How early do you have to save seat for MSEP?

[KangaFan]

We're planning a trip for the 2nd week in December next year. We've never seen the fireworks from Main St and are planning to also do MSEP that night. Assuming you don't want to use Fastpass+, how early do you have to arrive to save front row seats on Main St?

Thanks!

 

[smitch425]

We're planning a trip for the 2nd week in December next year. We've never seen the fireworks from Main St and are planning to also do MSEP that night. Assuming you don't want to use Fastpass+, how early do you have to arrive to save front row seats on Main St?

Thanks!

At least an hour, but be sure your entire party is with you. CMs do not take the side of a seat saver if another party tries to sit in an empty spot you are attempting to save for someone.

 

[KangaFan]

Thanks! We'll be a part of 9, 6 of which are kids so we'll have to see what they want more--the premium view or time to do other things.

 

[LSUfan4444]

With the ability to do so many things early morning without any FP+ and no to little wait, I think MSEP is EASILY the most valuable FP+ in all of Magic Kingdom.

 

[Skywise]

Depending on the crowd, your best bet is an hour before hand.

If it's running twice I would HIGHLY recommend the 2nd parade after the fireworks. The crowds will be less and it'll be easier to find better spaces (and less congested when you do)

When I went last year (as a complete disney neophyte even though I had "planned" the trip... ha ha...) I didn't realize they ran the parade twice, just happened to be walking around main street about 45 minutes before the parade and was trying to grab a picture of the castle plus the street at the tip of the main street circle (in front of the train station). I got a few photos and was waiting for a crowd to pass when a CM walked around me with a rope so I couldn't enter the street at which point I realized I was in the perfect spot at the perfect time.

Also - if you bring a camera to video the parade, get something with a really big and noticeable lens... the parade characters LOVE to ham it up in front of cameras!

 

[katt789]

At the very least an hour. Main street is the first to get crowded with people waiting for parade/fireworks. Just keep an eye on the area starting around 2 hours and sit whenever you can. It can be a nice break to just relax and wait!