Paint the Night Parade only going to run once

[auteur55]

So I got off the phone with Disney Dining reservations to ask some questions and she told me that Disney was going to drop Paint the night parade down to one time. I asked if something else was planned to take it's place and she said she didn't know, also no confirmation on what time the one parade will run. This is surprising because now the crowds for that one parade will be unmanageable. She said it will be like this through the whole summer.

 

[Metalliman98]

There have been rumors about entertainment budget cuts due to the Shanghai cost overruns. Hope it's not true but it probably is.

 

[PoohsFan1]

This is very interesting to me too. We will be there in June and I was contemplating whether to do the BB PTN package, if this is actually true, I may just bite the bullet and get the package since it will be really crowded anyways.

 

[Hojoanaheim]

Oh I hope they keep the 2 Paint the Night Parades. The crowds for each parade is still pretty high and I don't think there will be enough room for everyone to watch if there was only one parade. But at this time, the Entertainment schedule still shows 2 parades in May.

Fingers crossed for 2 parades,
Kriss

 

[22Tink]

Really? That's going to make watching the parade nearly impossible without camping out for hours on end. It really does make the dining package look a little more appealing!

 

[gottalovepluto]

On one hand I feel this is expected given the reports of a cutback to 1 electrical parade a night in WDW; on the other hand if the current schedule says 2, I'm gonna believe that over a CM on the phone. They've been known to be inaccurate OP. Not always, just sometimes. Basically, it's good to be aware of the possibility but there is no truth to it until we see a change in the entertainment schedule.

But what a boost those dining packages would see!

 

[Nonsuch]

It seems on weekdays (monday-thursday) when DL closes early (9PM) there is only 1 performance of PTN followed by fireworks. On weekends (friday-sunday) when DL closes later (11PM or midnight) there are 2 performances of PTN with fireworks between.

A year ago, before the 60th celebration, there was no night parade. On weekdays with short hours, the only night show was WOC -- no fireworks.

Overall, the nighttime offerings seem much better now than a year ago -- every night of the week.
(even considering the loss of F!)

 

[mom2rtk]

So I got off the phone with Disney Dining reservations to ask some questions and she told me that Disney was going to drop Paint the night parade down to one time. I asked if something else was planned to take it's place and she said she didn't know, also no confirmation on what time the one parade will run. This is surprising because now the crowds for that one parade will be unmanageable. She said it will be like this through the whole summer.

I hope that means they sell a corresponding number fewer dining packages then. The reports of crowd issues in that viewing area have not been good.

 

[Minniekins]

Oh I hope they keep the 2 Paint the Night Parades. The crowds for each parade is still pretty high and I don't think there will be enough room for everyone to watch if there was only one parade. But at this time, the Entertainment schedule still shows 2 parades in May.
Fingers crossed for 2 parades, Kriss

I hope they don't start this until at least June, as my trip is May 7-14. Can't even see my days for park hours and show times yet. It is showing the first few days in May with a PTN time of 8:45 only, and the weekend on Friday the 6th starts 2 shows at 8:45 and 10:45. Ugh. Hmm, it'll probably follow like that for that following week, so only 1 show for the week nights. Fireworks at 9:30. Though, I realize we are lucky that because of the 60th anniversary continuing this year, that is why we are having the nighttime shows available at all for the weeknights!

 

[HikingBelle]

Really? That's going to make watching the parade nearly impossible without camping out for hours on end. It really does make the dining package look a little more appealing!

Given your experiences, what time would veterans recommend camping out for a single parade evening? Locations also appreciated

 

[22Tink]

Given your experiences, what time would veterans recommend camping out for a single parade evening? Locations also appreciated

Our favourite spot is right on Main Street. It is super busy but we wait for the second parade (which sadly may not be an option this year) and it's not quite as busy. Last year for PTN we got a spot sitting on the curb about an hour ahead for the second parade. I don't have much experience with the earlier parade times but I'm sure others will chime in!! If they reduce it to only one parade per evening I might skip it altogether this year or invest in a dining package for my family. It is an amazing parade though!! Definitely worth seeing once at least!