Viewing tips for fireworks and parades...

[ozvisiter]

Only 4 more sleeps... after 18 months of planning it's finally here and I am in a panic. Where should we sit for
1. The fireworks
2. Celebrate street party
3. Pixar parade

We've never been before but I do have a map I can look at for reference. How long before should we scope our spots? We would prefer to be sitting (3 kids will get tired)
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your help

 

[Judy from Boise]

The easiest place is the small world plaza. We like to sit on the first set of stairs as looking toward the SW ride. Even 20 minutes prior to show these spots are usually open. The projections and sound in this area are very good, and it is easy to wait as there is lots of open space for kids to run around while the adults hold the spots.

 

[charmama4]

Hey how exciting!! Almost there!!
Ok, dont' know about the parades but my DH waited an hour on a park bench at the hub of the park right smack in front of the castle. It was perfect!! You could feel the heat from the pyrotechnics and was able to see all of the fireworks that literally went all around us!!. People "park" themselves in front of the benches but, the more the merrier!! While he was there the kids and I would go on a ride, check back with him, grab a snack, check back with him and then "park" ourselves down to watch the show.

 

[Disney Dreams]

For the Street Party, there are 3 "show stops. I would sit either:

- In front of the Emporium
- In front of the photo supply shop
- In front of IASW

My favorite place for fireworks is center of Main Street (L-R) just slighting closer to the castle than Photo Supply Shop.

Have a great trip! How exciting!

- Dreams

 

[tonaly]

You are so close!

For parades, we always just grab a seat on the curb along Main Street or at either end of it (depending on where we happen to be at the moment) about 45 minutes before the parade is due to start. Some people start to sit an hour before, some people manage to squeeze in 15 or 20 minutes before (when we sit I keep telling the kids to keep a couple inches in between us so we aren't all crammed in, but somehow I end up with a kid on my lap because someone squeezes in next to us at the last minute and I'm not vocal enough do defend our space ).

For fireworks, if you want to sit in front of the castle (the best place, IMO) you'll want to grab space AT LEAST an hour before they start. Last time we watched them, we sat in the street right in front of the castle. About 5 or 10 minutes before they actually start they make everyone stand up so more people can fit.

For Pixar, in my experience, people don't grab seats as early. The first time we watched it we got there about 45 minutes early, being used to DL parades, but there was plenty of room right up until the parade started. We were along the street with Blue Sky Cellar behind/above us (we were facing the entrance to Bugs Land). There are a few benches along there.

Have fun!!

 

[mechurchlady]

Street Party parade has sitting only at Small World so you will end up standing so be prepared to get up and hold your spot while trying to keep the kids in front. You are allowed to sit until a certain time for that parade.

 

[kikiq]

My favorite place for fireworks is center of Main Street (L-R) just slighting closer to the castle than Photo Supply Shop.

This is also our favorite place. Try to stand in the front section of the roped off section OR stand in the back of the section just closer to the castle. Makes for an easier exit when the fireworks are done.

Our favorite place for the DL parade with kids is by the Emporium or without by the train station right at the curve in front of City Hall.

For the Pixar parade, we usually lend up just past the Condor Flats entrance by the Grizzly Peak photo op cut out opposite It's a Bugs Life.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Our favorite place for the DL parade with kids is by the Emporium or without by the train station right at the curve in front of City Hall.

Watching the Celebrate "parade" from City Hall may not work as well because Celebrate isn't a traditional parade, and it does not make a full turn by City Hall.

Here's what David "Darkbeer" Michael wrote:

The main part of this performance are the "show stops", three times, for the first [Celebrate! A Street Party] parade of the day, the "small world" Area (Light Magic Platform), the Hub area (Central Plaza) and the central area of Main Street.

Where NOT to watch the Parade, the "Matterhorn Corridor", Basically between the Storybook Canal area to the Castle is not used at all.

Also the Parade does not use the Town Square section, as the "event" now makes a turn at the Magic Shop and goes straight to the Parade Gate, and does not make the full turn by City Hall.

- David "Darkbeer" Michael (3/27/09)

from: http://micechat.com/forums/blogs/in-the-parks/1045-celebrate-street-party-3-27-09.html

HTH

 

[CanadianPaco]

Bumping!

 

[Armadillo4]

Regarding Celebrate! A Street Party, glendalais started a very helpful thread a little while ago. You can find it here: Celebrate! A Street Party Viewing Tips..

 

[Disney Dreams]

Our favorite place for the DL parade with kids is by the Emporium or without by the train station right at the curve in front of City Hall.

This is exactly where you do NOT want to sit for Celebrate! The Street Party takes place up by the Magic Shop and beyond. If you are in any part of Town Square at best you will only see the Street Party pass right by you and park on Main Street for 12 minutes with you feeling like you are watching from the wings, at worst, not even that as it doesn't go around the circle at all.

You do not want to sit in Town Square for Celebrate! (even if it is your favorite spot for "normal" parades. You will not be part of the Street party at all.