mnsshp, first parade question

[mtemm]

what time should we start finding a spot to see the first parade? we're going on a monday (10/16) and will have young children with us, so we probably won't last more than a couple of hours at the party. I'd really love to see this parade, especially the HH. Should we find a spot as soon as the party starts (at 7-ish) or can we do a few things first? Where would be a good spot to view the parade (especially the HH)?

 

[beattyfamily]

People start lining up right at 7:00p especially on Main Street.

If you want to wait a bit longer then I'd suggest finding a spot at Liberty Square area.

I also found that right around Country Bear is a great spot for seeing the parade; the lighting was much better for photos there for some reason.

 

[brbenoit]

what time should we start finding a spot to see the first parade? we're going on a monday (10/16) and will have young children with us, so we probably won't last more than a couple of hours at the party. I'd really love to see this parade, especially the HH. Should we find a spot as soon as the party starts (at 7-ish) or can we do a few things first? Where would be a good spot to view the parade (especially the HH)?

Last year on 10/31 we ate at Liberty Tree Tavern at 7:00 and watched the parade right after dinner. We found that there were less people in that area than on Main Street. Main Street and around the castle area require more lead time.

 

[think tink]

i just wanted to mention that if you get in line that early you will actually spend most your time waiting for a parade instead of doing all the other special things you paid alot of $$ to see. also the first thing my kids want to do is RUN to the trick or treat stations and do the dance party. the second parade starts shortly after the special fireworks (do not miss these, they are great ). right after the fireworks we walked over to the area infront of pecos bills and were able to get benches to sit on while watching the parade we also took our kids when they were young (2 yrs old) and i just would just give them a late afternoon nap and they would be fine till after the second parade. after that we would make our way back to the hotel. have a great time !!

 

[mtemm]

thanks! I guess we'll see how it is that night. I'd love to head over to fantasyland to ride a few rides before finding a spot for the parade. I really want to make sure we see the HH...where would be the best spot for that? I really don't think we'll be around for the 2nd parade and definitely don't want to count on it, so a good spot for the 1st parade is really important.

I doubt we'll do much trick or treating. maybe let the kids stop a couple of times, but if there are lines I doubt we'll wait. my kids are young (4, 2, 2) and that part isn't too big a deal. the dance party sounds fun...where is that? what is it?

 

[think tink]

thanks! I guess we'll see how it is that night. I'd love to head over to fantasyland to ride a few rides before finding a spot for the parade. I really want to make sure we see the HH...where would be the best spot for that? I really don't think we'll be around for the 2nd parade and definitely don't want to count on it, so a good spot for the 1st parade is really important.

I doubt we'll do much trick or treating. maybe let the kids stop a couple of times, but if there are lines I doubt we'll wait. my kids are young (4, 2, 2) and that part isn't too big a deal. the dance party sounds fun...where is that? what is it?

stitch's dance party is held at cosmic rays at scheduled times. the hours are listed on the mnsshp map they give you. basically it is a rock concert theme with stitch dressed like elvis. he and a singer play a few songs while the kids come up to the area in front of the stage and dance. at some point chip + dale, goofy and a few more characters came out to dance too. it lasts about 15-20 minutes and was alot of fun. there is another party in fantasyland in the area behind dumbo that has a dj playing typical halloween party music and a few characters will come out at certain times to dance with the kids. also i would try to be in fantasyland at 7:00 (they will let party goers in early) and you should be able to go on alot of rides with hardly any wait. then go to liberty square to get your spot for the parade. there is also alot going on in mickeys toontown that is fun for toddlers. if you go right when the party starts there are hardly any crowds there yet. but they have face painting, and the trick or treat trail. it has alot of cm's handy out candy and also some very rare characters along the way. last year we saw the walrus from alice in wonderland

 

[mtemm]

thank you so much, think tink! So do you think it would work if we started at toontown, then made our way to fantasyland for a bit, then made our way to liberty square for the 1st parade? or is that unrealistic timewise? I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed...part of it just the notion of being able to keep the kids up that night (please please please may the nap fairies visit us in the hotel that afternoon!)

 

[lorilori]

I would definitely start in Fantasyland, do as many rides as you can before the lines get too long. Toontown is really good at any time since we've never encountered long ride lines there; it's more trick or treating lines which move real fast. We also watch the parades over by Liberty Tree Tavern. The HH coming straight at you is so cool. Plus you can hear him crossing the bridge! Also when you do make it to Toontown and are ready to leave, make sure you take the 'secret path' that starts in the back of Toontown by the train station. It winds over to Tomorrowland and has TONS of candy spots on it!