Need Parade Watching Tips

[labst60]

DH and I aren't much into parades, so we've pretty much skipped them in the past. but this trip our DD will be 14 months and I think she'd enjoy them. Anyone have any good tips? We will be there the 3rd week in May, so it will probably be pretty hot - I don't love the idea of camping out on the curb for an hour before the parade, but if that is the only way we'll get a "good seat" I guess we'll suck it up and do it!

 

[WDWguru]

Just don't pick a spot on Main Street or around the hub. Take a look at the parade route on the map and get a spot somewhere toward the back of the park. I find Liberty Square is often a less crowded area, and that part of the park will offer more shaded options.

 

[SorcererDonald16]

Let's see... at Animal Kingdom, to avoid the heat, I'd highly recommend seeing the parade in the Discovery Island area. At least you can be under the shelter of the roofs of the shops (if you get there early enough).

This year I saw some people camping out on Main Street for Spectro at Magic Kingdom 2 hours early! No way in the world I'd ever do that. Meanwhile, we got off of Big Thunder just as the parade was entering Frontierland and there were plenty of good viewing spots available there (that said, I much prefer watching the parade from Main Street). Go to the 2nd one if there are 2, and you can find a good spot even 5 minutes early. The afternoon parade there is crowded regardless.

The parade at MGM seems to be best viewed from the Sorcerer's hat area (the right side if you've got your back to The Great Movie Ride); not as jammed up as the Hollywood Boulevard viewing areas.

That being said, allot extra time beyond what I said if you're planning on letting her stay in her stroller. It's fairly easy to get "standing room," but stroller room is another thing entirely (something I have no experience with; hopefully someone else does). I can get there 5 minutes early and stand behind one row of people and still see well, but I'm 5'7".

I hope you all enjoy your trip! Personally I've always loved parades, and I hope your DD does as well.

 

[44disney]

The parade at the Animal Kingdom is a lot of fun -- very colorful and many characters walking around (not high up on floats). We have gotten curbside seating within 10 minutes of showtime up by the Safari entrance area. Definitely better than waiting over an hour at the MK, particularly since your daughter probably won't have the patience for that. Even though my DD6 is princess obsessed, she prefers the AK parade (which doesn't have the princesses) to the one at the MK.

 

[Simba22]

Personally, my favorite parade is the Disney Stars & Motor Cars in MGM. This parade runs *backwards* compared to the other parades which start at the beginning of the park and go to the end...this parada starts at the end of the park and moves to the front. It starts around 5pm but if you check the parade route on the map as soon as you get to the park, you can walk to the route on your way to an attraction and find where the shady spots will be or where there are benches to sit on.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

Last December at DL we actually got a front row bench seat on the curb half an hour before the parade started. It was awesome! I'm excited to see the parades at WDW, but I'd like to know who is seen in MGM's parade. I already know about Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, but I'd like to know who else is in the parade.