If my goal is good fireworks viewing...

[tkradtke]

... is a PTN package for the earlier parade any help?

My daughter and I will be heading to DLR in a couple of weeks. I booked PTN reservations at both BB and Aladdin's just to have while I figured things out. Last year, pre-PTN packages, we had a great view of the parade from IASW and really like that location. Our main reason for booking BB was to see the fireworks from the Main Street area and the fact that we wanted to eat at BB (since we've never eaten there before). With the less than positive feedback about the BB PTN package, I'm thinking about canceling it and just booking a regular lunch reservation. The only reason I'm hesitating is because I'm curious to know if there is any real benefit for having it for viewing the fireworks (I'm assuming we'd get the first parade since our reservations are at 4:20).

If you didn't plan on watching the parade but wanted to be in a good spot for fireworks viewing, what would your plan look like?

 

[sherilaine]

From what I have seen, those packages are really set up for a spot to view the parade. Once the parade is over, everyone moves into the street to watch the fireworks - all you need is to be close by during the parade to head into the street, near where you want to be standing for the fireworks once the parade has past that area. Keep in mind there are several options for viewing the fireworks too - further down main street you see all the projections on the buildings really well and they are quite entertaining. In the hub you can see the projections on the castle which are great too. There are also projection on IASW and I believe Matterhorn, so everyone seems to have their preferred point for viewing.

One night my DD and I just did some shopping - there are always walk ways open so we timed it to be on the crosswalk when the parade went by and as soon as it did we moved into the street with everyone else and didn't have to camp out at all!! So if the parade is important and you don't want to have to camp out long to see it, then the packages are worth it, but for fireworks they are not necessary.

 

[tkradtke]

Thanks @sherilaine! That's exactly the kind of info I was looking for. We do want to see the parade, but would prefer to watch it by IASW. Last summer we had no problem walking up about a half hour before to get a great viewing spot for the second parade. My main concern was seeing the fireworks from a good spot and my thought was that being in one of the package spots had us poised a ready to filter into a good viewing spot. Last year we watched the fireworks from the plaza between DLR and DCA one night and the other, I think we were in line for Indiana Jones (only had two days that trip). The shopping method sounds like a good plan for the fireworks.