Uncrowded place to watch MK parade and fireworks?

[BK2014]

If you arrive an hour before MSEP begins, and stay in that spot until after Wishes,
it would be just under 2h 15m.

Thanks!

 

[maryj11]

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

I was told yesterday that they are no longer taking same day reservations.

 

[maryj11]

Not Robo but my Prime spot to watch all 3 would be the intersection where you can turn to Casey's or to The Plaza. Stand on the sidewalk there for MSEP and then step off and in the street and up to where the road rises a little bit for CTM and Wishes.

Another choice is to watch MSEP from the Flag Pole area, as the parade passes by and they open the street follow the parade down the road and stop in the area from in front of Casey's to the place where the road starts to rise.

I think the flag pole area is now included in a dining packages at Tony's?

 

[AngiTN]

I think the flag pole area is now included in a dining packages at Tony's?

It may, I have no idea. By Flag Pole area I mean the area near the Flag Pole, doesn't have to be the area formerly for the parade FP viewing. There are plenty of areas not in the reserved section.

 

[AngiTN]

I was told yesterday that they are no longer taking same day reservations.

Robo already covered that upthread. Guess no one knows what is going on there

 

[YourEveryDayAdam]

My trick this last trip that worked well for the parade/fireworks viewing was to get in the roped off section right where the parade steps off on to main street. From It's kind of an awkward spot to get to and people don't notice it. I was back there with plenty of space to watch and got to watch the Parade captain navigate the floats out of the back stage area.

Then, immediately as the parade ends, I follow the end of it until I get up to the two trees on either side of main street that are in front of Casey's Corner. Then look on the ground for the masking tape that they use to mark off the walk way. Stand immediately behind that and don't move...regardless of what the CM's say to move forward towards the castle. This spot for fireworks viewing is the best view AND I didn't have any one in front of me because people weren't allowed to stay there.

Only downside to this plan is that at the fireworks viewing spot, there are a lot of CMs with bright green flash lights and people walking in front of you. It's a bit distracting from the fireworks. But if you can deal with that, it's a great spot to watch.

 

[maryj11]

It may, I have no idea. By Flag Pole area I mean the area near the Flag Pole, doesn't have to be the area formerly for the parade FP viewing. There are plenty of areas not in the reserved section.

Here is the information for the dining package. I think it just came out recently. I'm guessing this is around the flag pole area? https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/main-street-electrical-parade-dining-package/

 

[Blue32]

My trick this last trip that worked well for the parade/fireworks viewing was to get in the roped off section right where the parade steps off on to main street. From It's kind of an awkward spot to get to and people don't notice it. I was back there with plenty of space to watch and got to watch the Parade captain navigate the floats out of the back stage area.

Then, immediately as the parade ends, I follow the end of it until I get up to the two trees on either side of main street that are in front of Casey's Corner. Then look on the ground for the masking tape that they use to mark off the walk way. Stand immediately behind that and don't move...regardless of what the CM's say to move forward towards the castle. This spot for fireworks viewing is the best view AND I didn't have any one in front of me because people weren't allowed to stay there.

Only downside to this plan is that at the fireworks viewing spot, there are a lot of CMs with bright green flash lights and people walking in front of you. It's a bit distracting from the fireworks. But if you can deal with that, it's a great spot to watch.

Can I ask.... When you got to the areas they tape off for the walkway, was there already alot of people standing in these spots? Having kids that are short makes a spot like this appealing but didn't know if spots like this would be available post parade.

 

[AngiTN]

Can I ask.... When you got to the areas they tape off for the walkway, was there already alot of people standing in these spots? Having kids that are short makes a spot like this appealing but didn't know if spots like this would be available post parade.

They can't be if you are following the parade

 

[AngiTN]

My trick this last trip that worked well for the parade/fireworks viewing was to get in the roped off section right where the parade steps off on to main street. From It's kind of an awkward spot to get to and people don't notice it. I was back there with plenty of space to watch and got to watch the Parade captain navigate the floats out of the back stage area.

Then, immediately as the parade ends, I follow the end of it until I get up to the two trees on either side of main street that are in front of Casey's Corner. Then look on the ground for the masking tape that they use to mark off the walk way. Stand immediately behind that and don't move...regardless of what the CM's say to move forward towards the castle. This spot for fireworks viewing is the best view AND I didn't have any one in front of me because people weren't allowed to stay there.

