Once Upon a Dream Parade - How Long?

[ukstitch]

Does anybody have a reasonable idea how long the parade is from first float to last float?

The new schedule says the parade starts at 19:15, so we were wondering if we could get away with re-booking our evening meals for 20:00, or would this be too tight? DB10 is entitled to a blue disabled pass, so we can guarantee being able to watch it right at the start. We want to try to find a time to allow us to see the once upon a dream parade and then try to get out in time for.
fantillusions

 

[DLPdaft]

If you're watching it near IASW right at the start, and its scheduled to begin at 19.15, it will be over and past you on the parade route by 19.35. But then, you need to get round everyone else who will still be on the parade route, as the parade goes past them (the parade takes around 45 minutes to get all the way down the route, past the entrance to the Train Station on Main St, and through the gates there).

So the whole of the parade route will still be packed with people until 8pm.

From IASW, as soon as the parade has passed you, you'd be better heading through the gates between Fantasyland and Discoveryland (if they're kept open after the parade passes through) then going through Discoveryland to near the Plaza Gardens, and down the arcade to the left of Main St. This way you will avoid the parade route crowds, and you will be able to cross the route right at the bottom of the arcade (CM's are there just for that purpose). I suspect you'd probably be out of the park by maybe 7.50pm - so maybe 8.15 would be a better time to book a restaurant for dinner, if you're going to the Village?

But if you want to book for a restaurant in the Park itself, I think 8pm would be okay.

Elaine

 

[A Small World]

The schedule says 40 mins but I think its more like 30mins.
If you watch it at the begining as you said you would be by A Small World so it depends where you are going to eat.
Remember the area will be very crowded with people watching the parade etc and you may find you cant cross some 'roads' due to the parade. The hardest part is the Town Square at the end of main street. The parade goes round that so if you hit it as the parade is theres no way to cross without waiting for the parade to end. You could go via Fantasyland, then into Adventureland and out that way then cut through the arcade to avoid the crowds on mainstreet but will still have to get across that road.
Where are you planning to eat?

 

[ukstitch]

Where are you planning to eat?

Inventions, Walts and California Grill, so whatever happens we need to cross main street.

Our other possibility would be to alternate late and early bookings so we miss one parade but not the other on each day. Obviously we'd like to see both if we can though.

 

[A Small World]

You can get to Walts via the arcade so as long as you are on the right side of Mainstreet you should be OK.
A lot of people try to eat between the 2 parades though so the restaurants will be busier. you may feel you are rushed to get out in time for the next one so it may be better to watch Fantillusion on a differnt day to Once Upon a Dream.

 

[torsie24]

Oich....

I'm booked for 7.30 at Walts on Sunday......

I might change it to like 8 and then bomb from IASW arade spot into adventureland and along the hidden passage.....

Will i be in and out of walts in 2 hours at that time though?!?!

 

[ukstitch]

Oich....

I'm booked for 7.30 at Walts on Sunday......

I might change it to like 8 and then bomb from IASW arade spot into adventureland and along the hidden passage.....

Will i be in and out of walts in 2 hours at that time though?!?!

I guess it depends on how many courses you want and how quickly you eat.
A table booked at 8 gives you just under 2 1/2 hours before Fantillusions, which I think for us is probably enough because we usually eat quite quickly, but it might not be enough for others.