For people who actually LIKE to watch MK parades...

[PHamrick]

tell me where you like to watch them and why? Do you like atmosphere? Ease of entrance/exit? Are photographs important? If so, where is your favorite spot/best picture? Do you take into consideration where you want to go next? Basically, break down your parade strategy for me! It's been a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time (Grad Night 1994, I think) since I last sat down for a Disney World parade.

 

[GatorMama]

We discovered an awesome spot for Boo to You in September. Right on the very edge of the corner of the doors near Country Bear Jamboree. It was perfect because we had that extra several inches of height for the vertically challenged, a great landmark for anyone leaving and coming back (I went through adventureland to get dole whips. That was a terrible idea. I was covered in melted dole whip before I got back), and we were right up against the rope. And plenty of space behind us for people to still walk easily, even in larger groups, so we weren't being jostled by being trying to actually move around the park. We snagged the spot about thirty minutes early. As far as I know, we didn't block anyone else's view except the gentleman who came and sat down behind us long after we had been there. And he was sitting against the wall, so I don't think he expected to see much.

 

[PHamrick]

First of all...LOVE your name! Are you a Gator? I graduated from UF in 1998. Secondly, thanks for the tips. I have a weird question: did you feel the "ambiance" of Liberty Square/Frontierland changed how you felt about the parade? I've only watched from Main Street. THANKS!

 

[ksinniger]

Where we watch depends on what parade it is. For MSEP, we love Frontierland, across from the Pin Trading outpost. It's fairly dark, so photos won't come out well unless you have a camera designed for very low light, but it's less crowded, you don't have to camp out in your spot as early as on Main Street, and you can run back to BTMRR after the last float passes and ride 1-2 times before the wait builds up again.

For FOF, we like the same spot because it's shady, and again less crowded. That said, the old FP+ spot in the hub is amazing for photos with the castle behind the floats. But it's in full sun and VERY HOT. I'd also love to catch it from the upper level of the train station someday, because of the height of the floats, but I'm never willing to give up park time to squat in those spots.

For the special parades (Boo to You and MVMCP), we love town square, in front of the theater where Mickey and Tink meet. We usually wait for the 2nd parade, too, and find our spots after fireworks and picking up a treat somewhere. Gives us easy/quick access to the exit, which is always welcome after a long party day.

 

[momof2n2]

I have not been to the Magic Kingdom in a few years, but I always like to sit in front of the walk-through in frontier land for the afternoon parade. I like the spot because once the parade passes me we can still do all the things in frontierland and Adventureland because the walkway is right behind me. It's also convenient to the bathrooms. So as I am sitting in saving seats, my husband can run a child or two to the bathroom and waiting.

For the evening parade, I like to sit near the walk way to tomorrowland. The one closer to the castle. If you consider the castle at 12 o'clock I would say I said around 2 o'clock to 3 o'clock.

 

[Julylady]

I have a few favorite spots. Let me say that we are not a family that will invest an hour or more in waiting at the perfect parade spot. We will typically try to find a place about 15-10 minutes prior to the parade. It is also helpful to know where each parade starts. You can usually ask a parade cast member for information. And, we don't ever "sqeeze" in on other guests who have been waiting. I have had this done to me and I won't do it to someone else.
My spots:
1. At the very front of the park. I can often get a spot 15 minutes or so before the parade is going to get there. I have sat in front of Tony's, just outside of the Emporium on the side street, or on the curb in the center by the flagpole. I think this place fills up last because people aren't sure the the parade is going to go around the entire circle. If you aren't sure, ask a Cast Member.
2. Behind the handicap area by Liberty Tree Tavern. (Standing room only). Try to manuver to a spot behind the handicap setting area. Typically, those watching are either on scooters or in wheelchairs. Their families tend to sit on the wall. I have often found a nice place to stand to watch the parade over all their heads.
3. Outside of Country Bear. This one is nice because you can either exit to Adventureland after the parade or make your way deeper into Frontierland.

For our next trip we are going to try to get Fast Passes for the parades. That will be a different experience for us!

 

[dkrauss]

During our last trip in Sept 2014 we actually had a FP for the Festival of Fantasy Parade. That location "was" in front of and to the right of the castle. That location was just great! We were so close to the action........in fact we very easily interacted with characters. Now there's two things.............because of Hub work this location has been moved for the FP site...........to a location near the flag down Main St. Secondly, there was no shade in that spot..........so if you have a warm, (no hot day!! ) you need to prepare..............must print sunglasses and a hat......at the least. You can see our location and full parade in the video I made from that trip.

I like watch the parade on the hub to right of the castle anywhere form the FP location up until Main St..................for sure don't stand near Casey's or the Crystal Palace.......thats the wrong side of the hub and it gets very crowded and pushy there.

Doug

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I have decided I only like to watch them from the fastpass area. I've done it twice and nobody was rude or pushy.

