Fast passes for parades

[clevmom]

is it worthwhile to use fast passes for parades? (Esp at MK) or is it better to use them in rides and meet and greets?

 

[mesaboy2]

No right answer. It comes down to what is important to you. Parade FPs generally don't save much time, but can be beneficial if you are interested in a relatively uncrowded area with premium viewing.

 

[bc7ate9]

MK is the only park that has parades. I think it depends on when you go (i.e. how crowded it will be) and how important seeing the parade is to you.

 

[clevmom]

I'm curious, because with little kids, I hate having to line up super early for parades, then it always seems like someone ends up in front of us... So a fp would help?!?

We are going Nov 18-25, not a very busy time.

 

[slickpoetry]

We are going Nov 18-25, not not a very busy time.

Who told you that?

 

[Robo]

I'm curious, because with little kids, I hate having to line up super early for parades, then it always seems like someone ends up in front of us...


So a fp would help?!?

Yup.

 

[clevmom]

Who told you that?

Well to clarify, we expect that the beginning won't be very crowded, but I understand that the crowds will grow closer to Thanksgiving.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

I'm curious, because with little kids, I hate having to line up super early for parades, then it always seems like someone ends up in front of us... So a fp would help?!?

We are going Nov 18-25, not a very busy time.

If you can time it right, there's a crossover from the Tiki Bird/Magic Carpet area to Country Bear Hall. Last summer, we were able to slip through the crossover and into the Country Bear stroller parking area just as the 3 pm parade was approaching. The kids got front row with a less than 30 second wait. Not too bad.

 

[Robo]

If you can time it right, there's a crossover from the Tiki Bird/Magic Carpet area to Country Bear Hall. Last summer, we were able to slip through the crossover and into the Country Bear stroller parking area just as the 3 pm parade was approaching. The kids got front row with a less than 30 second wait. Not too bad.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Thanks for providing the map. It just bugs me when folks are discouraged from attending a parade because they don't want a long wait. There's always a place where the wait can be very short.

Another example: I had a child performing in the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena a few years ago. Now I don't think there is anywhere near a million people along the route like they advertise, but it is really crowded. Most people gang up in the first spot they see, meaning that the intersection that we first walked up to was about 20 rows of people deep when we arrived 10 minutes before the parade started. However, we walked about a block and a half down the sidewalk and were on the 2nd row off the curb when the parade arrived. The group in front of us had slept on the curb overnight.

The trick is to simply wait where it's not crowded.

 

[HopperFan]

I'm curious, because with little kids, I hate having to line up super early for parades, then it always seems like someone ends up in front of us... So a fp would help?!?

We are going Nov 18-25, not a very busy time.

You will still need to be in line before FP+ area opens because they will no sooner open and all front row seats will be gone. You can come closer to parade time but be prepared to not be in front. We did it once.

 

[tlmadden73]

It depends what is important to you .. but I feel that Fast Passes for parades, fireworks and shows are a waste.

To me Fast Passes (thus the name) should be used to save time. Skipping a line

Fast Passes for parades, fireworks and shows do nothing but give you a better view and to me (arguably a tall person) .. having a better view of something that is viewable from almost anywhere doesn't seem worth saving 20-60 minutes waiting in line.

 

[Robo]

Fast Passes for parades, fireworks and shows do nothing but give you a better view and to me (arguably a tall person) .. having a better view of something that is viewable from almost anywhere doesn't seem worth saving 20-60 minutes waiting in line.

Maybe a better view.
Nothing guaranteed in all circumstances.

And, I don't agree with lumping FPs for "Fireworks and Parades" in with FPs for "Shows."

 

[Dis703]

We typically go when crowds are average or maybe even slightly below average. I've never needed a FP to get a front row seat at the parades and we don't go that early (maybe 15-20 minutes ahead tops). If you don't have anything else you want to use your FP for I'd go ahead and use it, but I don't think it's necessary or even an ideal use of FP+ unless you are going on a very busy day.

 

[clevmom]

I think we only ended up seeing 2 parades on our last trip, and one was at the mnsshp, so that was super crowded. Sounds like if I do some research on the parade routes, we can use the fp for rides.

Thanks!