Dis Guru's Please HELP! Need any tips to Parade, Fireworks, etc. viewing

[lil_ragamuffins]

Hello! I'm in need of a little help planning some of the entertainment into our three day DL stay. My boys have been to DL twice (once as a family, once with Mama & Papa) So far, we have not had the oppotunity to see the DCT fireworks show up close, or the POD (it's a shame really), and we've only caught a small bit of Fantasmic. We did however, have a fabulous time at the Block Party Bash nearly 2 years ago, and my little ones were even brought to the front to participate!

I have twin 5 year old boys and an infant so staking out a spot an hour or so in advance isn't really an option for us. Kids are not the most patient bunch. Are there any secrets to getting a pretty decent last-minute spot for these things. We're going during the off season so a lot of these things are only avialable on the weekends. I don't want to miss them yet again and I'm really going to need any help you can offer. Thanks in advance!

 

[CanadianPaco]

bump.

 

[DLR29]

Well, a good place that we found to watch the fireworks was back by the teacups. Not crowded and a good view (but you can't see Tinkerbell). The parade is not as easy to not stake out a spot an hour before. I can guarantee that you won't find a spot on Main Street or the hub a half an hour before the parade on a weekend. Maybe find a spot by Alice in Wonderland/Matterhorn, or up by IASW.

I would not recommend seeing both the parade and the fireworks on the same day because with young kids a good thing to do is to take an afternoon break/nap. It gives them energy to stay longer. So you will want to see the parade one afternoon and take a break the other afternoon if possible.

 

[fairycat]

I tend to watch the fireworks at the front hub of Main Street (were you come in) since you can see the Castle and the effects on Main Street, you can still breathe and hoist up the kids if you need to, and can walk up any time and still get a spot. The down side no tinkerbelle really from that distance.

We have always walked up and saw Fantasmic, but we mostly have teens and adults in our group who can see over people and don't mind splitting up so not a real option for you.

Sorry I don't do many parades so no help there, but if you eat at WTC or Vineyard room you can usually get a seat to see the Electric parade at DCA.

 

[tinkerbelt]

What days will you be at the park?

Plan on doing fireworks on the first day, in case they get cancelled due to inclement weather - that way you will have two more chances. The best place to view the fireworks is the hub, or in the area around it. If you want to get a clear shot of the castle with no trees, you probably will have to wait anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours, depending on the crowds. We frequently do it with a 4 year old, 2 3 year olds, and an infant. Have one of the adults get a spot and sit with the baby, and then have another adult take the kids on some rides nearby. Or, grab a spot and send someone to get dinner, and have a picnic while you wait. Crayons, paper, and video iPods are really great too!

If the crowds aren't too heavy, you can usually find a spot in the middle of Main Street somewhere about 15 minutes before the show. It's harder for the kids to see from back there, and keep in mind that if you put them up on your shoulders, you might have some upset people behind you, especially if you show up at the last minute. But usually something can be worked out.

The parade is the same day or night. The parade route stretches the length of the entire park from Main Street to IASW, so grab a spot anywhere. Also be sure to find out where the parade is starting from, because if it is starting on Main Street and you get a seat by IASW, then you're going to be waiting an extra 20-30 minutes for the parade to make it's way down there.

For Fantasmic, if they do two shows, the 9:00 is always more crowded than the 10:30, so you need to get there early for that one. For the 10:30, you can usually get good seats about 30 minutes prior. My personal preference is to be in the center, right in front of the house on the island.

 

[lil_ragamuffins]

Thanks so much for your help. We will be in the park Thur, Fri. & Sat. the last week of October. However, on Thursday evening, we will be attending MHT in CA. Does anyone have any ideas how crowded the parks are at this time of year? Are the lines not too bad?

 

[tinkerbelt]

It might be a bit crowded, because it's over a weekend, but overall it should be fine. Three days will be plenty of time to see everything. Do the fireworks on Friday night, and plan on going Saturday night too, just in case. October is Santa Ana season, so there is a good chance that fireworks will be cancelled due to winds. Fantasmic should be running on Friday & Saturday nights, and they haven't done the schedule that far out, but I am assuming the Electric Parade will not be running (unless for some reason they extend it through the fall this year, which I highly doubt).