Only downside to this plan is that at the fireworks viewing spot, there are a lot of CMs with bright green flash lights and people walking in front of you. It's a bit distracting from the fireworks. But if you can deal with that, it's a great spot to watch.

Exactly the method I posted as one to try. Following the parade from near the fire station

 

[AngiTN]

Here is the information for the dining package. I think it just came out recently. I'm guessing this is around the flag pole area? https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/main-street-electrical-parade-dining-package/

Again, it won't matter. Plenty of places NOT within the dining package area to watch MSEP

 

[Blue32]

They can't be if you are following the parade

Really? People that don't have interest in seeing the parade don't stake out some of these spots in front of Casey's Just for Wishes? I don't know.... I am new to the WDW side. Thanks!

 

[Robo]

Really? People that don't have interest in seeing the parade don't stake out some of these spots in front of Casey's Just for Wishes? I don't know.... I am new to the WDW side. Thanks!

The STREET (the actual roadway) is blocked-off during the parade, so that the parade can travel through the area.
As soon as (I mean "immediately") the end of the parade passes a given spot in the street, guests can then fill in the formerly
closed roadway to watch the upcoming castle show and fireworks.
Guests who follow along right after the parade will be able to stop when they reach the Hub.

And, relating back to the title of this thread, the Hub is the exact opposite of "uncrowded."

 

[AngiTN]

Really? People that don't have interest in seeing the parade don't stake out some of these spots in front of Casey's Just for Wishes? I don't know.... I am new to the WDW side. Thanks!

Nope, as Robo said, they can't be in the street. Not talking about being on the sidewalk, talking about being in the street. if you follow the parade you are in the street before anyone else is

And as he points out, it's not uncrowded. But as has been mentioned, an uncrowded spot to watch all 3 back to back doesn't exist. It can be worked out if you are there when they do 2 parades and 2 Celebrate shows.

 

[bilnsheldodisney]

I can't wait to try this idea in August - one thing I have yet to master is parade and firework viewing. I always feel like a bumbling idiot and I am short so it sucks getting stuck in a crowd. Thanks Robo & Angi.

 

[AngiTN]

I can't wait to try this idea in August - one thing I have yet to master is parade and firework viewing. I always feel like a bumbling idiot and I am short so it sucks getting stuck in a crowd. Thanks Robo & Angi.

I hear you. I'm not real short but I still have a hard time seeing over folks. Nice thing about the fireworks is it doesn't matter. Probably why I like fireworks so very much more than the parades. Celebrate is always a challenge for me

 

[Blue32]

Nope, as Robo said, they can't be in the street. Not talking about being on the sidewalk, talking about being in the street. if you follow the parade you are in the street before anyone else is

And as he points out, it's not uncrowded. But as has been mentioned, an uncrowded spot to watch all 3 back to back doesn't exist. It can be worked out if you are there when they do 2 parades and 2 Celebrate shows.

Yeah....I understand what you and Robo are saying. I guess I was referring to following the parade, and still trying grab one of those spots in front if Casey's where they tape off the sidewalk to keep a path clear. Getting a spot without someone standing right in front of you would allow my kids to see CTM much easier.

 

[Robo]

Getting a spot without someone standing right in front of you would allow my kids to see CTM much easier.

Stand next to a fence.
Nobody can stand in front of you, if there is a fence in front of you.
Many fences next to the sidewalks in and near the hub.

 

[Disneymom1126]

We've always watched the parade in Liberty square and then walked the back bridge toward Crystal Palace and into the HUB area for CtM and Wishes...on every trip it's been so crowded in the HUB and people have been pretty rude, so I think this time we may try watching the fireworks from with Splash or in NFL -- I love CTM though, so that's the only thing that makes me unsure!

 

[maryj11]

We've always watched the parade in Liberty square and then walked the back bridge toward Crystal Palace and into the HUB area for CtM and Wishes...on every trip it's been so crowded in the HUB and people have been pretty rude, so I think this time we may try watching the fireworks from with Splash or in NFL -- I love CTM though, so that's the only thing that makes me unsure!

I know what you mean by people being rude in the hub. That is the main reason we do not want to go there. Our last trip we were pretty upset with one rude man who decided a big area was his and his sons spot and we had to move. Even though there was open area we could stand in. It kind of ruined the mood of enjoying the fireworks after that.