Spectromagic--where should be park ourselves?

[SSDonut]

Have decided to break our normal rule of not going into the parks on our first day in WDW because our arrival day is the last day of our visit when Spectromagic will be at 7pm--the 9pm parade is just too late for us.

We will be arriving at MCO around 1, then to BCVs to check-in etc.

Our plan is to head over to MK for only Spectromagic--we will be there bright an early the next morning to tackle the rides!

Where would you sit? We caught (barely, my DD3 and I were standing in line at the hat store to get her name written on her ears as the music cued up! ) spectromagic last year at the city hall hub, and that would certainly make leaving and catching a bus back to BCV easier, but is there any viewing spot you'd hightly recommend?

IS there anyplace we could get to early that would be comfortable (as opposed to a curb!) to wait for the parade?? There are 4 of us--DH, me, DD7, DD4

And what is the route--city hall hub, up main street towards the castle. .. then where?

Thanks!

 

[kilee]

A lot of people like the seats on the train station platform. You'll have to be early though and stay the entire time. As I hear they can be claimed as much as 2-3 hrs ahead of time.

Personally, we do the curb on Main Street. We like the parade and the view of the castle at night. We're very traditional. As it is this usually requires a solid 60 minutes of waiting. I don't know we'd or DS would have the patience to wait much longer on the train station platform.

 

[Joanna71985]

I like sitting in front of the barber shop on Main Street. Whenever I went to see Spectro, I usually only waited about 40 minutes (and this was during the summer!). Give it a try.

 

[Poohbeck]

We went last year, the first week of November (it was considered off season). I believe the parade was slated to start at 7pm and we were to meet my family (10 of us) at 6pm at the Ice Cream place. Well, at about 4:30/5pm we took the Train from Toon Town to Main Street and people were already sitting claiming spots!! I freaked out!! We immediately went to the Ice Cream parlor and claimed our spots as we waited for the rest of my family (my parents, sister and her family). Luckily they all saw the crowds too and got their before 6pm.

To make a long story short, we had a great view. We could see the castle all lit up, we could see the parade perfectly and instead of dinner (had to keep our seats) we all had ice cream for dinner. Only in Disney have my kids had dessert for dinner! They still talk about it.

I can't remember the name of the Ice Cream place, but, it's right on Main Street.

Enjoy!!

 

[2boyshere]

I bring 2 beach towels to "keep" our parade spot ours. There are 4 of us and it fits us fine. Even the rudest people won't push onto the towels where you are sitting. We like the main street curb. The curb is kinda high so your legs are too, too bad. We like the curve that is in front of the expedition building and I'll tell you why. You see the parade great as it comes down and makes the turn.

 

[jgrahamiii]

Here's an interesting place we used to sit long ago. Not 100% certain it still works...

As you face the castle from the hub in front of it look to the left side. There is a path that leads from behind the castle from Fantasy Land down to Libery Square, I believe (it's been a while). Along this path is a wall, and benches. From the path, you have a good unobstructed view of the bridge that leads from the hub to Liberty Square and Frontierland. The times we sat there it was very uncroweded, plus you had the benches and wall to sit on. Much more comfortable than anywhere else. The negative of it was that you are not near as close to the parade as if you were on Main Street or the Hub, and the bridge itself does block the very bottom of the floats. Also, it is quite possible that growth in the hedges along here now block the view. But you should have time to check it out before hand. Also, back in the day, you didn't need to get there quite as early as Main street.

 

[BroganMc]

I just got back from two weeks in the World in which I saw Spectromagic something like three times.

First was around the Castle circle Tomorrowland side. Another was on the boardwalk outside Pecos Bill's in FrontierTown. But the third was my all around favorite... in Liberty Town by the Christmas Shop. That was for the second parade when it started at Main Street and headed to Frontiertown. Crowds all day were really heavy (it was a Friday Columbus Week), but precious few were around for that parade. Most didn't realize it would be marching that way. It felt like we had the performers all to ourselves and we all hooped it up.

I'd definitely go back there next time.

 

[OhioTony]

On the Liberty square side of the bridge leading to the hub, across from the Funnel cake shop there is a triangle area outlined in tape on the ground right next to the bridge. If you procure the corner spot next to the bridge, the parade can be viewed with out obstruction crossing the bridge..and the CMs defend the area for you by keeping people from standing outside the taped area! After the parade, move down the bridge. You will find an area between two trees, with a beautiful view of the lightshow on the side of the castle and the fireworks will go off directly behind it. Good luck

 

[hockeybabe]

We saw it on the benches right across from Liberty Tree Tavern. It was a great spot!

 

[Focusdude]

The first time we saw Spectromagic - we did not even plan on seeing it! We were on the first night of our honeymoon - and came out from dinner at the Liberty Tree Tavern, and it was passing by! We had a great view from the front steps of the Tavern!

I would stay out of the Main Street area if possible - it is crazy after Spectromagic is over!

Good luck!