Am I the only one who does not watch

[yaddo121]

Dh and I are not big fans of the parade/fireworks. We might catch a glimpse of them as we're walking from ride to ride but it's not worth it to us to have to stake out a spot, deal with people who 'creep' into your space, and then the crowds when it's all over.

We might try again when DS is a little older but for now we just skip it.

 

[kldmom2000]

We never watch the parades or shows-my parents used to have us do so when I was a kid and that was enough for me I do like to see Fantasmic at least once on each trip as well as Illuminations and Wishes.... but DH would be happier if we could skip those too

 

[melomouse]

Count us in as non-parade viewers. We will see Spectro occasionally if we can catch a late spot without disrupting anyone or anything.

Fireworks, yes - viewable from almost anywhere!

Never really understood the mindset for staking out spots, saving curbs and seats etc. and waiting with kids while there is so much else to do - and because of DS's disability, we don't do lines or waits more than 45 minutes for anything.

After reading the thread on rudeness and parades, etc., I am convinced this is the way to go for my family.

 

[Iluvthemouse]

My Mom made us go to all the parades and fireworks as a kid. All I really remember is the mass chaos at the end as everyone tried to flee. I avoid them as an adult. I'm not really a crowd person.

My DD (7yo) does not handle crowds well at all. Luckily she isnt into parades and neither are DH and I. Last year at MK, we rode Splash Mountain 6 times in a row during the parade in the evening.

We do like the fireworks though.

 

[Katems]

Nah, we don't care about the parades or fireworks. I LOVE the Electric Light Parade, though, but no way is Spectro worth much waiting for or watching, IMO. This trip we did a last minute Illuminations watch, and we saw Spectro and Wishes on our last night, but we won't do so again. Not worth it to us. Saw Fantasmic last year, and no need to ever repeat that one, either. Just not our thing.

 

[kribit]

but now that we have children we'll probably catch 1 or 2. We're really not parade people...even the local town parades don't interest us. CLEARLY not like WDW parades though. The only one we ever really really loved was the Electrical Light Parade.

Fireworks are a different story (although we don't do these locally either). We wait for Disney! I think a person gets spoiled with the Disney fireworks (they are just too good). Kind of like going to the beach in the Carribean and then returning to water that's 20 degrees!

 

[NancyIL]

I have seen all of the parades, but not recently. The exception is waiting for a short while before the parade at MVMCP last December.

I like Wishes, but the MK is SO crowded for that. On the other hand, I'd be happy to view Illuminations every single night, because I LOVE the music.

 

[MonkeyPants]

I see Wishes every chance I can, love Illuminations and try to catch Spectromagic when I can. The day parades not so much, tho I loved when they had the Aladdin parade way back at MGM. I finally saw Fantasmic last trip, but wasnt all that impressed

 

[chrisn]

We are not parade people either. If we are walking by and a parade is going, we will stop a moment and wave to Mickey and friends but that's about it. My kids 18 and 9 are not into the parades either and have never asked to stop and watch. As a matter of fact, last visit we sat on the curb at the Spectro parade entrance at MK (or was it exit-front of park?), watched for about 10 minutes then got up and left for the night. Everyone wanted to go. We will do Fantasmic cause we all LOVE it but don't really plan for fireworks either. Wishes is really cool but I think what makes it so great is the castle changing colors and the fireworks going off in the background. Of course Tink is pretty cool too! We saw Illuminations once and never did again. I guess I was expecting more. We never stake out a spot and wait, too much valuable park time we like to take advantage of. And the shorter lines are a bonus. I know so many peeps love the parades and to each his own. That's what makes us all unique and different. Each enjoying Disney our own way. C'mon December. Mickey, here we come!!!

 

[CinderellaIam]

Afternoon parades, seen them each once, was enough.

SpctroMagic, Wishes, Illuminations are absolute musts and as often as possible.

Fantasmic, I don't care for but my DD loves it so it is also a "must".

Last August my mom met us down there halfway through our trip for my sisters vow renewal. I knew she would love wishes and made a special trip to the MK the day my sister renewed her vows so mom could see it. She cried through the whole thing. I bought her the sound track and she absolutely loves it.

 

[Hixski]

DH and I do not do the parades either. We will watch the fireworks but you can see them from just about anywhere. I just can't tolerate the rudeness at the parades. We don't have children and it seems someone always wants to remind us that the parades are for children. In other words we need to move to the back so all the kids can see. Or worse yet we just shouldn't be there because we are taking up room a child could be in. Since we don't agree with this and think we should be able to watch something if we want.....we don't go. Not worth the aggravation.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

I would like to see parade once, but after that I don't need to see more. I do love the fireworks, but again after I see it once (a trip) I don't need to stake out a spot again.

 

[grumpymakesmehappy]

We used to go to disney with my aunt and uncle and the only time we watched the parades were when we caught them. Now the parades/fireworks are a priority to me. Since we usually go during a slow time, I don't stake out a spot an hour in advance. Ususlly, I find a seat 20-30 minutes in advance.I don't watch every parade every trip but I want to catch any new ones or the ones that I haven't seen for a little while. DH loves the fireworks so that is another high priority event for us . To me, the parades and fireworks add to the Disney charm. Everything becomes more magical.

 

[Poohbear123]

I am one NOT to 'stake out a spot" so to speak, if I am "trapped in the area" of the Parade, than I watch, if not, I go about my business. I haven't seen the "bubble Parade" and Fantasmic in about 3 years, I have seen Spectro more than these, only becaude I do EMH at MK in order to see it. WISHES I Love, and Illuminations is a close second.