Main Street Electrical Parade Dining Package- worth it?

[GoldeneyezCA]

We did BB Preferred Dining on Jan 28 for MSEP, 5:50 pm reservation. We like dining there, and the food and ambience were good as always (seated immediately near the water), but for us, it was a complete lifesaver because the park was PACKED. MSEP had only been open for a week, and that was the first dry Saturday in all this rainy weather.

Because we rode Haunted Mansion (FP's) after dinner and also had to use the guest flow corridors to circumvent the chaos on Main Street, we arrived right at 8:15, knowing that the curb spots would be gone. We were still able to sit on the round benches, and our kids sat on the railing and had unobstructed views of the parade because everyone was sitting. We even had room to walk around! The people across the street and behind the BB viewing area were packed in like sardines, and I was very happy that we had the space because the parade is LONG (longer and slower than PTN).

We've also done Aladdin's for PTN once, and though we got curbside seats and had fun, I'm not a fan of being that far back in the park with sleepy kids at the end of evening parades, where it can take 20+ minutes to exit the park, only to be met with huge parking shuttle lines.

If you know you are going during a peak time/weekend, I do think the dining packages are worth it. We just aren't the types to stand for hours to hold parade spots. I think sitting in BB for a meal is a great mental break, and the BB preferred viewing area is rarely crowded (though I will say that the flagpole area is more spacious than the one they sometimes use by Carnation Cafe). And when the parade is over, you're much closer to the exit, if that's a priority.

 

[MacMama0930]

No. That photo looks like people lined up waiting for the reserved section to open. No one stands in front of the reserved section during the parade or they would get run over by the floats

I did AO on 2/4 and the way they had the ropes set up, people were definitely able to be in front of the viewing area, including the stairs which used to be part of the viewing area for PTN. I hope they've changed it since I was there.

 

[pharmama]

I did AO on 2/4 and the way they had the ropes set up, people were definitely able to be in front of the viewing area, including the stairs which used to be part of the viewing area for PTN. I hope they've changed it since I was there.

My response was in reference to a question about this photo from DLR prep school:

The poster was asking if those people would be standing there in front of the reserved area during the parade. I stand by that this is a photo of a line in front of the reserved area before the area has been opened. No one could stand where these people are during the parade because they are physically in the parade route. I believe the photo above is usually how this reserved area is configured (and how it was configured when I did it) but I understand they have occasionally tried out some different configurations and may flex the size of the area depending on bookings which it sounds like you experienced.

 

[MacMama0930]

My response was in reference to a question about this photo from DLR prep school:

The poster was asking if those people would be standing there in front of the reserved area during the parade. I stand by that this is a photo of a line in front of the reserved area before the area has been opened. No one could stand where these people are during the parade because they are physically in the parade route. I believe the photo above is usually how this reserved area is configured (and how it was configured when I did it) but I understand they have occasionally tried out some different configurations and may flex the size of the area depending on bookings which it sounds like you experienced.

Oh I know...I just wanted to the poster to know that as of as recent as a week ago, people COULD, stand in front you - which I believe changes the value in the meal package...significantly, I felt. Our reserved area was so packed that I couldn't understand why they limited it so much, when I was under the impression it always included the stairs and that area like shown above. When I did it, it did not include the area that is shown in this photo. Again, hopefully they've changed it now!

 

[MacMama0930]

My response was in reference to a question about this photo from DLR prep school:

The poster was asking if those people would be standing there in front of the reserved area during the parade. I stand by that this is a photo of a line in front of the reserved area before the area has been opened. No one could stand where these people are during the parade because they are physically in the parade route. I believe the photo above is usually how this reserved area is configured (and how it was configured when I did it) but I understand they have occasionally tried out some different configurations and may flex the size of the area depending on bookings which it sounds like you experienced.

But yes, I see the point you were trying to make!! Sorry about the confusion!

