Uncrowded place to watch MK parade and fireworks?

[maryj11]

Where would a good place be to watch the 9:00 parade and fireworks at MK. Some place where we do not have to fight the crowds for a spot?
We did have a dessert party reservation but decided to cancel it because I thought we could get a same day reservation. Now to find out they are no longer doing the same day reservations and there are no more advance reservations available .

 

[pooh4evr]

Our favorite parade spot is in front of the Christmas store in Liberty Square. Fireworks viewing is always crowded.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We like to watch MSEP from Liberty Square, across from the Hall of Presidents. It gets crowded there but not as early or as bad as Main Street. I don't know of any uncrowded places to watch Wishes.

 

[Robo]

You are leaving out the third MK nighttime show, Celebrate the Magic, which is considered by many to be even more unique and spectacular than MSEP or Wishes.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think that parade viewing is way different than Fireworks viewing. I do not think that there is any uncrowded spot to see Wishes, especially if you want to see CTM, the Castle show. I would never miss that show.

 

[ConnecticutFlea]

I agree, celebrate the magic is better than the actual fireworks. But if you are looking for a non-crowded place to watch the fireworks, try the beach at the Poly.

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

This is horrible, but I watched them from the Pop Century bus stop last week. Had a really clear shot of them, though. And you can still hear the music.

 

[Jennasis]

You can watch the fireworks from New Fantasyland without any crowds (and even find a seat!) but no view of the parade or castle show.

 

[margot31]

I think liberty square is a good place for parades. I did the christmas parade up on main street but also attended the second one and that was because i wanted to see it "snow" in florida during the parade.

 

[kwdw]

If you watch the parade in Liberty Square - you can walk over to BEHIND the castle for the fireworks. But - you will miss "celebrate the magic." Behind the castle or in NFL is a very interesting view - the fireworks are going off on both sides of you. But you don't have the view of the framing of the fireworks around the castle. But - it's pretty cool, IMO.

If we aren't planning to watch the fireworks - we watch the parade in Frontierland. You can watch the parade in Frontierland - and walk through Adventureland over to the Crystal Palace area - and through the shops on Main Street - and head towards the train station area. You can see the fireworks by the train station - though viewing is not perfect at all. But it's not AS crowded.

 

[AngiTN]

There is no uncrowded way to watch Wishes and Celebrate the Magic. There are only so many places to stand to see it and they are all well utilized.
There are loads of uncrowded places to watch a parade. The parade moves and the view of it is the same no matter where you stand along the route. We find it least crowded in and around Pecos Bills. Or if you are there for a 2nd parade anywhere is fine.

 

[Gracie09]

My favorite place to watch the fireworks is the ferry dock at ttc.

 

[Klayfish]

I second...or third...the Liberty Square idea. We will watch the parade from the little area directly across from the entrance to Presidents, then usually move to the area where the handcuff thing is for the fireworks as there tend to be less people trying to squeeze in there. The view isn't the best, but it's a much more relaxed atmosphere. The TTC or Poly are also good.

If you time your FP+ right, you can watch a few glimpses of them from Splash Mountain. My wife and I did that once and it was really awesome. Even though it was only 10 seconds worth, we got an AMAZING view just as we crested the hill for the final drop.

 

[maryj11]

You are leaving out the third MK nighttime show, Celebrate the Magic, which is considered by many to be even more unique and spectacular than MSEP or Wishes.

Oh yes we want to see that!

 

[maryj11]

You can watch the fireworks from New Fantasyland without any crowds (and even find a seat!) but no view of the parade or castle show.

Ok we want to see the parade and castle show.

 

[maryj11]

There is no uncrowded way to watch Wishes and Celebrate the Magic. There are only so many places to stand to see it and they are all well utilized.
There are loads of uncrowded places to watch a parade. The parade moves and the view of it is the same no matter where you stand along the route. We find it least crowded in and around Pecos Bills. Or if you are there for a 2nd parade anywhere is fine.

Well I guess we will have to fight the crowds because we want to see the parade and CTM show also. I wonder what is going on with the FP area they made in front of the castle? I bet people gather in there early to get a spot.

 

[Dizjunkieee]

Well I guess we will have to fight the crowds because we want to see the parade and CTM show also. I wonder what is going on with the FP area they made in front of the castle? I bet people gather in there early to get a spot.

I believe the former FP+ areas in the hub are now for "day of" Dessert party guests (Ugh!)

I would agree with the others on this thread - If your trip has nights where there are two showings of the parade and CTM I would shoot for the later showings. I was there last month and we watched Wishes from New Fantasyland, then made our way to Liberty Square to catch MSEP, then to grab an ice cream on Main Street before catching the second showing of CTM from an almost empty hub grass area (former FP+ garden area) It was FANTASTIC! I likely will never battle the crowds in the hub again as long as I can implore this strategy (doesn't work during some times of year where there is only one parade and CTM shows)

 

[AngiTN]

Yes, the former FP area is now used by people who book the Dessert Party on the day of. A shame. I'd have rather they made a Dining Package at Tony's for Wishes than for MSEP. Then let that area be for those package holders

 

[Blue32]

Yes, the former FP area is now used by people who book the Dessert Party on the day of. A shame. I'd have rather they made a Dining Package at Tony's for Wishes than for MSEP. Then let that area be for those package holders

Isn't the previous FP+ area on the Casey's side open to all guests now? I assume the view of the parade is not very good from this area though.

 

[Robo]

I believe the former FP+ areas in the hub are now for "day of" Dessert party guests (Ugh!)

Yes, the former FP area is now used by people who book the Dessert Party on the day of.

Hang on, because this situation may be inn flux and is complicated and confusing.

Only the EAST (former) FP+ viewing area was being reserved for "day-of" guests for the Wishes Dessert party.
The WEST (former) FP+ viewing area has been left open to the general public.

HOWEVER: there has been a report that there are no longer any "day-of" guests for the Wishes Dessert party.
If this is true, we don't know if they have turned over the EAST (former) FP+ viewing area to the general public.