Pros and Cons of Wishes and Parade Fastpass+ at the Magic Kingdom
I'm often asked if one should use Fastpass+ for viewing Wishes, Festival of Fantasy Parade and/or Main Street Electrical Parade. "Is it worth it?" they ask. I thought I'd provide you some information on viewing locations, pros and cons and my recommendations so you can make your decision.
Wishes and parade Fastpass+ are often gone 30 days or more before your date of tour.
Where are the Fastpass+ locations for Wishes and parades in the Magic Kingdom?
Wishes - Fastpass+ locations are just in front of Casey Corner Hot Dogs and the Plaza Restaurant on the end of Main Street. Each is an excellent viewing location for the fireworks. My preferred fireworks location is marked on my map below.
Parades - The daytime and nighttime parades share the same location, but each requires a separate Fastpass+. It is currently located in the center of Town Square at the Flag Pole. It was held in front of the Castle at the hub for a while, but construction in the area caused it to be relocated. You'll find the Parade Fastpass location as the same point for Pluto and Marie below.
Pros
- Guaranteed Spot
- Good viewing locations
Cons
- Uses up Fastpass+ by reserving at the end of the day
- Parade location is in direct sun for the daytime parade. Not as big of a deal in winter months, but you'll wait longer for the daytime parade to arrive
- You can only Fastpass the first parade
- You still have to stand to view Wishes
What does KtP recommend?
Wishes - I recommend arriving about 30 minutes early and standing in the middle of Main Street between Casey's Corner Hot Dogs and the Castle Hub. There's a little ridge in the road that is the idea spot for Celebrate the Magic and Wishes, but anywhere along that area is ideal
Festival of Fantasy Parade - I recommend finding a shady spot in Frontierland 30 to 45 minutes before the parade. If you use Fastpass+ and arrive 30 minutes early, you'll spend at least 45 to 60 minutes baking in the sun before the first float arrives from Frontierland.
Main Street Electrical Parade - If there are 2 parades, you always come out best watching the second parade with little stress and you can enjoy some rides while others are at the first parade! If there is only one parade and you choose not to use Fastpass+ for it, then find a suitable location along Main Street one hour early. HOWEVER, there are often great spots left remaining in Town Square as little as 15 minutes before in front of Town Square Theater. It's a bit of a gamble waiting on that though.
Great post! any chance they may move the 3 o'clock parade FastPass+ back to being in front of the castle? construction is done after all right? Reserved it before realizing it moved and your article has me questioning the choice due to the wait and heat(Trip is in mid June)
Even at Castle you'll still be in sun. I haven't heard of any plans to move it
I'm just wondering a few things. First i know they don't let you overlapp times for fast passes so if I were to book at FP for wishes what's the latest my FP before that could be scheduled? Second I saw someone mention that they were taking it away... And if that's the case then my question is irrelevant lol. Thanks.
Wishes is gone. Electrical Parade goes away next month
I know you said wishes fast pass isn't necessary but anytime I didn't have a fast pass we end up in a sea of people and the kids can't see the castle show. It is soooo much more relaxing with the fast pass. You can sit down and enjoy the show with your family.
FASTPASSES FOR WISHES FIREWORKS END IN APRIL 2016. (Not sure if the exact date.) I made my FASTPASSES last night for my May '16 trip, and wishes FASTPASSES weren't on the options list. I Called WDW with some questions, and they informed me about the wishes FASTPASSES ending this April. I asked who could sit in the new fenced in garden areas, and was told, "anybody."
April 20 is last day.
We have a fastpass for March 30th for Wishes
so.... does this mean we can just stay seated at our FP location for the parade then?
Parade is in Town Square. Wishes in new garden area. Can't see parade from there and Wishes FP is going away next month.
Sit? Last time I used Wishes fp, they made us all stand
That was in the rose garden. Everyone sat down on blankets. We made a picnic out of it. It may be different in new area but still more room than being elbow to elbow in a huge crowd.
Yes, much different now :)
whoops! I mean, can we stay seated after the parade (FP) to watch Wishes. Or will they make us move?
You could stay at the Flag Pole area, if you desire.
HI new to this & little tech challenged. I am considering using a fast pass for the 9pm EP June 1st. As we will not arrive at our hotel until 4 pm that day and i dont feel i will waste fast passes since we only have a half day. Is the FP location for the parade good for viewing wishes . Will I allowed to remain in this spot.
