Parade and fireworks question

[millie0312]

Hi everyone,
We will be at DLR in less then a week!!! I was wondering if anyone could recommend a decent spot for the parades at both parks? I'm hoping to get a decent spot that we could arrive maybe around 30 mins before the parade for? I know it won't be the best spot ever, but a spot where we can see decently is all I'm really after. Any suggestions on which parade time it's easier to get a spot at- there is 1 parade time at DCA but a 3 pm and 5:30 pm at DLR. We also are hoping to see the Viva Navidad parade if anyone has some insight on that as well.
Also does anyone have a good place for the fireworks that won't require more then 30 mins of waiting but still allows us to see the fireworks as well as any light show on the castle if there is one for this holiday show?
We are traveling with my mom and a 3 month old so waiting too long isn't really an option for us this time. TIA

 

[mvf-m11c]

Hi everyone,
We will be at DLR in less then a week!!! I was wondering if anyone could recommend a decent spot for the parades at both parks? I'm hoping to get a decent spot that we could arrive maybe around 30 mins before the parade for? I know it won't be the best spot ever, but a spot where we can see decently is all I'm really after. Any suggestions on which parade time it's easier to get a spot at- there is 1 parade time at DCA but a 3 pm and 5:30 pm at DLR. We also are hoping to see the Viva Navidad parade if anyone has some insight on that as well.
Also does anyone have a good place for the fireworks that won't require more then 30 mins of waiting but still allows us to see the fireworks as well as any light show on the castle if there is one for this holiday show?
We are traveling with my mom and a 3 month old so waiting too long isn't really an option for us this time. TIA

A lot of the guests do stake a spot around Main Street from Town Square towards the Hub. Watching the parade (which will be A Christmas Fantasy) from It's a Small World Plaza is a nice one as well since I have got a spot with less wait time. You can show up less than 30 minutes to get a spot for the parade but for a front row spot it will have to require at least more than 30 minutes. But for any decent spot is to get a front row spot on the parade route from IASW Plaza towards Main Street Town square.

For DCA, anywhere on the parade route is good which goes from Hollywood Land to Paradise Pier. It will require wait time at least 30 minutes for a front row spot.

For Viva Navidad Street Party, if you want the prime spot it will require some wait time at least 10 minutes around Bayside Brews/Jumpin Jellyfish. You want to watch the street party from that area since you can see the float with the characters.

For Believe...In Holiday Magic fireworks, watching the fireworks in front of Sleeping Beauty Winter Castle will require at least an hour or more. Going down towards Main Street which you can get a spot on the streets but you also have to watch the fireworks with the other guests as well. Another good spot to watch the fireworks with little wait time is from IASW Plaza with less than a 30 minute or even 10 minutes. The good thing about watching it from IASW Plaza is that the facade will show projections during BIHM fireworks. Plus after the fireworks is over, it will snow in that area as well.

You might be able to see the first show of Sleeping Beauty Winter Castle Enchantment Holiday Lighting with no wait time since the streets in front of the SB Winter Castle won't be filled up (about 2 hours till the fireworks). But for the second show (which will be an hour until the fireworks) might be different since there will be people waiting for the fireworks on the streets. You can still watch the show on the left, right or in front of the Hub which is decent.

 

[millie0312]

Awesome- that was exactly what I was looking for! Thanks!!!

 

[figment_jii]

I concur with all of what mvf-m11c said and would add that for the Viva Navidad Street Party, it's not really a parade. It's a street party. The floats, dancers, and performers come out from the entrance next to Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta and then spread out along the walkway from about Goofy's Sky School to the entrance. mvf-m11c mentions Bayside Brews/Jumping Jellyfish as a good spot to watch the show and I agree, just make sure you're on the side of the walkway that has Bayside Brews/Jumping Jellyfish (and not the side with Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta).

 

[bakerudall]

Last time we watched the DCA parade, we planned to do an Animation Academy session that let out about 20 minutes before the parade and then took the park bench directly in front of the AA. If the bench is taken, there is a high curb along the sidewalk that makes for great front-row seating.

For the DL parade, I think the odds for better spots are higher in the Small World area than along Main St. Once, we did have a nice seated view from one of the streetside tables in the Jolly Holiday dining area. We just had to stand occasionally and peer around the umbrellas for some of the views.

 

[GatorChris]

30 minutes for a parade at DL? You'll be behind some folks. 30 minutes at DCA.... you should be able to find a front row somewhere beside Buena Vista St. For the fireworks, you gotta hope for good weather and then stake out a spot at least an hour before the show to have a decent front-of-castle spot. Have a good time!