FP for parades and/or fireworks

[shana398]

Is it a good idea to FP either one of these? How do you know where to go? Is the seating much better? I am thinking of using our Animal Kingdom day to Park Hop over to MK in the evening and FP parade and fireworks if possible.

 

[mom2rtk]

There is no "seating" for either of these.

 

[shana398]

Misspoke! Not the seating, but the area, is it a good area, is there plenty of room? Thanks!

 

[peajay18]

The MK parade is worth FP+ing as you get a good viewing spot in a reserved area. You can wait until 15mins before the parade starts and still get a great, uncrowded view.
The fireworks viewing location isn't quite as good, so unless it's super busyIi wouldn't FP it.

 

[mom2rtk]

"Plenty of room" might be overselling it.

We did the fireworks viewing last Saturday. It was busier than I liked, but less busy than I would have experienced outside that area. And it was a good view. I loved that we could spread out and sit or lay down (my daughter loved that part) while we were waiting. But they seemed quite insistent that everyone stand once it started which seemed silly. We were toward the back of the area and there was still room back there. Of course, most would stand anyway so they could see over the heads of the standing people in front of them.

Turns out that even in FP viewing areas, people still try to squeeze in front of you and put their kid on their shoulders at the last minute though. Thankfully after enough requests from the crowd, they lowered them a bit.

I don't rate it as a slam dunk "must do". It got the job done though and I might do it again one day.

How's that for a ringing endorsement?

We didn't do parade FPs so can't comment on that.

 

[JZCubed]

Is it a good idea to FP either one of these? How do you know where to go? Is the seating much better? I am thinking of using our Animal Kingdom day to Park Hop over to MK in the evening and FP parade and fireworks if possible.

I have/had the same outline - AK at Rope Drop, MK FP+ for Parade & Fireworks.

It appears that until the Parade FP+ area is moved back to the Hub near the Castle, this is not the best use of a FP+.

Fireworks get mixed reviews. The two FP+ areas are between center hub and Casey's/Plaza Ice Cream. There is no seating, however, you may sit on the (fake) grass. You will then be asked to stand once the Castling Lighting and Fireworks begin.

Fireworks FP+ Benefit: a bit less waiting for a good spot, no fighting for a space, less crowded than Main Street/in front of Castle, and an excellent (mostly) unobstructed view. But since you are still waiting, FP+ for Fireworks does not save you much time, just mostly offers convenience.

 

[shana398]

It will be myself and DS4. The night we want to go, Wishes is at 10:00 and there is a parade at 9:00 and another one at 11:00. Should I FP the 9:00 parade and 10:00 Wishes or the 10:00 Wishes and 11:00 parade? Will I be able to make it from one spot to another in time? Thanks!

 

[mom2rtk]

It will be myself and DS4. The night we want to go, Wishes is at 10:00 and there is a parade at 9:00 and another one at 11:00. Should I FP the 9:00 parade and 10:00 Wishes or the 10:00 Wishes and 11:00 parade? Will I be able to make it from one spot to another in time? Thanks!

Will your 4 year old last through an 11 PM parade and actually enjoy it?

I'd be pretty tempted to go with the 9 PM parade just to be on the safe side.

 

[mesaboy2]

Answers to FP FAQs like yours can be found in the green link in my signature.

 

[shana398]

We are planning on AK, head back to hotel around 3:00 - 4:00, rest up and then go to MK about 7:00 or so. My son will stay up. He has never been a sleeper, unlike my first two kids! We have to go on bike rides, play outside, go swimming, go to Tee Ball practice at home just to wear him out enough to get him to bed by 9:30, and he's up by 6:30 a.m. We also will have a resort day the following day, so we can sleep in if we need to!