Q's about Marching Band at Magic Kingdom

[MaumeeMom]

Hello all!

Our kiddo's marching band is going to be performing at Magic Kingdom at night.

From what I have read, the bands march along the parade route BEFORE the actual parade. About what time will they step off?

Also, what is the best viewing for the night parade? Does the route go Frontierland to the Fire House?

And finally, do they take any PhotoPass type pictures of the band?

I'm getting so nervous. This is a big trip for the kids and I don't want to miss a second of it!

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Robo]

Hello all!

1. Our kiddo's marching band is going to be performing at Magic Kingdom at night.

From what I have read,

2. the bands march along the parade route BEFORE the actual parade. About what time will they step off?

Also,

4. what is the best viewing for the night parade?

5. Does the route go Frontierland to the Fire House?

6. And finally, do they take any PhotoPass type pictures of the band?

1. Congrats!

2. Correct.

3. 10-20 minutes before the MK parade.

4. Lots of differing opinions. The usual places like Main Street and the Hub will be very busy. Less crowded, but good parade viewing can be found near Hall of Presidents and deep into Frontierland.

5. The MSEP starts at the Firehouse and exits near Splash Mtn.
The Merry Christmas Parade starts near Splash Mtn. and exits at the Firehouse.

6. I have never seen that discussed either way.
I'd think Disney would take some keepsake photos of and for the band.

 

[MaumeeMom]

Thank you! This info helps tremendously! I'm torn between Main Street and the top of the Railroad station, I guess we'll try to divide and conquer.

 

[Traveliz]

Depending on how many bands are marching it will be in fifteen minute increments before the parade. I have seen as many as three bands perform before the parade starting about 45 minutes early.

The photopass people take pictures in the Castle area. We then went to the photo store and had them put onto our account. Not sure if they do it differently now. They did take lots of good pictures.

Liz

 

[MaumeeMom]

Depending on how many bands are marching it will be in fifteen minute increments before the parade. I have seen as many as three bands perform before the parade starting about 45 minutes early.

The photopass people take pictures in the Castle area. We then went to the photo store and had them put onto our account. Not sure if they do it differently now. They did take lots of good pictures.

Liz

Thank you! I'm glad to hear the the PhotoPass people take pictures, my camera is not the best for night time photos.

 

[DisneyTexan]

Have fun! I marched at Disneyland years ago, and I would give anything for pictures. Its a priceless experience.

 

[ScrapYap]

If the parade they're in starts in Frontierland, we found the best place to stand was at the foot of the flagpole (on the curb, looking up Main Street USA) at Town Square. You'll get a great shot of the banner with the name of the band that will no doubt lead the band.

If you have a DSLR, consider getting a lens that shoots well in low light, such as the "nifty fifty" lens for Canon or Nikon. Then you can open the aperature and reduce the flash for terrific night time shots. Or maybe invest in a point-and-shoot that performs well in low light.

 

[subtchr]

If the parade they're in starts in Frontierland, we found the best place to stand was at the foot of the flagpole (on the curb, looking up Main Street USA) at Town Square. You'll get a great shot of the banner with the name of the band that will no doubt lead the band.

If you have a DSLR, consider getting a lens that shoots well in low light, such as the "nifty fifty" lens for Canon or Nikon. Then you can open the aperature and reduce the flash for terrific night time shots. Or maybe invest in a point-and-shoot that performs well in low light.

Great camera advice. If you don't want a new camera or lens, at least use a "sport mode" on your camera.

I am a tour director for bands and choirs and visit WDW 5-10 times a year with them. The kids love the night time parade for the lights and crowds, but getting good pics is very difficult, since they are a moving target!

I believe the bands that march in the evening are always before the MSEP (as Robo said, about 15-20 minutes before, spaced about 5 minutes apart, often up to 3 bands). They travel up Main Street to the castle, ending in Frontierland.

Your director will receive the information about the time they will march, and where they are in the lineup the day of the parade, so hopefully your group has a text message system in place or another way to communicate that.

My advice to the parents is to station themselves at the edge of the hub, to take pics as the kids come up Main Street. If there are people already there waiting for MSEP, I strike up a friendly conversation, assuring them that we just want to take pics of our kids, then we will be out of their way. That strategy has worked so far!

Here are a couple pics. You can see that they're a bit blurry due to the movement of the kids and the low light.

[/url]Untitled by suegee57, on Flickr[/IMG]

[/url]Untitled by suegee57, on Flickr[/IMG]

If you're quick, after they pass by that point, you can catch them circling the hub (they turn right, you go left), then hustle through Adventureland to catch the end by Splash.

Here's a shot of a group circling in front of the castle in the daytime:

[/url]Untitled by suegee57, on Flickr[/IMG]

If the group is reentering the park after the parade, they will come in a gate to the left of Pirates.

Your kids will have a blast! This thread makes me excited for my upcoming trips!

 

[Kellykins1218]

Thank you! This info helps tremendously! I'm torn between Main Street and the top of the Railroad station, I guess we'll try to divide and conquer.

Hey Maumee Mom, Perkins mom here! We marched a couple of years ago before the evening parade and it was awesome. One thing, most of our pictures did not come out because it's very dark along the parade route. The best pictures we got were from the very beginning of Main Street because they had it so brightly lit. Have a great time!

 

[MaumeeMom]

Hey Maumee Mom, Perkins mom here! We marched a couple of years ago before the evening parade and it was awesome. One thing, most of our pictures did not come out because it's very dark along the parade route. The best pictures we got were from the very beginning of Main Street because they had it so brightly lit. Have a great time!

Hey, Perkins Mom!

Well, most of my pics didn't turn out because I just have a cheap point and shoot camera but I've seen some great videos posted on our FB pages so we have that to relive the event.

The kiddos sounded great and marched really well, I'm extremely proud of them!

Thanks to everyone for the advice on where to stand, we were right in front of the ice cream parlor and it was perfect- we did have to claim our spots at a little after 6pm which seems silly for viewing a band at 8:30 or parade by 9 but it is what it is.

This was something the kids will remember forever, even tell their grandkids about (in the VERY distant future, LOL).

Thanks again!