More questions on PTN & Fireworks spots, & w/a scooter. 2nd guessing plans, not sure best options...

[Minniekins]

So, I have a few questions. We'll be on our first trip, arriving this Saturday, about 11 a.m. First of all, I'll be using a scooter. We decided to do the BB for dinner, but not a package for the viewing area. Not sure, with the move in the section, how the scooter would work there. Also, we do want to do the Fireworks after. Now, if for some reason we changed our mind, could we request to make our dinner on Sun into a package dinner or once it's not a package, you can't switch.

Right now, we have a ressie at 7:50 p.m. on Sat night at Carnation Cafe, and the parade is at 8:45(and 10:45). Second guessing this option now, and wondering if it's too late or too early, lol. I was thinking we could do dinner there, hopefully on the patio, and then go out and try to get out on the street for the fireworks after the parade passes, and maybe then watch the 2nd parade. Now as the time gets closer, I'm not sure how well that'll work, lol. About when should we try to leave our table and grab the scooter and be ready to head onto the street if we can? Wondering if we were to eat at the Plaza Inn, could we try the same thing, going out in front of the Plaza and watching from there? I don't remember reading about that here but it looks like a good spot to view from maybe but then again maybe not if it's not discussed much?

And, also, now as things get closer and I'm running out of time to read all the stuff over again, lol, wondering about the IASW spot. How does that work? Do you need to get there as early? And, the watching the parade there is supposed to be good, right? And then you can watch the Fireworks from there?
I do want to watch from Main Street hub area, that'd be a first choice if I could just have my pick of spots, lol, so we'll probably try to get a sidewalk spot near Plaza on Sunday, doing some waiting, but hoping to scootch(sp?, lol) into the street if there is a ramp off the sidewalk near there, unless a sidewalk spot would be just as good to watch the parade and then fireworks.

Suddenly I'm getting nervous and forgetful about the plans I've been planning, lol. We'll be there May 7-14. So, we're gonna try to do the parade and fireworks on the Sat and Sun nights, then again on Wed and Fri, with WOC on Tues and Thu nights(package at WCT on Tues, and FP for Thu).

TIA to anyone who can help!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

When you check in at BB, ask the CM at the podium whether you will be able to do a PTN package or not. Often the packages are not fully booked, so switching is possible. We were able to switch for a F! package, so I know it's possible. But for a marathon/Mother's Day weekend, it would be best to check ahead of time.

 

[tlovesdis]

I use a scooter and have seen fireworks/PTN 4 times without doing a package!

The first time was last June and we camped out for 2 1/2 hours on Main Street (only because it was new)

Second time was September and we got a spot over by Small World about an hour before the parade and it was great!

Third time was November. We watched the fireworks from To orrowland then waited about ten minutes for crowds to clear off Main Street then found a spot for the second parade right on Main Street in front of Starbucks!

4th time was January and the fireworks were cancelled so once the fireworks crowds left we found a great spot for the second parade right next to the castle heading towards the Matterhorn!

I personally don't feel the need to do a package and always find a spot even with the scooter!!

 

[Minniekins]

When you check in at BB, ask the CM at the podium whether you will be able to do a PTN package or not. Often the packages are not fully booked, so switching is possible. We were able to switch for a F! package, so I know it's possible. But for a marathon/Mother's Day weekend, it would be best to check ahead of time.

Thanks! Depending on how the spot looks when I finally get to see the area Sat, and how things are going I may ask just to see. Probably will stick with our dinner ressie as is, but good to have options!

I use a scooter and have seen fireworks/PTN 4 times without doing a package! The first time was last June and we camped out for 2 1/2 hours on Main Street (only because it was new). Second time was September and we got a spot over by Small World about an hour before the parade and it was great! Third time was November. We watched the fireworks from To orrowland then waited about ten minutes for crowds to clear off Main Street then found a spot for the second parade right on Main Street in front of Starbucks! 4th time was January and the fireworks were cancelled so once the fireworks crowds left we found a great spot for the second parade right next to the castle heading towards the Matterhorn!
I personally don't feel the need to do a package and always find a spot even with the scooter!!

Thanks for sharing, that's awesome! Sounds like you've been a good amount of times with lots of experience! Lucky, lol! I might try the IASW area the first night depending on how our CC ressie plan works(or not, lol), and then something where we wait for somewhere on Main St on Sun, and then see what happens the rest of the nights we'll have. Hard not knowing the areas at all, lol

Wondering if anyone knows how the plaza area could work. Maybe since no one has commented on doing it, it's not a good spot?

 

[Arielismyfave]

We just got back from our DL trip and did not book a PtN package.

At 4:30 (almost 4 hours before the parade) people had already staked out benches in front of the castle.. We knew that would not work for us as there is no way LO would sit that long to wait, so we just kept riding rides and walking about.

We sat near IASW and the parade view was amazing! Facing IASW with Matterhorn behind you, we were on the left side before the turn to Toontown. They were great seats that we snagged about 45 minutes before the parade started. Since it was windy that day they did not have fireworks so we didn't worry about missing that from where we were. It was also a great spot because LO and DH rode IASW multiple times, while I sat and saved our spots.

The only issue with the seats was being so far back in the park, it was a mob leaving and at times a standstill. We had a stroller so I would liken that to a scooter as far as navigation.

 

[Minniekins]

@Arielismyfave Thanks for sharing your experience with the PtN! parade. Yeah, we don't want to wait that long for a spot, lol! Hopefully we'll be as lucky as you were to find a good spot without a super long wait!

 

[Nonsuch]

...I was thinking we could do dinner there, hopefully on the patio, and then go out and try to get out on the street for the fireworks after the parade passes, and maybe then watch the 2nd parade...

Watching the 2nd parade is a good strategy, crowds are much smaller compared to the first parade.
Last Sunday (May 1) there were many excellent viewing locations near the hub for the 2nd parade, try to find a spot looking down Main Street (toward the Train Station).

 

[Minniekins]

Thanks for the info, Nonsuch, and for that great PTN video! Looks awesome and so nice of you to post!

 

[Angel Ariel]

There is a handicapped viewing area for PTN near the exit of Pixie Hollow. We found this to be a great place to watch PTN from last November. if you wanted to watch the fireworks from Small world, you should be able to get there after the parade (though the crowd will likely follow the parade to the hub). the night we watched it, we went around the matterhorn, through TL, then found a spot in the hub to watch the fireworks