Dumb question about parade watching

[kandb]

Our family is going Oct. 13-20th with our 6 year old twins and 8 mo. old son. We have brought our 6 year olds three times before this trip and believe it or not, have never saw a parade. This year we want to see the 3 pm parade at MK. Where do we sit along the parade route so nobody will stand in front of us. We just don't know the parade ediquette. Just don't want to wait for a half hour for a good seat and then have someone over 6 feet tall stand in front of us. How do we avoid this? Where's a good place to sit/stand? Thanks, Linda

[mariepapa]

The only place where nobody will come in front of you would be if you were right at the ropes. You would have to stake out a spot early for that. Last month we were lucky enough to be able to see the afternoon parade from a few feet back.

[seashoreCM]

And also to be desirous and capable of getting back in front and remaining in front of of anyone who arrives later and tries to get in front of you.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

[GoHerbie]

Last year at the MK I saved a space on the curb of Main Street starting an hour before the parade while my wife & daughter caught story time with Belle. When they returned the cast members kept the kids entertained with hula hoops and a Mickey version of red light green light.

If you get a curb seat there's no room for anyone to get in front of you because nobody can stand in the street.

Stake out a spot early enough to get a good shot of the castle in the background.

[LittleSeacow]

I also agree wit the previous poster. Try to get a seat on the curb along main street. That way you are not sitting crossed legged on the flat ground somewhere else.
I suggest getting there about an hour early and send someone to go get ice cream while you wait. Nothing better than that!

[seashoreCM]

OT: I would suggest getting something other than ice cream. Ice cream melts incredibly fast in a breeze as you are carrying it back to your family.

Ph.D. in thermodynamics needed to understand why.

[creativeamanda]

My favorite place for the 3pm parade is in Liberty Square in front of the mercantile right next to the ropes. Bring a towel for your family's spot next to the ropes and arrive early.

[MaryKatesMom]

We don't do the parade's anymore but when we did it was worth the wait to get there early. Chat, sit, have a snack etc. We've also had wonderful conversations with families next to us and my Dh look's so trusting he ends up taking a picture for someone. It is a good idea to take a picture of your family sitting there waiting.

[jmpurdy]

My boys are little, so staking out a spot too early will be a disaster trying to entertain them. The best thing for us is to go to the very start of the parade route about 15 minutes before it starts. There is usually nobody there so we just park the stroller at the rope and have a snack or something. As it gets closer to parade time, people do start to crowd around so be sure and get close to the rope and stay put. My kids don't care where they are sitting as long as they see the parade so sitting at the very start of the route doesn't bother us.

[RMulieri]

My advice.Get there early , stake out a curbside spot and be prepared to defend it I know PP said there is no way for anyone to come in front of you, but that doesn't stop people from trying to.We waited over 50 mins at a curbside spot, only to have a family at last minute coming down Main St, try to slip under the rope and stand in front of us...needless to say words were passed between us, and they had to move.But I don't even bother with the parades anymore...Not worth the stress and the rude behavior it seems to bring out in people

[MaryKatesMom]

Originally Posted by jmpurdy

My boys are little, so staking out a spot too early will be a disaster trying to entertain them. The best thing for us is to go to the very start of the parade route about 15 minutes before it starts. There is usually nobody there so we just park the stroller at the rope and have a snack or something. As it gets closer to parade time, people do start to crowd around so be sure and get close to the rope and stay put. My kids don't care where they are sitting as long as they see the parade so sitting at the very start of the route doesn't bother us.

The other option is to leave a parent sitting on a blanket while another keeps the kids occupied until close to the start.

Just be aware there is a risk that someone will try to push, move or hoard in on the remaining parent.

Also, it is a killer on the back to sit on the curb. It is not a comfortable seat.

[MissionMouse]

Originally Posted by RMulieri

My advice.Get there early , stake out a curbside spot and be prepared to defend it...I don't even bother with the parades anymore...Not worth the stress and the rude behavior it seems to bring out in people

We generally do no make specific plans to watch parades either as this is one of the most unmagical times at Disney as guest prove how rude and disrespectful to others. Throughout the years, without failing, we have observed people behaving in the same manner you mentioned.

It doesn't matter if you are behind a rope or sitting on the curb people will attempt to arrive at the time the parade starts and push-squeeze their way in your place or in front of you or someone near you. If you are not willing to stand-up for your position then you should plan on seeing the parade from a location other than the one you arrived early to see it from, since these people could care less about others. It is all about them.

[mickeyluv'r]

Originally Posted by kandb

Where do we sit along the parade route so nobody will stand in front of us. We just don't know the parade ediquette. Just don't want to wait for a half hour for a good seat and then have someone over 6 feet tall stand in front of us. How do we avoid this? Where's a good place to sit/stand? Thanks, Linda

Simply put, then don't do it.

The best way, IMO, to avoid staking a spot and then having someone try to steal it - is simply to NOT stake outa spot an hour ahead of the parade. To us, that's about 45 minutes of wasted time.

The best straegy, IMO, is to arrive no more than 20 minutes before the parade, and find the best location you can. Stand behind some adults. If it's in the second row, so be it. Chances are good, the person in front of you will let your kids stand in front of them. If not, so be it, but most likey they will be kind if you are polite and don't shove your kids up front. I also don't suggest ice cream - nobody is going to make allowances for sticky, drippy kids.