Spectro-- how great is it???

[kilee]

In all my trips to MK I have never seen Spectromagic. I keep thinking next trip. It never seems to fit into our schedule (we always seem to go pretty much off season). Well I was just reviewing the Oct/Nov. hours. For our next trip we will have one day alone (we are a group of 12 going). The whole family including my son is going to Gatorland for a day. DH and I don't want to go. We were thinking of spending an extra day in the parks. We have never been without our son in the parks.

I have now noticed that the day they are all going to gatorland there is a spectromagic (Tues 11/4). Now, I'm feeling guilty thinking I should have them all go do MK that day. Is spectromagic so awe inspiring that it warrants replanning everyone's trip???? I should mention that everyone besides DH, DS and I are all newbies too. I want them to really see and do as much as possible.

 

[Selket]

It is a nice parade - I just saw it for the first time last month. My DS's (5 and 1) enjoyed it. However it may not be doing a major rearranging of everyone's day unless you folks really like parades!

 

[Prince Eric1]

As was said, I wouldn't plan my trip around it, but if you are there its a nice parade to watch. Lots of music and characters and lights. My wife really loved it and the kids thought it was great. No-one does a parade like disney.

 

[FloridaCat]

It is a real neat parade, but I would bounce it off them. If there are firewoks that night as well, then they may consider changing their plans.

If they agree, then go to the Frontiare bridge to watch the fireworks after the parade. TinkerBell comes over your head and a real good place to seethem.

 

[Plan Man]

I think this is a tough question.

It isn't like missing Fantasmic or Illuminations but it is very good.

I am sure you know that it is a lighted parade. People begin arriving and set up about an hour or so before the parade. It is often a bit of a mob scene when you leave.

Gatorland doesn't excite me at all. I am sure it is very cool but I go for Disney.

Good Luck.

 

[Momof2boys]

Well, I may be in the minority, but seeing Spectro was not one of the highlights of our last trip. It was only showing twice the week we were there. The crowds were just terrible. There were people actually lining up almost 2 hours before the parade. We happened to walk by main street about 1-1/2 hours before the parade and it was already filling up. We decided to find a spot so we could sit upfront. My boys 2 & 5 had a hard time sitting for that long. People were packed in, it was just mobbed. We did get a front curb seat, but by the time people pushed their kids in front and packed in, it was so uncomfortable. After it was over, my 5 yr old looked at me and said he didn't understand what all the fuss was about. He had a much better time riding Buzz over and over. Kids... gotta love them. Dh thought it was terribly stressful after the parade. It was dark and everyone was pushing and shoving, very hard to keep track of little ones. Dh said never again, and I agree. Needless to say, we will not be doing Spectro on our next trip. This was just our experience. There are lots of people that just love it.

 

[Synonymous]

Spectro is fun, but it's not worth changing your plans for. We've often let it go by without watching so that we could squeeze some more rides in.

 

[Lisa AF]

This is a must see for my family! We think it is one of the most magical things at Disney. We would prefer it over Illuminations.

If you plan to see it, be prepared. Crowds are a problem. If there are 2 shows, see the last. Watch it in Frontier Land. We usually get a hamburger at.. (can't think of the name of the restaurant, has a front porch and a condiment bar. Can someone help me with the name?) , then watch the fireworks away from the crowd on the bridge out of Frontierland heading toward the castle. Plan to relax for a while and let the crowds die down before leaving.

I'm sure whatever you choose it will be a memorable trip for all!!!

 

[bibbidiboo]

For us, this is a must do everytime. Its true the crowds are heavy, and its one of those things that you do it the right way or not at all. And that usually means staking out your spot well in advance and waiting. I hate sitting on the ground too, but its a small sacrifice considering I sit in cushioned chairs every other day of my life.... Plus, if you convince your whole group to go, you can hold your spot in shifts. We went with a group of 13, and we just kept about 6 people at a time. It was a snap!

Not quite as good as MSEP (which had the most incredible music), but its pretty close.

I say, later gators, and do the spectro

 

[Synonymous]

(can't think of the name of the restaurant, has a front porch and a condiment bar. Can someone help me with the name?)

Pecos Bill's

 

[KSgirl]

My husband and I saw it for the first time last weekend. It was a very fun parade, but I wouldn't consider it a "drop-everything-so-you-don't miss-it" type of event. We both really enjoyed it and will take the kids in December when we go. I guess it depends on how caught up in the magic of Disney you get! We watched from the hub in front of the castle. We didn't mind the wait, because we were ready to sit for awhile. But, then again, we didn't have the kids with us! With them, I think we'll stake out a spot where we can find a view, at the most, 30 minutes out.

 

[*123JOANNA123*]

I love Spectromagic and would watch it every night! We arrived late one evening (had dinner at Cali Grill and waited for a monorail for an age), about 15 mins before SM was due to start. We battled through the crowds all the way along Main St (on the right hand side if you're facing the castle) till we met a nice CM who told us to cross the road, head back down Main St and that there would be space beside the firestation.

Well, he was right- there is a large enough area of pavement just outside the Main St emporium where you can see right into the firestation where the floats come out. Granted it's not the greatest spot in the world to watch this parade as it's nice to see it all in full swing with a nice background, but you do get really close to the floats. The characters on foot came right up to us and the views were amazing. It's also a good spot if you intend making an early exit. Be warned though- the rest of the area across the road was mobbed- for some reason this little spot was really empty.

Joanna

 

[disneynutsss]

Well, I am one of those nuts that plan my whole vacation around that parade. I saw one of the versions when I was 10 and it hooked me. I am so psyched that they will have it when we are there on 11/1, and I will drop everything and head out for a good spot an hour or more before it starts. Most of the times we steak a claim on the curb right by the firehouse (as mentioned aove) and that is my most favorite spot. You feel like you are in the middle of the parade! Characters come right up to you!! It is a mob scene though afterwards. Two years ago we found benches on the circle in front of (and to the right) the castle, which made the wait more bearable, sent hubby out to get us some ice cream. Afterward we were in the perfect seats to see tinkerbell fly b4 the FITS Fireworks.

 

[princess angel]

must see! imho, way better than fantasmic,
some one else said not as good as fantasmic or illuminations..to each his own....I love illuminations and spectro,magic, but could definitely live without fantasmic, saw it twice, that's enough.
saw illuminations and spectro countless times, and will continue to do so!!

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I saw this parade last December on my solo vacation. I was fortunate enough to get a bench seat on one of the porches in Frontierland. I used the bench while waiting, but stood up while the parade came through. This parade is a must-do for me. It is so awe inspiring...it moved me to tears.

I can't even imagine doing Gatorland instead of Spectro.

 

[Harambe]

Boy, as Princess Angel said - to each his own. I think you can see that no one can really give you the right answer. We have seen the parade, and now prefer to skip it as the crowds are daunting - but that's because we've already seen it!

Now - if I were you, I would plan a wonderful romantic evening at MK! Let the others go to Gatorland! Once you've seen the parade you will know if it is something worthwhile for your family on your next trip! Remember - it's your vacation too.

Watch the parade right at the enterance of MK (nice little stand selling Mickey Bars!). It starts there so after it makes the loop around the flag pole - EXIT!!!!!!