spot to see the fireworks at Walt Disney World. Bring a blanket to sit on, and before you head out grab a couple of drinks from the pool bar.
As your sitting there enjoying the fireworks and sipping on your drinks you will forget you are at Disneyworld and swear your in heaven 
I hope you like it. If you have any secret spots let us know in the comment section below.
Best Fireworks Viewing Locations at Walt Disney World
With the summer only a few weeks away and the park attendance picking up I wanted to share with you the best places to see the Fireworks displays that will be going on for the various shows and Fourth of July when it rolls around.
The best place to get Walt Disney World Park Hours, Disney Parades and Fireworks is here. WDW Info is one of my all time favorite sites to get Disney Info!
Magic Kingdom:
- Anywhere on Main Street, U.S.A. (Wow really Captain Obvious)
- I like standing near Casey’s or in front of the Crystal Palace for Wishes Nighttime Spectacular. I recommend getting some popcorn and a Dole Whip Float for the best experience. Great time to use up those snack credits
- Tomorrowland Terrace patio.
- For Main Street Electrical Parade if you can get a seat near City Hall to see the floats come out or at the center island across the way you have a full 360 view of the magic. Again grab some popcorn near the entrance and grab a seat and wait for the Parade is my suggestion.
Epcot:
- The Mexico and Italy pavilions offer spectacular views of the Epcot fireworks, including the Illuminations Reflections of Earth globe, which features video images.
- Avoid spots in which large trees or buildings obstruct your view.
- If the wind is blowing in your face, smoke will surely follow once the show starts. Find another spot.
- If you don’t mind missing the video images and some of the fire, smoke, and laser effects that can only be seen from World Showcase, a great place to watch the fireworks is along the long walkway in front of Spaceship Earth, near the fountain. You will be ideally positioned to make a quick exit to the parking lot or monorail before the masses.
- A great spot to view the fireworks is the small bridge between Mexico and World Showplace…ideally with a Mexican Margarita in your hand.
- In France Near the fountains sipping a nice cappuccino or eating a crepes. Again use those snack credits.
- No matter where you pop a squat be sure to grab a pint or try our Drink around the World Showcase Challange
Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
- Fantasmic! is the park’s regular night time show, while the Magic Kingdom and Epcot offer fireworks every night be sure to check the schedule to see when Fantasmic is playing. Arrive at least one hour early to get a good seat.
Magic Kingdom resorts:
- Contemporary Resort 4th floor outside observation deck.
- California Grill observation deck and tables with a view of the Magic Kingdom.
- ‘Ohana restaurant at the Polynesian Resort, or from the Beach (makes for a romantic spot for couples)
- Narcoossee’s restaurant at the Grand Floridian Resort.
- From a Disney boat on the Seven Seas Lagoon, located in front of the Magic Kingdom.
Hope this list helps you out. If you have some secret spots let us know in the comment section below.
Ask a Disney Question: Best Places to Watch Wishes.
From Edward: Where is the best viewing spot for the Magic Kingdom fireworks and the parade that goes on before hand with all the lights. The name escapes me at the moment.
Wishes Nighttime Spectacular is aptly named – it is a spectacular display of fireworks, moving music, and even a visit from Tinker Bell. The SpectroMagic Parade adds an enormous number of dazzling lights to its floats. If you’re lucky enough to catch Wishes and the SpectroMagic Parade on the same night, it will be a wonderful end to a day at the Magic Kingdom. Be sure to check the parade and fireworks schedule; SpectroMagic generally begins one hour before Wishes but does not run every evening.
To get the best view of Wishes, you’ll want to be on the south side of Cinderella Castle (toward the park entrance) since the fireworks are launched from behind the castle. SpectroMagic begins on Main Street, U.S.A. and moves around the castle hub to Frontierland. Since it can be very crowded for these nighttime events, I recommend finding a spot on Main Street, U.S.A. This way, you can have a good view of both without having to move through the crush of guests to find a new location for Wishes. After SpectroMagic, you can have someone in your party reserve your spot while you take a bathroom break and find a snack. The most popular locations on Main Street are towards the Castle Hub near Casey’s Corner and The Plaza Restaurant. For something a little quieter, try the terrace of the Plaza Restaurant. To get a prime spot, stake your claim at least thirty minutes before SpectroMagic begins; more during the busier weeks of the year.
Another option for a great view of Wishes is the popular, seasonal Wishes Dessert Party which has recently returned. This private dessert party combines a well-stocked buffet of sweets with a reserved fireworks viewing location at The Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station. The Wishes Dessert Party beings one hour before the fireworks; if you opt for this party, it will be difficult get an up close view of SpectroMagic and take full advantage of the dessert portion of the party. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made by calling 407-WDW-DINE. The adult price is $21.99 and children (ages 3-9) are $11.99; peak pricing is $25.99 for adults and $13.99 for children.
If you are visiting Walt Disney World in Summer, 2010 (June 6 through August 14), the much beloved Main Street Electrical Parade will return to Walt Disney World and will run in place of SpectroMagic. Also, a special fireworks extravaganza will temporarily replace Wishes during Summer Nightastic!
Thanks for your questions and have a wonderful time at SpectroMagic and Wishes.
Thanks to Lisa for answering this “Ask a Disney Question” for me today. If you have any Disney questions, ask us. If we can’t find the answer, we’ll find someone who can.
Photo copyright Wikipedia.org.
Ask a Disney Question: Where Can You Watch Wishes from the Contemporary?
Stephen S. asks: Are there balcony viewing areas at the contemporary resort (4th floor @ chef mickeys maybe? ) that can be accessed without eating there in order to see “wishes”?
Stephen: Thanks for your question and for reading. I knew that you could watch Wishes from the balcony outside the California Grill if you had dinner there, in the 14th Floor concierge lounge if you were a concierge level guest, and in the very exclusive Top of the World Lounge located in Bay Lake Towers if you were a guest of BLT, but I’d never heard of other places where you could watch. Curious, I decided to talk the Mouse himself and I called Disney. According to cast member I spoke to, you can view Wishes from a balcony located on the 4th Floor, in the north side of the tower. The space, which includes benches, is first come, first served. You do not have to be a resort guest. He did warn me that the monorail can sometimes obstruct the view. Apparently, some visitors also watch Wishes from the walkway running from the Contemporary to Bay Lake Towers, but this wasn’t listed as one of the official viewing areas, so I’m not sure how Disney feels about it.
Hope that helps!
