PTN Parade timing and viewing question

[julesann]

I want to watch the first parade on Saturday near the DL entrance so we can slip right out afterwards and get my 9 year old to bed for Sunday rope drop . Where would be a good place to watch? And any suggestions about how early to get there so she can see it? And am I right to figure it will arrive around 9:05 and finish around 9:20? Thank you!!

 

[LAS2AMS]

The first showing on a Saturday is always extremely crowded. You should stake out a viewing spot no less than 2 hours before the parade. Anywhere you can find space as close to Main Street frontage as possible will be a great spot.

If it’s this Saturday, you may want to allot more time. Given it’s a three day weekend for most, the park will be super crowded.

9:05 is a good guess, assuming nothing goes wrong, but it depends on where you’re at on mS. Closer to the exit = add five minutes.

BTW… the second showing of the parade usually gets no love by It’s A Small World, even on a weekend. My family was always more night owls, if yours is too it’s a better option. Come Sunday, most locals will hang around the parade and fireworks and take off when they’re over. Thus most attractions will have short wait in the closing hours. Far more valuable than rope drop IMO.

 

[LKing]

It is approximately 20 min in length and takes approximately 20 min to get to the end of Main Street. If it starts at Small World at 8:50, the last float should be finishing at the gate next to the Mad Hatter around 9:30 pm. Fireworks start at 9:35 pm.

I think (but am not sure) at that time of night, they direct guests to exit on the right side (towards GCH). I know the right exit is open at that time of night. I just don't know if the left is as well.

In the picture below, purple is the parade route. Find a place in the teal or yellow area. If you sit in the teal areas, it will be slightly easier to exit than the yellow area.

Edit to add: We were shopping on Main Street between 6:30 and 7 pm a couple of weeks ago (on a Saturday). When we left, the front row on Main Street was full and the front row in the teal & yellow areas was just starting to fill. There was still plenty of room in the second or third row behind those on the curb.

 

[julesann]

Thank you both. @LKing --love the color coding diagram--very helpful!

 

[LAS2AMS]

I think (but am not sure) at that time of night, they direct guests to exit on the right side (towards GCH). I know the right exit is open at that time of night. I just don't know if the left is as well.

Every time we’ve been there, the exits have been on the right hand side only. The left are used as extra park entrances (shhhhh - nobody realizes this) until shortly before it closes. After park closing, they allow you to exit through it. Remember, we park at TS so exiting left is preferable.

Even if there are some nights they let you out on the left, you won’t know until you get there and have to fight via the crowd. So best to stick right.