MK dinner & parade/Wishes question ......

[U2_rocks]

Next year we're taking the kids for the first time and my parents (also their first and likely only time). My parents aren't big crowd fans, but they do want to enjoy Orlando (they like Florida in general), and be with the kids for a few half days in the parks so they can watch the wonder in their grandkids' eyes etc. My dad also has severe food allergies, so we are carefully planning the few half days that they will be in the parks for us, to make eating easy for him and to avoid the worst of the crowds.

We want to cut down on the "standing around waiting to see a parade or fireworks" time, as I know they will hate this, yet want to see them! We've already figured out that Rose & Crown at 7.45 or 8 p.m. will allow a ptio view of Illuminations (it doesn't matter if we're seated inside and have to stand on the patio). If they decide to come to Studios, we will do the Fantasmic dinner package.

What I'd like to know is how to handle MK evening shows. Do any restaurant balconies/porches give a good view of Spectro? Can we be eating, and when the parade comes by, get up and peek out of a window or over a balcony? I think we might be OK just finding a spot for Wishes, maybe even somewhere that will allow us to make a quick exit from the park, though it will depend on where we are for Spectro. We will be fine seeing the parade from a distance, especially as it is all lit up and will stand out really well from afar. We just don't want to wait for ages just to get a decent spot, and then be in the middle of a huge crowd - that would stress my mom in particular, to the point where she might want to leave the park and not stick around for Spectro or Wishes!

 

[Antonia]

My best suggestion would be to be sure to go at an off time of year to avoid major crowds. We have been in September and it was great.

I wish MY parents would go with us, but they won't. I have begged them to go.

Hope your trip is great!

 

[U2_rocks]

My best suggestion would be to be sure to go at an off time of year to avoid major crowds. We have been in September and it was great.

I wish MY parents would go with us, but they won't. I have begged them to go.

Hope your trip is great!

Thanks! We are going in late April, early May. I guess that will be moderate mostly. What will impact the crowd is that Spectro will only show a few times a week, and because of Grad nights on the weekends, everyone will be in MK on the Spectro nights! Oh well.

 

[liamandcaili]

If you want to see the parade, the least crowded area is in Liberty Square and heading into Frontierland and Peco Bills. I can't think of anyplace where you would be dining and be able to see Spectro. If you just wanted to see Wishes, California Grill is a great viewing spot. Of course, it is on the expensive side, but they are wonderful with food allergies (DS has a couple, and they made him a special dessert) if your children can handle that sort of sit down place. My children were 6 and 4 our last visit, and they loved it. We got them these Disney World activity packages with markers, stickers, coloring pages, etc. and they were fine. It was also one of the few places where they actually ate.

By the way, DON'T go to MK the Sunday after Grad night. It is crazy.

Have fun!

 

[antree]

I am not sure what time Tony's serve until but if they are open you can see the Parade from their porch while you eat outside. When you make your ressie mention about seating outside. Get there early and remind them you want to sit outside. You might have to wait a little but it will be worth it.
It is located to the right as soon as you get in to Magic Kingdom.
If they are not open for when Spectro Magic starts, you can always do lunch there and watch the 3:00 Parade from there.
Have Fun.

Maria

 

[DebbieB]

I was at MK on Thursday April 27 this year, Grad Night was the following Friday & Saturday. Spectro ran twice with Wishes in between. It was very crowded. What I would do (assuming you have park hopper tickets) is go in the evening for Spectro & Wishes only and spend the day on Friday.

There are only a handful of outside tables at Tony's, I don't think they take advance requests.

 

[U2_rocks]

Thanks for all your suggestions so far! I have a few more questions:

Can you see any glimpses of the parade from Tony's inside tables, in case we can't get an outside one? Windows to look out of?

Is there anywhere to sit while waiting for a table at Tony's (in case we can ask them for the next available table on the porch and wait for it)?

Is there anywhere we could walk out and see part of the parade from if we are in Tony's? I wouldn't want to crowd the porch if we're not seated there, but I don't remember what's right in front of Tony's.

 

[antree]

Yes, you can see the parade somewhat if you are sitting near the windows, the whole one wall is all windows and a door leading to the porch, I would think that you can go outside and watch the parade from there as long you are not blocking the view for the people that do have a table. The same goes for the windows, I have had the kids stand at the window and watch the 3:00 parade, but we always have sat by the windows.

You can sit or stand on the porch while you wait to be called for your reservation, the porch is the whole length of the building. The tables for the restaurant are blocked off on the side of the porch.


Remember, if the won't take a porch request when you make your reservations, Get to the Restaurant early and request it then, many people do.

Maria
Yes, you can see the parade somewhat if you are sitting near the windows, the whole one wall is all windows and a door leading to the porch, I would think that you can go outside and watch the parade from there as long you are not blocking the view for the people that do have a table. The same goes for the windows, I have had the kids stand at the window and watch the 3:00 parade, but we always have sat by the windows.

You can sit or stand on the porch while you wait to be called for your reservation, the porch is the whole length of the building. The tables for the restaurant are blocked off on the side of the porch.


Remember, if the won't take a porch request when you make your reservations, Get to the Restaurant early and request it then, many people do.

Maria
Yes, you can see the parade somewhat if you are sitting near the windows, the whole one wall is all windows and a door leading to the porch, I would think that you can go outside and watch the parade from there as long you are not blocking the view for the people that do have a table. The same goes for the windows, I have had the kids stand at the window and watch the 3:00 parade, but we always have sat by the windows.

You can sit or stand on the porch while you wait to be called for your reservation, the porch is the whole length of the building. The tables for the restaurant are blocked off on the side of the porch.


Remember, if the won't take a porch request when you make your reservations, Get to the Restaurant early and request it then, many people do.

Maria
Yes, you can see the parade somewhat if you are sitting near the windows, the whole one wall is all windows and a door leading to the porch, I would think that you can go outside and watch the parade from there as long you are not blocking the view for the people that do have a table. The same goes for the windows, I have had the kids stand at the window and watch the 3:00 parade, but we always have sat by the windows.

You can sit or stand on the porch while you wait to be called for your reservation, the porch is the whole length of the building. The tables for the restaurant are blocked off on the side of the porch.


Remember, if the won't take a porch request when you make your reservations, Get to the Restaurant early and request it then, many people do.

Maria

 

[Barbers2005]

Not in the park, but 'Ohana has a good view of Wishes. We found this out be accident on our last trip. We weren't going to make our earlier ressies so we called and all they had was one for 9:45. We showed up, pretty tired and a little grumpy, but then they seated us right next to a window with a view of Cinderella castle and the show was just starting. That sure perked us up! It was a much better view than we had in the park a few days before, and a nice surprise. Plus, they play the music from Wishes in the restaurant just like they do in the parks.