Good spots for the parades/fireworks

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

I was wondering if any of you knew any "secret" "noncrowded" great spots to watch the parades and fireworks at MK AK MGM and Epcot. Im going down w/ my DH and DILs and they ALL have agita about crowds!!

While Im at it, are there any spots know to stand for charater interaction? Last Nov. we saw the TOD parade and the puppets just seemed to graitate to our spot and interact w/my DD. She loved it!! Im sorry we wont abe ble to see it again this year.

 

[LemonFruitChew13]

i dont know of any noncrowed spots to see the fireworks but in MK i read that if you sit by Dumbo your supposed to have a really good view of them. Also if youhave a hotel room overlooking a room you can just sit on the porch and that i know would be noncrowed

 

[Ratpack]

One of the best places to watch the parades in MK is in FrontierLand. You can usually get a good spot about 20 minutes before the parade starts verses Main Street where you need to be there an hour or more. For the fireworks, near Ariel's Grotto or Dumbo is great. Usually no one there since they all want to see them over the castle.

 

[disneyatl]

We had a great view of the Epcot fireworks show in Mexico. We ate at the mexican restaurant outside and waited for 2 hours to watch. It became more crowded at time passed but we had excellent seats!

 

[Abu1202]

I like to see the parade in frontierland also! I try to get a seat in one of the rocking chairs or on the edge of the wooden porch. Although I'm always tempted to skip the parade altogether and just go on Splash Mtn. over and over and over LOL.
Do any of you know a good place to see the MK fireworks outside the park? Can you still go up onto the terrace outside the California Grill @ the Contemporary Resort to view them? Any other ideas? Thanks

 

[Chim Chiminy]

Great spot for the Spectro or afternoon parade in MK is Frontierland, like everyone else has said. Or Liberty Square in front of the HoP. Not usually crowded.
For seeing the fireworks, I recommend Fantasyland. Last year my daughter and I saw them from Dumbo and they were just as spectacular as seeing them from in front of the castle. We even saw Tink fly out of the castle and the castle lighting up. It was pretty deserted, so we felt like the show was just for us.
At Epcot, I like watching Illuminations from Japan, in front of the Pagoda. There is a wall there you can sit or stand on and we find it to be pretty uncrowded.
Can't help you with AK or MGM, but I hope to be seeing both parades next week!!!!

 

[sarahandhannahsmom]

In Epcot, I was told that a great place was in Mexico.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Another vote for Frontierland. Less crowded and easier to exit! By the way, we just saw the Share a Dream parade in Mk and it was wonderful!

 

[Deweysgirl]

You can see the fireworks from the 4th floor at Contemporary on a balcony there. Beautiful view! We saw them 7/4/02 from there. No crowds and quite peaceful. We saw the Epcot show on 7/1/03 from the outside dining area at Rose and Crown pub. Make ressies for 7:45 or so, then enjoy a leisurely dinner and over dessert you'll have perfect seats for the 9:00pm show. I don't think they allow anyone up to the terrace anymore at California Grill.
Hope this helps! Have a great trip!!

 

[hightown]

I agree that Frontierland is a great place to watch the parades. However, if you want a chance for character interaction--other than just a wave-- I think it's best on Main Street.

It seems like the beginning parade route, everything just goes by and doesn't slow or stop. But on Main, I think the floats have to hold up a bit while they make the turn and go backstage. So floats stop right on Main for a short time and the characters get the kids to come out in the street for a dance.

So would suggest you grab a spot of curb an hour or more before. Get drinks icecream and watch humanity pass before you before parade time!

 

[nluvwithdisney]

In the World Showcase, we stand directly across from Spaceship Earth. You will get a great spot for fireworks and the parade. You will also have a great postcard perfect picture of Spaceship Earth.

 

[Princess49]

If you just want to watch the parade from afar in MK- the best spot we've found for share a dream come true snow globe parade is right past the wishing well by Cinderella castle! When you have a clear view of the bridge- you're there! there are no people standing in from of the globes- because you're watching them come over the bridge! This is a great place if you've seen the parade before & don't want any up close pictures- you can go even after the parade starts- no waiting- we were the only ones standing there. & for spectro magic a good place is in front of the hall of presidents! have fun!!

 

[KS Jeff]

We like to stand on the bridge to Tomorrowland to watch the MK fireworks.

For Illuminations the first thing we do is check the wind direction. There's a lot of ground-level smoke so we go upwind. Most of the time we'll pick a spot between Canada and the UK.