Parade Blanket Saving? (Blankets...Blankets Everywhere!)

[ToTLaugher]

That seems like a tripping hazard to me! Why is DL willing to accept that kind of risk?

 

[CAmommy]

Last night I saw 4 big blankets in a row with nobody on them, along with bags and random things taking up 3 benches right near the castle. So completely aggravating.

 

[StormyCA]

Ha! I got scolded last week when someone kindly made room for me on a bench. We were standing waiting for the fireworks, I have mobility issues so BFF (unbeknownst to me) asked some people on a bench next to us if they'd mind 'budging up' for a bit for me to sit down just until the fireworks started. They kindly said yes and made room for me. A random person sitting in front on the ground turned around and said "They've been 'saving' that spot for a long time, you know!". People just crack me up sometimes!

 

[5forMickey]

This is exactly why I Love Love Love the dining package with seating options. I'm not about to devote even an hour of precious park time to seat saving to see anything, and forget the pushing and squashing of people .....but I will gladly have dinner and then go to the spot Disney saved for me. I have yet to see a parade or show (even my beloved fantastic!) that is worth the frustration of fighting for a spot. I with GatorChris on this one, I think it would have been frustrating to be the person trying to keep people off the blanket and out of the spots, what a terrible way to spend precious Disney time.

 

[Gisele]

It's kind of scary how many people can become so territorial. Lol It's ridiculous all of this mega chain blanket saving, placing bags and other stuff on benches for how many hours before a parade? I'm glad i don't make parades a priority, otherwise it may become unpleasant for someone that has some nutty blanket set up.

 

[HuskyGal]

What is the appeal of these parades? Are they that great? Real question.

 

[daisy_77]

What is the appeal of these parades? Are they that great? Real question.

I am not a parade person but the Disneyland parades are pretty amazing but not worth sitting for hours to get the best spot. I have been able to get a good view of Paint the Night last minute over by Fantasyland/Matterhorn/Alice area..

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

If somebody accidentally tripped and sued Disney, this would come to a stop. Disney is intensionally looking the other way with a safety hazard. It's time Disney wear the big pants and just tell people no you can't camp out here all day like some bum on a street corner.

Lol, this is exactly what I was going to post. I think people should email Disney and point out tripping hazard and liability.

 

[alvernon90]

the Disneyland parades are pretty amazing but not worth sitting for hours to get the best spot

This is exactly the issue -- people aren't willing to sit for hours to save the best spot so they spread out blankets to sit for them while they are off doing something else. If people actually sat there for hours, I wouldn't have a problem with it. I wouldn't like it, but it would at least be fair.

What is not fair is bringing Grandpa to sit all day while the rest of the family enjoys the park, and any family who doesn't have a grandpa willing to pay $100 for admission and then sit there doing nothing all day has to fight for what is left.

 

[ashley0139]

When Paint the Night and Disneyland Forever fireworks were new, we waited 3-4 hours for it, but we had no blankets and we were there the entire time, save for bathroom or food runs.

Paint the Night really is worth it though. It's my favorite parade.

 

[Jedi Mouse]

My favorite parade routine is to eat on the patio at Plaza Inn during the parade. The view from the fence around the patio is pretty good, you sit the entire time, they have outdoor heaters available if it's cold and you don't waste valuable park time guarding a spot.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

My favorite parade routine is to eat on the patio at Plaza Inn during the parade. The view from the fence around the patio is pretty good, you sit the entire time, they have outdoor heaters available if it's cold and you don't waste valuable park time guarding a spot.

Great tip! Do you have any photos of the parade from this location? I'm trying to picture crowds/trees/lampposts between the fence and the parade route? How early do you need to stake out a table on the fence prior to the parade?

 

[Jedi Mouse]

Great tip! Do you have any photos of the parade from this location? I'm trying to picture crowds/trees/lampposts between the fence and the parade route? How early do you need to stake out a table on the fence prior to the parade?

