Handicap viewing for castle stage shows

[KingdomHeartsFan]

Hi! I am taking my parents for their first trip to Walt Disney World in late April and my father will be getting around in a rented ECV. He is very eager to see the new Dream Along With Mickey show that is shown on the castle forecourt stage. I know from experience the area in front of the castle is standing room only during most shows and was wondering if there is anywhere specific for him to park in his ECV so that no one will be standing in front of him blocking his view.

I was going to post this on the Theme Parks Attractions board but I figured I would go right to the experts that have experience in such matters! TIA!

 

[BroganMc]

If someone knows they can tell me. I never seem to find a good viewing spot for these things. Not unless I arrive 20-30 min early and sit up front like everyone else.

I once arrived 15-20 min before a show, saw all the kids and parents sitting on the ground so politely parked myself off to the side to watch and videotape. I figured it was rude to pull up my chair and me (4 feet tall altogether) in front of these seated people. Sure enough when the show started, they all jumped to their feet, put their kids on the shoulders and became a human wall to my polite viewing spot.

All in all, you'd probably have better luck standing back a ways and watching from the top of a hill. You can hear it throughout the circle. Rightin front is more like a mosh pit.

 

[KingdomHeartsFan]

Thanks for the advice. I know how crowded it can get down front! I guess if nothing else, since he really wants to see it, we can just catch the first show of the day and maybe we will get up front.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I've found that a good spot to watch the Castle stage from, is the path off to the left (when facing the stage) leading towards Liberty Square. I've been able to park right up against the railings about 10 minutes before a show starts. It's not a perfect view, a few bits of the stage get blocked, but you get the gist of it fairly well.
There's also a little sheltered pavilion type thing (I know, very articulate) a bit closer and facing onto the main hub, which is sometimes empty (it also keeps you out of the sun). There's a bench in there which the non-ECVers can kneel on if they want.

Good luck and have a great time!

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

If someone knows they can tell me. I never seem to find a good viewing spot for these things. Not unless I arrive 20-30 min early and sit up front like everyone else.

I once arrived 15-20 min before a show, saw all the kids and parents sitting on the ground so politely parked myself off to the side to watch and videotape. I figured it was rude to pull up my chair and me (4 feet tall altogether) in front of these seated people. Sure enough when the show started, they all jumped to their feet, put their kids on the shoulders and became a human wall to my polite viewing spot.

All in all, you'd probably have better luck standing back a ways and watching from the top of a hill. You can hear it throughout the circle. Rightin front is more like a mosh pit.

I wonder what is with the standing up also, especially if you already have the best view possible. The same thing has happened to us-and the ones standing varied in age up to older adults with no children!!! I don't understand that one at all-why stand on your feet for the duration of the show when you can sit and see just as well.

 

[diseyore]

One reason we stand is because if we sit, getting up is nearly impossible and can be extreamly hard on the back and hips. Also, if you are sitting in the front the stage blocks part of your view. Lastly is the drinks, ice cream and other things that has been dropped on the ground is not something I would want to sit on. When we arrive we stand the whole time.

I am waiting for Disney to stop allowing the children on the shoulders. This is dangerous for the kids with large groups and makes it impossible for anyone to see. This has been a big issue with us.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

I know what you mean about not being able to get up-I have the same problem, but I was referring to the same people who were already sitting for 45 minutes waiting to watch the show (sitting on blankets, towels, etc), and are already far away from the castle (out to the pavement almost) and they seem to have no trouble getting up fast when the show starts. But, I don't really care, it just means I have to adjust my situation so my kiddos can see. I think some sort of stadium seating in front of the castle would be nice-there is plenty of room for it in that area. It could be portable to move for special occasions when it might be in the way.

 

[zumbergc]

My best strategy. This sometimes works and sometimes doesn't work.

Look for people strollers, and park about a foot or 2 behind them. Preferably a pack of strollers.
My thought with this is that at least a couple feet in front of you their shouldn't be a parent standing blocking their own kids view.

The one bad thing about this option is, generally right before, or when the show starts. (If we get lucky and people remain seated). Some body who is a late arrival, goes and stands in front of all the people sitting.
Sometimes they will move, and a father will ask them to move, sometimes works and sometimes doesn't work.

On lucky days you may see a pack of scooter lined up in a crowd chunck,
and generally if someone goes and stands in front of the bunch of scooters, you can kind of guilt them into sitting, or squating down.

Godd luck, sometimes i can see, sometimes not.

I personally think in front of the castle forefront stage should be sitting on ground or for wheel chairs only.

Cause parents with kids on the shoulders are impossible to see around.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

A few years back we were waiting for the parade to start, in a whole crowd of people who were sitting. My ankle had been playing up, not enough to land me in a chair at that point, but enough that I was glad of the sit down. When the parade rolled around most people actually stayed sitting, but there was one woman beside me who stood up and kept edging slowly in front of me. In the end I just stuck my legs out straight so she'd have to step on me to get in my way. I think she took the hint