best strategy for viewing Happily Ever After?

[GADisneyDad14]

We were there on Wednesday night, and only about a quarter (or a little less) of the grassy area in front of Casey’s was roped off. The rest of the area was still available. We’re going to watch HEA again tonight, and hoping that it’s still the case.

THANK YOU for this report @MermaidMommy! Mind if I ask, where in the garden was the roped off area? Right side towards Main Street, left side towards Adventureland?

 

[MermaidMommy]

THANK YOU for this report @MermaidMommy! Mind if I ask, where in the garden was the roped off area? Right side towards Main Street, left side towards Adventureland?

It was the very edge of the area, closest to Adventureland. I’ll report back after tonight’s fireworks, in case anything is different.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

It was the very edge of the area, closest to Adventureland. I’ll report back after tonight’s fireworks, in case anything is different.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

We were there on Wednesday night, and only about a quarter (or a little less) of the grassy area in front of Casey’s was roped off. The rest of the area was still available. We’re going to watch HEA again tonight, and hoping that it’s still the case.

How crowded was it inside the non-roped off portion?

 

[MermaidMommy]

How crowded was it inside the non-roped off portion?

It was a little more crowded that it normally is. We got there around 8:20 for an 8:55 show, and there wasn’t much available space. Fortunately, we were only two people — a larger group probably wouldn’t have found a spot.

 

[kungaloosh22]

Thanks for the updates @MermaidMommy! How crowded was the roped-off portion?

 

[MermaidMommy]

Ok, went back to watch HEA from the Casey’s area again tonight, and paid more attention to the roped off area. It’s smaller than I originally thought — either I thought it was larger than it was when I saw it three days ago, or they actually made the area smaller. But, it was actually just one “square” of grass within the whole area. A very small spot.

Two minutes before HEA started, there was a grand total of two people in there.

The area that’s wasnt roped off seemed more crowded than usual both nights we were there this week.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Ok, went back to watch HEA from the Casey’s area again tonight, and paid more attention to the roped off area. It’s smaller than I originally thought — either I thought it was larger than it was when I saw it three days ago, or they actually made the area smaller. But, it was actually just one “square” of grass within the whole area. A very small spot.

Two minutes before HEA started, there was a grand total of two people in there.

The area that’s wasnt roped off seemed more crowded than usual both nights we were there this week.

Would you still say the non-roped off area was still a good place to be or not really any better than any other spot in the hub?

 

[UrsulaTime]

We were there last night and Wednesday night. Wednesday was dessert party, great spot on the grassy area in front of The Plaza restaurant. That was an excellent spot.
Last night we staked out an area behind and to the right of the founder's statue. Everyone was sitting quietly and really quite calmly, when we were all rousted by CMs, and made to stand and push waaaaay forward, making for an uncomfortable viewing situation. (We found that not everyone wears deodorant...) But besides that it was not as enjoyable AND our original spot was no longer "our" spot.
I understand why they would do this, so that everyone could see. But, when we were sitting, I actually had a better view. The young lady a bit in front of me that was 6' tall with Mickey ears made it difficult to see the castle projections.
So plan accordingly...

Oh dear! This happened to us a few years ago. I was bewildered...and still am! I've tried to understand the logic behind CMs "rousting" (ha! good word choice!) a section of people contently sitting, but it escapes me. If they do it so everyone can see, then I politely suggest it's not working. Our group (two shorter adults, one child) could barely see after everyone stood - and it sounds like ConnecticutNonna had a similar experience. Can anyone explain how standing benefits the crowd as a whole? I hope I'm not coming off as a total dummy. It's just something that I can't seem to grasp - or let go of.

Like most folks reading this thread, I'm still working out the best place (factoring in stake-out time and crowd 'closeness') for our group to watch HEA. From what I've read, it sounds like the show is worth a little extra planning...

 

[Haley R]

Oh dear! This happened to us a few years ago. I was bewildered...and still am! I've tried to understand the logic behind CMs "rousting" (ha! good word choice!) a section of people contently sitting, but it escapes me. If they do it so everyone can see, then I politely suggest it's not working. Our group (two shorter adults, one child) could barely see after everyone stood - and it sounds like ConnecticutNonna had a similar experience. Can anyone explain how standing benefits the crowd as a whole? I hope I'm not coming off as a total dummy. It's just something that I can't seem to grasp - or let go of.

