Best place for Parade photos

[Clare Voince]

What is the best place to get photos of the MK parade? I'm thinking town square might be ideal since they make a circle there, but I haven't attended a parade since childhood, so I have limited experience on which parade view would give me the best opportunity for a good shot.

 

[fla4fun]

It depends on which way the parade is going. I got some great shots of the MSEP sitting on the curb just outside the Emporium looking straight down the street toward Tony's. The floats would come around the curve in front of Tony's and I could get shots of them from the front, and then as they turned to go on up Main Street, I could get side shots. But the parade was starting on MS and ending in Frontierland. If it goes the opposite direction, which is what FoF usually does, then probably from the opposite direction would work if you got a spot where you could see them turn into Town Square from MS, come toward you, and then making the turn at the train station.

 

[Clare Voince]

That's kind of where I was thinking.. Thanks!

 

[Ryansdad0727]

I like Frontierland. There is usually more room for you to move around and get good shots. It is virtually empty during the last Light Parade when they have two at night. FoF is going to be crowded anywhere. FoF starts at Splash Mountain and turns right in front of Liberty Square Market and Hall of Presidents. If you set up there you can get some good straight on shots at they turn right toward you.

 

[Serena {LivingByDisney}]

What is the best place to get photos of the MK parade? I'm thinking town square might be ideal since they make a circle there, but I haven't attended a parade since childhood, so I have limited experience on which parade view would give me the best opportunity for a good shot.

I would suggest reading these posts from the Disney Photography master, Tom Bricker. Great info here:

http://www.disneytouristblog.com/festival-fantasy-parade-tips/

http://www.disneytouristblog.com/main-street-electrical-parade-best-viewing-spots-photography-tips/

 

[Clare Voince]

Thanks for the links! I didn't know they had a FP+ area for the parade as well. I might just do that!

 

[SureAsLiz]

It really depends on what you consider a good shot.
If you want the castle in the background, then try for a FP (currently in town square with a portion looking straight down mainstreet)

I don't usually watch from Main Street because it is crowded and you never know who will be near you. Sometimes I have the perfect spot, only to have a family sit in front of me who likes to lean into my shot. Or I'll stand behind the sitters on the curb and then suddenly everyone will stand for no reason. With how straight the road is, any one person can throw off the whole shot and you aren't left with any room to adjust your angle.

I love Frontierland and getting shots of the floats at step-off. The path is much wider in Frontierland, and it's easier to focus on the performers without worrying about too much noise from the other guests. Or if you can get the right angle, having Splash in the background can make for some cool shots. They also move more slowly in the beginning of the route while everyone comes out, so you can get a few more seconds for photos with each float. Because of the angle of the route (it's not a perfectly straight road and is a bit of a hill), you can also get some cool shots of the back of the floats looking down the length of the parade.

Liberty Square in front of Hall of Presidents can give some nice shots as well. You can get the floats coming around the corner, going straight in front of you, and going across the bridge. You also get the performers in full performance mode here. The dances will be modified a bit in the beginning/end while the floats are coming out/going in, but in the middle of the parade they have the tempo down.

 

[Clare Voince]

It really depends on what you consider a good shot.
If you want the castle in the background, then try for a FP (currently in town square with a portion looking straight down mainstreet)

I don't usually watch from Main Street because it is crowded and you never know who will be near you. Sometimes I have the perfect spot, only to have a family sit in front of me who likes to lean into my shot. Or I'll stand behind the sitters on the curb and then suddenly everyone will stand for no reason. With how straight the road is, any one person can throw off the whole shot and you aren't left with any room to adjust your angle.

I love Frontierland and getting shots of the floats at step-off. The path is much wider in Frontierland, and it's easier to focus on the performers without worrying about too much noise from the other guests. Or if you can get the right angle, having Splash in the background can make for some cool shots. They also move more slowly in the beginning of the route while everyone comes out, so you can get a few more seconds for photos with each float. Because of the angle of the route (it's not a perfectly straight road and is a bit of a hill), you can also get some cool shots of the back of the floats looking down the length of the parade.

Liberty Square in front of Hall of Presidents can give some nice shots as well. You can get the floats coming around the corner, going straight in front of you, and going across the bridge. You also get the performers in full performance mode here. The dances will be modified a bit in the beginning/end while the floats are coming out/going in, but in the middle of the parade they have the tempo down.

Wow, you guys have given me a lot to think about! Maybe I should view it twice, once from MS and once from Frontierland!