Getting a late lunch reservation on the MK Parade route

[MinMou]

Someone recommended doing a late lunch at Tony's Town Sq and watching the parade from that spot. I looked at the Parade route, and saw that there are other places along the route, and wondered if they would be as good or better. I would hate to make a reservation for a late lunch and find out the parade was running slow, and then we are sitting at a restaurant while the staff is trying to change over for dinner. So here are my questions: (If some of them seem weird, it's been over 40 years since I have been at MK)
1- Which direction does the Festival of Fantasy parade go in?
2- Do they cancel it for rain?
3 - I saw that Pecos Bill, the Liberty Tree Tavern, Sleepy Hollow and Casey's Corner are also on the route. Do any of them have better visibility that we would get at Tony's?
4- Is it necessary to get a reservation for lunch for that late in the day? (I think Liberty Tree is the only other one that you can make a reservation?)
5- Diamond Horseshoe is also on the route, but says open seasonally. Which season?
6 - If the parade is supposed to start at 3, what time would be ideal for a reservation?

If you have any other tips or insight regarding this plan, please include that. Even if I can't use it, someone else may.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1- Which direction does the Festival of Fantasy parade go in?
. . . from Frontierland to Towne Square (evening parade is the reverse direction)

2- Do they cancel it for rain?
. . . if I rains hard enough, yes
. . . mild rains usually don't bother, unless a threat or lightning

3 - I saw that Pecos Bill, the Liberty Tree Tavern, Sleepy Hollow and Casey's Corner are also on the route. Do any of them have better visibility that we would get at Tony's?
. . . Casey's has a good view, but as a QS, no ADR's, and you need to get there REALLY EARLY to grab a table, as folks stake them out
. . . Pecos Bill's and Sleepy Hollow are good if you can snag a table, but again, QS so get there early
. . . Tony's has a limited view from the few porch seat, but those are prized seats and you cannot reserve them

4- Is it necessary to get a reservation for lunch for that late in the day? (I think Liberty Tree is the only other one that you can make a reservation?)
. . . LTT can get an ADR up to 2:55pm, but only a couple of tables with a window view

5- Diamond Horseshoe is also on the route, but says open seasonally. Which season?
. . . during busy times, so we need to know your dates

6 - If the parade is supposed to start at 3, what time would be ideal for a reservation?
. . . better to just grab a curb than try for an ADR

 

[Deb & Bill]

The windows at LTT are wavy glass, like antique windows. So it's hard to see the parade through the windows. I know this from trying it myself.

 

[Nancyg56]

I am not a fan of tryng to book meals hoping to view events when you are the park. Even if the restauant is near the parade, there is never a gaurantee you will be seated in the line of sight. The same goes for fireworks. If you want to make sure you can enjoy the show you cannot count on a good seat b a window.

For the paade, I would try to be finished eating by 2 and then find a spot that looks good.

You did not ask, but I think that same thought goes for WIshes and for Illuminations. I know that there is always a chance that you can see Illuminations from some restaurants, but I prefer to eat and then find a nice beverage, find my spot and then just relax and wait for the show. The same for Wishes, don't try to see this show from inside.

 

[DekrRini]

I've heard that Frontierland is a really good place to watch parades. On my last trip, I happened to be in the area when the MSEP went through and there was hardly anyone there. I was almost alone on my side of the street.

 

[maryj11]

I've heard that Frontierland is a really good place to watch parades. On my last trip, I happened to be in the area when the MSEP went through and there was hardly anyone there. I was almost alone on my side of the street.

That's good to know because we plan to eat lunch there right before the parade.