FoF Parade viewing without sun/ Parade dining - worth it?

[Raya]

We usually avoid the parks in the middle of the day (11 to 4) due to medical issues with the sun. However, seeing the dragon in the FoF parade is a big deal for our family. Is there any place we could watch the parade that is shaded? Is not, is the Parade dining option a good choice?

Pros:
guaranteed seating without spending hours waiting out in the sun

Cons:
?? Maybe that we have to eat at Tonys? Some people don't seem to like it.

Our plan would be to enter the park just before the latest possible lunch, see the parade, and then return to the hotel. We'd use that same ticket to park hop after the sun isn't so high.

I'd want to watch the parade with an umbrella. Are those considered rude?

 

[cakebaker]

We’ve done the parade dining a couple of times and doing it again in May. I don’t have a problem with the food, I think it’s just THE place to hate on the Dis. Pros: you don’t have to sit and stake a spot, no real need to get there until just before the parade. Its arguably the best viewing area in the park- lots of time to view Maleficent because they turn at that spot, and if you choose the more expensive menu items, you would have spent as much or more eating there if you didn’t have the pkg. We try and get right on the curb so we can sit to view the parade and usually bring an umbrella for shade if it’s a hot day. We use umbrellas in the park all the time. They aren’t rude, just be aware of others around you, keep the umbrella closer so you’re not blocking anyone.

I can’t think of a con.

 

[mom2rtk]

I've used an umbrella in the parks. I've used one while waiting for the parade. I wouldn't use it during the parade unless there's nobody behind you.

That spot for the dining package is a great view. But I don't think there's any shade.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

There's absolutely no shade in the reserved area. It's the grassy area where the flag pole is in the middle of Town Square.

You can wait in a building until just before parade time and go out to the viewing area, to minimize the sun. There will be plenty of space.

 

[cakebaker]

This is the approximate viewing area. We’ve never found it at all crowded and it’s easy to find a spot where you won’t be bothering people with an umbrella. If you’re on the curb, you can sit and definitely won’t be blocking anyone’s view. The top of the viewing area is our favorite spot.

 

[lvdis]

We watched it from a shady spot in Frontier Land somewhere in the area between Country Bear Jamboree and the Diamond Horseshoe. I believe we got there maybe 20-30 minutes ahead of time so we could make sure we had shade and a front row spot.

 

[PHXscuba]

We watched it from a shady spot in Frontier Land somewhere in the area between Country Bear Jamboree and the Diamond Horseshoe. I believe we got there maybe 20-30 minutes ahead of time so we could make sure we had shade and a front row spot.

This post is along what I was thinking. There is a long elevated porch with benches next to Liberty Tree Tavern on the south side of the street. It should be shaded that time of day. We parked ourselves here about a half-hour before the parade and got snacks to eat. After the parade passed on its way to Main Street we ducked out left into Adventureland.

PHXscuba

 

[jaysmom4285]

We watched it from a shady spot in Frontier Land somewhere in the area between Country Bear Jamboree and the Diamond Horseshoe. I believe we got there maybe 20-30 minutes ahead of time so we could make sure we had shade and a front row spot.

This. Anywhere in front of the buildings in Frontierland will be shady when the parade goes by. And Frontierland is generally quite a bit less crowded than Main Street for parade viewing.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

We love the Tonys parade package. It’s not shaded, but you have a great view with no wait. As for the food, we’ve never had a problem. It’s not the best food in Disney but it’s not awful either.