Talk to me about parade seating

[Alice1234]

I'm taking my daughter, who will be 18 months for our trip, on a five day Disney trip the second week of December. i've been to MK many times, but never with a kid, so I've never stopped to pay much attention to the parades. Any tips on what time we should try to find a spot for MVMCP parade if we are limited to the early parade only? I don't care about being on Main Street, as long as my daughter can see what's going on. Also, is it considered rude to leave her in her stroller for the parade, assuming we can get a front row spot or is that taking up too much space? Any rumors of fast passes or parties where I can pay extra for guaranteed parade seating for MVMCP?

 

[LisaCM614]

My favorite spot to stand for a party parade is at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments. You'll see the seating area, you should be able to find a spot to stand by the garbage can along the parade route. I don't think it is rude to leave her in the stroller. Lots of kiddos might be ready to go to sleep in their strollers, I wouldn't think you should take them out and wake them. I also like to stand in front of Hall of Presidents or sit on a the edge of a porch in Frontierland. Frontierland is always the easiest spot to find a place for a parade and since it will be night you can be on either side of the 'street' without fear of being in the blazing sun. There are not FP+ available for parties, or rather there haven't been historically.

 

[amt13]

I am curious about how parades work in Disney, it's been awhile since I've been so I don't remember. How does fast pass work for parades and is it possible to just find a vantage point to watch? To me parades seem like something that wouldn't need a line to get in.

 

[MainMom]

We claimed our spot for MSEP in Frontierland across from Liberty Tree Tavern about 1 hour before the parade started. We maybe didn't need to be there quite that early, but we wanted a good spot. A few of us sat right on the ground by the rope to hold our front row view. It was surprisingly uncrowded that evening. No one tried to push or shove us for our spot, but we were also holding our ground. My sister & I commented on how we missed having a stroller to push right up to the rope to hold our spot.

 

[JimmyBean42]

My DD was 18 mths last yr when we went and we kept her in her stroller and I stood behind her. We parked at Frontierland as the parade starts in that area and once done you can hop on some rides quickly. You should be good to find a spot about 45 minutes before the parade starts but we usually do an hour and then me or DW go and get the kids hot chocolate and cookies while the other stays and holds the spot in line. And amazingly even though you get a spot early, inevitably someone will squeeze in with you or try and stand in front of your stroller. Stand your ground, stay relaxed and have a great time.

 

[amt13]

If I am going in mid-September, do I need to be there quite so early? I have heard that it can be pretty empty around that time, and would rather not spend all my time waiting for the parade.

 

[JimmyBean42]

If I am going in mid-September, do I need to be there quite so early? I have heard that it can be pretty empty around that time, and would rather not spend all my time waiting for the parade.

If you don't have really young kids or kids that can stay up fairly late, I'd recommend skipping the first parade at the party and going to the 2nd parade. The 2nd parade crowd is always less and a lot easier to get a spot close the parade time and a little more enjoyable to watch with a little more elbow room.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If you want a front row view you do need to get there pretty early unless it is something you can get a fastpass for (no fastpasses for MVMCP). Frontierland may end up being the least crowded place to wait.

And yes, even if you stay there for 2 hours, even if you have a rope right in front, someone will inevitably try to squeeze in front of you at the last minute, or duck under the rope and try to stand in front of you, or at the very least try to hold their camera in front of your face. Hold your ground. CMs usually take care of the rope duckers but not always.

 

[amt13]

Thank you both, I'll keep in mind that it's hard to get front row seating and that going to the second parade is far easier. I'll save my fast pass for something else.

 

[MainMom]

Thank you both, I'll keep in mind that it's hard to get front row seating and that going to the second parade is far easier. I'll save my fast pass for something else.

We arrived in the park between 6-6:30 on our parade night and people were already lining Main Street for the parade.

 

[Tinkerbell7479]

am curious about this as well, we'll have our 18 month son at the MVMCP at the same time.