Spot for Spectro the last week of August??

[beattyfamily]

I've never gone the end of August before...usually we go Oct and Dec and Spectro is usually Saturdays and sometimes Mon or Wed.

I still have never seen this parade. I was thinking of trying to see it Saturday, August 21 and I believe this might be the only showing that whole week.

I've never attempted to see it so I haven't got a clue how early I need to scoop out a spot.

My questions are:

How early must I get to MK to scoop out a spot if it starts at 8:30p?

and

Where's the best place to watch it when it's crazy crowded on a Saturday night? I normally enjoy watching parades on Main Street because being on the curb (no rope), it's difficult for anyone to cut in front of us or squeeze us out, IMHO, as it would be in another section that only has ropes and I enjoy seeing the Castle as I watch the parade. But if it's really going to be insane, I'd definitely consider another spot that someone recommends.

Thanks!

 

[Bete]

If you want pictures or video then you better get there 1-1/2 hours ahead or more to get a front row seat. If you just want to watch the show and have a nice spot, not a perfect spot, then 1-hour should do it. You to a degree have to judge what's happening that day to get the final answer on when to stake your spot.

You need to know that Wishes will follow the parade pretty close in time. There is a little time difference but not too much between the shows. So, you are really staking out your spot for both shows and this is why it gets so crowded.

Now, for location that depends on what you're doing with pictures and video, too and if you want to see both shows. If you are not doing the above pic and video thing and you only want to watch Spectro then any front row area along the route will be fine. If Main Street is your favorite; so, be it. Now, if you are viewing both shows without doing the pic and video thing then I would be farther away because Wishes uses more then the castle for it's background to do the fireworks show. Again Main Street will be fine. Keep in mind, the castle is still the focal point of the fireworks show. If you are doing the pic and video thing then I would go in front of the castle for both shows but not totally on top of the castle. I would pick a spot facing the castle and not have my back to the castle. After the parade the ropes are dropped and for fireworks everyone stands everywhere and this is why it's better to be by the castle. Being on the cement benches near the castle is ideal and it's always been the number one spot for those who can be patient to wait there for the shows. Another favorite spot is the train station because you are higher up from the ground but those spots are very hard to come by.

It's never a bad spot if you can see Spectro but you have to decide how bad you want to see it as to whether you want to wait for it in the most ideal spots.

 

[beattyfamily]

Thank you for taking the time to reply!

So basically, if I want a curb seat on Main Street, I need to get a spot around 7:00p for the 8:30p parade?

And if I stay to see Spectro, I'm then pretty much forced to see Wishes because of the crowds? I wouldn't mind staying for them but I have seen them before. I didn't have a good spot though. So near the Castle is best for Wishes?

I do not know if I'll videotape it. This is a girls-only trip and DH usually is the videotapper. I may take a couple of pictures though.

I've never watched any parade or fireworks by the train station...I never thought of that area.

Thanks again.

 

[Badger Brent]

We had planned on the train station a couple weeks ago and it ended up being blocked off around 5 for a private event. We like to sit outside Peco's Bills and sit on the planter boxes. We always eat there before the parade outside by the planters and set ponchos or jackets to save the spot until were done eating. You have a restroom right there and the view is very good.