festival of Fantasy Parade

[jltdone]

I am newbie to Disney haven't been here in 10 years and that was before having a child. my question is this is festival of fantasy parade worth a fastpass or not. in our group is DH DW DS4 ( turning 5 when there) Disney grandma and Disney grandpa.......
We are just trying to figure out a few things and what we want to fast pass and not. So do you think this is a good fast pass or will we get a good spot without waiting hours or does the spot for the fast pass people have a good viewing and just kinda of show up just before it starts. it is scheduled to start at 3pm the day we are looking at.
I have saw the list of people have things ranked.
thanks
jay

 

[goopysolelady]

Hi Jay...I wouldn't use a FP for the parade but it's a MUST see. I'd find a spot along the parade route about 2:15-2:30...our favorite viewing area is Frontierland/Liberty Square area. Last July we were able to view off the porch of the Frontier Trading Post arriving about 2:50; it wasn't ideal (being a crowded day in the park) but worked for us and our late arrival. We're usually able to get a really good spot in the same area for the nighttime light parade by arriving 30-45 minutes before it begins. I have not used a FP for a parade so can't give you any info on the FP viewing area...hopefully someone else will reply with that information but I'd save mine for the rides! Good luck.

 

[Pixie Princess]

I am newbie to Disney haven't been here in 10 years and that was before having a child. my question is this is festival of fantasy parade worth a fastpass or not. in our group is DH DW DS4 ( turning 5 when there) Disney grandma and Disney grandpa.......
We are just trying to figure out a few things and what we want to fast pass and not. So do you think this is a good fast pass or will we get a good spot without waiting hours or does the spot for the fast pass people have a good viewing and just kinda of show up just before it starts. it is scheduled to start at 3pm the day we are looking at.
I have saw the list of people have things ranked.
thanks
jay

The " applies to most" answer is no- it is not worth wasting a FastPass for a parade. There are plenty of places along the route to watch. Prime spots do require that you secure the spot early. BUT, the general answer may not apply to you in your specific case. Is seeing this parade a top 3 must do for your group? If so, then yes, it may be worth it . Is having a good viewing spot that you don't have to stake out and hold an hour in advance very important to your group? Then yes, it may be worth it.

How's that for a non-answer. In all seriousness, you have to weigh what you'd be giving up against what is most important to your group. I can tell you for myself, I won't be using a FastPass for this parade. I haven't seen it yet, but using my FastPasses for rides and not having to wait until after 3:00 to have access to my rolling FP is more important than a prearranged parade spot.

 

[Cedarmom]

Here was our thought process, keeping in mind we were at mk three days so we had 9 guaranteed FP opportunities. It was also low crowd days.

We FPed the Main Street electrical parade. The new viewing area until the hub is complete is in the town square, so we saw the very beginning of the parade and then left the park as soon as it was over (we don't do fireworks). We were way ahead of the crowds and were on our bus and on the way back to the resort within 10 minutes of the last parade float.
For FoF, we did not FP it. It starts on the other end and the FP area is at the end of the parade as a result. We weren't planning to leave afterwards so we would have been at a crowd disadvantage getting back in line for rides. We walked up and found a (mostly standing room, but plenty of it) space on Main Street right at 3. I grabbed a snack for the kids and they ate it while watching the parade, and then we turned around and went right back to tomorrowland for more rides.

 

[picprincess]

We thoroughly enjoyed the parade FP....we had 2 toddlers in our group and it was worth it for us to have a guaranteed good spot without much waiting. We were also there during Thanksgiving week so I knew it was going to be crowded. If you are going during a busy time I think it makes more sense. If you'd like to see my pictures from the parade, I'll put the link to my blog post about the day. I hope you have a wonderful trip!!

Magic Kingdom Nov 2014

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We caught it in passing when we arrived last (a week ago Saturday). We kind of watched if as we walked through the sidewalk traffic areas to head to our plans. (No, we did not stop--kept moving as instructed.)

I think it would be totally worth seeing. Following the tips here should help you do so without wasting a FP.

 

[mbethel]

Does it always start back in Frontierland?

 

[cakebaker]

We haven't ever done FP's for the parade but we're going to try to get them this time. The parade is important to us and we've had bad experiences the last 2 trips with pushing, shoving and generally having to spend our time trying to keep our spot and not get one of us pushed out of the way. We'd rather not fight it anymore. We're doing the dessert buffet for the fireworks for much the same reason.

