Parade Viewing

[cinmell]

Are there reserved or priortiy viewing areas for the parades in the parks? If so, is this perk part of a package? I thought I heard somewhere that there are reserved areas but I'm not sure if this was true and if so, if you had to be on a special package. Thank you.

 

[Ratpack]

The only special areas that I have heard of are the AP Lounges which are only available to AP holders. Not sure of the views or if they are still there. Best advice, get a spot early along the route and enjoy the parade up close.

 

[Safari Steve]

From time to time there are areas along the World Showcase reserved for conventions groups. I have also seen the island in front of Italy reserved on a first-come, first-served basis for Annual Passholders (not all the time). Only Fantasmic and events like the Flower Power Concert Series (Epcot), have packages available, as far as I know. There are no reserved areas for parades at MK other than for VIPs and guests with disabilities.

 

[Terk-1]

Besides the AP areas, I have seen in some travel brochures, that some of the deluxe packages offer special reserved seating for parades & shows. Some great places I have found are in front of the train station at the MK, sitting on the ledge next to the ABC theater at MGM, & sitting on the ledge next to the main entrance to Camp Mickey/Minnie at AK. For shows, I like to sit near the top of the stadium in the Mickey section for Fantasmic and if you stand facing Spaceship Earth with the American outside auditorium on your immediate right. You have a great shot of SE and an unobstructed view of Illuminations.[COLOR]

 

[honeymo78]

I booked the gold package and I beleive it has preferred/reserved seating for parades. Has anyone used this before? How good is it and how do you go about getting it?
Thanks.

 

[Pzor]

DH and I stayed on the Silver Package last week. When we booked, they offered to throw in the VIP Parade Viewing at no extra charge. I have to say I would definitely NOT pay any extra for this perk. It wasn't anything fantastic.
The VIP viewing at MK for Mickey's Jammin Jungle parade is at the Harambe bridge. They rope off a section of bridge before the parade started to let the "VIP"s in. Only problem was about 5 minutes before the parade started, they took down the rope and last minute people stood right there and even stood right in front of me. I was not too happy about that!
At MK it's for the fireworks. It's a section by Plaza Landing. You walk down a little ramp to the section that has tables and chairs by the water. It was nice, but there wasn't a good spot to videotape without a tree being in your way.
At Epcot for Illuminations, it's the Morocco Boat Launch. Basically you just stand where people would normally wait for the boat. The spot was okay, but I've seen Illuminations from spots just as good if not better.
You also have to make your reservations in advance and tell them what day you want to view which parade. I made the reservations about 3 weeks in advance, except for MK fireworks, which can only be booked 10 days in advance.

Hope this helps!