Is it worth it to waiting around for 1 hour+ to see parade/fireworks? - Page 3 - The DIS Discussion Forums

HydroGuy · 05-24-2012, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue32

I am having a hard time picturing since we have never seen fireworks at DL. How soon before the show would you need to arrive to secure a curb spot?
THANKS!

It always depends on the season and the show and how badly you want the spot.

- An hour early you would get it for sure - usually
- 45 minutes, probably you will get it
- 30 minutes, maybe you will get it

Visit the hub during the day. Scout some potential spots which are not blocked by trees as you view the castle. Consider the curb locations.

Be aware that during fireworks CMs put up ropes to create walkways. So ropes might go up in spots where you think you want to stand. Be ready to be flexible and check with the CMs there before the show if you will be in a walkway or not. If you are on a curb then chances are there will not be a walkway there as it will be dark and the curb will be hard to navigate for the walkers. But it is a good idea to check.

If you have more than one night to try, then go 30 minutes early on the night of the first attempt. If that is too late then try 45 minutes on the next night.

Blue32 · 05-25-2012, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HydroGuy

Be aware that during fireworks CMs put up ropes to create walkways. So ropes might go up in spots where you think you want to stand. Be ready to be flexible and check with the CMs there before the show if you will be in a walkway or not. If you are on a curb then chances are there will not be a walkway there as it will be dark and the curb will be hard to navigate for the walkers. But it is a good idea to check.

If you have more than one night to try, then go 30 minutes early on the night of the first attempt. If that is too late then try 45 minutes on the next night.

Sorry if I am extending this thread out longer than it needs to be....

I am guessing you COULD stake out a spot on a curb and not have anyone directly in front of you if the CM creates a rope barrier there? This would be ideal with the wee ones.
What spots are people talking about getting at like 2 hours ahead then? Better than a curb spot?
Again... thanks for sharing your knowledge.

HydroGuy · 05-25-2012, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue32

Sorry if I am extending this thread out longer than it needs to be....

I am guessing you COULD stake out a spot on a curb and not have anyone directly in front of you if the CM creates a rope barrier there? This would be ideal with the wee ones.
What spots are people talking about getting at like 2 hours ahead then? Better than a curb spot?
Again... thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Actually you would NOT want to be standing behind a rope walkway. If you did then there would be a constant stream of people walking in front of you which would be really distracting. Even so, the rope walkways are typically not on the streets but on the sidewalks.

Folks who do the 2 hour wait thing are either trying for one of the few benches in the hub to have a place to sit, or are trying to be up near the castle because they feel that spot is better and worth waiting for. For me there is no way I would wait 2 hours for a show which is subject to cancelation due to winds aloft. If I wait 2 hours (for say WOC) it is because a show is certain to happen - well almost certain. And even then I only waited 2 hours for WOC once during opening summer. It is not uncommon for DL fireworks to get canceled.

jennilouwho · 05-25-2012, 09:37 AM

I'm probably not completely understanding Hydroguy, he knows his stuff, but unless this was a new thing in April, there is a "walkway" they block off at the castle side of the hub and no one can walk through during the show. It looks like a walkway, but obviously not since people can't walk it. Then when the show ended we did use it to get over to Fantasmic. Just go on the side of the hub by the castle and ask a CM for help. We were there in slow season and were the first ones there an hour early. A lot more showed up about 45 minutes before. We found out about it because we wanted to grab a bench in front of the statue for the show and the CM let us know that everyone would be cleared of that area before it started, so we couldn't stay there. So we went to the curb by the street to wait and then had a few feet between us and the people in front of us. The kids could see great and our backs were saved! Yay!

HydroGuy · 05-25-2012, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennilouwho

I'm probably not completely understanding Hydroguy, he knows his stuff, but unless this was a new thing in April, there is a "walkway" they block off at the castle side of the hub and no one can walk through during the show. It looks like a walkway, but obviously not since people can't walk it. Then when the show ended we did use it to get over to Fantasmic. Just go on the side of the hub by the castle and ask a CM for help. We were there in slow season and were the first ones there an hour early. A lot more showed up about 45 minutes before. We found out about it because we wanted to grab a bench in front of the statue for the show and the CM let us know that everyone would be cleared of that area before it started, so we couldn't stay there. So we went to the curb by the street to wait and then had a few feet between us and the people in front of us. The kids could see great and our backs were saved! Yay!

I am talking about the south side of the hub opposite the castle. The side near the castle is where many people camp out 2 hours before the show. That is not where you want to go unless you have lots of time. As far as walkways, I can't remember if they are still there or not. They do have walkways right thru the center of the hub. And on the side of the hub away from the castle. I am sure they have emergency walkways near the castle but they may close those off to those just passing thru.

disneegrl4eva · 05-25-2012, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HydroGuy

I am talking about the south side of the hub opposite the castle. The side near the castle is where many people camp out 2 hours before the show. That is not where you want to go unless you have lots of time. As far as walkways, I can't remember if they are still there or not. They do have walkways right thru the center of the hub. And on the side of the hub away from the castle. I am sure they have emergency walkways near the castle but they may close those off to those just passing thru.

i am one of the guilty parties that camp out 2 hours before anything

..i want to make sure i get the best spot possible

SomeDude78 · 05-25-2012, 01:19 PM

IMO 1 hour isn't worth it for the parade or fireworks. For the old Main Street Electrical Parade, yes, but for the current parade, no.

If you do want to see the fireworks though my personal fav spots are by the Matterhorn if you want to see the actual fireworks, but on Main Street (in the grassy areas closest to the castle) if you want to see the castle get lit up. It's kind of an either-or thing ... the fireworks are behind the castle for the most part, but the most dramatic visual effect is when viewing the castle "superimposed" on top of the fireworks.

For WOC and Fantasmic I would say 1 hour is totally worth it if you haven't seen them before.

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05-25-2012, 09:37 AM	#34
jennilouwho DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 845	I'm probably not completely understanding Hydroguy, he knows his stuff, but unless this was a new thing in April, there is a "walkway" they block off at the castle side of the hub and no one can walk through during the show. It looks like a walkway, but obviously not since people can't walk it. Then when the show ended we did use it to get over to Fantasmic. Just go on the side of the hub by the castle and ask a CM for help. We were there in slow season and were the first ones there an hour early. A lot more showed up about 45 minutes before. We found out about it because we wanted to grab a bench in front of the statue for the show and the CM let us know that everyone would be cleared of that area before it started, so we couldn't stay there. So we went to the curb by the street to wait and then had a few feet between us and the people in front of us. The kids could see great and our backs were saved! Yay!

05-25-2012, 01:19 PM	#37
SomeDude78 Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 158	IMO 1 hour isn't worth it for the parade or fireworks. For the old Main Street Electrical Parade, yes, but for the current parade, no. If you do want to see the fireworks though my personal fav spots are by the Matterhorn if you want to see the actual fireworks, but on Main Street (in the grassy areas closest to the castle) if you want to see the castle get lit up. It's kind of an either-or thing ... the fireworks are behind the castle for the most part, but the most dramatic visual effect is when viewing the castle "superimposed" on top of the fireworks. For WOC and Fantasmic I would say 1 hour is totally worth it if you haven't seen them before.