How early to get "spot" for parades at MK?

[triplefigs]

What time do we need to find a place for the Share a Dream Come True Parade at MK? Is there a best place to watch it? The parade is at 3pm.

What time do we need to find a spot for Spectro? We have ADRs at 4:30pm at the Plaza Restaurant. Spectro is at 7pm. So, would it be feasible to watch everything right in front of the Plaza Restaurant after dinner (we haven't been to Disney in 10 years so I don't remember if that is a good spot or not)?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[triplefigs]

Bump!

 

[DemonLlama]

Best bet is to stake out a spot for each parade at least a half hour before it starts. If you want a primo place on Main Street, get closer to the 45-60 minute mark.

Our last trip we plopped down on the curb of Casey's and one of us went across the street to get ice cream. We just indulged and soaked up the atmosphere and watched the places along the route start filling up.

As the parade comes toward you, the castle will be the backdrop for any pictures or video you take.

For the evening I wouldn't plan to be at the Plaza for a good spot, especially since you are eating so early. Just plan to check out the scene around 6:00 if you want a Main Street place, or later in Frontierland since it takes about 15-20 minutes for the parade to get back there and spots fill up closer to parade start time. Sitting on the route at Pecos Bill's is great for seeing all the lights in the dark. It is much darker there than on Main Street, by the way.

 

[DemonLlama]

Not from the parade, but this is the angle I was referring to in front of Casey's.

 

[Morganpics]

We found that we needed more than 30 minutes ahead to get a good spot. More like at least an hour.

 

[Suzanne74]

We were there this past Sat and most curb spots were taken by 7:25pm (when we arrived) for the 9pm SpectroMagic. It was SO busy. The same was with the EMH night on Wed. I think it has to do with the MNSSHP closing MK a lot of nights but I couldn't believe how busy it was. We got 2 curb spots right by Casey's and took turns taking dd to Tomorrowland (thru the Noodle Station) to do raceway and Buzz before the parade. Worked out well.

 

[triplefigs]

I'm the OP. That night is an EMH (11/30). It will likely be very crowded. So should we just plan on staking out a spot right after dinner at the Plaza? We would probably be done in the 5:30- 6pm range depending on how busy the restaurant is.

Should we just try for in front of the Plaza (since it will be crowded) or try Caseys? And we will be leaving after the Spectro (skipping Wishes) to head back to the GF via boat.

Thanks!

 

[Suzanne74]

If you are skipping wishes, try and get a spot closer down Mainstreet so you can leave before most of the crowd does.

 

[speakupjc]

For a really different view eat a late dinner (1 hour before) at Cinderella's Castle and watch it from up there

 

[The Sweetness]

I am really fanatic about this. I pick a spot and lay down a towel for DD to sit on, put down my back pack next to her, then either me or DH sits next to that. Leaving room for 1 of us to pick up the b/p and sit down later. I do this at least 90 min ahead of parade time. DD used to get very frustrated if there was ANYONE blocking her view. So DH and I would just take turns sitting with her, and either going into a shop or to get snacks. A favorite of mine used to be a bench in Adventure land, which DD could stand on to get her *birds eye view*. Sometimes, if there were shorty's behind us, DH/ I would trade spots with them, letting them sit with DD and standing behind them. Its tough to be a kid

 

[jcriket]

If you go at a time when spectro magic runs 2 x's, wait for the 2nd parade around frontier land and you might get the whole parade to yourself.

 

[willis37862]

Also interested in this.

 

[Eeyore2003]

I think Main Street is the best place to watch it. I've watched it once from Frontierland, and it just didn't seem the same. I usually stake out a "curb" spot 1 1/2 to 2 hours before the parade. Probably closer to 2. We're going in November and eating at Liberty Tree Tavern at 5:10. I'm hoping we're done around 6:15.

I'm planning on heading straight over and getting a Main Street curb spot (hopefully) for the 8:00 parade. So yes, I definitely would just walk out of dinner and grab a spot and take turns saving. I usually sit about 1/2 way down Main Street across from the bakery. (not always a good idea when you're hungry!!!) I'm usually the "saver" while the others go on rides. I enjoy just people watching and taking in the atmosphere.

 

[triplefigs]

I think Main Street is the best place to watch it. I've watched it once from Frontierland, and it just didn't seem the same. I usually stake out a "curb" spot 1 1/2 to 2 hours before the parade. Probably closer to 2. We're going in November and eating at Liberty Tree Tavern at 5:10. I'm hoping we're done around 6:15.

I'm planning on heading straight over and getting a Main Street curb spot (hopefully) for the 8:00 parade. So yes, I definitely would just walk out of dinner and grab a spot and take turns saving. I usually sit about 1/2 way down Main Street across from the bakery. (not always a good idea when you're hungry!!!) I'm usually the "saver" while the others go on rides. I enjoy just people watching and taking in the atmosphere.

Thanks. We'll probably do the 3pm, then go ride something, 4:30pm ADR at the Plaza, hopefully be done by 5:30pm, walk out and down Main Street and grab a spot! there is only one Spectro that night. We're doing MVMCP the next night and a Wishes fireworks cruise later in our trip, so we're going to leave after the Spectro parade.

Thanks!

 

[ksdave]

Just draw a circle on the area you want to stake out with chalk. Then write your name in it.

































(Sorry, old joke. Someone actually posted that here once).