need parade route tips

[cab0ad]

Where on the parade route can you go to get the best view with the least amount of people? I don't really want to wait for an hour to see the parade because it seems like those last minute people always shove their kids up front anyways. that really annoys me! I need some good tips for less crowded places to see the parades on the route. tips for saving your space without letting people "butt" after you've sat there would also be useful.

 

[mareed]

We do typically get our spot about an hour before a parade and take along a small, waterproof tarp that we lay out on the ground or curb right up by the front. We use that hour to have a snack and/or play a portable dice or card game that we bring along (LCR dice game is great for this!). We use this time as a break off of our feet. People are amazingly respectful of our space designated by the tarp. I don't get freaked out if someone steps on it (at this point, it's not the cleanest in the world and even has some old, dried gum on it), but people really do tend to stay out of our space as long as we use the tarp.

 

[ariel53098]

In Tokyo DL everyone has something to sit on. If you sit on the ground just in your clothes, the Japanese will look at you like you just put your head in a toilet!
I guess living there makes me feel like I need something to sit on. We actually have some small tarp like mats (they can fit one or two, average "bums") with Disney characters left from when we were in Japan.
I brought them to Disneyland and used them for the parade. Ditto what the previous poster said about people respecting the space on the tarp.
Just don't be a space hog out of respect for others. I think it is reasonable to have a tarp(s) big enough for everyone in your family with crossed legs but not enough for you all to lay out, etc.
Rachel

Edited to add: I found a picture from Disneyland Calfornia. DS stayed in the stroller, I sat on my mat and DH sat on another mat. When the parade was about to start, We folded up DH's mat and DH sat next to me with his arm around me. Some next to us filled in the space DH left but it wasn't bad.

 

[hmkenn0]

Main street in front of city hall/ next to the firehouse- you can usually find some decent late seats here b/c most people don't go that far to the front of the park!

 

[noahdove]

[]I too take something to sit on. Last year, there was a couple with a large stroller trying to smoosh in between a few of us that had already staked out our claim..we had no extra room and the family even attempted to park their stroller under the rope, in front of some children, whose legs were tucked under them....a dad did take action and the couple continued down the street only to turn around an try it again with us. I only had the 3 of us, and I gave my kids instructions not to move, we thought out our plan and no way were we going to give up our space. The odd thing about the couple??? their children were sleeping!!! My kids shared their glow sticks with the kids around us, so that was a great way to pass their time...[/I]

 

[Hootch]

stake out Spectro right at the end of the parade route. There is a path across the route open until just before the parade arrives. We stake out our spot about twenty minutes before the parade gets there and usually get a good seat. My daughter was down in front the last time and got a lot of attention from the characters in the parade.

 

[MrsMoncrief23]

How are the parades in other parks? Are they just as good, as crowded? I'm thinking of the Jungle Parade in AK and the Bash in HS.

 

[aidtrismommy]

We don't save spaces ahead of time because it is a hassle to keep my kids occupied for that long of a wait for the "prime" seats. We go to the beginning of the parade route about 5-10 minutes before it starts because there are plenty of front row spaces. Then when it is done, we leave and go on rides while most of the park is still watching the parade. For spectro, the parade starts at the front of the park(the daytime parade starts near splash), when it is done, we race out to the busses and don't have to wait in line for the rest of the parade people leaving the park because they are still watching, and you don't get stuck behind all of them. Works like a charm every time. For block paty bash at HS, we got a curb seat right at the beginning of the route and we got there 5 minutes before it started! My kids were happy, and the adults were happy we didin't have to entertain the kids, although we did make it in time to see some street performers (actors) which is my favorite part at HS! The parade at Animal is really hectic because the parade route blocks the exit to the park and it is a disaster trying to maneuver strollers, etc out of there. Find a spot near the exit so you don't get stuck behind people.