I don't have any pics. Since the floats are all raised, you can see them fairly well, but the view of the dancers and street level performers isn't great. You also don't get a very good view of the parade coming up and then going down the street due to trees, but the "window" you do get is pretty good. I've never had a problem getting seats, in fact I was a bit shocked that it wasn't more popular. I gladly take a slightly worse view in exchange for a comfy seat and more park time.

 

[MICKEYFIL]

I do feel that all towels left on the ground should be treated as a lost item and taken to lost and found. If I found a pair of sun glasses or a hat on the ground I would send it to lost and found. All these blankets could then be donated to the homeless and used appropriately.

Of course, people like me who at one time had younger kids did leave strollers in unmarked areas that weren't designed for strollers.

But in terms of towels I am all for every establishment taking these "seat holders" and sending them to lost and found. From hotel pools to theme parks, start picking them up.

In fact if you truly believe as strongly as you do, pick them all up and put them in a pile and then sit down where they had them. Wait for them to come back and give them a and pretend you have no idea what happened while you sit beside a pile of blankets.

 

[prestoncaldwell]

What is the appeal of these parades? Are they that great? Real question.

The parades are good. But it isn't about the parades. It's about winning.

 

[HuskyGal]

I am not a parade person but the Disneyland parades are pretty amazing but not worth sitting for hours to get the best spot. I have been able to get a good view of Paint the Night last minute over by Fantasyland/Matterhorn/Alice area..

Hmmm. I had planned on skipping them since I'm not into parades and don't remember them from being there as a kid... thanks for the tip.

 

[HuskyGal]

The parades are good. But it isn't about the parades. It's about winning.

Oh haha. Ok. Thanks.

 

[agamble]

What is the appeal of these parades? Are they that great? Real question.

Disney parades are better than other parades and worth seeing if you have the time. I think what happens now is the total fear of missing out and the online hype aggravate the problem. Everyone wants to have the "best" viewing spot, so they search and ask online to find the best viewing location and they they stake out their spot hours before hand. This causes anxiety among guests so more and more people give in to the waiting game.

You can see the parade pretty well from many areas, some places you must sit and some you must stand. The parade goes between Main Street and Small World, so it's a pretty long route. At DCA the route is even longer and stretches almost the entire park. You do not have to wait forever, and you may find that getting there 10-15 minutes before it starts is easier on you. If you have small children though, getting a spot where they can see well may be necessary and that may take waiting. I would not wait more than an hour for a parade, and agree with previous posters that it's a good time to sit and eat.

My favorite parade routine is to eat on the patio at Plaza Inn during the parade. The view from the fence around the patio is pretty good, you sit the entire time, they have outdoor heaters available if it's cold and you don't waste valuable park time guarding a spot.

This sounds like a good idea. We have eaten at the Garden area in DCA several times to see the parade from there. There are a few areas with a good view, and no one really sits there.

 

[HuskyGal]

Disney parades are better than other parades and worth seeing if you have the time. I think what happens now is the total fear of missing out and the online hype aggravate the problem. Everyone wants to have the "best" viewing spot, so they search and ask online to find the best viewing location and they they stake out their spot hours before hand. This causes anxiety among guests so more and more people give in to the waiting game.

You can see the parade pretty well from many areas, some places you must sit and some you must stand. The parade goes between Main Street and Small World, so it's a pretty long route. At DCA the route is even longer and stretches almost the entire park. You do not have to wait forever, and you may find that getting there 10-15 minutes before it starts is easier on you. If you have small children though, getting a spot where they can see well may be necessary and that may take waiting. I would not wait more than an hour for a parade, and agree with previous posters that it's a good time to sit and eat.



This sounds like a good idea. We have eaten at the Garden area in DCA several times to see the parade from there. There are a few areas with a good view, and no one really sits there.

Thank you so much. Love these tips!

 

[goodeats]

The AP population affects this too. If you were spending $$$$ to be at the DLR for only a few days you probably wouldn't spend several hours waiting for a spot for the parade. I know when I'm at WDW I use the FP or dining package options when I can plus they always seem to have plenty of spots in Fronteirland for parade viewing.