I think it's possible as long as you 'stage yourself' as close as possible to the park exit. We stood in front of the Island Mercantile shop in front of the Tree of Life to view the parade. As soon as it was over, we got out of there in front of the masses. Our ressie was for 5:45, and we arrived about 40 minutes early. We went ahead and checked in, and decided to have a drink at Victoria Falls while we waited. Then, as it always seems to happen with us, our dining pager went off just after we had ordered our drinks. Good luck!