I'm a parade skipper!

[MagicalMom]

I must admit, I am a parade skipper. I get so excited when everyone watches the parades & I can go have fun on the rides! Well, I guess my parade skipping days are over. My family is insisting that we watch the parades this year. So, do you really have to line up an hour in advance? I would hate to waste time waiting for the parade.

 

[Serenity]

It depends on how close you want to be, if you want to sit down, and if you have little ones. You can get to the parade route just as it is passing by, stand in the back and see most everything. But that would be hard to to with kids - they won't be able to see over the crowd. Also if you are there early adn get close to the front, the kids can join in when the parade stops and the characters dance.

We always use the time waiting for the parade as snack time. Grab a seat, grad ice cream or popcorn and enjoy the break while we wait.

Goodluck

 

[MagicalMom]

Thanks so much for the advice. I'm sure my children will enjoy the parade!

 

[skeletor40]

I'm not much of a parade watcher myself but Disney really knows how to throw one. LOL the former Soviet Union could have learned a thing or two from them.

Hope you have a great time.

 

[sters]

You can usually get a good "last-minute" (okay, maybe 10/15 minute) spot, sitting even, at the MK parade by Frontierland. I have a great memory of Captain Hook playing with my videocamera.. flipping the viewfinder over and primping. What a ham! We have some parade lovers in the family and some parade haters, so I know what you mean.

 

[iloveeeyore]

I HATE parades! What could be more boring? Except...Disney Parades!!! They are really awesome! You may be very pleasantly surprised. If you're there during off-season, you don't need an hour. Just keep checking back to see how crowded the sidelines are getting. We like to watch MK parades from Frontierland near the rafts to Tom Sawyer Island. I think it's less crowded than Main Street, but there's no curb on which to sit.

 

[Safari Steve]

The Share a Dream Come True Parade (and likely all subsequent Disney Parades) no longer stops along the route. Guests must remain out of the path of floats at all times.

However, the Disney parades are still great!

For the Share a Dream Come True parade (MK) I would suggest showing up at Town Square at about 3pm (unless you're visiting during a peak/holiday time). Many great spots can be found on short notice.

For SpectroMagic, check out Liberty Square and Frontierland about 30-45 minutes prior to the scheduled parade time. If there are two performances, go to the second one (you should be able to show up in Liberty Sq at step-off time -about 15 minutes till it gets to Lib Sq-)

For Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade (DAK) check out the area near the entrance to Kilamonjaro Safaris. You'll need to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to step-off, but when the parade is over, you'll be able to walk-on to the Safari, and when you get done with that, the parade will be winding its way back into Africa (two views of a fun parade plus a great ride and you only have to wait 30 minutes for the whole thing!)

My experience with the Disney Stars and Motorcars parade is not as extensive as the other parades on property. I've seen it from Star Tours (step off), Echo Lake/Hat area (middle) and the park entry plaza (step down). There is more room in the middle of the route. Just line up behind the brass lines in the pavement.