Just 1 day at DCA, have some questions

[jonahsmommy]

We are surprising DS with a quick, low budget 1 Day trip to DCA next week. He has no interest in super heroes so we can avoid that area. A couple of questions since we haven't been to DCA in 3 years.

We want to see the Pixar parade at 6:30, how early should we find a spot? And where is a good place to sit?

Are the cast members still pin trading? If so, any great places to trade?

Thanks so much

 

[BriannaRuth]

The Pixar Parade isn't normally a big "must-do" for us, so we don't normally try to get a seat early. However, we've had very good luck just standing at the "intersection" where they make the turn to go down Buena Vista Street near the Hyperion Theater just a few minutes before the parade starts. So if you can't find anything, try that.

Pin trading has declined a lot. The ones the CMs have and that they have at the stores, etc., are usually not of great quality. Last time we were there, most of them were the very plain round button-looking pins that I really didn't want. We didn't see as many CMs walking around with them as we used to.

 

[Aimee_Jane83]

Pin trading does still exist but like BriannaRuth said I too have found the selection of pins to be getting smaller. This I have noticed the last few trips.

As for the Pixar parade it's best to start staking a spot out for the parade 45 minutes to an hour early. I know it seems like a long wait but everyone else will be staking out spots as well. I personally love sitting somewhere along the walkway between Buena Vista Street's Carthay Circle Restaurant to a Bugs Land.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Yesterday we grabbed dinner at Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta and we were able to get a table to the far left (if you're facing the restaurant) near the gate where the parade comes out. It was perfect!

 

[Aimee_Jane83]

Another fun thing to do which my family has done is we got a a later lunch at the Wine Country Trattoria and requested that we sit outside on the patio overlooking the roadway so we could have lunch as the parade went by. It was a great way to see it, however we really planned our reservations around that parade just to have that experience. Still it was well worth it.

 

[jonahsmommy]

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions! Getting excited, only 5 sleeps!

 

[jonahsmommy]

Just read on here about Cotton Candy that lights up at DCA, does anyone know where this is at? And how much? And I also read about the new flavors, possibly Watermelon Cotton Candy this upcoming week, where would I find that?

Thanks so much

 

[Lesley Wake]

For pin trading, these are the places I've seen boards recently:
-Julius Katz (main pin store by entrance), either right outside or behind the counter
-Humphreys (across from Soarin), they've had them in a binder behind the counter, so you have to ask
-Rushin River (outside grizzly river rapids), usually at the cashier outside
-Screamin photo purchase stand
-Pin stand by entrance to Paradise Pier

And if you see a CM wearing a lanyard you can ask to trade, usually those are people just working booths, not rides.

Most pins are sort of iffy. Sometimes you see a decent one. There was an awesome Cars one this afternoon (looked like one you'd pay $13 in the store) but someone chose it right before me!