Carnation Cafe for Paint the Night

[scottibb]

I made reservations for Carnation CAfe this Friday at 8:30 thinking we would likely be able to see a good portion of the Paint the Night parade. Parade is at 8:45 (and starts from AISW area?). We are not camp out to get a parade spot people (my husband has little desire to see parades, especially if it means my 2 kiddos have to sit still for an hour or 2). We don't need a fantastic view, but is it reasonable to think we will be able to see some parade from here? We plan to arrive at 8:15 and ask for a patio seat (can't reserve a patio seat). Have others done this and been denied a patio seat?

 

[disneyxica20]

i've never watched paint the night from there, but i have watched soundsational. we didn't ask for patio seating, it just happened to work out that way, but i don't think we would have been able to request a specific spot to sit; we didn't have a reservation, so they said it would just be whatever table was available. but since you have a reservation, maybe they'll accommodate you. you'll definitely be able to see the big floats, but the dancers and such that are lower to the ground will be blocked by a wall of people.

 

[mom2rtk]

I've seen people report enjoying PTN from there. I just don't think I would be happy with it. You are basically sitting behind many rows of people standing. You'll see the tops of the floats, and the floats are very large, but you miss a lot.

 

[SMD]

Not every seat on the patio will have a view of the street. You may be blocked by the umbrellas. Of course you could be denied a patio table. They won't make other tables vacate just because you request their table before they've left.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Last time I checked in at Carnation Cafe, they stated upon check-in that we would receive the first table available for our party size and requests for indoor or outdoor seating would not be taken. I had a reservation, so that wasn't a factor. It also wasn't near any parade time, so that wasn't a factor either. We weren't planning on making any seating requests anyway, but since it was warm outside, it was nice that we ended up indoors where it was cooler.

I have been seated outside at Carnation Cafe during parade time. You see very little but can hear the music. Also I will mention that since the parade starts up by Small World, it will take at least 20 minutes to get down to Carnation Cafe.

 

[Indiana Scott]

I think it would really depend on where you were seated. Obviously being towards the front would be better but if you were near the back I think your view would be severely limited.

 

[figment_jii]

As others have said, the view from Carnation Cafe's patio is not an ideal view. You'll be able to see the tops of the tall floats (e.g., you can see Mickey on the ball at the end), but you'll have trouble seeing the "on-the-ground" elements (like the dancers, Lightning McQueen, etc.) - basically anything that is below the height of a person will be hard to see. I think Carnation's patio is a relaxing alternative viewing location, but not one I would recommend for first time viewers. Along with the folks standing to watch the parade, there are also the people walking down Main Street that will obstruct your view. Within the patio area, there are space heaters and umbrellas are that might obstruct your view.

In terms of requesting a patio table, it's hit-or-miss whether they'll allow you to wait for a patio table (note, not all patio tables have an equal view) or not. I've been there when were told we had to take the next available table, when we were able to request a indoor or outdoor table, but told we would have to wait longer, and we've been there when the CM at check-in asked us which we would prefer. So there is really no way to know in advance which situation you'll get. My guess is that if your reservation is at 8:30 pm, the best patio tables will already be taken with guests that are also going to wait for Paint the Night, so any patio table that comes open will be towards the back or off to the side.