 

[jltdone]

We thoroughly enjoyed the parade FP....we had 2 toddlers in our group and it was worth it for us to have a guaranteed good spot without much waiting. We were also there during Thanksgiving week so I knew it was going to be crowded. If you are going during a busy time I think it makes more sense. If you'd like to see my pictures from the parade, I'll put the link to my blog post about the day. I hope you have a wonderful trip!!

Magic Kingdom Nov 2014

I would love to see the pics from your spot. The day I am looking at our sons birthday. If it starts at 3pm how long before it hits the spot you would be at. I was thinking it would be a good rest point since we would be at the park before rope drop since we have ADR before park open. We have dinner at CRT at 525pm so I was thinking it would be good timing. I am thinking we would just walk back up main street to the castle and we would be where we need to be.
thanks again this is so over whelming.
We are staying for a week and as of right now we have 4 days at magic kingdom. Go early since we are all earlier risers but leave around 1 or so and head back to beach club and enjoy a swim and then head back in the late afternoon. I am thinking this is when I would want all the fast pass times?

 

[mymankeith]

We will be coming in September and will be going to MNSSHP. Do they still do the Festival of Fantasy parade on party days?

 

[mesaboy2]

Does it always start back in Frontierland?

Pretty much. I can't recall one case where it went the opposite direction.

We will be coming in September and will be going to MNSSHP. Do they still do the Festival of Fantasy parade on party days?

Barring weather or technical issues, yes.

 

[Robo]

Pretty much. I can't recall one case where it went the opposite direction.
Barring weather or technical issues, yes.

Do you mean, "generally yes?"

 

[mesaboy2]

Do you mean, "generally yes?"

You're on me today, aren't you? I gave up absolute answers long ago here--there's always an exception!

 

[Robo]

You're on me today, aren't you? I gave up absolute answers long ago here--there's always an exception!

I generally agree with this.

 

[FantasiaMagic]

Usually I don't get FP+ for any parade, or nighttime show. As long as you get to the location pretty early, you should be ok with a decent viewing spot!

 

[kastoney]

I've never actually seen a parade largely because I refuse to stake out a spot and wait 45 minutes to an hour for it to start. Trying fast pass for our trip next week just do my poor daughter can actually see a parade in spite of her ridiculous mother

 

[Newsies]

I wouldn't consider it a "waste" of a FP+ if it's something you really want to see. It's a lovely viewing location and you're not necessarily fighting for a spot an hour before the parade begins.

 

[bababear_50]

I am newbie to Disney haven't been here in 10 years and that was before having a child. my question is this is festival of fantasy parade worth a fastpass or not. in our group is DH DW DS4 ( turning 5 when there) Disney grandma and Disney grandpa.......
We are just trying to figure out a few things and what we want to fast pass and not. So do you think this is a good fast pass or will we get a good spot without waiting hours or does the spot for the fast pass people have a good viewing and just kinda of show up just before it starts. it is scheduled to start at 3pm the day we are looking at.
I have saw the list of people have things ranked.
thanks
jay

Hi Jay and Family
JMHO
With a family of five including Grandma and Grandpa I would consider FP+ it.
It sounds like you are going in March/April which can be busy Spring Break/Easter times,I know some days have added a 12:00 pm Festival Of Fantasy Parade.
I am however a get up early (rope drop) ,use Extra Magic Hours ( EMH) type of person. My Magic Kingdom (MK) day starts at 6:45 am.
I am usually ready for lunch at 11:30 am and then heading out of the park by 12:30.
I return around 8:00 pm. for a few rides and then go to the Wishes Dessert Party.
I have booked a FP+ for Festival Of fantasy 12:00 show this March break.

*** I have once experienced a "drunk ,obnoxious, foul mouthed, physically aggressive, "person" during a parade
which almost ruined my love of Magic Kingdom ,therefore I try to find other ways to see fireworks and parades.***

Best wishes to you and your family and have a wonderful trip.
Hugs Mel

 

[islandsnoopy]

We thoroughly enjoyed the parade FP....we had 2 toddlers in our group and it was worth it for us to have a guaranteed good spot without much waiting. We were also there during Thanksgiving week so I knew it was going to be crowded. If you are going during a busy time I think it makes more sense. If you'd like to see my pictures from the parade, I'll put the link to my blog post about the day. I hope you have a wonderful trip!!

Magic Kingdom Nov 2014

We're getting FP for FoF parade. Great viewing area. Thanks for sharing your pics!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

You'll have to weigh it out for yourself. The great thing about the parade at MK if it rains there are plenty of other options to change your FP+ to, unlike Epcot if TT goes down you'll have a hard time replacing it with Soarin'.