How to save parade space....

[debjoisme]

I am just wondering what your tip is on saving spaces for a parade. I really don't want to carry a blanket with us all day to use, so what do you do? There will be 5 of us and I realize that takes up alot of space on the curb, there will probably be two of us there at all times to save enough room.

 

[jnordan]

What about one of those "neat sheets"? They fold really small. How far in advance of the parade do you need to be there to reserve a decent spot?

 

[deedeetoo]

The way we save space for a parade is by sitting there. While dh may get up to buy ice creams or I may do a bathroom run with one of the kids that only takes a few minutes. For the most part we are physically in the space so that is how we save it.

 

[NotUrsula]

You don't. Anyone who wants to watch the parade from that position needs to stay in that position for the entire "wait" time. Blankets, etc. are trip hazards, unless someone is sitting right on them, so CM's will tell you to gather up the excess.

One person (or a child & adult) getting up for a few moments for a potty/drink break is acceptable, but spreading out "stuff" on the curb for an extended period of time in order to save curb spots is not.

 

[taximomfor4]

we always all sit down (2 adults, 4 kids). I DO tick people off by keeping the stroller next to me at the curb but they don't know why...and I don't offer an explanation. DH stays behind us till we see if dd needs the stroller for the parade or not. She is 8, but has special needs and often cannot stand the pressing-in feeling when people press in on her. If she is good to sit on the curb when parade time is imminent, we push the stroller behind us and let the people behind us know that they can move it more if they need to.


If I kid needs a potty break (we stake out parade spots over an hour before parade time), one adult takes only the kids who need to try and go potty, then they come RIGHT back. Oh, and if a food place is nearby, sometimes we will send an adult and one child to get snacks or drinks for us. In those few minutes, the diaperbag or a towel is holding one kid's spot, and I will put my leg out sideways to hold the other 2 spots. We are always parked against ropes, so our items aren't tripping hazards...people are going through the rope openings, not jumping over the ropes + my stuff. We sit on that parade route, sip our bottled waters, play cards, color, etc.

 

[debjoisme]

We all are going to be sitting there for the most part, but I was talking about the potty breaks, drink runs and such. We always get there at least 1 hour prior, but a couple of years ago I almost had a woman call me a liar because I told her that my son and grandson had ran to the bathroom, and I was saving their places. She kept pushing herself and her family closer and closer until my son/grandson came back. Thank goodness they came back when they did, because my usual warm fuzzy temper was ready to explode. At most parades we always let the small kids behind us, come up front, but that day I wouldn't move a inch for her family to be on the curb.

 

[Ash aka sky]

Have everyone there in person.

I would have no problem with moving blankets, strollers etc that had been left to simply save a space.

Ash

 

[Hope73]

YOui must physically be there. In Jan 2 years ago I had a great spot on the curb but did not have my feet on the stree. Some foreign person literally came and sat on my toes. After a few minutes of shoving my toes up their tushes they left. ONe guard was watching and came over and checkled with me. I don't think it is kosher in anyon's country to sit on a stranger. It was really bizarre. I have also seen people get mean saving spots. This has all happened during spectromajic.

 

[Hope73]

I have also had park security kick strollers out of sections when it gets too crowded. My husband just went and parked it and we thought if it is there when we are done fine by us. It was

 

[Vickie46]

be ready for everyone to try to squeeze there little up in front with you.. I ended up standing so a 2 little ones could see better...

 

[juligrl]

There's a gripe over on the CB about this! You don't save parade space. Find your spot and patiently wait for the parade to come right there in your spot. Keep everyone happy!

 

[taximomfor4]

I have also had park security kick strollers out of sections when it gets too crowded. My husband just went and parked it and we thought if it is there when we are done fine by us. It was

Now, that I have not experienced with our stroller. But by the time it gets really crowded (by 15 minutes till parade time or so) we have already made the final decision on dd, and either sat her in the stroller or (more likely) pushed it well behind the people gathering behind us. DH does this, to the nearest stroller parking area, then stands right behind dd8 to block her from the people behind her.

I have also not ever had a problem with our stuff holding spots getting moved, but perhaps this is because we are only holding very little space, for very short times...and not RIGHT before the parade. We also ALWAYS skip Spectromagic, which from what I have heard seems the most crazy crowd-wise.

I guess I would not count on saving spots...count on everyone waiting. If anything happens, send an adult to get the drinks or whatever and that adult might just end up standing behind later -- not a huge deal really.

Oh, we, too, let kids up near us but not till the parade is right about to start because if you give an inch, they take a foot....and then another foot....and then another foot....etc until their whole family is up front and your kids have been thoroughly edged off the curb altogether.

Parades are NOT a must-do for us. This past trip, we only did the parades because we got into a desperate frenzy to see Meeko (a whole nother story that ended sadly).

Beth

 

[maxiesmom]

I have seen the blanket method used many times, and never saw a CM give them a second look. I plan on using one to help mark my space so that I will not be too squished. And they are no more of a triping hazzard then the purses, diaper bags, and hats that people set on the ground to mark their space. I wouldn't set a blanket down and walk away though. Our rears will be parked on them, except for potty breaks and maybe goodie getting.

 

[Schmeck]

I believe the blanket hazard is created when one person is on a large blanket, and people are trying to walk by in that open space.

 

[all4fun]

we always all sit down (2 adults, 4 kids). I DO tick people off by keeping the stroller next to me at the curb but they don't know why...and I don't offer an explanation. DH stays behind us till we see if dd needs the stroller for the parade or not. She is 8, but has special needs and often cannot stand the pressing-in feeling when people press in on her. If she is good to sit on the curb when parade time is imminent, we push the stroller behind us and let the people behind us know that they can move it more if they need to.

They do have special areas for disable folks roped off ... If you get one of those GAC passes maybe they would let you stand there with your dd? Your whole family wouldn't be able to though, maybe just one extra person. I don't know if that would work but just thought I would mention it. When we were there with my parents a few years ago my mom was having problems with her leg and rented a wheelchair and they let her and one family member use the handicap area so I don't see why they wouldn't let someone with an "invisible" disability, right?

 

[english rose 47]

What about one of those "neat sheets"? They fold really small. How far in advance of the parade do you need to be there to reserve a decent spot?

What is A neat sheet?

 

[Not so Dumbo]

We too have experienced rude behavior at Spectromagic. We were there more than an hour before hand and 5 minutes before start time some foreigners ( I say that because I didn't understand there language) sat literally so close behind us that they were digging their feet into our backs. I really think they were trying to get us to move.

With that happening to us, I would definetely not expect the blanket method to work.

 

[taximomfor4]

They do have special areas for disable folks roped off ... If you get one of those GAC passes maybe they would let you stand there with your dd? Your whole family wouldn't be able to though, maybe just one extra person. I don't know if that would work but just thought I would mention it. When we were there with my parents a few years ago my mom was having problems with her leg and rented a wheelchair and they let her and one family member use the handicap area so I don't see why they wouldn't let someone with an "invisible" disability, right?

Good point. I have considered trying that. But I would feel so guilty, I have seen how terribly packed the WC parade-viewing areas get every day. So I wrestled with the idea, and so far we have just used regular old along-the-ropes space instead. I figure there is TONS more regular space than WC viewing space. At some point, we may end up with a WC for dd and then things may change -- but due to the closeness of crowds, we mostly just avoid parades anyway.

................I have so much I should be doing. Why, oh why, am I DISing??