Festival of Fantasy Dining Package-how is parade viewing?

[Surgie2]

Debating on getting the FoF dining package for our early May 2018 trip. I'm trying to keep ADRs to a minimum because we have four kids in the groups (ages 1-5) and non-TS meals are the easiest. Plus we don't want to use up a lot of park time eating in restaurants.

But if the FoF package would mean not having to stake out a parade spot in advance I might consider it. Is the TS at Tony's pretty efficient? Is the food "ok"? Is the parade viewing spot in the sun if it's a sunny day? Is the parade permanently at 2:00 as far as anyone can tell? Thanks for info!

 

[yulilin3]

I haven't had a meal from Tony's in a very, very long time so I won't give my opinion on that but the parade viewing area is completely in the sun, no shade whatsoever

 

[bobbiwoz]

Three of 4 adults enjoyed our meals at Tony's, and the parade viewing was excellent, but yes, in sun. We did it in March. DH, was the one who did not enjoy his meal, he thought it was dry.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

No one knows for sure if parade will be moved back to 3 after parties for year are done.

 

[jaysmom4285]

We've always had good luck viewing the parade from Frontierland, on the side of street where the buildings are (I never know east from west). It's the shady side of the street, so you are neither standing the sun nor looking up into the sun at the tall floats. And Frontierland is virtually always much less crowded than Main Street, since most people seem to think they have to watch from Main Street. Just something to consider if you are reluctant to do a questionable ADR and don't want to stand in the sun.

 

[AngiTN]

Debating on getting the FoF dining package for our early May 2018 trip. I'm trying to keep ADRs to a minimum because we have four kids in the groups (ages 1-5) and non-TS meals are the easiest. Plus we don't want to use up a lot of park time eating in restaurants.

But if the FoF package would mean not having to stake out a parade spot in advance I might consider it. Is the TS at Tony's pretty efficient? Is the food "ok"? Is the parade viewing spot in the sun if it's a sunny day? Is the parade permanently at 2:00 as far as anyone can tell? Thanks for info!

There is very little gained with this package
First, your view of the parade is the same no matter where you view it from. Be it at the viewing area outside of Tony's or over in Frontier Land. It's the same parade. Not like Fireworks where it does matter where you are when you see it. So staking out a spot is much less important and way easier. You can walk up over in Frontier Land minutes before the parade starts. We usually hang back and wait on them to pull the rope across to seal off the cross walks and fill in right along that rope. They do this right before the parade starts.
Second, to call Tony's food "ok" is being generous.
Third, the parade viewing spot is in the sun and often, to get a good spot in the viewing area you have to arrive earlier than you would to get a good viewing spot anywhere else along the route.

 

[disneyvoice]

Personally I see absolutely no reason to do a package for the afternoon parade. I'm not a parade person at all (except for when the Electric Parade is there) and it seems no matter what I do I always have to suffer through the afternoon parade - it either follows me down mainstream while I shop or it follows me through Frontier Land/Liberty Square. You don't even need to line up early for the afternoon parade during the busiest times of the year. You can literally find an excellent viewing spot even with small children in Frontier Land or Liberty Square AFTER the parade has already started. And I definitely wouldn't waste my time on Tony's.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Should add there is one additional benefit to the FOF package.

The package comes with an appetizer. So, if you are on the dining plan, by booking the package, you get a free appetizer vs. using a credit at Tony's without the package.

 

[Surgie2]

You can walk up over in Frontier Land minutes before the parade starts. We usually hang back and wait on them to pull the rope across to seal off the cross walks and fill in right along that rope. They do this right before the parade starts.

Thanks AngiTN, so is the walk you are referring to the one right outside of Splash Mountain?

 

[AngiTN]

Thanks AngiTN, so is the walk you are referring to the one right outside of Splash Mountain?

No, closer to Country Bears
They keep a couple places open in the ropes for people to cross to go between Liberty Square area and FrontierLand area, and on to Adventure Land. So over around The Shooting Gallery, Pin Store, Country Bears, etc. There are a couple of places they keep open with ropes along the way. They'll close them off when the parade comes by.

 

[TAK]

The parade viewing spot is RIGHT in the sun. No shade, no mercy.

It's the same parade no matter what, but it's a different experience and, yes, a different view depending on where you want to watch it from. You just have to decide how you want to experience it. Some places have a good view and others don't. Some spots are more comfortable than others. Some even happen at a different time -- the parade goes by Frontierland quite a bit before it gets to Main Street. So it's timing, too.

I love the FoF parade, it's one of my favorite things in all of Disney so it's a priority for me. I've seen FoF from the riverboat at Tiana's party -- it was nice and calm and private, but you're far away, and trees get in the way. I've watched from Casey's, and while it was nice to sit down, there are people in front of you. I've watched from from Main Street, and if you're willing to stake out your claim, you'll get a great view, but be prepared to invest some time in that. I can't speak to the view in Frontierland. We watched the Electrical Parade from there and had a bad experience hanging on to a spot. Watching from where they'll close the ropes is a good tip, and we'll try it sometime.

The parade viewing spot was hot and uncomfortable, but IMHO, the view was amazing. It's like they're running the whole FoF parade just for you -- it comes right at you, turns, and then goes by inches away from you. Up close and personal with all the parade participants, amazing photos. Sitting in the sun was miserable -- the pavement was so hot we had to put a bag down to sit on -- but the second the parade came, I didn't care anymore. YMMV, but I was glad I did it once, at least.