Nakkira
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2013
- Messages
- 1,166
I see so many posts discussing Fireworks viewing parties, dining packages, etc.
In many of these posts people are saying it is worth the cost because you don’t have to stake out a viewing spot an hour (or more in advance).
I also see things about staking out parade viewing for an hour.
I have seen people do it.
I am just now sure why.
I have Never saved a spot for myself more than 15 minutes before the start of Parades or Firework. Ok, not never, but the one time I did, I found the same issue everyone else complains about to hold true. No matter how early you stake out a spot, someone will come and be in front of you at the last minute and crowd you out anyway.
So why bother?
I am usually pretty last minute (milking my ride time) to parades and fireworks and and only once have I had issues actually seeing the spectacle. (This was the AK parade which was going on when I emerged from a show and it was already in full swing). On top of that I have some anxiety issues in large crowds. If I keep moving I am pretty good but when people press in on my and I am stuck in one place I start to panic a bit. Once the show starts and the focus is changed it’s less difficult for me (in general)
Is the difference is the fact that (for the fireworks anyway) Disney has gone projection heavy and you need to work harder to see the castle projections? In the past (for the fireworks) I never worried about my “spot” as most of the action took place pretty high up.
Although this one time I did have to ask a family to get control of their balloon because when I looked up that is all I saw.
I also admit for the record that I am 5 foot 10 inches, so maybe that is a factor.
I am not criticizing those who find these dessert parties etc. worth it. I really wish I could afford them. However I am not really big on sweets and the price is a bit too steep for a good view of a show I can see from the streets. It’s almost worth it , but that would mean giving up my one Table service meal. To me worth it is relative. Staying on site is “worth it” to me now because my income is higher and I’d rather not have the hassles that come with being outside the bubble, but on prior trips it was not “worth it” at all to pay more than double for a room I was only sleeping in.
Ok, I guess the real point to this rambling post is this. (Forgive me, pre-coffee run-on-thoughts)
So, do I need to stake out territory more in advance to see HEA? I have never seen it before and I really do want to get the full effect. However, I am dreading trying to claim and keep a spot in “prime territory” and being crowded and shoved into for more than an hour before the show ever starts. Has anyone had any luck sort of wandering about the area (Main Street) and then just stopping to watch once the show actually gets going? Can you perhaps see everything okay from a little further away?
Are there less popular areas that still have a good view ( I do want to see the projections) that might not work for a family but would be fine for two tall-lish adults?
Any advice is welcome. I also plan to see the Star Wars fireworks show so I wouldn’t mind tips there either.
In many of these posts people are saying it is worth the cost because you don’t have to stake out a viewing spot an hour (or more in advance).
I also see things about staking out parade viewing for an hour.
I have seen people do it.
I am just now sure why.
I have Never saved a spot for myself more than 15 minutes before the start of Parades or Firework. Ok, not never, but the one time I did, I found the same issue everyone else complains about to hold true. No matter how early you stake out a spot, someone will come and be in front of you at the last minute and crowd you out anyway.
So why bother?
I am usually pretty last minute (milking my ride time) to parades and fireworks and and only once have I had issues actually seeing the spectacle. (This was the AK parade which was going on when I emerged from a show and it was already in full swing). On top of that I have some anxiety issues in large crowds. If I keep moving I am pretty good but when people press in on my and I am stuck in one place I start to panic a bit. Once the show starts and the focus is changed it’s less difficult for me (in general)
Is the difference is the fact that (for the fireworks anyway) Disney has gone projection heavy and you need to work harder to see the castle projections? In the past (for the fireworks) I never worried about my “spot” as most of the action took place pretty high up.
Although this one time I did have to ask a family to get control of their balloon because when I looked up that is all I saw.
I also admit for the record that I am 5 foot 10 inches, so maybe that is a factor.
I am not criticizing those who find these dessert parties etc. worth it. I really wish I could afford them. However I am not really big on sweets and the price is a bit too steep for a good view of a show I can see from the streets. It’s almost worth it , but that would mean giving up my one Table service meal. To me worth it is relative. Staying on site is “worth it” to me now because my income is higher and I’d rather not have the hassles that come with being outside the bubble, but on prior trips it was not “worth it” at all to pay more than double for a room I was only sleeping in.
Ok, I guess the real point to this rambling post is this. (Forgive me, pre-coffee run-on-thoughts)
So, do I need to stake out territory more in advance to see HEA? I have never seen it before and I really do want to get the full effect. However, I am dreading trying to claim and keep a spot in “prime territory” and being crowded and shoved into for more than an hour before the show ever starts. Has anyone had any luck sort of wandering about the area (Main Street) and then just stopping to watch once the show actually gets going? Can you perhaps see everything okay from a little further away?
Are there less popular areas that still have a good view ( I do want to see the projections) that might not work for a family but would be fine for two tall-lish adults?
Any advice is welcome. I also plan to see the Star Wars fireworks show so I wouldn’t mind tips there either.