Can this be done?

[goofy78]

I am looking to see WOC and Paint the Night for sure. I am thinking of booking the Desert Party for WOC but am not really interested in the dining choices for PTN. Am I going to be screwed not doing a dining package? I also do not plan on camping out. I guess I'm getting worried that if I don't do one of those options I'll be out of luck. I am trying to go with the flow on this trip but don't want to miss PTN. Any advice?

 

[justgrace]

We haven't done a desert party but I think no matter what you do, there will be some degree of camping out if you want a decent spot. I think the dessert parties require you to sign in at least 30 minutes before showtime and I know people line up or hang around the area before then to get prime area in the dessert area. If you don't need a prime seat and don't mind being a few rows of people back, you could probably walk up 10-15 minutes before the parade.

You definitely don't want to miss the parade though! It is excellent!

 

[tlovesdis]

You will have better luck not having to camp out too long for the 2nd parade. I've seen PTN 4 times since it started and only camped out the first time, since it was brand spanking new. The other three times, we waited until after the fireworks crowds moved and we found great spots. Once we were right on Main Street in front of Starbucks, once over by Small World plaza and most recently right by the castle on the benches in between the castle and Matterhorn!

 

[goofy78]

We haven't done a desert party but I think no matter what you do, there will be some degree of camping out if you want a decent spot. I think the dessert parties require you to sign in at least 30 minutes before showtime and I know people line up or hang around the area before then to get prime area in the dessert area. If you don't need a prime seat and don't mind being a few rows of people back, you could probably walk up 10-15 minutes before the parade.

You definitely don't want to miss the parade though! It is excellent!

I like the idea of the WOC dessert party so I think that's a definite. The PTN is what's bothering me. I've even thought of doing the Aladdin package just to get the reserved spot but probably won't eat the food. I just can't see eating lasagna for lunch in August. Do I spend $100 for the view? Seems kind of crazy. I don't mind not being front and center but would like to have a decent view.

 

[justgrace]

I like the idea of the WOC dessert party so I think that's a definite. The PTN is what's bothering me. I've even thought of doing the Aladdin package just to get the reserved spot but probably won't eat the food. I just can't see eating lasagna for lunch in August. Do I spend $100 for the view? Seems kind of crazy. I don't mind not being front and center but would like to have a decent view.

Yeah, lasagna for lunch in August doesn't sound too good! lol I wouldn't spend $100 for it, that seems really outrageous - even more so if you don't plan on eating the lunch! If you don't mind not having front row, I'm sure you could find a decent standing view not too long before the parade.

Hopefully someone else with experience of the PTN dinner packages will weigh in.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

How big is your group? Ages? My opinion of when you need to stake out a spot vary a lot based on that information...

 

[goofy78]

How big is your group? Ages? My opinion of when you need to stake out a spot vary a lot based on that information...

It's me DH DD13 DD13

 

[Skyegirl1999]

It's me DH DD13 DD13

Ok, so you can very likely find a spot along Main Street maybe 20-30 minutes before the parade as long as you're ok being back behind a row or two, and as long as you'd be ok being spread out side-by-side rather than clustered (maybe even breaking into two nearby groups of two for maximum options).

There is room near the back of many ropes up until maybe 15 minutes before showtime, or there has been the last three times I've seen the parade (these have been moderate - but not low - crowd days, so if you're going on a very high crowd day, it may differ).

We had several good spots to choose from a couple of weeks ago arriving 30 minutes pre-parade, and we easily fit me, DH, our stroller, and our 3-year-old nicely behind a bench (we held her so she could see). We were near the train station and had no trouble getting to mid-Main Street for fireworks. I also went with another adult friend recently; we ducked into a spot near the Carnation Cafe about 15-20 minutes before the parade. Got a great fireworks spot but then they were cancelled.

Anyway, I would much rather wait 20-30 minutes for a "perfectly decent but not exceptional" spot than pay for a meal I won't eat, personally (especially since someone can be doing a snack run during that time).

 

[Gisele]

Yeah, lasagna for lunch in August doesn't sound too good! lol I wouldn't spend $100 for it, that seems really outrageous - even more so if you don't plan on eating the lunch! If you don't mind not having front row, I'm sure you could find a decent standing view not too long before the parade.

Hopefully someone else with experience of the PTN dinner packages will weigh in.

Say what? $100 lasagna? Unless Clint Eastwood is serving the dinner, I don't think so for that price.

 

[DahliaRW]

For PTN, there is a spot by IASW (to the left) where they leave the walkway open to cross the road with a CM holding the rope. At parade time, the CM closes the rope as the parade is going by. If you go stand there, you can run up when the rope closes and get a front spot. We did this in December of 2015.

 

[Ndusmama]

When they set out ropes on Main Street by firehouse you can get a spot. It's usually around 30 minutes before. If you can make it to the flag circle area people don't usually go there and you can typically find a spot. Dinner packages usually give seats at top of train platform and not always front row either if you aren't early. The second show is always less crowded since all the younger kids have left after the first parade.

 

[MNtwinsplus1mom]

I would not waste the money on a meal you aren't interested in eating. (Although I am crazy and can drink hot chocolate and eat lasagne in any weather!)

We found a fantastic spot by "it's a small world" 1 hour before the parade, not far from the Aladdin's Oasis area. I spread out a blanket to hold our spots while DH & the boys did a ride with fast passes & picked up dinner for us. We had a quick picnic, then enjoyed the parade from our front row seats and moved forward to see fireworks along the fence by small world after.

LOVED our views. No obstructions & no extra $ spent. I even found I enjoyed my little bit of downtime while I waited there too.

Have fun whatever you decide!