Tell me about the shows...

[KelleyD]

I realize this may not be the best board, but I don't wander around much...

Can you tell me about all the shows/parades at the parks?? We have an 18 month old and just wanted to know what would be good to see...

and any certain places we should catch them at...

 

[slo]

Your child will love all the parades!!!!

Keep in mind, that in order to get a good place, you need to wait a significant amount of time before the parade starts. We normally get our place 1 hour before Spectromagic, and approx. 45 for any other parade. When my girls were little I would try to get them to sleep around that time, so they would be napping while we were waiting. If I didn't get lucky with them sleeping, than my DH would hold our spot while we walked around.

When it comes to good spots, these are ours....
Spectromagic - Main Street, by the confectionary (so we can easily get something to much on, and we like the view of Wishes from this location. It's also a quick out of the park, when Wishes is over).

MGM parade - in front of the sorcerors hat, on the same side of the street as The ABC Commissary (there are bathrooms close by, and this is why I like it.)

MK parade - I've watched this in so many different locations, and my favorite it Main Street. There's just something fun and awesome about watching a parade with Cindy's castle in the background

AK parade - I've never seen it, so I have no opinion.


Have a great time when you go!!!!

 

[KelleyD]

Thanks so much for all the detail! Waiting will be tough, the boy is full of a whole lotta love, doesn't leave any room for patience!!!!

 

[slo]

Thanks so much for all the detail! Waiting will be tough, the boy is full of a whole lotta love, doesn't leave any room for patience!!!!

Your welcome!!!


I forgot to add about the shows......
Fantasmic - This is a long wait - on bleachers You should get there about an hour before the show starts. Personally, we skipped this show many times because of the age of our children. I didn't want them to get frustrated while sitting there, and I didn't want to tick everyone around us off, because one of my girls was being impatient and naughty. We saw this for the first time when my oldest was 4 (2002) and we are going back again this year, because my youngest DD is now 5, and I know she'll be okay. I just need to make sure they both don't drink anything an hour before the show starts

Wishes - I've seen this in so many different places, and my best place is Main Street close to the flag pole. You have such a great view, and a quick out when it's done. I've watched this up close, by the castle, and it's to close, in my opinion. Seeing it from behind the castle is pretty cool, but only if you've already seen it many times from the front of the castle.

Illumininatons - Again, we've seen this from many places, and my ultimate favorite was by France, but you have a pretty hefty walk when it's over to leave the park. If you don't want a long walk, than stay by the entrance to The World Showcase - a great view, and you have a quick getaway


Again, have a great time!!!

 

[tzolkin]

I don't really know that you were looking for info on this one, but... My kids really enjoyed the show in front of the castle. It's every hour or so from 10-2ish (?). There should be a sign in the park. We actually stood quite a distance away. The kids were able to see better because they could sit in their strollers or stand and still see over the crowd. It is definitely worth trying to catch one.

 

[Rebelmom67]

My children were all enthralled with Spectro Magic, even as little babies.

 

[Miss LD]

DS is 4 but rarely will sit still for shows. We were surprised at how well he did in some. The Playhouse Disney Show at MGM was great. We went to the first one of the day and he loved it. There is lots of dancing and fun stuff and lots of kids who are little. You sit on the floor.
For some reason he also liked HS Musical as did my 2 y.o. niece. I have no idea why. You don't really need to plan that. They are always doing it.
We also liked Country Bear Jamboree - it was a nice break.

 

[Belleandtinker]

Was the Playhouse Disney theme, Minnie's Surprise Party? We went in the spring and going again in January and wondering how often the show theme changes. Thank you.

 

[Miss LD]

Was the Playhouse Disney theme, Minnie's Surprise Party? We went in the spring and going again in January and wondering how often the show theme changes. Thank you.

Honestly, I just asked my husband and DS and none of us remember! It was a birthday party so that sounds about right.
We were all so into all the stuff going on I don't think we really caught the central theme. (that's a good thing, I think)