Any rumors on parades returning soon? Or do we think they'll wait until 10/1?

[cakebaker]

I'm not gonna lie. I actually prefer the cavalcades. I like the spontaneity of them and the fact that you don't have to camp out and waste precious park time to see them.

The problem is, they don't do what the parade was intended to do- draw crowds from the rides, reducing waits. Calvalcades are not people eaters. They only had 1 parade left, I'd like to see it come back. Calvalcades just aren't the same and nothing says they can't do both.

 

[Scalemaster34]

Universal has parades back. Disney continues to lag behind like they have this entire pandemic. Is it just complacency or incompetence.

And how many people does Universal have in their parks?

Reality is COVID isn't over. Kids aren't vaccinated, half of Americans aren't fully vaccinated. And now Delta varriant (and those to follow it) aren't playing by the rules.

I don't blame Disney for being a little cautions at the parks and with the cruises.

 

[cakebaker]

I don't blame Disney for being a little cautions at the parks and with the cruises.

Have you seen the crowd levels at the fireworks and the mass exiting afterwards? They aren't being the least bit cautious. That's not being critical of them, that's just a fact. I wouldn't mind so much if they'd just come out and say the truth- and that is they're trying to save a buck anywhere they can. But I'm sick and tired of the "safety" excuse when it only applies to things that cost them money. It's no longer a safety issue whether covid is over or it isn't and whether kids are vaccinated or not. If it was, we'd still have distancing and lower park capacity limits.

There is absolutely no safety risk in having parades and shows when you can pack people in like sardines, telling them to take up every available space.

Cruising has absolutely nothing to do with this.

 

[Adventureland]

I would absolutely go with "crowd reasons" if fireworks weren't the ordeal they are. My bet would be on staffing at this point so long as things like floats didn't deteriorate that much.
I'm more of a fan of the cavalcades so it doesn't bother me much, but it was nice to have options and go on rides/shop during the parades, lol.

 

[Frodo'sMum]

I can't imagine them not having a Christmas parade, yet I'm worried they won't. ☹

 

[dancergirlsmom]

They could do both though since they use to do the move it shake it and the parade, but right now its they don't have the performers for the parade yet. The parades take alot of performers. Parades will return I think in part because that is when the high school/college bands march down , before the parade and that brings in revenue also, but they haven't started school performances yet, they are booking them again finally thought.

I miss the parades. I enjoy seeing the cavalcades when I actually get to see them. I have been a few times where I never see any of them all day long. I like to be able to know that at 3:00 (or whatever time they choose) that I can see the parade. I also miss the character meet and greets and the character breakfasts. We are big character fans. (on the other hand its saving us a lot of money not going to them, now I just bring cereal bars etc. and eat before I head out). There are a lot of cast members in entertainment that are still laid off or have been displaced to other roles that can't wait to get back to their "real job". They have been hiring PT/FT cast members since April and have brought in a few thousand College Program kids since the middle of June, with more coming. I would hope that they start calling back entertainment and get them back doing their thing that so many of us enjoy real soon.

 

[BrotherCraig]

Been 7 times and never once seen a parade but hoping to see one in November. Always hard to get a spot for the kids but we will always try. My daughter has been twice and she dreams of seeing the parade.

 

[HashberryOTG]

I much prefer cavalcades. Actually being able to see a parade was so hard. Not to mention even having a small chance to do so meant spending 1-2 hours just standing around. Cavalcades feel spontaneous, which is great for the magic, and especially for kids. You can actually SEE them. You can easily get out of the way, and if you do get stuck it's a short period of time. They just feel more magical.

 

[BrotherCraig]

I much prefer cavalcades. Actually being able to see a parade was so hard. Not to mention even having a small chance to do so meant spending 1-2 hours just standing around. Cavalcades feel spontaneous, which is great for the magic, and especially for kids. You can actually SEE them. You can easily get out of the way, and if you do get stuck it's a short period of time. They just feel more magical.

Definitely. My kids have never seen the parade there because they can't see it unless you line up a few hours early. Hard to do with kids and not having the change to go often. Seeing them randomly parade down the streets was great though. Magical indeed.

 

[cakebaker]

I much prefer cavalcades. Actually being able to see a parade was so hard. Not to mention even having a small chance to do so meant spending 1-2 hours just standing around. Cavalcades feel spontaneous, which is great for the magic, and especially for kids. You can actually SEE them. You can easily get out of the way, and if you do get stuck it's a short period of time. They just feel more magical.

Nah, if you don't insist on being on main street, it's very easy to get a last minute spot for the parade with a clear view. We never stopped for them more than 30 minutes before they started and we didn't push anyone aside.

