Premium seating for the electrical parade

[dcfromva]

We did try this on Thanksgiving Day one year. It was cold and it had rained earlier in the day and the crowd levels were down for what we expected on Thanksgiving Day!

Personally, I did not think it was worth it. I felt the price was more for an excellant seat than for the snack. But, I was disappointed to find that you can actually sit closer along the parade route. In our case, I felt the money would have better spent on a nice meal.

Only 2 folks in our party of 9 were drinking the wine. One of the two wanted to have a second glass and we were surprised to find there was an additional charge for second glass of wine. (If we had known that--we could let her have someone else's glass of wine in our party. )

As others have said, you can usually get a good seat as you walk down Paradise Pier even 30 mins prior. On the visits I have been there, the CMs had the folks who came up in front of the folks sitting on the benches, et'c sit down on their bottoms.

I do think the Fantasmic Balcony seating is definately worth it. We did get preferred seating for the fireworks (the train station reserved seats) at the end of a tour we took at DL. (I'm trying to remember the name of the tour....)

-DC

 

[VWCat]

thanks for your imput everyone
it is already booked with planning so when I get back I'll let ya know how it was I am having second thoughts tho

 

[DangerMouse]

thanks for your imput everyone
it is already booked with planning so when I get back I'll let ya know how it was I am having second thoughts tho

Yeah, being a DEP fanatic (we plan all our trips around when it is showing), I personally wouldn't pay for the "preferred seating". I have never ever had a problem getting a choice seat for the parade. The route in DCA is so much longer than it was in DL and there is plenty of room if you get there even 20 minutes beforehand (as long as you stay away from Sunshine Plaza).

 

[VWCat]

I'm going to call in a couple days about dining and I will ask exactly what is offered and see if it is worth the cash,if not then maybe we'll see about fireworks seating instead. Thanks guys

 

[newfamilyman]

59.00 so kinda pricey but I really don't want to fight for a seat and wait forever

Sorry, but that's the best laugh I've had all day!

 

[VWCat]

Sorry, but that's the best laugh I've had all day!

how come?

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I think you should go for it. This sounds like a special trip and since its just two of you the cost won't be awful. And from what Albort said, the EP is very crowded right now. Although with Spring Break and no Fantasmic I am not surprised. Its just back up after its winter down time so I am sure its very crowded indeed. I just responded about not having ever had a hard time getting good viewing more for people subscribing to the thread and doing their planning. Not at all to talk you out of it. Believe me, if I didn't have the kids and inlaws with me, I'd be very tempted for the wine alone!

See if my inlaws were with me, I'd still be needing that wine alone!!

But I agree, go for it. It's not too expensive just the two of you. When we got married there was no such thing as DCA yet, I'm sure we would have wanted to do something like that before having a family. Sounds like it is a special trip so might as well go all out.

 

[TrixieBel]

I've been reading this thread with interest - thanks everyone. It's been really helpful, cause I've learnt that at Disney (and maybe in the USA as a whole?)the whole parade "waiting thing" is done differently to the parades that we have here in Australia. It's handy, cause otherwise my kids might have been moving towards the front...

See, over here, when you go to a parade the normal practice is that when the parade starts, children all go to the front, so they can see, with the adults all standing behind.

Maybe some of the people who've tried to get their kids in front when the parade starts are from "downunder" where that's what would normally happen. Now I know that it's different, so will make doubly sure that we get there for the parades nice and early...

Regards Jenn

 

[VWCat]

yeah I personally don't like to fight against the crowds as I have very low tolerance for rudeness,I do want to be somewhat close to the action tho,so we'll see...and I want more than one glass of wine I don't mind waiting like 45 minutes but 2 hours or more to get a spot is too much for me...keep ya updated!!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I've been reading this thread with interest - thanks everyone. It's been really helpful, cause I've learnt that at Disney (and maybe in the USA as a whole?)the whole parade "waiting thing" is done differently to the parades that we have here in Australia. It's handy, cause otherwise my kids might have been moving towards the front...

See, over here, when you go to a parade the normal practice is that when the parade starts, children all go to the front, so they can see, with the adults all standing behind.

Maybe some of the people who've tried to get their kids in front when the parade starts are from "downunder" where that's what would normally happen. Now I know that it's different, so will make doubly sure that we get there for the parades nice and early...

Regards Jenn

Yeah if there is room and you politely ask if your kids can sit up front with others you'll find a lot of people who will be more then willing to do that. But if you let your kids push kick and scream in others ears to get up front, don't expect people to be very thrilled or accomodating!

It's DL though, adults love it just as much as kids. I love having a front seat, that's why I sit down early and wait. I want to experience it up close WITH my son. There is no way I'd go all the way in the back for someone else that decided they should get front seating but didn't want to wait. I may scoot back a little so they could sit right in front of me, but not go to the back. Not only would I probably think that would be unfair since I took to the time wait for the spots, but because it's such a crowded place once the parade starts, I'd be afraid I'd lose my child after the parade (especially since this one is at night).

I think if it's important to anyone that they want a front seat, for themselves or their kids, they should put in the time. You might find someone that doesn't mind scooting back a bit, but I wouldn't count on it.