Opinions on DCA Parades, Shows and Entertainment

[BriannaRuth]

The following are listed as Shows and Entertainment during our trip. We don't have time to see all of them but I really want to try to do several because we've always skipped them in the past. Which ones are best for families WITHOUT young children? Mine are DD14 and DD10. We're already planning to do WOC and Aladdin. Not doing Playhouse Disney and probably skipping Mad Tea Party because it looked a little to raucous last time we were there.

Parades
- DJ's Dance and Drive
- Phineas and Ferb's Rockin' Rollin' Dance Party
- Pixar Play Parade

Shows
- Five and Dime
- Instant Concert ... Just Add Water
- Red Car Trolley News Boys

Park Atmosphere Entertainment
- Mariachi Divas
- Operation Playtime/Green Army Men
- Paradise Garden Bandstand
- The Happy Camper
- Wilderness Explorer Ceremony

Thanks!

 

[msteddom]

I'd say the best best for tweens would be five and dime and/or the news boys. The others cater to much younger kids in my opinion.

Melissa

 

[msteddom]

Oh, I missed the Mariachi Divas. They are pretty incredible!

 

[lalasmama]

The following are listed as Shows and Entertainment during our trip. We don't have time to see all of them but I really want to try to do several because we've always skipped them in the past. Which ones are best for families WITHOUT young children? Mine are DD14 and DD10. We're already planning to do WOC and Aladdin. Not doing Playhouse Disney and probably skipping Mad Tea Party because it looked a little to raucous last time we were there.

My DD10 enjoys the Mad T Party, because she feels "grown up" being there with the loud music, dancing, etc., so we usually walk through it on our way to Monsters, Inc.

Parades
- DJ's Dance and Drive
- Phineas and Ferb's Rockin' Rollin' Dance Party
- Pixar Play Parade

All of these are skippable overall, but we usually stop and rock with Phineas and Ferb, just because it's catchy. Now, the Pixar parade, my whole family loves. I'd imagine your DD10 would enjoy it, as it's the characters she's likely to have seen throughout her earlier years--Toy Story, Nemo, Monsters Inc, etc.

Shows
- Five and Dime
- Instant Concert ... Just Add Water
- Red Car Trolley News Boys

We catch any of these as we pass by, but we don't usually plan/wait for it.

Park Atmosphere Entertainment
- Mariachi Divas
- Operation Playtime/Green Army Men
- Paradise Garden Bandstand
- The Happy Camper
- Wilderness Explorer Ceremony

The only one I've seen of these is the Green Army Men. Again, we don't plan to watch it, but if we come upon it, we may stop and watch.

 

[YukonMommy]

The one I would really not miss is the Pixar Play Parade. It is fabulous, even my Mom who is 63 got into it
As for the rest like another poster said if you happen on to them stay and watch/participate but I would not make a point of it.

Have a Magical Time!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

These are my choices

Parades
- Pixar Play Parade

Shows
- Red Car Trolley News Boys (I really like this show)
- Five and Dime

Park Atmosphere Entertainment
- Mariachi Divas
- Paradise Garden Bandstand

Thanks!

 

[superlarz]

Aladdin and WoC are the only real must sees in DCA. Pixar Play Parade is good, as is the entertainment on BVS (Newsies and 5 and Dime) They are nothing I wouldnt go out of my way to see though. If you are spending an entire day in DCA, you will most likely run into most of the entertainment by accident. It seems like there is always something going on.

 

[BriannaRuth]

Thanks for the advice -- unfortunately Pixar parade is only showing as once a day at 5:15 during my entire trip. We always like to be in the hotel or at the pool at this time of day, so may miss it.

As for the others, we probably won't go much out of our way, but it's nice to know what may be worth waiting 5 or 10 minutes for if we know they're going to be in the area.