MVMCP 2nd Parade question

[SmithSmith]

About how much time do you have left in the park after viewing the 2nd MVMCP parade on Main Street?

I'm wondering if we'd have enough time to ride Haunted Mansion and grab a hot dog from Casey's before the party ends. Does this seem possible?

 

[SmithSmith]

So I kinda found my answer. Looks like the parade will take about 20 minutes to make it to Main Street after it steps off. The parade is about 20 minutes long, so it'll be finished by 11:10. However, I have no experience with a parade. It seems like 50 minutes would be enough time to do HM and Casey's but I'm worried about fighting the crowds. Would it take an unusual amount of time to get back to Liberty Square?

Eta, I'm also wondering what Casey's is like around 11:45ish on a party night. Is it busy? Would we still get served that late? Would Cosmic Rays be easier?

 

[Robo]

So I kinda found my answer. Looks like the parade will take about 20 minutes to make it to Main Street after it steps off. The parade is about 20 minutes long, so it'll be finished by 11:10. However, I have no experience with a parade. It seems like 50 minutes would be enough time to do HM and Casey's but I'm worried about fighting the crowds. Would it take an unusual amount of time to get back to Liberty Square?

Eta, I'm also wondering what Casey's is like around 11:45ish on a party night. Is it busy? Would we still get served that late? Would Cosmic Rays be easier?

Stand in front of Hall of Presidents for the parade.
Good viewing and you'll have great access to HM.

Food service that late is unpredictable.
I'd grab a bite before 11pm.

 

[Missyrose]

So I kinda found my answer. Looks like the parade will take about 20 minutes to make it to Main Street after it steps off. The parade is about 20 minutes long, so it'll be finished by 11:10. However, I have no experience with a parade. It seems like 50 minutes would be enough time to do HM and Casey's but I'm worried about fighting the crowds. Would it take an unusual amount of time to get back to Liberty Square?

Eta, I'm also wondering what Casey's is like around 11:45ish on a party night. Is it busy? Would we still get served that late? Would Cosmic Rays be easier?

Casey's was open on both our MVMCP nights past closing this year. One night we got a snack at 11:45, the other around 12:15.

 

[hiroMYhero]

We also ate at Casey's a few minutes after MVMCP ended in December 2013. We also did the same after MNSSHP in 2012.

I watched the Christmas Parade from in front of City Hall in 2013 for my third and last Party during my visit, stopped in the Confectionary immediately after the Parade and then walked to Storybook Circus to browse and pick up some snacks. I exited the park by 11:45 because I needed to meet up with a CM whose shift was ending. You should have more than enough time for HM and Casey's.

 

[SmithSmith]

Stand in front of Hall of Presidents for the parade.
Good viewing and you'll have great access to HM.

Food service that late is unpredictable.
I'd grab a bite before 11pm.

Thanks, I was considering HoP but I'm concerned about the lighting in that area. Seems like it might be too dark for my liking. But that definitely would be the better choice. Looks like we'd save some time going there, which means we could eat earlier, probably even have a little lighter crowds to deal with, and we'd be close to HM. Hmm... looks like I have some thinking to do.

 

[SmithSmith]

Casey's was open on both our MVMCP nights past closing this year. One night we got a snack at 11:45, the other around 12:15.

Thanks! That makes me feel better.

 

[SmithSmith]

We also ate at Casey's a few minutes after MVMCP ended in December 2013. We also did the same after MNSSHP in 2012.

I watched the Christmas Parade from in front of City Hall in 2013 for my third and last Party during my visit, stopped in the Confectionary immediately after the Parade and then walked to Storybook Circus to browse and pick up some snacks. I exited the park by 11:45 because I needed to meet up with a CM whose shift was ending. You should have more than enough time for HM and Casey's.

Thank you!!!

That's the area where I want to watch the parade from! So that makes me feel a lot better. This would be the last night of our trip, and we always end our trip with HM so I needed to make sure that that was possible to do on a party night. Thank you so much.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Thank you!!!

That's the area where I want to watch the parade from! So that makes me feel a lot better. This would be the last night of our trip, and we always end our trip with HM so I needed to make sure that that was possible to do on a party night. Thank you so much.

You're welcome! Another fantastic spot for the Parade is in front of the Christmas tree/flagpole area. You'll have a clear view of the Castle, the snow, and the Parade coming directly to you!

 

[SmithSmith]

You're welcome! Another fantastic spot for the Parade is in front of the Christmas tree/flagpole area. You'll have a clear view of the Castle, the snow, and the Parade coming directly to you!

Yeah, somewhere in that general vicinity is what I'm hoping for. What time do you suggest I start looking for a spot? There would just be 2 of us average sized humans. I also think I'd prefer sitting... unless you suggest otherwise. I'm really at a loss as to how I'd prefer to view a parade. I can't believe I've never watched a parade before, you know, in person.

 

[hiroMYhero]

If you're planning to watch the Castle Projection show followed by Holiday Wishes, move to the Town Square/City Hall area after Wishes.

You can sit curbside in front of the tree, on chairs on the upper level of the Train Station, or curbside in front of City Hall. To have some fun interaction with characters, curbside is best. For the City Hall area, I sat down in from of a lamp post and when the Parade began to circle around Town Square, I stood up as I wasn't blocking the view of anyone. It really is a great area as there is only a few more feet of the parade left to go and the CMs are going all out at that time!

 

[SmithSmith]

If you're planning to watch the Castle Projection show followed by Holiday Wishes, move to the Town Square/City Hall area after Wishes.

You can sit curbside in front of the tree, on chairs on the upper level of the Train Station, or curbside in front of City Hall. To have some fun interaction with characters, curbside is best. For the City Hall area, I sat down in from of a lamp post and when the Parade began to circle around Town Square, I stood up as I wasn't blocking the view of anyone. It really is a great area as there is only a few more feet of the parade left to go and the CMs are going all out at that time!

Thank you so much for your help! Great tips, I'll put them to good use.