What's up with the MK train station platform during parades?

[Claudia1]

We were at the MK this week and the tables have been removed and benches have been added at the ends. The benches are placed perpendicular to the front of the platform so they are bad for parade viewing. Also, the center of the platform was roped off and a CM was present to ensure nobody got in the roped area.

We didn't stay for the parade to see what (if anything) happened.

 

[eastendlights]

The area is used for VIP's and people that book the VIP tours.

 

[mom2rtk]

That's really unfortunate. We have watched from up there before and were not part of a VIP group. I thought the VIP parade viewing has traditionally been out by the bridge into Liberty Square?

 

[ChloesDaddy]

Another example of why the first part of this sign is getting more difficult to believe...

...and it is necessary to believe the first part in order to believe the rest.

 

[mom2rtk]

If the benches are perpendicular, I think that's a good indication they are trying to discourage people from sitting there until they are ready to seat whoever they planned on seating there.

 

[eastendlights]

That's really unfortunate. We have watched from up there before and were not part of a VIP group. I thought the VIP parade viewing has traditionally been out by the bridge into Liberty Square?

We had FP+ for the parade on 2/27 and were right below and across the way. There were three or four plaid vests up there with three or four groups of people. We purposely checked on our other days at MK if we were in the area and it was the same every time.

 

[subtchr]

This is maddening to me. I take high school bands and choirs, and the train station has always been my recommended spot for parents to stake out to watch their kids march. No, they haven't spent thousands of dollars on a VIP tour, but all they want is to see their kids. Yes, they can and will get another spot, but the train station gave such a great perspective as their kids march down Main Street and around Town Square right below them. So frustrating.

 

[mom2rtk]

It sounds very much like what they used to use that area on the Liberty Square Bridge for.

I wonder who they're selling that to now.

 

[Claudia1]

So very, very sad It was an awesome place

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

FoF was especially cool to watch from the train platform.

 

[SarahSnow]

When we went to MNSSHP we watched from the train platform it was very relaxing.

 

[chilly2336]

Is it closed for all parades or just the ones at nighttime?

 

[W.E.D.]

Don't they have FP+ options for the parades now? I'm assuming that's what they want you to use.

 

[Peepster]

Oh, management figured out another way to make money! What a surprise!

 

[eastendlights]

Is it closed for all parades or just the ones at nighttime?

We saw this during the day parades.

 

[Claudia1]

Every time we passed it.....all hours of day and night...... It was blocked off

 

[Ensusieasm]

When we went to MNSSHP we watched from the train platform it was very relaxing.

We were at the MK this week and the tables have been removed and benches have been added at the ends. The benches are placed perpendicular to the front of the platform so they are bad for parade viewing. Also, the center of the platform was roped off and a CM was present to ensure nobody got in the roped area.

We didn't stay for the parade to see what (if anything) happened.

I'm also wondering if this is part of stepped up security, not wanting everybody to have access to this vantage point. If they hired security experts to give them advice at the same time they suddenly added new security screening at the gates this winter, they may have been advised that this area was too advantageous a spot for malicious wrong doers to have access to.

 

[godders]

I'm also wondering if this is part of stepped up security, not wanting everybody to have access to this vantage point. If they hired security experts to give them advice at the same time they suddenly added new security screening at the gates this winter, they may have been advised that this area was too advantageous a spot for malicious wrong doers to have access to.

I can certainly imagine that could be part of it. It is always a busy area and in the event of an emergency I imagine most visitors would try to exit that way (I'm sure there are other emergency exits but ultimately you have to be relatively close to the train station in order to get to the monorail/boats/buses) potentially causing more casualties.

However the cynic in me is saying it's Disney recognizing that those who've paid the extra money want the best views (not that the rest of us don't). Maybe it was one of the best kept secrets and it got too popular for it's own good. Makes me sad as it was always on my bucket list to watch a parade from there

 

[Ensusieasm]

I can certainly imagine that could be part of it. It is always a busy area and in the event of an emergency I imagine most visitors would try to exit that way (I'm sure there are other emergency exits but ultimately you have to be relatively close to the train station in order to get to the monorail/boats/buses) potentially causing more casualties.

However the cynic in me is saying it's Disney recognizing that those who've paid the extra money want the best views (not that the rest of us don't). Maybe it was one of the best kept secrets and it got too popular for it's own good. Makes me sad as it was always on my bucket list to watch a parade from there

Me too! I would go up there 3 hours before a parade and get the center table, then my husband would arrive with hot dogs and root beer from Caseys. It was grand! Except for the time a dad picked his diapered toddler up and stood him on our little round cafe table in the midst of our lunch and knocked over a root beer! We told him that wasn't happening. And he said he paid the same as us for his park ticket, and I told him I had chosen this spot 3 hours ago and he could try that next time. Charming!

 

[Robo]

Don't they have FP+ options for the parades now? I'm assuming that's what they want you to use.

The RR station platform is not the parade FP area.