Help me understand maneuvering through parks during parades

[SFMommy]

We've never been to DLR when there are parades. So when making our plan for the day, especially getting to dining reservations in the early evening, what can we expect for crowds? Will we have a difficult time getting out of the park at a certain time of day? Or will we be unable to get from Tomorrowland to Frontierland in the afternoon? Does anyone know how long the actual parade will last each time?

We will be there the Friday-Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend and it looks like there will be two parades a day...2:30 and 5:30.

Thank you!

 

[skiingfast]

Walkways are set up along and across the parade route to ease travelling. Main Street is the biggest problem because it's the only way to walk out and you are forced down the side of the sidewalk. It is slower but only takes about 10 minutes to get down if the parade is going on. If you happen to be ready to leave and are near a train station, this can help, but may not be any faster. Aslo consider using the Monorail if you are going to DTD.

 

[merrrydeath]

Definitely the easiest thing to do, is be on the side of the park that you need to be on before the parade actually starts. Sometimes it's just less of a stress to plan ondoing things in that area while the parade is going on(I can't remember how long it lasts). However, there are crossover areas that cms set up. So when there is a large gap between floats, they will let a group of people cross. There is one from tomorowland across the hub. It will always be a huge pain to get past the crowds of people on Main St. to get back to the front gates.

 

[WendyWhy]

I was just wondering this very thing! We are going the Sun thru Tues before Thanksgiving. One of our dining PS reservations is for Carnation Cafe at 5:30...we have a 1 year old and 5 year old so we have to eat early on general. We do not plan on making a big effort to see the parade itself because the kids (also traveling with other kids who are a bit hyper) will probably not tolerate the wait involved with staking out a good watching spot and will want to go on rides, etc...

Any tips to make eating an early dinner on Main St during the parade problem-free?

 

[skiingfast]

Any tips to make eating an early dinner on Main St during the parade problem-free?

Your problem is a rather ideal situation.

Show up early, you will be able to walk on mainstreet even while the sides are lines with waiting people. Get a table with a view of the street. You will see the tall parade floats go by and the characters on them as you eat.