Good viewing spot for the Xmas parade?

[disneymom1]

Can anyone recommend a good place to stand to watch the Christmas parade witht eh Macy's balloons?

 

[mousemaniac]

wondering also


bump

 

[Seahag]

Bump bump!
LOL
We are going on Christmas day, so I would love to know this.
Also, what time of the day is the parade? Is it once a day or more often?

 

[JuniperJen]

I was wondering this also. We will be there Dec. 12-14.

Jennifer

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

Surely someone has an answer for this! We will be there from 12/23 to 12/26. Trying to get everything planned out!

 

[phamton]

It starts at 5:00 PM. Unlike Disney you won't have to fight for a spot. You can see the parade anywhere along the parade route. The parade route usually runs from the area behind Jimmy Neutron and goes through Production Central, New York, and Hollywood. The route may be different this year but I doubt it. They have just started rehearsals with the balloon handlers and they haven't walked the route yet, so no one here can say definitely what the route will be. Because we don't know the exact route, we can't recommend a spot yet. Once I see the parade this year, I can let you know. But really, it isn't something you should have to plan for. Just stop anywhere along the parade route a few minutes before the parade.

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

Thank you Phantom! We appreciate the advice! So, no need to grab a spot an hour before time then?

 

[phamton]

No, need to grab a spot that early. Just walk around the route a few minutes early and find an empty spot. The most crowded spots are by Horror Makeup and Mel's. Everyone around Horror makeup just stands on the sidewalk and no one sits down. If you walk around, you can find a place to sit, away from the crowd.

 

[Debbie1967]

I recommend that you pick a spot near the buildings. I would sit on the west side due to the sun setting you don't sun glaring in your eyes. They shoot confetti thought out the parade from the rooftops. Also, when people in the parade come close to you, have your kids wave their hands, act a little crazy and they will come over give them one on one attention and hand out candy. Kids love this.

Hope you enjoy this parade as much as we did.

 

[Debbie1967]

I just found 6 pics from 2002 & 2003

In pic # 1 These balloons were not in the parade they were only on display. We viewed the parade in front of Breyer's Ice Cream shop, we ordered ice cream and picked out our spot about 30 min before starting time. I'm not sure about this year but last year they had a reserved area for passholders across the street from the Xmas tree. We decided to pick an area closser to the exit and we wanted ice cream while we waited. I recommend to have your photo with Santa early. I purchased a sheet ($15.32 with ph discount) they will hold your pics until you are ready to pick them up.

http://community.webshots.com/user/debbiefl1967

 

[Lucky4me]

We watched the parade yesterday, Dec. 10.
It was PACKED and you did need to grab a curb early if you wanted a good view. (Maybe because it was the first one of the season and a Friday night?) We sat in front of Jimmy Neutron around 4:15 and were lucky to get that.
The parade was fantastic! The characters were so animated and engaged the crowd the whole time. We were very impressed and hope to go again next year. Even more impressive was the Whoville whobilation. The attention to detail was unlike anything I've ever seen.

 

[Motherfletcher]

The APH newsletter says there is a place set aside for annual passholders. Anyone seen that?

 

[phamton]

The AP area is usually by that covered area with the benches across from Mel's.

 

[NHLFAN]

Be on the look out!
DW and I were at the park on 12/10 and as we were exiting MIB we were handed an invite w/wristband to be a balloon handler!

So yes...If you watched the parade on opening day (12/10)...we were handling the first ELF balloon right behind the Grinch float.

I'd say the best place for us in the parade was is in front of the Mummy ride...tickertape was a flying !

 

[phamton]

Be on the look out!
DW and I were at the park on 12/10 and as we were exiting MIB we were handed an invite w/wristband to be a balloon handler!

So yes...If you watched the parade on opening day (12/10)...we were handling the first ELF balloon right behind the Grinch float.

I heard the wind was pretty strong for y'all...massive balloons attacking the crowd.

 

[nile455]

Can anyone recommend a good place to stand to watch the Christmas parade witht eh Macy's balloons?

The best place for me is right in front of Monsters Cafe. Not as congested as it is further down near Shrek and Jimmy Neutron because you have that extra area near the Cafe.

 

[NHLFAN]

I heard the wind was pretty strong for y'all...massive balloons attacking the crowd.

The wind was kicking up in the staging area and we had to pull down our balloon a few times to gather control.
During the parade we were able to take it back up even higher than before...it also seemed easier to pull the balloon the higher up it went.

The Turkey and Uncle Sam seem to be the hardest to control...due to their size.

The press (channel 5 and 13) along with the local newspaper were taking photos and filming...did anyone see it in the paper or on TV yet?

 

[dkrfla]

I always like to watch it from right across the street from the big tree in New York. When Santa arrives he lights the tree and it is awesome. Also a good spot for the meet and greet with the parade performers.

Dkrfla