Is FP+ for MSEP worth it?

[SFMommy]

I can't decide if I should (try) to get a FP+ for the MSEP. We are not late-night people. And we are not parade/fireworks people...hate the crowds at the end (fireworks) and refuse to wait more than 30 minutes for almost anything (parade).

If we don't get the FP+, where is the best viewing area for fewer crowds/don't have to get there too early? Or is FP+ the way to go if we can get them?

We would most likely watch the MSEP and then leave before the fireworks. To try to beat the crowd and get back to our resort and go to bed!

 

[mesaboy2]

I can't decide if I should (try) to get a FP+ for the MSEP. We are not late-night people. And we are not parade/fireworks people...hate the crowds at the end (fireworks) and refuse to wait more than 30 minutes for almost anything (parade).

If we don't get the FP+, where is the best viewing area for fewer crowds/don't have to get there too early? Or is FP+ the way to go if we can get them?

We would most likely watch the MSEP and then leave before the fireworks. To try to beat the crowd and get back to our resort and go to bed!

Answers to FP FAQs like yours can be found in the green link in my signature.

 

[SFMommy]

Answers to FP FAQs like yours can be found in the green link in my signature.

Yes, Mesaboy...I have read and loved your FP+ thread...it is amazing!

I guess I was just looking for some recent personal experiences from other DIS boarders too!

 

[mesaboy2]

Yes, Mesaboy...I have read and loved your FP+ thread...it is amazing!

I guess I was just looking for some recent personal experiences from other DIS boarders too!

Gotcha. But it pretty much boils down to personal preference IMO. Hopefully you'll get some other opinions.

 

[drdrowsy]

I can't decide if I should (try) to get a FP+ for the MSEP. We are not late-night people. And we are not parade/fireworks people...hate the crowds at the end (fireworks) and refuse to wait more than 30 minutes for almost anything (parade).

If we don't get the FP+, where is the best viewing area for fewer crowds/don't have to get there too early? Or is FP+ the way to go if we can get them?

We would most likely watch the MSEP and then leave before the fireworks. To try to beat the crowd and get back to our resort and go to bed!

we like getting a FP+ for MSEP. There are some downsides-- it probably doesn't save much time (should still get to FP area early), it puts one of your FP+ at the end of the day, so you won't be able to get more than 3 FP+ for the day. But we think the positives outweigh those negatives (especially if you have other MK days to do the many FP+ thing), namely the prime viewing location (first time we were right in front of the castle which is an awesome view, second time was by the flag pole, still a very good view) and low crowd in the FP area (CMs are policing the area making sure so one sneaks in, it's uncrowded enough that you might not even have anyone standing behind you-- you can sit or stand to watch the parade as you like).

If the hub FP+ area hasn't reopened, you can have the added benefit of easily leaving after the parade is over (and since it starts on main street USA, you really beat the crowd)

 

[drdrowsy]

i was thinking about it a little more and also remembered that because you are in a lower crowd area, you tend to have more interaction with the CMs in the parade. my daughter ate that up

 

[jaysmom4285]

I've always preferred to watch any parade from Frontierland, whether it starts or ends there. It seems that there are almost invariably much smaller crowds there than on Main Street or in the hub. Granted, we tend to go to WDW at the less busy times of the year, but we have generally been able to show up less than half an hour before the parade and get a spot right on the rope line, or at most one or two people back if it happens to be more crowded. There are also a few raised platforms that you can sit on and slightly elevated boardwalks to stand on. All in all, I much prefer Frontierland for parade viewing, compared to the jam packed ten people deep crowds on Main Street.

 

[SFMommy]

I've always preferred to watch any parade from Frontierland, whether it starts or ends there. It seems that there are almost invariably much smaller crowds there than on Main Street or in the hub. Granted, we tend to go to WDW at the less busy times of the year, but we have generally been able to show up less than half an hour before the parade and get a spot right on the rope line, or at most one or two people back if it happens to be more crowded. There are also a few raised platforms that you can sit on and slightly elevated boardwalks to stand on. All in all, I much prefer Frontierland for parade viewing, compared to the jam packed ten people deep crowds on Main Street.

I don't even know the parade route for MSEP at WDW...is there a map that shows where it goes?

 

[Dawn68PA]

We plan to use FP for this. We're going to see it on a water park day so we won't be using FP's for anything else.

 

[LaurenT]

I have always had luck finding a perfectly good spot in frontierland without having to stake it out more than 20 minutes or so before the start (and without encroaching on someone else's spot!)
One thing to keep in mind is that if you have any thought of getting a 4th FP, that won't happen if you have a FP still pending for MSEP or Wishes...

 

[jaysmom4285]

I don't even know the parade route for MSEP at WDW...is there a map that shows where it goes?

The last time I was there (December), the MSEP started in the Town Square, beside what used to be the fire station, and proceeded up Main Street, around the hub, and into Frontierland. I believe the afternoon parade follows the opposite route.

 

[BubblyTrip]

We really loved it last year, and have it booked for our last night this year. You do still need to get there early, but it is so uncrowded. MSEP is nostalgic for me, and my DS was totally enchanted (but passed out before Wishes, which is a FP I would not do again). This year I'm planning to leave right after MSEP.