MSEP is eliminating fp on May 28 and Wishes on April 20
Hi! We used to always fastpass wishes when it was in the rose garden but since the park was really crowded this week we cancelled the parade and wishes fastpass. Kenny said the new spot isn't as good. When we got off the carousel of progress wishes was just starting and we stood at the exit and had a really good view of them! Also we went to the second msep at midnight and got a front row seat at the castle! BTW I did rope drop at magic kingdom yesterday on a red day. We arrived at the right hand side of the gate at about 7 10 and we followed rope drop and walked straight onto 7dmt....no wait and that's is pushing a double stroller! So anything is possible!
Kenny,
in July '15 we used fast passes for both the 9pm parade and the 10pm wishes. Both were in the new garden, on the side towards Tomorrowland. Parade viewing wasn't the best from here. We then realized the parade FP+ group in the garden wasn't asked to vacate before the wishes fireworks. We wasted a fastpass on the fireworks, when we could have just used the parade fast pass for both. Is the Elecctrical parade FP+ still in the same viewing area? Do they now make you vacate the new courtyard area after the parade, to allow the wishes FP+ uses to come in? Big Thanks!
Parade fp is currently in town square and wishes is in garden. Hadn't ever see them try parade fp from there. Would be terrible view. Used to be at Castle
Sorry - newbie here...I have a FP reserved for the EP for our April trip...do you recommend trying to get one for Wishes also or do you feel I don't really need one for Wishes?
Wishes is unnecessary
Are Fastpasses no longer available for Wishes? We're trying to set up our Fastpasses for the week of 4/22/2016 to 4/29/2016, and Wishes no longer appears on the list at all. It doesn't say that they're all gone, it just doesn't list Wishes at all.
Wishes sometimes delays posting them, bit it really isn't necessary to enjoy them
Hey kenny. So I have a fastpass for wishes and wanna see the electrical parade also.. I have no fastpass for ep. Could I see the electrical parade and still make it to my fastpass for wishes. And what would be a good spot to do this?
Yes you can make both fp, but Wishes fp really isn't necessary
If I get a FP for the Main St parade will I be in a good spot for Wishes and the fireworks and can I stay in that spot? There will only be one parade the day we will be there. Thanks!
You'll be in Town Square. You could see fireworks if you choose parade spot in center. But Wishes is very easy to get decent spot 99% of the time.
Hey Kenny! We love fastpasses for wishes and parades. I just wish they would let you have those separate from your other 3 fastpasses! We know how to utilize early mornings and late nights though, so no biggie! I just made a fastpass for wishes at 9 and the electrical parade at 10. Will I have an issue gettting a good spot for the electrical parade? That is my favorite parade from childhood!
No you shouldn't have an issue
Hi! Great post!! Is there a good area to be where we can view both the electric parade and celebrate the magic?
I recommend the area between Casey Corner and Hub
Hi Kenny. Where are the Fastpass viewing areas for the Festival of Fantasy Parade as of now (9/2015)? I know they were moved to front of park during construction, now I'm hearing front of park near the flagpole AND the hub in front of castle? Is that true or are all fastpasses back to viewing in the hub now?
Town Square Flag Pole
I have an 11:00 ADR at BOG on Jan. 1 and my kids want to see the 12:00 parade. Is a fast pass useful in this case or would it be more of a hassle to try to get across the park on such a crowded day? Your advice would be much appreciated!
You would really be pushing it to get to town square within an hour of your reservation. If you do attempt this, you should arrive early for lunch
Good to know. Thanks for all you do!
If I do get a fastpass for Festival of Fantasy, do I still need to show up 30 mins ahead of time?
20 minutes at least to get curb side
I made FP for both the electrical parade at 9pm and wishes at 10pm, will we be able to get from one FP spot to the other in time? If not, which one would be the better FP to keep?
Yes, just down Main Street
Kenny.. i am going to a water park all day & they close at 5. I feel this is the perfect opportunity to get a couple of Fastpasses for MSEP & Wishes without wasting them. Can i easily get from the parade spot to the Wishes spot? Or should i just get a EP one and stay put?
Easy
Was interested in reading this article, but the stupid add that runs in the middle of the page keeps going off and jumping the view to where the add is.... now I'm no longer interested.
I don't understand what your issue is. Please explain and I'll attempt to correct it.
Thanks Kenny! This is such a helpful post. I'll definitely heed your advice for our October trip!
Welcome
Thanks for this post. One question - for nighttime shows. If we got food at Casey's corner (and somehow magically got a table outside next to the fencing), could we theoretically sit there, eat, then see parade, CtM, and then Wishes?
Yes but you'll only see top of floats passing in parade
Thanks for the post, Kenny! I actually logged in and changed the FastPass+ reservations I made this weekend because of it. I didn't think about the parade coming FROM Frontierland. I don't want to sit in the sun with my 2 year old for an hour. We'll be looking for some Frontier shade. You have THE most helpful site on the internet for planning a Disney vacation!
Thanks!