Best place to view parades

[sdkuhn77]

I know FOF just came out today and the pictures look awesome! But is there a less crowded spot where it is easiest to see the parade? Same for electric pageant. One of our days we will be in the Frontierland area and I thought we could find a good spot and then go get nutella waffles as a afternoon snack/lunch while watching the parade.

TIA!

 

[brandigregory]

My favorite parade watching spot is right in front of Country Bear Jamboree. Close bathrooms, you can sit on their porch instead of the ground and there really isn't room on that side of the parade route for late arrivers to stand in front of you.

 

[Robo]

A look at the MK Parade Route-
Disney's (MS) Electrical Parade starts near the Firehouse and exits near Splash Mtn.
The new 3 O'Clock Parade (Festival of Fantasy) and both the MVMCP and MNSSHP parades start near Spalsh Mtn. and exit near the Firehouse.

Less crowded than on Main Street, but still spectacular viewing can be found near the Hall of Presidents,
or deep into Frontierland, past the Country Bears.
(But, from there you won't be able to see the new "show" that is actually projected on the front of the Castle,
"Celebrate the Magic," which begins about 15 minutes before the fireworks.)

Below is a rough estimate of the Fireworks viewing spots
based on other posters' info on the boards and personal experience.

Here's a map that shows the FastPass+ reserved locations.

 

[ethanwa]

I know FOF just came out today and the pictures look awesome! But is there a less crowded spot where it is easiest to see the parade? Same for electric pageant. One of our days we will be in the Frontierland area and I thought we could find a good spot and then go get nutella waffles as a afternoon snack/lunch while watching the parade.

TIA!

If you can, use a FP+ on the new Festival of Fantasy parade (if you are willing to use one on it). Go to the far left of the viewing area where you see the parade coming across the bridge. GREAT spot and the FP+ area is only a few rows deeps of people at most. We just relaxed and had plenty of room to move around while looking around at the other people crammed like sardines.

Today, on opening day, my wife and I stood behind one couple while my kids waited right at the ropes. If we would have come just 10-15 minutes earlier we would have been right in front easily. I took pictures and video EASILY.

Other people saved their spots for HOURS today. We walked into the FP+ area with 10 minutes of the show starting with a great spot.

Remember... this new parade will be packed like this for months, maybe even the next two years (because it's so new). FP+ is highly recommended.

 

[lroger01]

The stone wall on either side of the entrance to Pecos Bill's outdoor seating area is a good spot. You can sit on the low wall and no one can sit in front of you. Just beware the wall past the entrance to the outdoor patio (toward Splash) is a no go. People there will be shooed away. Also, you can't move the tables or benches and sit behind those on the wall.

Since the parade starts here all the characters are fresh and dancing up a storm. Since it also ends here first, you can make a beeline to splash, thunder or something in adventureland and be ahead of the rest of the parade crowd.

 

[sdkuhn77]

Okay so I have been stalking my fp+ for awhile, but I haven't seen the parades as an option for fp+. We will be in there in 3 weeks, so maybe I need some tips to try and get fp for fireworks or parades. How far out can you get fp for them?

 

[Robo]

Okay so I have been stalking my fp+ for awhile, but I haven't seen the parades as an option for fp+. We will be in there in 3 weeks, so maybe I need some tips to try and get fp for fireworks or parades.



How far out can you get fp for them?

It varies from about 20 days before... all the way down to 2-3 days before.

Just keep checking and re-checking.

 

[sdkuhn77]

Grrr! I just noticed that Sunday of our trip has all the parades and fireworks. We don't want to stay super late that evening and the girls want to do jedi training the next morning at dhs, so we have to get there super early....I did grab the electrical parade. FOF was on there, but I went to see if I could move peter pan and during that time it was gone. Guess I will be on wdw website stalking it.

Has there been fp+ during the week for the parades? I hope so. Thanks so much for everyone's suggestions! If anything we will stick to our original plan of FOF in Frontierland.

 

[sdkuhn77]

Another silly question, if the fp+ viewing spot for the electrical parade is over can we just stay there for the fireworks?

 

[Robo]

Has there been fp+ during the week for the parades?

Yup.

Sometimes not posted until as late as 2-3 days in advance.

 

[mesaboy2]

Another silly question, if the fp+ viewing spot for the electrical parade is over can we just stay there for the fireworks?

Yes, but that spot is not particularly good for Wishes.

 

[Robo]

Yes, but that spot is not particularly good for Wishes.

Agreed.
That area ceases to be "reserved" after the parade passes.
Regardless, it is too close to the castle, which blocks the view of many of the
major fireworks.

If you choose FP+ for MSEP only, I've included red arrows to show where to MOVE
for viewing Wishes (and Celebrate the Magic) right after the parade passes the parade FP+ reserved area.

 

[sdkuhn77]

Thank you so much! I swear when I think I have everything figured out, the game plan changes!

Now rethinking the DHS early morning game plan!

You have no idea how much help this is!

 

[Mommymarie]

Can you see all characters from both sides of street??? I am thinking of Frozen in particular.....my dd will want to see elsa for sure....anna and olaf would be great too

 

[MermaidMommy]

If you can, use a FP+ on the new Festival of Fantasy parade (if you are willing to use one on it). Go to the far left of the viewing area where you see the parade coming across the bridge. GREAT spot and the FP+ area is only a few rows deeps of people at most. We just relaxed and had plenty of room to move around while looking around at the other people crammed like sardines. Today, on opening day, my wife and I stood behind one couple while my kids waited right at the ropes. If we would have come just 10-15 minutes earlier we would have been right in front easily. I took pictures and video EASILY. Other people saved their spots for HOURS today. We walked into the FP+ area with 10 minutes of the show starting with a great spot. Remember... this new parade will be packed like this for months, maybe even the next two years (because it's so new). FP+ is highly recommended.

Thanks for posting this info. We have FP+ for the parade on Tuesday. When you say go to the far left, do you mean your left if your back is to the castle?

 

[mesaboy2]

Can you see all characters from both sides of street??? I am thinking of Frozen in particular.....my dd will want to see elsa for sure....anna and olaf would be great too

The Frozen trio share a slowly rotating turntable with Tiana and Naveen. This means how well you see them is largely based on luck.

 

[humpback]

Agreed.
That area ceases to be "reserved" after the parade passes.
Regardless, it is too close to the castle, which blocks the view of many of the
major fireworks.

If you choose FP+ for MSEP only, I've included red arrows to show where to MOVE
for viewing Wishes (and Celebrate the Magic) right after the parade passes the parade FP+ reserved area.

Thanks for this.

Any opinions on whether the parade FP+ spot much is worse than the Wishes FP+ spot for viewing the fireworks (neither looks great)? Another question- how difficult is it to follow those arrows after the parade? I assume it's going to be mobbed with people either staying where they were for MSEP or getting their spot early for Wishes. Would you be better of not getting a FP+ for MSEP and staking out a spot further along the parade route and staying put?

Trying to figure out the best/most efficient way to do both, anywhere from zero to two FP+'s.