 

[PHamrick]

Doug: thanks for the great video! One of the reasons why I was leery of the FP area is because I read reports that it was RIGHT ON TOP of the floats. And yes, they seem close, but not THAT close. Your video was amazing! and great character interactions. We may actually try for a FP now--avoid pushy people, not have to waste time waiting (also agree Julylady--with 2 young kids (4 and 6) we aren't waiting an hour either!). Thanks for all the feedback! Hope we can get the FP!!!

 

[Frozen2014]

For Electrical Parade, we watched near the MK entrance near railroad station. We didn't stay for fireworks so it let us easily escape afterwards.
For Daytime parade, stood to the left of the hub at the bridge to Liberty Square.
For Boo-To-You parade, stood right at the hub infront of the caslte. We had just finished watching the Villians show on stage and I saved the spot while my kids watched closer.

For all though, we got there early (but only by about 30 minutes)

 

[sharadoc]

Frontierland is perfect, as long as you're not going for the "ultimate" WDW location. We go in front of the shooting arcade. There's a raised deck to sit on and wait and when they put up the ropes, it's only one person deep. You can stay seated and still see over heads, or stand and get a great view.

We got there a little later the day before Thanksgiving 2014 for FOF so the front of the deck was occupied. We sat on the side which was fine, but then we figured out we could back up, stand on a bench in front of the shootin' arcade watch it as it came down the street. The view was great. My pics are too big, I'll try to figure out if I can shrink and post them.

 

[donac]

First of all...LOVE your name! Are you a Gator? I graduated from UF in 1998. Secondly, thanks for the tips. I have a weird question: did you feel the "ambiance" of Liberty Square/Frontierland changed how you felt about the parade? I've only watched from Main Street. THANKS!

We have always watched from Main Street until our last time. We sat in front of Liberty Tree Tavern and absolutely loved the location. I would not sit across from the tavern since those people seemed to like to stand. If you looked to your right you could see what was coming and still have time to get your camera ready. We didn't have to wait over an hour before the parade. We saw the parade twice and both times we got there about 8:20 for the 9 parade. I was a convert.

 

[lroger01]

I don't have a "specific" spot, but do have one requirement. I try to find a spot where the parade route "bumps out" a little. Standing on the apex of a curve gives you a broader view of the parade. Those sitting next to you are a little further back. Even if they stand and you want to sit, their standing won't block your view of the next float as much. Sure you can just wait for it to get in front of you, but with the spacing of the floats, it's nice to be able to see what's coming up next.

 

[g8torphan]

Vote here for train station platform for FoF.
Since the floats are large it gives a different perspective. Also, somewhat shaded.
FoF get there around 320. We showed up at about 310 and were in the 2nd "row". Plenty of room and you can see the floats head down Main with the castle behind them.
You can then take the train to the back of the park if you'd like.

Go Gators!

 

[Goddesstree]

We go in August a lot, and we've found a workable system> we wait in the Emporium and then move out to the inside of a roped off access point when it starts to get crowded. So, we are not blocking the access, but we have no one beside us. We chat with the CMs on duty (and try to make them smile, since they are doing the most difficult job at WDW at the time) and then when the parade comes by, we have a great view. It's not front row, but we have an open area right beside us that gives us a 'front row effect'. If the accessway gets closed, we can move to the front row at the spot quite easily.

 

[kamik86]

What I like doing is going to frontierland (less crowded) and picking any spot where the tape on the ground makes a corner. The ropes may/may not be up yet (I do this 30 min to an hour before depending on what we are doing) We sit there right in the corner because there is always a CM nearby making sure no one blocks the pathway. The most common spot we do this is near the pin trading store where the parade viewing makes a corner to allow access to the section with the bathrooms and goes into adventureland.

With the CM right there its much harder for people to say get in front of you and then try to step back when someone says they can't be over the line because they are noticed right as they get there. Plus it gives us someone to chat with while we wait as most of the CMs will chat if they aren't busy telling people not to wait outside the tape every two seconds.

 

[Lids]

Thank you everyone for the tips. We are going in August and I appreciate these tips.

 

[brandikorte]

Definitely trying the train platform for FoF

 

[YawningDodo]

I always favored Frontierland because it seemed to me to get less crowded than the areas toward the front of the park. The side toward Adventureland has better places to sit, but if you sit on the other side of the route with your back to BTMRR you get to turn around and hoof it onto one of the mountains at the end of the parade while everyone else is still stuck in post-parade foot traffic.

 

[Twende]

I can tell you one place NOT to use. We sat on a wall near The Hall of Presidents and then stood when the 3 o'clock parade began. It was a great view except for one big thing......... the SUN! It caused us to hold our hands up in front of our faces for the entire parade. So be aware of where the sun shines in relation to where the parade is. Next time, if it is a sunny day, we will make sure we are on the other side of the street.