MVMCP Fireworks, Parade, Crowds!

[SDA]

Hi! We are going to be at the MVMCP on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. We will also be at MK during the day as well. I'm working on a tentative strategy and curious as to thoughts on managing the crowds for the fireworks and parade. As a note, it is myself, husband, and 13yo daughter - her first time to DW and we haven't been since we were kids.

My preference is to skip the first parade and attend the second one. It does seem like getting a fireworks spot on Main Street would be near impossible assuming that parade goers at the first stay put until the fireworks. Would this even be something to shoot for? Then, I'll assume a lot of folks leave after the fireworks. If we are on Main Street how do you manage trying to get back up for the Mickey Christmas show or even staking out a spot for the next parade with crowds trying to get out. I just can't visualize.

Are we missing out if we watch the fireworks and parade elsewhere? I think my daughter would love the castle projections, but I'd hate to do it and just be miserable trying to maneuver.

Would there be a better suggestion of where to watch the fireworks/second parade?

 

[fla4fun]

Hi! We are going to be at the MVMCP on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. We will also be at MK during the day as well. I'm working on a tentative strategy and curious as to thoughts on managing the crowds for the fireworks and parade. As a note, it is myself, husband, and 13yo daughter - her first time to DW and we haven't been since we were kids.

My preference is to skip the first parade and attend the second one. It does seem like getting a fireworks spot on Main Street would be near impossible assuming that parade goers at the first stay put until the fireworks. Would this even be something to shoot for? Then, I'll assume a lot of folks leave after the fireworks. If we are on Main Street how do you manage trying to get back up for the Mickey Christmas show or even staking out a spot for the next parade with crowds trying to get out. I just can't visualize.

Are we missing out if we watch the fireworks and parade elsewhere? I think my daughter would love the castle projections, but I'd hate to do it and just be miserable trying to maneuver.

Would there be a better suggestion of where to watch the fireworks/second parade?

We have often watched fireworks from the bridge to Tomorrowland. It’s a little bit of a side view as far as the projections go, but better than being squashed in the hub. Then you can move towards the hub as the crowds move out and work on finding a spot for the second parade (I recommend Liberty Square or Frontierland over Main Street as there are usually fewer people along the route there) or the castle show.

 

[SDA]

We have often watched fireworks from the bridge to Tomorrowland. It’s a little bit of a side view as far as the projections go, but better than being squashed in the hub. Then you can move towards the hub as the crowds move out and work on finding a spot for the second parade (I recommend Liberty Square or Frontierland over Main Street as there are usually fewer people along the route there) or the castle show.

Thank you - I had noted both of those spots as potential options and glad to hear it wouldn't be wrong.

Any experience with a dessert party for fireworks? I'm half-tempted to consider, but it does seem like a lot of money just to avoid crowds (and have a glass of wine!)

 

[fla4fun]

Thank you - I had noted both of those spots as potential options and glad to hear it wouldn't be wrong.

Any experience with a dessert party for fireworks? I'm half-tempted to consider, but it does seem like a lot of money just to avoid crowds (and have a glass of wine!)

I have considered the dessert parties, but with limited time at the MVMCP in the first place, we usually just munch on the free cookies instead. I have often wondered just how good the view is from the seated party unless you are along the railing, since there is a roof overhead. But if you are not a frequent visitor, and the cost is something you can afford, it would be a nice splurge. I have done fireworks cruises and events at Epcot and will be doing one on my next trip in November. But since I am not buying a separate ticket for evening admission to Epcot the cost in both money and time doesn’t seem so high.

 

[SDA]

I have considered the dessert parties, but with limited time at the MVMCP in the first place, we usually just munch on the free cookies instead. I have often wondered just how good the view is from the seated party unless you are along the railing, since there is a roof overhead. But if you are not a frequent visitor, and the cost is something you can afford, it would be a nice splurge. I have done fireworks cruises and events at Epcot and will be doing one on my next trip in November. But since I am not buying a separate ticket for evening admission to Epcot the cost in both money and time doesn’t seem so high.

Yeah, I think I have backed off my 15 minute dessert party consideration. We are splurging already on the party and we are doing the Fantasmic Dining package on Thanksgiving so I should really stop before I get out of control. haha.

