Parade & Fireworks Location question

[christygobar]

When we go to WDW, we have a preferred spot for the Fireworks - it is basically that circle at the very front of the park by the entrance where they do some of the character meets and set up for photos. It allows us easy exit after the fireworks are over

Is there a similar location at DL that works for fireworks and parade viewing? I guess what I'm asking is, is the front of the park by the exit a good place to watch (not necessarily curbside on Main Street)? I see so many comments about being further back in the park for the best viewing areas and we'd prefer not if possible.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Abbey1]

We like watching from Main Street, but I've heard several people say that they enjoy watching from the train station at the front of the park. I think viewing there would allow for a quick exit. Hopefully someone can chime in who has done this though.

 

[Angrose]

The circular area right when you enter the park is Town Square. We have watched just at the start of Main St, near town square. It's nice to be on Main St to see the projections on the buildings and the little surprises that pop up. It's a good view and yes, it does make for a very easy and quick exit afterwards. If you have littles, then you will have to hold them up though to see.

Have fun!

 

[Viviene Anthony]

Both Main Street and IASM are great places to view the PTN parade. Town Square is okay, but I suggest mid Main Street because you can experience more of the animation, inflatables, bubbles and snow and still see the castle effects and from a distance with Tinkerbell flying & Nemo swimming over it. It's harder to see the castle & get the full experience further back. IASW area is my 2nd favorite viewing area for DF!F because you still get the projections on the facade of IASM. If you are looking for a quick exit, the CMs are good about crowd control after.

 

[We7Johnsons]

I sent this pic to my phone so I can use it to choose where we stand...

 

[pennym]

Thanks for that Johnsons, I'm gonna do the same thing.

 

[christygobar]

I had seen that graphic online - thanks for posting! My concern is that where I ideally would like to camp out seems to fall in the "poor" section and I'm not sure why Because in WDW terms (the only one I know right now), it's a great spot with a full on view of the castle down Main Street! (I know, I shouldn't go comparing)

 

[ChrisParker]

So based on this graphic, where is the "train station" location that people are talking about for the PTN Blue Bayou viewing?

 

[I459WDW]

forgive my barging in and my ignorance! But the green seems so very close? And does any space open up if you haven't watched the parade? Or does everyone flood in from watching the parade? (so that we should plant ourselves for the parade and fireworks)

 

[figment_jii]

I've seen that graphic as well and have one bit of caution. It gives you a general sense of where good/bad viewing spots might be, but even within those areas, so are better than others. For example, the right side of the hub is all denoted as "good", but some of that area has the view obstructed by trees. So when you get to your viewing spot, make sure to look for trees, light posts, etc. that might impede your view.

So based on this graphic, where is the "train station" location that people are talking about for the PTN Blue Bayou viewing?

The Train Station is the little yellow bar at the bottom of the graphic.

forgive my barging in and my ignorance! But the green seems so very close? And does any space open up if you haven't watched the parade? Or does everyone flood in from watching the parade? (so that we should plant ourselves for the parade and fireworks)

No, I would not count on any of the area in the green being available after the parade ends, except perhaps on the very fringes. That area often fills up very early with guests that wait hours to see the fireworks from that location. So, if you wait until after the parade, most likely that area will already be entirely full. A lot of the guests waiting in that area are waiting for fireworks and not the parade.

I had seen that graphic online - thanks for posting! My concern is that where I ideally would like to camp out seems to fall in the "poor" section and I'm not sure why Because in WDW terms (the only one I know right now), it's a great spot with a full on view of the castle down Main Street! (I know, I shouldn't go comparing)

If you're all the way down in Town Square, the view isn't going to be ideal. Part of the "Poor" section in the graphic will have the view blocked by the buildings. The other problem is you can't see the Matterhorn. I also think the reason the lower part of Main Street is considered only "okay/poor" is that the projections don't extend down all of Main Street (so not as immersive).

 

[SMD]

There's nothing on the Matterhorn that isn't on the Main St buildings. And the Matternhorn is a small percentage of the show. I wouldn't get too hung up on having a view of it during the current show if you can see the Main St buildings.

At the train station, it's mostly reserved for VIPs. The standing areas for guests are limited to about 40 people. The CMs will ask you to leave if the standing area gets too full. Having been on Main St and at the hub I didn't think it was such a great view unless you've already seen the projections once.

 

[wanderlust7]

So based on this graphic, where is the "train station" location that people are talking about for the PTN Blue Bayou viewing?

We just did the PTN/BB package on Sunday. The new "train station" reserved location is the area above the train station that's not colored in on the graphic. You can't see from this graphic, but that area is kind of triangular and has a flag pole. The reserved area is at the base of the triangle.

 

[SpaceMtnGirl]

How early do people start savings spots in the area in front of the Partners statue (the green area) on the map?

 

[Jenn1116]

What's the strategy to grab the spot behind the partner's statue? I know they do photo pass pictures there - does that stop for the parade?

 

[ChrisParker]

We just did the PTN/BB package on Sunday. The new "train station" reserved location is the area above the train station that's not colored in on the graphic. You can't see from this graphic, but that area is kind of triangular and has a flag pole. The reserved area is at the base of the triangle.

What did you think of the view?

 

[wanderlust7]

What did you think of the view?

The view of the parade was good. We got there 35 minutes before the parade and got second row sitting on the ground. The reserved area didn't feel crowded. Fireworks view was not great since it's a long way to the castle. The reserved area used to be in front of the Carnation Cafe, from what I read it was easier to move to a good spot from there. We didn't quite make it to the Carnation Cafe through the sea of people, but we didn't move particularly fast and we had 2 kids and a stroller. Maybe if you are only adults you can manage to squeeze in closer.

 

[SMD]

Prior to the 60th the area around the Partners statue was strictly walk through during the daytime parade and fireworks, no stand or stopping. I assume it's the same now. I wouldn't be surprised if they just clear it during fireworks now and force everyone to take the walking path in front of the castle. I've been on the Frontierland side during fireworks and there's a walking path and CMs keep clear for themselves, but I haven't seen guests pass through there.

 

[ChrisParker]

The view of the parade was good. We got there 35 minutes before the parade and got second row sitting on the ground. The reserved area didn't feel crowded. Fireworks view was not great since it's a long way to the castle. The reserved area used to be in front of the Carnation Cafe, from what I read it was easier to move to a good spot from there. We didn't quite make it to the Carnation Cafe through the sea of people, but we didn't move particularly fast and we had 2 kids and a stroller. Maybe if you are only adults you can manage to squeeze in closer.

Thanks for that! I'm starting to think that we should plan to do the fireworks on a different night but we will be just two adults so maybe we can get closer. We aren't going until July so maybe they will have changed it by then. Who knows. Thanks again!