 

[BrotherCraig]

Wow. That is amazing. Been 7 times and never had that luck. It was always three to four deep up and down the street an hour before for us and that was "non-busy" times. I could see okay since I am 6 ft but the kids and wife could not and was boring to them.

 

[cakebaker]

Wow. That is amazing. Been 7 times and never had that luck. It was always three to four deep up and down the street an hour before for us and that was "non-busy" times. I could see okay since I am 6 ft but the kids and wife could not and was boring to them.

It is on Main street. We never watched them from there unless we had the viewing pkg with Tony's- which was a great deal and meant walking up to the parade in a prime spot minutes before it started. The price was little more than what it would cost to eat there without the reserved spot.

 

[Cabius]

Definitely. My kids have never seen the parade there because they can't see it unless you line up a few hours early. Hard to do with kids and not having the change to go often. Seeing them randomly parade down the streets was great though. Magical indeed.

I have always watched from Frontierland or Liberty Square and never had a hard time finding a decent viewing spot. The corner between Liberty Square Market and the Hall of Presidents always seems to have standing room. In fact, the first time I watched the parade we were just eating lunch at the market and wandered over only because it so exceeded our expectations -- definitely much grander than the DLR parades I was used to!

 

[cgattis]

I guess we’ve just had bad luck but we’ve been almost every month of the year and it’s always been tough to find a spot where small kids can see unless we lined up at the very least half an hour before, longer for special events. And we’ve only ever watched one parade in Main Street (which was indeed quite magical), so it wasn’t just that area.

 

[BrotherCraig]

I have always watched from Frontierland or Liberty Square and never had a hard time finding a decent viewing spot. The corner between Liberty Square Market and the Hall of Presidents always seems to have standing room. In fact, the first time I watched the parade we were just eating lunch at the market and wandered over only because it so exceeded our expectations -- definitely much grander than the DLR parades I was used to!

Oh wow. Didn't know you can see it from over there. Thought it was only Main Street and the circle there at the castle. Thanks.

 

[BrotherCraig]

I guess we’ve just had bad luck but we’ve been almost every month of the year and it’s always been tough to find a spot where small kids can see unless we lined up at the very least half an hour before, longer for special events. And we’ve only ever watched one parade in Main Street (which was indeed quite magical), so it wasn’t just that area.

Had a lady yell at us last night. Another family said it was okay for our kids to come up to the curb and sit with their kids so they can see. Very kind. The people next to them starting venting anger and my kids were then uncomfortable staying there. The mean lady started in on my wife. We went to another area. People get crazy. I have zero issue if small kids want to come to the front of me to see when they can't behind me. I usually back up and let the smaller folks in front.

 

[cjsmom5]

I think there will be a parade at MK on October 1st and then we’ll see... I do think parades will come back as part of Boo Bash and Christmas party but maybe they will only be for special events for a while.

I thought I read that there will be calvacades and not parades for Boo Bash - but could be wrong.

 

[Cabius]

Oh wow. Didn't know you can see it from over there. Thought it was only Main Street and the circle there at the castle. Thanks.

They start out in Frontierland, next to Splash Mountain, drive through Liberty Square, and then cross the bridge into the Hub / Main Street. (If you run the WDW Half/Full Marathon you can even run backstage where the floats are kept!)

 

[TiggerBouncy]

I wouldn't mind so much if they'd just come out and say the truth- and that is they're trying to save a buck anywhere they can. But I'm sick and tired of the "safety" excuse when it only applies to things that cost them money. It's no longer a safety issue whether covid is over or it isn't and whether kids are vaccinated or not. If it was, we'd still have distancing and lower park capacity limits.

Again, and I am going to repeat this.... Please provide your facts that Parades have a negative impact on revenue. You can't. Only Disney would know this, but I remain unconvinced that parades have a negative impact of revenue. They simply sell too much food, drinks and merchandise and move crowds out to stores. I would expect that if anything they have a positive impact on revenue.

The reason they are not doing parades really boils down to the number of CM's it takes - and most of them come from DCP and International AND I suspect Disney is still re-evaluating how much they like parades or how they might design them to be a better experience.

But it's not a safety issue (you are correct there) and I do not believe it is a revenue issue either.

 

[cakebaker]

Please provide your facts that Parades have a negative impact on revenue.

Unless I'm mistake, parades cost money. As far as proof- no one has access to Disney's data and just because we don't, doesn't mean we can't use common sense. They have enough CM's to ramp up the opening of resorts and restaurants and every money maker you can think of. Parades don't produce income. They are low priority. Fireworks cost a fortune, but they knew they had to put out something big to bring guests in so it was a good investment. It certainly worked on us, it's why we're going at all right now, even though I'm beginning to regret that decision. Tell me 3 weeks ago what I know today and my decision would be much different.

And my issue is, regardless of the real reason, stop with the bs of it being for safety reasons. It's infuriating.