 

[kirstie101]

Oh I know...I just wanted to the poster to know that as of as recent as a week ago, people COULD, stand in front you - which I believe changes the value in the meal package...significantly, I felt. Our reserved area was so packed that I couldn't understand why they limited it so much, when I was under the impression it always included the stairs and that area like shown above. When I did it, it did not include the area that is shown in this photo. Again, hopefully they've changed it now!

Has anyone else sat in the AO viewing area since 2/4? Trying to figure out if the reserved area includes the stairs or not!

 

[Laur0406]

I did AO on 2/4 and the way they had the ropes set up, people were definitely able to be in front of the viewing area, including the stairs which used to be part of the viewing area for PTN. I hope they've changed it since I was there.

Ugh. That's really annoying, and makes the reserved area pointless

 

[Leopardstars]

We did BB Preferred Dining on Jan 28 for MSEP, 5:50 pm reservation. We like dining there, and the food and ambience were good as always (seated immediately near the water), but for us, it was a complete lifesaver because the park was PACKED. MSEP had only been open for a week, and that was the first dry Saturday in all this rainy weather.

Because we rode Haunted Mansion (FP's) after dinner and also had to use the guest flow corridors to circumvent the chaos on Main Street, we arrived right at 8:15, knowing that the curb spots would be gone. We were still able to sit on the round benches, and our kids sat on the railing and had unobstructed views of the parade because everyone was sitting. We even had room to walk around! The people across the street and behind the BB viewing area were packed in like sardines, and I was very happy that we had the space because the parade is LONG (longer and slower than PTN).

We've also done Aladdin's for PTN once, and though we got curbside seats and had fun, I'm not a fan of being that far back in the park with sleepy kids at the end of evening parades, where it can take 20+ minutes to exit the park, only to be met with huge parking shuttle lines.

If you know you are going during a peak time/weekend, I do think the dining packages are worth it. We just aren't the types to stand for hours to hold parade spots. I think sitting in BB for a meal is a great mental break, and the BB preferred viewing area is rarely crowded (though I will say that the flagpole area is more spacious than the one they sometimes use by Carnation Cafe). And when the parade is over, you're much closer to the exit, if that's a priority.

Is there seating (not just standing) in the AO area? Can anyone tell me the rough price difference between AO and BB? This is likely our only trip to DL as a family and I don't want to save a spot for hours or be packed in like sardines. I also want to see the fireworks from in front of the castle and have a quick exit from the parks with my little one.

 

[haileymarie92]

We have MSEP BB package booked for April 3. It just came available a day or so ago.


In response to the above post, BB is about 3x the cost of AO. But AO is a pick up and go type eating whereas BB is a nice sit down restaurant with the Pirates ambiance in the background. I love BB so it was a no brainer for me.

 

[LisaT91403]

If there are 2 parades, I understand you would need to do AO for "lunch" in order to get a FP for the first parade. Does anyone know what time the "lunch" cutoff is?

And one more question. The first parade is at 8:30, fireworks are at 9:25, and the second parade at 10:30. If you see the earlier parade, you can stay in the AO reserved area for fireworks. But if you have a FP for the second parade, can you get into the AO reserved area early (say, 9:00ish) to see the fireworks from there?

 

[pharmama]

If there are 2 parades, I understand you would need to do AO for "lunch" in order to get a FP for the first parade. Does anyone know what time the "lunch" cutoff is?

And one more question. The first parade is at 8:30, fireworks are at 9:25, and the second parade at 10:30. If you see the earlier parade, you can stay in the AO reserved area for fireworks. But if you have a FP for the second parade, can you get into the AO reserved area early (say, 9:00ish) to see the fireworks from there?

I believe the cutoff for the early parade is 4pm. When you book online, after you pick a time (but before you finalize the reservation) you can see which parade timeslot it will be for.