The fireworks cruises sound amazing! Would love to do that with a group sometime. Who knows, maybe we will come back and do it sometime!

 

[AussieFan8]

We have done several MVMCPs and have walked up to the back of the hub right before the fireworks start with no issues. It is not near as packed as finding a spot for HEA. Last year, we did what a previous poster did and watched from the bridge - we found a spot even after the fireworks had started. We made a beeline for Tron right after the fireworks and only had about a 20 minute wait.

We tend to watch the second parade as well, but we usually watch from Frontierland, so it's easier to find a spot there.

 

[SDA]

We have done several MVMCPs and have walked up to the back of the hub right before the fireworks start with no issues. It is not near as packed as finding a spot for HEA. Last year, we did what a previous poster did and watched from the bridge - we found a spot even after the fireworks had started. We made a beeline for Tron right after the fireworks and only had about a 20 minute wait.

We tend to watch the second parade as well, but we usually watch from Frontierland, so it's easier to find a spot there.

Ok, thanks! I love the idea of running to squeeze in a TRON ride. But good to know also that there may be some good spots in the back. Fortunately the kid has had a bit of a growth spurt so she should be able to reasonably see most places.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

We watched the 9 pm parade followed by the fireworks just a couple of weeks ago. We didn’t watch the parade from the hub but moved there about 15 minutes before the fireworks started.

What we found is that many of the guests watching the parade from the hub had moved up Main Street to be as close to the exit has possible. This left a lot of space available right in front of the castle.

We stood close to the main speaker bank but could have moved even closer if we had wanted to. Our goal was to be near the bridge to Frontierland so that we could head back into the park for a couple more rides while almost everyone else was leaving.

 

[SDA]

We watched the 9 pm parade followed by the fireworks just a couple of weeks ago. We didn’t watch the parade from the hub but moved there about 15 minutes before the fireworks started.

What we found is that many of the guests watching the parade from the hub had moved up Main Street to be as close to the exit has possible. This left a lot of space available right in front of the castle.

We stood close to the main speaker bank but could have moved even closer if we had wanted to. Our goal was to be near the bridge to Frontierland so that we could head back into the park for a couple more rides while almost everyone else was leaving.

That's good to know! Thank you!

 

[Marthasor]

If staying for HEA, I always book the dessert party. I have never felt the need to book it for MNSSHP or MVMCP and have always found a spot in the hub even if it's back a little bit. Never felt crowded or squished. We seem to have very good luck finding spots for the second parade near the MK entrance around Tony's or the fire station.

 

[msmayor]

We have often watched fireworks from the bridge to Tomorrowland. It’s a little bit of a side view as far as the projections go, but better than being squashed in the hub. Then you can move towards the hub as the crowds move out and work on finding a spot for the second parade (I recommend Liberty Square or Frontierland over Main Street as there are usually fewer people along the route there) or the castle show.

Last year at the party, we easily got a good spot just at the start of the walkway to Tomorrowland - excellent viewing for the fireworks, could easily see all the projections. We stayed there and caught the Merriest Christmas Party show (albeit not close, but still able to see and hear) and then stayed for the second parade. Here is the view of the parade we had:

 

[fla4fun]

Last year at the party, we easily got a good spot just at the start of the walkway to Tomorrowland - excellent viewing for the fireworks, could easily see all the projections. We stayed there and caught the Merriest Christmas Party show (albeit not close, but still able to see and hear) and then stayed for the second parade. Here is the view of the parade we had:
View attachment 1009225

The last time we watched fireworks from the hub at a party we got trapped by the crowd and couldn’t move at all for about twenty minutes. I was really concerned that kids in strollers were going to get stepped on, it was so bad. That actually looks pretty good!

 

[msmayor]

The last time we watched fireworks from the hub at a party we got trapped by the crowd and couldn’t move at all for about twenty minutes. I was really concerned that kids in strollers were going to get stepped on, it was so bad. That actually looks pretty good!

You can get trapped in the hub...its all about positioning and knowing where you're going to plan to move afterward. Being just at the bridge to Tomorrowland, it's actually pretty quick to move INTO Tomorrowland after the parade finishes. Then you can move all about the back of the park while a good chunk of the crowd is moving down Main Street to the exits.