Is the Main St. Electrical parade worth it?

[lucifie]

I thought I had our park order set, but I started looking at the sites that do the crowd calendars. We'll be in the parks 1/22 - 1/26. I checked Touring Plans, Easy WDW and Undercover Tourist. Their recommendations are all pretty similar for our dates. Originally we had planned to go to MK on our first and last days (Tuesday and Saturday), but on Saturday MK is the least recommended park. We're OK with rearranging our plans, but Thursday and Saturday are the only days they're having the MSEP and Thursday is also not recommended. Friday is supposed to be a good day for MK, but if we go on Friday we won't get to see the MSEP. The kids (9, 7, 4 and 2) have never been and won't miss it if we don't see it, but I'm wondering if it's worth going on a day when larger crowds are predicted just for the parade. The longer hours that day might be nice, but I don't know if we would take advantage of them since it's awfully late for the kids. We don't plan on this being our only trip. We'll probably go back in 2 years or so.

 

[Robo]

1- Thursday and Saturday are the only days they're having the MSEP

2- I'm wondering if it's worth going on a day when larger crowds are predicted just for the parade.

1- Yes, that's normal in the "off season."

2- If you want to see MSEP, you better do it now.
It will likely stop performing in the first quarter of (or sometime during) 2013.
(At that time, SpectroMagic will likely be returning.)
Regardless, the evening "lighted parades" at MK are very special, and quite popular with most guests.

 

[joanie9766]

HI--having grown up with the electrical parade, i say YES it is worth is.

It is a bit different from the SM parade, but if you do remember it, it will bring back so many memories.

Please do not miss this parade, it is still my favorite.

 

[lucifie]

1- Yes, that's normal in the "off season."

2- If you want to see MSEP, you better do it now.
It will likely stop performing in the first quarter of (or sometime during) 2013.
(At that time, SpectroMagic will likely be returning.)
Regardless, the evening "lighted parades" at MK are very special, and quite popular with most guests.

I've never seen any of the lighted parades, but if this one is going away, maybe we'll stick with the current plan. MK is a recommended park the first day so we'll have one day with low crowds and I assume a crowded day in late January isn't the same as a crowded day in the summer or around Christmas. We can plan to see the afternoon parade the first day so we can hit some attractions while most people are watching the parade the second day.

 

[Magpie]

Do you have park hoppers?

If you do, you can go to the recommended park in the morning, and then hop over for the parade and fireworks in the evening.

If you don't, I'd skip it. There's so much else to see, and even if this particular parade isn't around in 2 years when you return, there'll likely be something else just as good in its place.

Touring an uncrowded park is worth more than any parade could ever be, in my opinion.

 

[wdw&sonny]

I say go see it. You're right about the parks being relatively uncrowded at the end of January. (BUT, it will still be way crowded at parade time). Lighted evening parades are a part of the Disney magic. Get an snack, grab some curb and relax. It's a great way to end a day and you're kids will remember it forever.

 

[Texas Barbie]

The MSEP is delightful! I say don't miss it.

 

[Ktharee]

I vote yes! We often get caught up in the logistics of planning a perfectly oiled itinerary machine, that we start to sacrifice why we are really going...to experience Magic. These lighted parades are just that and with this one departing again soon, you may not get the chance for a long while. Have a great trip!!

 

[Herfnerd]

Definitely, definitely, definitely see it!

 

[persnickity]

I vote yes! We often get caught up in the logistics of planning a perfectly oiled itinerary machine, that we start to sacrifice why we are really going...to experience Magic. These lighted parades are just that and with this one departing again soon, you may not get the chance for a long while. Have a great trip!!

I completely agree with this. We've only been to WDW once as a family, and the MSEP was definitely a highlight, even on a crowded Saturday. Pure magic!

 

[smileymomof3]

We had a similar situation (going in early December) with MSEP only on 2 nights due to MVMCP. I wouldn't want my kids to miss the parade! It's part of the vacation! Do one day at MK on the lower crowd/rec'd day and then on the 2nd MK day see the parade!

 

[JessM]

I wouldn't miss the MSEP its a highlight for me! I have loved the lighted parades since I was a kid! Are you planning on seeing Wishes as well while you are there? You might as well go on a night when you can see both.

 

[heather13]

I've never seen SpectroMagic, but just saw MSEP for the first time (at least in my recent memory! Pete's Dragon was vaguely familiar so maybe it was in a parade in the 70s or 80s, but haven't seen it since going with kids).

It was wonderful, and both kids (4 and 6) loved it. I'm glad we arranged things to see it, especially now hearing that it won't be around much longer. Wishes I personally could have done without, but liked the parade

 

[My3Princez]

I love many, many things about Disney World, but there are only 2 things that if I miss out on during a trip will make me feel like I didn't REALLY get a WDW trip - a Mickey Ice Cream bar and the nighttime MK parade. As long as I get those two things, I'm a happy girl. I say go see the parade.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

NO...............ifs, ands or butts.............GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AKK

 

[Viator80]

Does spectromagic=msep?

 

[Robo]

Does spectromagic=msep?

SpectroMagic is a lighted evening MK parade.

MSEP (Main Street Electrical Parade) is a completely different lighted evening MK parade.

MSEP has been running and (Spectro has not) for the past couple of years.

There's a pretty good chance that Spectro will be returning and (MSEP will end) sometime
in early Spring of (or sometime, anyway in) 2013.

 

[MkWzwski]

SpectroMagic is a lighted evening MK parade.

MSEP (Main Street Electrical Parade) is a completely different lighted evening MK parade.

MSEP has been running and (Spectro has not) for the past couple of years.

There's a pretty good chance that Spectro will be returning and (MSEP will end) sometime
in early Spring of (or sometime, anyway in) 2013.

So if Spectro returns and MSEP ends, will that be the end of MSEP or is it something they rotate every few years or so?

I love MSEP. I would be so sad if it didn't return.

 

[smileymomof3]

SpectroMagic is a lighted evening MK parade.

MSEP (Main Street Electrical Parade) is a completely different lighted evening MK parade.

MSEP has been running and (Spectro has not) for the past couple of years.

There's a pretty good chance that Spectro will be returning and (MSEP will end) sometime
in early Spring of (or sometime, anyway in) 2013.

How are Spectro Magic and MSEP different?

 

[lucifie]

I wouldn't miss the MSEP its a highlight for me! I have loved the lighted parades since I was a kid! Are you planning on seeing Wishes as well while you are there? You might as well go on a night when you can see both.

Yes, we are planning to see Wishes. The first night there's a good chance we'll still be at CRT when Wishes starts and I'd definitely like to see it from outside.