DL Parade - Anyplace to Actually Sit?

[BriannaRuth]

Other than the restrooms near Alice, is there anywhere you can actually sit for the DL parade (and still be able to see)? And I don't mean sitting on a curb or something. It's my understanding there's a bench near the Alice restrooms where you can sit.

We've always seen parades as prime time to ride so haven't really seen the whole thing, but this year I'm slowing down to smell some roses.

Note: We will be seeing the 4pm parade, which is the first parade of the day, so the parade will be starting near IASW. Aren't the restrooms near Alice on the wrong side to see this parade if it starts from here? Or does it not matter so close to the beginning?

And is 30 minutes ahead of time realistic?

 

[wenrob]

This last trip we had just come out of Mickey's Magical Map and on a whim decided to grab a snack and watch the parade. We sat in that little area where Merida used to meet and sometimes random characters meet. I forget what it's called but it's right before It's a Small World. Our kids stood but DH and I sat on the bench/planters. Our view wasn't perfect but it was good enough. Lots of people were sitting on the steps that lead up to that area. We decided it would be our new spot. I've never been one to stake out a spot but I think we were there for maybe 20mins before the parade came our way.

 

[mvf-m11c]

There are a lot of areas on the parade route that areas that you can seat instead of sitting on the floor or curb side. There are a lot of places on Main Street, right by AiW restroom area which have a place to sit during the parade, & IASW Plaza. You can watch the parade right next to AiW restroom area but there will be people waiting for the parade and stake a spot. Mostly at MS, people wait as long as 1 hour or 2 for a spot on MS that includes the benches right around the Hub. You will be able to see the parade from the AiW restroom area.

Watching the parade from IASW Plaza is one of the shortest wait times to see the parade where MS draws the huge crowds. If you want a bench on MS, it will require a lot of wait time.

 

[tarheelalum]

Plaza Inn restaurant outdoor seating, on the main street side, has a pretty good view. The best view is sitting on the curb on Main Street but my lower back does not like doing that for long.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

The long stone bench at adjacent to the Alice restrooms is actually a good option. No one can sit in front of you or behind you. It's basically you and the parade with not a lot of crowding/jostling involved. Granted, the parade kind of comes around a corner into view, so no long, oncoming view. But when it comes, you're almost eye-level with it right in front of you. We sat here for an evening parade on a crowded day, and space was gone by 30 minutes before. I'd give at least that much time.

 

[jina]

We are planning to see the first parade next Tuesday- is it definite that the parade starts near IASW and ends @ Main Street for the first parade? We lucked out w/ VIP reserved seating which is right at the Main Street train station but now it sounds like we may be sitting there a very long time waiting for the parade. Also, does the Frozen pre-parade follow the same route or does it only happen at the starting location of the parade?

 

[BayGirl22]

We usually watch by the AIW bathrooms and I've only seen it when the parade starts at IASW. There's only one side to view from there so the performers are focused on you. We have a stroller so usually leave it to the back and grab a spot on the ground with the kids. I'm usually there in lower crowd times, but in our experience you don't have to get there super early to get a ground spot in front, I've never tried to get a bench spot.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

We are planning to see the first parade next Tuesday- is it definite that the parade starts near IASW and ends @ Main Street for the first parade? We lucked out w/ VIP reserved seating which is right at the Main Street train station but now it sounds like we may be sitting there a very long time waiting for the parade. Also, does the Frozen pre-parade follow the same route or does it only happen at the starting location of the parade?

Yes, it's definite. The first or only parade of the day begins at iasw. The second parade, if there is one, begins in Town Square. The Frozen pre-parade is 10 minutes before the first parade and travels the entire route from iasw to Town Square. There is no Frozen pre-parade before the second parade.