Fireworks & Parade Strategies

[MomlovesDad]

I have unsuccessfully searched for a thread listing the fireworks and parades according to parks and approximate summer schedules. I am trying to plan our viewings, and I am looking for some strategies of viewing spots. I have read a little about the cruises, and wondered if you can hear the music on them. Thanks for any advice or strategies you all can give. I just LOVE this board!! You all are priceless!

A little p.s. - booked our CRT breakfast this morning - at 6:00 am. CT - I'm acting just like a kid, I'm so EXCITED! This is MOM'S "wanna-do". Hehee.
Thanks - MOMLOVESDAD

 

[iluvtink]

CONGRATULATIONS on getting CRT!!! We've been able to eat there twice, and are going to try it again when our magic 90 day countdown occurs.

As far as the fireworks and parade schedules, I don't think they have been released for the summer months. (If I'm wrong, PLEASE someone correct me!) Everyone has a different opinion about where to view, what time to stake your spot, which are the most important to see.

My suggestion would be to buy a copy of the Unofficial Guide to WDW and read it cover to cover several times, marking the relevant stuff to go back to later. The UG people have spent many years in the parks analyzing traffic flow, etc., and will generally have good advice about how to see what and when is the best time to see it! Yes, everyone who has bought this guide also knows the little tips, but we have always had success seeing what we wanted to see using this Guide.

This Board ROCKS!!! You have to set a timer though, or you will all of a sudden look up and see that it's time to fix dinner and you are still in your PJ's!

 

[Suzflee]

Wishes - Someone here pointed us to Casey's on main Street. just stand in the road and the castle view is incredible!

someone here also suggested Mexico for Illuminations. Another thumbs! My kids had an unobstructed water view in the corner just across the bridge next to the benches and we didn't feel crowded. DS even had room to lay down and take a nap before it started!

 

[mommystieg]

As another poster stated, summer hours have not been posted but as part of the Grand Gatherings celebration there is a fireworks cruise offered on Mondays and Saturdays so you can be pretty sure that SM/Wishes will be scheduled on those two days and then you can hope more times will be added. That is how we have tentatively scheduled our week in early June--we plan on seeing them on Saturday but we are hoping that at least one more night will be added since one of the families visiting with us will be leaving Saturday afternoon.

Illuminations is offered nightly at 9 pm--almost anywhere in WS is a good spot. Just be very aware of the wind direction or you could end up covered in smoke.

A good tip for parade viewing that I have read (and tried) is to position yourself where the parade starts. That way once the parade passes by you can just about walk on any ride in the nearby area since there are still LOTS of people waiting for the parade to pass them by. We did this last year and rode HM in MK twice without waiting in line. About the only park this may not work well in is AK. The parade there begins and ends in Harambe--if you wait there you get to see the parade twice and maybe catch any photo ops you may have missed the first time.