What's the best way to exit the park after Wishes?

[Gregandmel]

We've never stayed to watch Wishes and would really like to be able to do this next time we are at the MK. What's the best "exit strategy" afterwards? Are the busses pretty good about running regularly? We plan on staying at POFQ and just wondered what to expect? Thanks!!

[Disney Doll]

The best "exit strategy" is take your time. Shop, take in main street at night, people watch, and let everyone else be part of the exiting stampede. Once the worst of the crowds clear you can head on out to catch your bus. I figure I'd rather be shopping Main Street than waiting in a long bus line.

[drummerboy]

The best "exit strategy" is take your time. Shop, take in main street at night, people watch, and let everyone else be part of the exiting stampede. Once the worst of the crowds clear you can head on out to catch your bus. I figure I'd rather be shopping Main Street than waiting in a long bus line.

What she said.

[Pastcastmemberdaughter]

The best "exit strategy" is take your time. Shop, take in main street at night, people watch, and let everyone else be part of the exiting stampede. Once the worst of the crowds clear you can head on out to catch your bus. I figure I'd rather be shopping Main Street than waiting in a long bus line.

This is what we usually do as well. We will also sometimes stop and get an ice cream sundae or float on Main St, grab a bench, and people watch from there. It's a nice relaxing way to end the day.

[bruin1344]

The best "exit strategy" is take your time. Shop, take in main street at night, people watch, and let everyone else be part of the exiting stampede. Once the worst of the crowds clear you can head on out to catch your bus. I figure I'd rather be shopping Main Street than waiting in a long bus line.

if you are in a real rush, stand near exits while show is going on

[ransam]

the best exit strategy is to get in line out of the park...take in the atmosphere...enjoy the fact you're at Disney!!...take your time.. try not to run into the person in front of you and if you get bumped from behind, turn around and introduce yourself and ask where they are from...start singing Small world, and see how many people join in with you!!... You're in DIsneyworld..Don't be in a hurry..in a week or so you'll probably be stuck in some office wishing you could be stuck in that line!!!

[LarryBoy]

View Wishes on a night with EMH. Then you can stay in the park and ride stuff.

[mouseketeer mom]

The worst lines are in the stores after Wishes. I will never shop after Wishes again! What we did last trip was stop at Aloha Isle for a Dole whip and sit down for 15 mins to eat it and watch the crowds start to exit and the cleaning crew emerge. That was a great plan.

[Wrigley]

We always take our time exiting the park since there is a mad rush to the exit. We usually do some shopping on Main Street until the crowd starts to thin out. Sure, the stores are kinda crowded as well, but I'd rather be shopping than creeping along to the exit to just stand and wait for a bus!

[joonyer]

Never stayed to watch Wishes? You don't know what you are missing. Watch it one time from inside the park, up close and personal, right on Main St. in front of the castle, and you'll never want to miss it again. It's the purest essence of Disney Magic to me, and my favorite thing about visiting WDW.

But if you are just not a fireworks person, and aren't entranced by Didnay magic and music, and you just have to get back to your resort as soon as possible, then:
Either leave before wishes, and watch it from outside the park (not as magical), or don't try to leave at all right after Wishes (eat, shop, or ride if park is still open).

Otherwise, you'll be caught up in the mad rush and long bus lines.

We always watch Wishes from inside the park (I want to be as close as I can), then, even if the park is closing, we take our own sweet time leaving, even up to an hour, shopping (not necessarily buying), getting a snack or just people watching. Beats trying to walk out in the middle of a mob and waiting in a long line for a bus. Even if it means we get back to our resort a few minutes or even an hour later. we don't care, we're on vacation!

[Daddy Mouse]

I want to be the last to leave.

[grumpyguy]

we always want to be the last to leave anyway.
but,to give an answer to your question...
slowly.

[crltkcagle]

We watched it on the side of the castle and it was the perfect place. People were not trying to rush out of the park so we just sat there eating our popcorn and icecream until the crowds thinned out some.

[Imagineer1981]

as everyone has said, enjoy the park, take in the atmosphere and relax. Depending on the night, wishes doesn't signal park close, go hop on a ride real fast!

[Lakin]

Begin to run 5-10 seconds before the ending. Everyone waits till the end to go to the bus, so make sure to get your head start!

[tjstrike]

View Wishes on a night with EMH. Then you can stay in the park and ride stuff.

This is a very good idea, 3/4's of the park will leave after wishes and you can head back in to ride rides. Also, try to watch it from one of the monorail resort beaches one time too, or catch them while your on one of the boats. We did that our last trip.

[andreallybadeggs]

Push, shove, curse, preferably have a stroller with you so you can use it as a battering ram.
Or choose a night to watch Wishes when you're relaxed and don't care if it takes an extra hour to get back to the resort. Then it's no longer an ordeal or just one more thing to check off your Disney to-do list; it's magic.

[dreaming of wdw]

I want to be the last to leave.

[spoiledraf]

What's the best way to exit the park after Wishes?

Quickly!

[TheRustyScupper]

Push, shove, curse, preferably have a stroller with you so you can use it as a battering ram.

1) We have a far better method.
. . . youngest granddaughter covers her mouth with her hand
. . . we shout, "look out, sick kid! Watch out for your pants and shirts!"
2) One would be surprised how people move out of the way.
3) Kinda like Moses and the Red Sea.