Completely over-the-top parade question

[Kate-n-sam]

OK people, I'm obsessing about the parades now, and the crowds and the pushing and shoving and mean people. I do not wish to participate in this behavior, so I just have a couple of questions regarding parade viewing and waiting.

OK, now I know the CMs string a rope prior to the parade to mark the routes and for crowd control. Do you find a spot before this rope goes up? If not how do you know where to place your body in relation to where the cut-off is? Does this make any sense, LOL?

I'm picturing lining up for the parade, no rope is up yet people standing in front of me, the rope comes through and the cms just ask everyone to step back, then I'm in the back row!

Please shed some light on this so I can stop being nutso about this!

Thanks!

 

[poohtown]

we just came back from our first trip so i'm not sure what it's like other months. We sat right outside the Christmas Shoppe and had a great view. The ropes were already up but we picked our spot about 1/2 hour before the parade. The only problem I had was there was a couple right next to me who had a baby that kept crying the whole time. (i'm talking screaming). They never once tried to console the baby and I kept giving them dirty looks. Finally I moved so my video wouldn't pick up the babys crys.

 

[WDSearcher]

You're going to have problems in any location (like the Hub or along Main Street) that is particularly popular and populated. However, there are plenty of places in the parks where you can stand and have no one pushing to get in front of you.

Remember that if you're trying for a "prime spot", you're one of thousands of people doing that. And in any group of a thousand, some are going to be rude. But it's honestly not this big free-for-all with nasty looks and rude comments flying everywhere. Well ... not every time, anyway!

As for your specific question ... when in doubt, ask a CM! And, better yet, wait until the rope goes up and then wander from the Hub into Frontierland until you find a relatively open spot along the rope. And then stand there. And if someone tries to move in front of you, either move to another location or decide if a parade viewing spot is really something worth going to the wall for. If it is, then ask the offender to move or call in a crowd-control CM to assist you.

Bottom line is ... it's just a parade! Honestly not worth "being nutso" about!

 

[Safari Steve]

You're worrying too much about something that isn't a big deal. You don't need to have a spot before the ropes are up. The best way to avoid the biggest crowds and problems with other guests is to avoid the hub area (right in front of the castle) and most of Main St.
Sit in Liberty Square or Frontierland, and avoid sitting near a crosswalk (those will be evident when the ropes are up).
You should be fine.

 

[wdarling]

thankfully i have never encountered any problems with viewing a parade in all my years visiting wdw. i tend to snag a spot on the curb on main street about 90-60mins prior to the parade. i go in july so it's extremely hot. while i sit my mom will venture into the stores and bring my cool treats. i leave her bag next to me securing her spot. a good tip is sitting next to a garbage can or right in front of a lamp post where the plants hang from. it's harder to squeeze someone into those spots.