Marching Band at WDW TIPS

[Pembo]

DS is marching at the MK next month. Any tips for the parents watching? I'm hoping to get some good pics of him but they are marching at night which makes it tricky.

Also I'd like to see him more than once on the parade route..any hints on how to move quickly around the parade??

 

[Diegosmom]

someone else posted in another thread that you could get photopass pics added to your own personal photopass.

 

[daemom]

We stood in front of the castle at the hub. When our band came through we left and RAN across the bridge into Adventureland. I think right across from Swiss Family Robinson Tree House, there's a restroom area that you can walk through and you will be in Frontierland. If you ran you should be able to catch them again. We were fortunate to lead off Spectro for the evening and were also the first band out. My DS said THAT was the highlight of his time in band! Gotta say it was pretty exciting for me too! Have fun and .......run!!!

 

[marcyinPA]

DS is marching at the MK next month. Any tips for the parents watching? I'm hoping to get some good pics of him but they are marching at night which makes it tricky.

Also I'd like to see him more than once on the parade route..any hints on how to move quickly around the parade??

My DS15 just came back from his band trip at the beginning of Feb. They marched at night, and also the next day before the 3pm parade. The select band and bagpipe corps march at Epcot too.

I did not make it to the night parade. We had four day non-hoppers, so only one day in the MK. I had to choose, so I opted for the daytime parade.

Someone here on the DIS took some night pictures for me and sent them to me! I thought that was so AWESOME!!

As for my day pictures...my BFF was with me, and she took photos, and then ran down the street and took more. The band goes FAST. There was a photopass photog assigned to the band too (probably more than one) and the photos were posted on the band website after the trip. I took video, and my one tip is to keep yourself in control! LOL I was SCREAMING I was so excited, and my whole video is of my stupid voice...

We stood on Main Street in front of the Bake Shop. I thought the parade went from the back of the park to the front, but it didn't. It started up front, so they marched towards the castle. This totally threw me off...I was a little bummed because I was hoping for photos with the castle in the background.

It was an AWESOME experience! I'll try to post a picture in a bit...

 

[KristaTX]

I know you know Towncrier/John. He went with Sarah and/or James a few years ago, and I bet he'd have some ideas for you. But he doesn't come here that much anymore so you might want to PM him or ask on Facebook. I guess you might have already talked to him.

 

[marcyinPA]

Night parade....

 

[Pembo]

I haven't asked Towncrier yet...have to find him on FB. Thx for the reminder Krista.

Our kids are marching at night before MSEP. Does the first parade start in Frontierland???

 

[blg021576]

Great Information

 

[marcyinPA]

I haven't asked Towncrier yet...have to find him on FB. Thx for the reminder Krista.

Our kids are marching at night before MSEP. Does the first parade start in Frontierland???

The night that our band marched before the MSEP, they marched from front to back. Seems like all the parades are going in that direction right now.

 

[marcyinPA]

I hope youtube links are allowed on here....here is the video I took of my DS 15's marching band a couple of weeks ago. That is me, screaming like a lunatic. I just couldn't help it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOvMuP8j9F4

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Yes you can add it to your photopass. They take tons of pictures along the route. I went the the photoshop at the entrance of Main Street. They ask for the name of the band and add all the pictures to your card. Pre-purchase the CD, you could even share it with a few of the families is you want. Our band director was given one for free.

My daughter marched 3 times, and they are constantly changing the direction down Main Street. Make sure to have your bearings straight as to which side your child will be on. My daughter was on the front dancing, so I would get her picture at the hub, then run for it and got her as she finished at the front of Main Street. When the marched the other way, I just got her as she entered the circle at the castle.

Enjoy every minute of it, it is just a blip and it's over. I still cry over all the pictures.

 

[marcyinPA]

Yes you can add it to your photopass. They take tons of pictures along the route. I went the the photoshop at the entrance of Main Street. They ask for the name of the band and add all the pictures to your card. Pre-purchase the CD, you could even share it with a few of the families is you want. Our band director was given one for free.

My daughter marched 3 times, and they are constantly changing the direction down Main Street. Make sure to have your bearings straight as to which side your child will be on. My daughter was on the front dancing, so I would get her picture at the hub, then run for it and got her as she finished at the front of Main Street. When the marched the other way, I just got her as she entered the circle at the castle.

Enjoy every minute of it, it is just a blip and it's over. I still cry over all the pictures.

Sooo true!!! And I cry when I see the pictures, and watch the video! We are proud parents!!!

 

[bobcat]

Get a spot where you are going to enjoy watching them. As someone mentioned they will march by fast.

The best advice I got was to position parents all along the parade route. This will let you get pictures from different angles and perspectives. We were able to piece all of these pictures together in a great DVD one of the parents made.

Also make sure you know what side your kid is marching on so you can get the best shot.

Have fun!