Christmas parade - day or night?

[tylerandalexsmom]

Planning our first DLR trip (many trips to WDW, but 1st DLR). Planning on doing the Holiday Time Tour ON Christmas Day so we will have the reserved seats for the parade. But debating which tour/parade to do. I know we will be across from the IASW, so it would be really cool to have it all lit up at night, but I love taking pictures, and daytime would probably be better pictures. We did the Christmas parade on Christmas Day at WDW last year, and loved the day time parade. We about roasted at WDW (it was 85 degrees on Christmas Day)! Don't really want to freeze at night, but the snow affect would probably be better at night. (Or am I confusing it with the fireworks?) I have started going through the Christmas superthread, but there's a LOT of info on there, and we have to start making dining reservations soon (actually, I'm used to WDW making dining reservations 6 months out!) Planning on dining at BB that day, so need to plan the tour/parade so I can make reservations. Which parade would you recommend and why? (and pictures to compare day/night would be great!)

 

[cmwade77]

Planning our first DLR trip (many trips to WDW, but 1st DLR). Planning on doing the Holiday Time Tour ON Christmas Day so we will have the reserved seats for the parade. But debating which tour/parade to do. I know we will be across from the IASW, so it would be really cool to have it all lit up at night, but I love taking pictures, and daytime would probably be better pictures. We did the Christmas parade on Christmas Day at WDW last year, and loved the day time parade. We about roasted at WDW (it was 85 degrees on Christmas Day)! Don't really want to freeze at night, but the snow affect would probably be better at night. (Or am I confusing it with the fireworks?) I have started going through the Christmas superthread, but there's a LOT of info on there, and we have to start making dining reservations soon (actually, I'm used to WDW making dining reservations 6 months out!) Planning on dining at BB that day, so need to plan the tour/parade so I can make reservations. Which parade would you recommend and why? (and pictures to compare day/night would be great!)

I definitely prefer the night for all of the lights and there is usually enough lights from all of the decorations to allow for great pictures, even during the night time parade. I don't have any photos from that location though.

 

[aidensmom31]

Night.....the lights are absolutely amazing. I have some pics that I can try to upload tonight.

 

[nicolispicoli]

I agree, the night with IASW lit up, it's so beautiful! It makes the hot cocoa and cookie that much better too! Although, my hot cocoa was already lukewarm when I got it

 

[disneegrl4eva]

NIGHT NIGHT NIGHT NIGHT NIGHT....its good for both day and night but it really turns magical when you see it at night because everything sparkles and lights and its just awesome!!!

 

[larina]

Night, no question.

 

[marcemc]

Both!! Oh I love me a Christmas Parade but if you must choose, go to the night time one.

 

[tylerandalexsmom]

Alrighty then..... sounds like nighttime it is! That may work better anyway, since I originally wanted to do BB for the first lunch time to have a better chance to get to a waterside table. Although I kind of thought the dinner menu sounded a little better, but that's ok, I'm sure we will find something to eat! Plus, I was kind of thinking -- we've already done a daytime Christmas parade, so since this is a new park for us, it would be nice to go for the night time parade for something different!!!!

If anyone else has any other input, would still love to hear it! And still would luv to see pictures!

 

[larina]

If you play it right, you can sit here (I hope this works)

We were amazed nobody was already in this preferred area when we arrived last Christmas Day/Evening.

 

[mellers]

Planning our first DLR trip (many trips to WDW, but 1st DLR). Planning on doing the Holiday Time Tour ON Christmas Day so we will have the reserved seats for the parade. But debating which tour/parade to do. I know we will be across from the IASW, so it would be really cool to have it all lit up at night, but I love taking pictures, and daytime would probably be better pictures. We did the Christmas parade on Christmas Day at WDW last year, and loved the day time parade. We about roasted at WDW (it was 85 degrees on Christmas Day)! Don't really want to freeze at night, but the snow affect would probably be better at night. (Or am I confusing it with the fireworks?) I have started going through the Christmas superthread, but there's a LOT of info on there, and we have to start making dining reservations soon (actually, I'm used to WDW making dining reservations 6 months out!) Planning on dining at BB that day, so need to plan the tour/parade so I can make reservations. Which parade would you recommend and why? (and pictures to compare day/night would be great!)

You'll find people on both sides with this one. As for me, while at night, it is all pretty and lit up, with Fantasmic, World of Color and the Candlelight Processional to think of, I think I'd rather see the parade in the daylight so I don't miss the other things. Also, I can see the detail on the rides better in the daytime. Of course, depending upon how they work the Candlelight Processional, it may be a moot point.

 

[jsebsirois]

Totally agree with fellow posters : night!

There is sometime more magical about parades at night, with all the lights on!

This trip, I'm glad Mickey's Soundsational Parade is playing later in the day to have that lightning effect.

They should do this over at Disney World!

 

[Jperiod]

It's great at night and pictures are doable if you pose yourself in an area with decent overhead lights.

As for snow and fireworks, I prefer Main Street because I like the visual effect of how they shoot off the fireworks around the castle plus when it snows on Main Street, it's absolutely covered (as if it's really snowing!). The kids' eyes light up! It's amazing to see all those little hands reaching up in wonder at the falling snow. Truly magical and brings tears to my eyes every single time I see it!

 

[jsebsirois]

Truly magical and brings tears to my eyes every single time I see it!

It also brings tears to my eyes when I see a lot of snow on the ground here in Canada, but not magical tears!

The effect is indeed spectacular on Main Street. If you can have a good spot, make sure you're there!

 

[Jperiod]

It also brings tears to my eyes when I see a lot of snow on the ground here in Canada, but not magical tears!

The effect is indeed spectacular on Main Street. If you can have a good spot, make sure you're there!

I totally agree! While I love the magic of a soft snowfall, I don't like the cold or wet aftermath! That's why Disney snow is ideal!