Shady viewing spot for Festival of Fantasy?

[mulderxcoltrane]

Hi everyone,

We normally travel to WDW in January, so the heat we're currently experiencing while down here has thrown a wrench into our normal park touring habits.

That said, what are some of your favorite viewing spots for the Festival of Fantasy Parade that are in the shade? We have no problems staking out a spot early, but want to make sure we don't cook in the sun for 90 mins (or more) doing so.

 

[Baptist]

I would recommend the area in Frontierland near Country Bear Jamboree. That side will be in the shade while the other side (closest to Tom Sawyer's Island) will be in the sun.

 

[mulderxcoltrane]

I would recommend the area in Frontierland near Country Bear Jamboree. That side will be in the shade while the other side (closest to Tom Sawyer's Island) will be in the sun.

Is there a specific spot/planter/etc? My nightmare is for us to get set up somewhere and then, with 30 mins until parade time, a CM says, "you can't sit here during the parade."

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

If you can time it right, there's a crossover from the Tiki Bird/Magic Carpet area to Country Bear Hall. Last summer, we were able to slip through the crossover and into the Country Bear stroller parking area just as the 3 pm parade was approaching. The kids got front row with a less than 30 second wait. Not too bad.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Hi everyone,

We normally travel to WDW in January, so the heat we're currently experiencing while down here has thrown a wrench into our normal park touring habits.

That said, what are some of your favorite viewing spots for the Festival of Fantasy Parade that are in the shade? We have no problems staking out a spot early, but want to make sure we don't cook in the sun for 90 mins (or more) doing so.

There is a DVC porch in Frontierland that we used last time. Happened to be hanging their while the kids played Sorcer's and the guide told me to stick around. They eventually bring in their box sign things and a rope goes up. It is next to the shooting arcade. We were there at least a half hour before, but not sure of it was a little earlier. The roof is part of the porch. It salas very nice. Though, when standing--the tops of the floats are a little challenge to see. Kids had a perfect view, though.

 

[wdwjeffc37]

We were able to sit on the low stone wall planter to the right(when facing)of the shooting gallery. I asked the cast members if it was OK for us to sit there for the parade and they said no problem. There is a sidewalk crossover just next to the wall where they do not allow people to stand in and they did not allow anyone to stand on the planter walls behind us. It is a great spot to watch the FF parade.

 

[Tomh]

Do be aware though that in Frontierland, there will be no fire breathing by the dragon. If you want to see that, then you need to brave the crowds in the hub, or Main Street area of the park.

 

[MataHari22]

I wondered why it wasn't breathing fire when I saw it, but that would make sense, I suppose. Don't want anything to catch fire. It is closer to the buildings going through there then on Main St.

 

[kgoodb00]

Do be aware though that in Frontierland, there will be no fire breathing by the dragon. If you want to see that, then you need to brave the crowds in the hub, or Main Street area of the park.

Is that something new? When we were in there in October, we watched in Frontierland right in front of Pecos Bills and I got a great picture of the fire breathing. We always sit somewhere over in that area so if it has changed, I need to know so the kids can see it when we are there next month!

 

[mulderxcoltrane]

which side of Main Street is in the shade during the parade? Emporium side or the other side?

 

[Tomh]

Is that something new? When we were in there in October, we watched in Frontierland right in front of Pecos Bills and I got a great picture of the fire breathing. We always sit somewhere over in that area so if it has changed, I need to know so the kids can see it when we are there next month!

Dunno, maybe it's new that it DOES breathe fire there. We were there in August last year, read here before the trip that no fire breathing occurred in Frontierland, and then watched it there and didn't see any fire breathing. The next time we watched it amongst the wretched crowds and head of the Main Street USA / Hub area, near the Plaza Restaurant, and indeed were rewarded with fire.

I won't be there again until August, but would LOVE to hear back from you if the fire breathing is indeed still happening there!

 

[autismmom1]

FYI: When we were there last October, the planter in Liberty Square was used as a disability seating section...but the pavement next to the Christmas Shoppe was shaded, so we sat there. We would get occasionally air conditioning blasts from the shop and used the trash can as a buffer for not being crammed next to sweaty people we didn't know. It was a great spot!

 

[kgoodb00]

Dunno, maybe it's new that it DOES breathe fire there. We were there in August last year, read here before the trip that no fire breathing occurred in Frontierland, and then watched it there and didn't see any fire breathing. The next time we watched it amongst the wretched crowds and head of the Main Street USA / Hub area, near the Plaza Restaurant, and indeed were rewarded with fire.

I won't be there again until August, but would LOVE to hear back from you if the fire breathing is indeed still happening there!

That is so strange. We will be there in a few weeks. If we watch it from Frontierland again, I will definitely post and let you know!

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

We were able to sit on the low stone wall planter to the right(when facing)of the shooting gallery. I asked the cast members if it was OK for us to sit there for the parade and they said no problem. There is a sidewalk crossover just next to the wall where they do not allow people to stand in and they did not allow anyone to stand on the planter walls behind us. It is a great spot to watch the FF parade.

This!!! We grabbed a spot on here 10 minutes from the start of the parade. I don't think people realized we were allowed because once we did, a bunch other joined us. The CMs were fine with it and if you stand you end up with some awesome picture angles.

 

[mulderxcoltrane]

Here's a photo of the Frontierland space. Where's the safe spot everyone is mentioning?

 

[Tomh]

That is so strange. We will be there in a few weeks. If we watch it from Frontierland again, I will definitely post and let you know!

Many thanks, and have a GREAT TRIP!!!!

 

[mulderxcoltrane]

bump

 

[mickeymom629]

which side of Main Street is in the shade during the parade? Emporium side or the other side?

Not the ice cream/candy store/bakery side! We once waited for about an hour when it was very cloudy on that side. Finally, the parade was about to come our way and the clouds went away, and we couldn't take the heat and left

 

[mom2rtk]

Do be aware though that in Frontierland, there will be no fire breathing by the dragon. If you want to see that, then you need to brave the crowds in the hub, or Main Street area of the park.

Well, that's a wrinkle in my plan. How about Liberty Square? I really need a shaded spot but I also wanted to see him breathe fire.

I'd love to hear more recent reports on this.

 

[Baptist]

Well, that's a wrinkle in my plan. How about Liberty Square? I really need a shaded spot but I also wanted to see him breathe fire.

I'd love to hear more recent reports on this.

The dragon does breath fire in Frontierland! Check out my profile picture. It was taken in Frontierland. I only wish I was on the shady side of the street.