I have read others say you can stay after the 8:30 parade for fireworks in the reserved area. I don't know for sure but if you had the second parade, I don't think they would let you in early and it might be difficult to even get to the reserved area by 9 since the parade will barely have left the area by then. You would have to be waiting over by Toontown I would think to even be able to get to the viewing area at 9.

 

[pharmama]

Is there seating (not just standing) in the AO area? Can anyone tell me the rough price difference between AO and BB? This is likely our only trip to DL as a family and I don't want to save a spot for hours or be packed in like sardines. I also want to see the fireworks from in front of the castle and have a quick exit from the parks with my little one.

I'm sorry to be a downer but these 3 things are not possible on the same night. You will not be able to do MSEP in the AO area and see fireworks from in front of the castle on the same night unless you had someone saving a separate fireworks spot for you. This, of course, would negate any value in doing AO since you might as well use that same spot to view MSEP. BB may be a better fit for the MSEP/fireworks combo but, in my opinion, fireworks viewing from the town square end of Main Street isn't the best. It would provide you that quick exit though.

I don't know how long your trip is but you may need to separate fireworks and MSEP if you want to see fireworks from the front of the castle and not town square (or do the late parade but if you're looking for a quick exit after fireworks I'm guessing your LO won't be game for that). Or you'll have to be willing to invest time into saving a spot for MSEP and fireworks.

 

[Leopardstars]

pharamama, thank you for the honest answer. I don't feel it's a downer, just what' shtetl reality. It really helps to understand what IS possible. Since we have 5 nights, we might split it up.

 

[LisaT91403]

How strict are the reservation times at AO? If it's grab-n-go, can you come by and "grab" a little earlier than the time that you make your reservation for?

 

[scrapshappen]

How does the timing work for BB if there are two parades? It doesn't look like there are any reservations for before 4 p.m. there so does anyone know when the reservations switch from the first to second shows?

 

[MAJPLO]

Hoping to do this at the end of March.

 

[MajorasMask]

Hoping to do this at the end of March.

Disney Dining informed me that if I wanted to attend the first parade I would need to make a reservation at 5:00pm or earlier.

 

[kirstie101]

I made reservations today for AO on 4/9.
If anyone goes please report back about the viewing area!

 

[Angelaprkns]

I'm sorry to be a downer butOr you'll have to be willing to invest time into saving a spot for MSEP and fireworks.

I'm sorry to be a downer but these 3 things are not possible on the same night. You will not be able to do MSEP in the AO area and see fireworks from in front of the castle on the same night unless you had someone saving a separate fireworks spot for you. This, of course, would negate any value in doing AO since you might as well use that same spot to view MSEP. BB may be a better fit for the MSEP/fireworks combo but, in my opinion, fireworks viewing from the town square end of Main Street isn't the best. It would provide you that quick exit though.

I don't know how long your trip is but you may need to separate fireworks and MSEP if you want to see fireworks from the front of the castle and not town square (or do the late parade but if you're looking for a quick exit after fireworks I'm guessing your LO won't be game for that). Or you'll have to be willing to invest time into saving a spot for MSEP and fireworks.

I am also hoping to view MSEP and Fireworks on the same night (April 29) in front of the castle. I am willing to invest some time, but wondering how far in advance I should plan on getting there to save some space.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I am also hoping to view MSEP and Fireworks on the same night (April 29) in front of the castle. I am willing to invest some time, but wondering how far in advance I should plan on getting there to save some space.

We happened to come into the parks right as the first parade was ending. They sent us down the "backstage" hallway and we ended up exiting by first aide. We waited at the crossing area and as soon as the parade passed, we made our way to the partners statue. Our fireworks were canceled, so quickly rounded the corner and were able to secure curb seating and a bench for our party of 10 for the later parade. In my opinion, this would be the easiest way to do it.

I have no idea how early you'd need to be there for the first parade, but I know the benches and a lot of curb space around the castle/tomorrowland were all filled when we left the parks 2 hrs before the first one.