Like most folks reading this thread, I'm still working out the best place (factoring in stake-out time and crowd 'closeness') for our group to watch HEA. From what I've read, it sounds like the show is worth a little extra planning...

I’ve honestly never thought about it, but why doesn’t everyone just sit? Like bring a blanket or even just sit on the ground. It would be more relaxing and we’d all be looking up so we should be able to see everything. I guess there would probably still be problems though because you know someone will get on their knees.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Ok, went back to watch HEA from the Casey’s area again tonight, and paid more attention to the roped off area. It’s smaller than I originally thought — either I thought it was larger than it was when I saw it three days ago, or they actually made the area smaller. But, it was actually just one “square” of grass within the whole area. A very small spot.

Two minutes before HEA started, there was a grand total of two people in there.

The area that’s wasnt roped off seemed more crowded than usual both nights we were there this week.

Thank you for this! My hunch is that the CL trial program reserved area space will “flex” from day to day based on guest count. You have to sign up in advance for the nighttime viewing that comes with the program, so they know how much space they need every day. I could be wrong of course, but that may explain what may have been different sized reserved areas your two nights.

TY again for taking the time to report back!

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Oh dear! This happened to us a few years ago. I was bewildered...and still am! I've tried to understand the logic behind CMs "rousting" (ha! good word choice!) a section of people contently sitting, but it escapes me. If they do it so everyone can see, then I politely suggest it's not working. Our group (two shorter adults, one child) could barely see after everyone stood - and it sounds like ConnecticutNonna had a similar experience. Can anyone explain how standing benefits the crowd as a whole? I hope I'm not coming off as a total dummy. It's just something that I can't seem to grasp - or let go of.

Like most folks reading this thread, I'm still working out the best place (factoring in stake-out time and crowd 'closeness') for our group to watch HEA. From what I've read, it sounds like the show is worth a little extra planning...

More people fit in the hub if everyone is standing. Only the taller people can see but more people fit. Personally I think it would be better to have everyone sit, but clearly Disney disagrees.

 

[MermaidMommy]

Would you still say the non-roped off area was still a good place to be or not really any better than any other spot in the hub?

I do think it’s still better than the hub. There’s usually at least a couple of feet of space between you and other people, so it’s definitely not as jammed together as the Hub gets, and there’s enough space that you can move around to a different spot if someone whips out an iPad or a shoulder kid appears suddenly. Also, everybody sits down to wait, which is nice.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I do think it’s still better than the hub. There’s usually at least a couple of feet of space between you and other people, so it’s definitely not as jammed together as the Hub gets, and there’s enough space that you can move around to a different spot if someone whips out an iPad or a shoulder kid appears suddenly. Also, everybody sits down to wait, which is nice.

That’s great to know. Thank you for the reports.

 

[UrsulaTime]

I guess there would probably still be problems though because you know someone will get on their knees.

Too. Funny.

More people fit in the hub if everyone is standing. Only the taller people can see but more people fit.

Ohh, okay, that makes sense. Although I agree with

Personally I think it would be better to have everyone sit, but clearly Disney disagrees.

and

It would be more relaxing and we’d all be looking up so we should be able to see everything.

Thank you for the replies!

 

[Shanti]

In the past we always did the dessert party for wishes. This year we decided kinda late to plan an August trip (dessert party is sold out) Is there a fastpass for HEA? If not where is the best viewing? How early do we need to get there? All tips and advice greatly appreciated. thanks

They used to have FPs for viewing fireworks from a preferred location, but now they just sell those spots via the dessert party.

 

[kungaloosh22]

Personally I think it would be better to have everyone sit, but clearly Disney disagrees.

They can't require everyone to sit on the ground. Many people physically can't sit on the ground for a period of time due to a variety of physical reasons, including circulation problems, knee or hip injuries, difficulty getting up and down as you age, and so on.

 

[UrsulaTime]

They can't require everyone to sit on the ground. Many people physically can't sit on the ground for a period of time due to a variety of physical reasons, including circulation problems, knee or hip injuries, difficulty getting up and down as you age, and so on.

Good point. I didn't think of that.

I don't think they should require everyone everywhere in the park to sit during the nighttime shows, but certain sections...perhaps. From what I can gather on the situation, this is something worth looking into. Although I'm sure Disney has looked into it.