need advice on getting past parade crowd

[disneymami]

I need advice from anyone who can help me navigate through the 3pm parade crowd because I have 3:30 ADR for Crystal palace.

My plan is to enjoy MK from 3pm to close. We are staying at the WL. If you please, critique my strategy and tell me where my flaws are:

Leave by ferry from WL at about 2pm. Plan to arrive at MK about 2:30pm Navigate through the MK entrance with one husband and two 8 year olds.
Get to the Crystal Place for a 3:30pm dinner res.

Now do I (a) walk through main street knowing it will be packed with spectators and try to make our way to the restaurant?
Or (b) take the Disney Railroad to Frontierland. Walk from there to the crystal Palace?

We have no plans to view this parade. I'd rather see the night parade.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Donald&Tinkerbell]

On the right side of Main Street. Then you'll need to go like you're going to Tomorrowland, but keep veering left to the bridge, then right until you get to the path that leads to Belle's story place. This path keeps going to the back of the castle.

You might be able to cut out some distance by going through the rose garden, but sometimes that's blocked.

 

[WIDisneyFan]

Walk up Main Street but inside - we have found it is usually easier that time of day to make your way to the crystal palace area (or frontier land) by way of the stores. So as you enter the park get to the left (left as you are facing the castle) and go inside - not describing this well but it is the first store on the main street part, after you are past the circle. From there just keep walking parallel to the street and you will exit by Casey's with the Crystal Palace on your left

If I lost you let me know and I will try to explain better

 

[HelenParr]

I would walk directly up, and not take the train around. Train would put you very far away (unless you enjoy the walking and sightseeing aspect, then by all means). It is usually not that hard to make your way directly up as long as the parade has not actually started (which it will not have by your timing notes). Duck into the shops on the left if you find the sidewalk too crowded.

 

[Tinkerbell3014]

I agree, you can walk thru the shops on Main Street.

 

[disneymami]

This sounds like great advice. Apparently the shops are linked. We can avoid not only the crowds but the heat as well. I was hoping this would work out. From the map it seemed that the station at frontier land would be a long walk to the crystal palace. I'm a stickler for being on time and I don't want to be even slightly late for my 3:30 ADR.

Should I stick to the same strategy for a 4pm ADR at Liberty Tree Tavern? Same game plan - We are arriving at the park at about 3pm.

 

[Robo]

Should I stick to the same strategy for a 4pm ADR at Liberty Tree Tavern? Same game plan - We are arriving at the park at about 3pm.

Sure.

 

[Robo]

I'm a stickler for being on time and I don't want to be even slightly late for my 3:30 ADR.

Stickle all you like!

But, it's not uncommon for delays at Disney to pile up in such a manner as to not ALLOW you to hit your ADR's at the appointed time, so don't be alarmed if you are a bit late (Disney won't be.)

And, as long as we're "stickling,"
it is preferred practice to arrive and check in at your restaurant 15 minutes before your ADR time, so you might want to add a few minutes extra to your
travel timing.



.

 

[Miss.DisneyDetails]

I think being at the dock at Wilderness at 2:00pm will give you plenty of time to get to crystal palace by 3:15 without any problems.

It's not likely that the parade will be going by the time you get there, which I estimate will be no later than 2:40, depending on your luck of hitting the ferry when it is just coming or just left. Even with crowds on Main Street, Cast Members will be in the street doing crowd control and helping people that aren't staking a spot travel through. When you cut through the stores (Emporium souvenirs, Princess Area, Clothing Area, left to the men's wear, which connects to the dining area of casey's corner and then straight through the doors outside, look left, then Crystal Palace patio is in plane sight. It will probably take around 5 mins from when you walk through the turnstiles to get to Crystal Palace. I think you'll be just fine.

 

[polineedyan]

Ive read that its a great idea to be at the rides you really want to ride as the parade begins..that way youre stuck in 'heaven' instead of trying to get there..the inside the shops idea is a good one..getting thru magic kingdom can be tough..
i remember saying this week 'geez, these parades are getting out of control..." it seemed we were ALWAYS catching a parade..even when we arrived at night for EMH..all the sudden..boom parade..i know, i know..poor planning on my part..but still, I was kinda relieved that AK only had the one..that i saw anyway..im not one for parades, however, we did enjoy our position in liberty square for the night parade..i wouldnt be caught dead anywhere near mainstreet during a parade..nuff said.

 

[Miss.DisneyDetails]

Should I stick to the same strategy for a 4pm ADR at Liberty Tree Tavern? Same game plan - We are arriving at the park at about 3pm.

If you are arriving at the par at 3pm, you run the chance of hitting the afternoon parade which recently starts on Main Street. If you happen to arrive before the parade starts, I say just book it down main street since everyone staking a spot will be roped off to the side anyways so you'll have a clear path to the bridge that goes to Liberty Square, taking you directly to Lib. Tree. In fact, at 3, you have time to watch the parade from the patio area of Lib. Tree before going on in for your reservation!

If you happen to arrive and the parade has started, no worries, just stay right when you enter and go to the confectionery door and travel through the stores until you get to the bakery, where you'll have to go outside. If you haven't beat the first float by then allowing you to go ahead to Lib. Square, You can either watch the parade from here until the last float goes by, then quickly walk over to the bridge to Liberty Square ( I think you'll have time) Or if you'd rather bypass the parade all together, come out of the bakery, turn right at the ice cream shop and go to Tommorrowland where you'll have to go around through Fantasyland to get to Lib. Square.

 

[ssawka]

Stickle all you like!

But, it's not uncommon for delays at Disney to pile up in such a manner as to not ALLOW you to hit your ADR's at the appointed time, so don't be alarmed if you are a bit late (Disney won't be.)

And, as long as we're "stickling,"
it is preferred practice to arrive and check in at your restaurant 15 minutes before your ADR time, so you might want to add a few minutes extra to your
travel timing.



.

Yes, it is important to remember that ADRs are not like reservations at other restaurants. They are more like "phone ahead" reservations. The restaurant will not be holding a table, so being a little late is fine.

 

[DisneyDadof3]

Keep in mind the 3:00 parade now starts in the Town Square so you will have to be across it before it starts. If you arrive at 3:00, you will not be able to get across until about 3:20ish.

 

[preemiemama]

We've actually done this- last July! We entered the park and the parade was happening. We got stopped by the fire station when the parade was starting. Once we could cross to the other side, we ducked into the Emporium and were able to walk quicky (5 adults and 1 child!) through all the shops down to Casey's. Then it's a quick left and off to CP!

Works for Frontier/Adventureland as well!