When Do Parade Crowds Gather?

[LisaT91403]

Last Spring, I had this great idea to try to organize a Disneyland performance for my son's high school marching band. The band director wanted a very specific date -- the day after the band's championship tournament. We are hoping it will be a victory march down Main Street!

During the planning phase, I had several calls with Disney. While they said they wouldn't be able to tell us our performance time until about 3 weeks out, they said that marches happen in the early afternoon -- typically between noon and 3:00pm. Last week, we finally had our planning call and were told our performance time is 5:20pm (and marching from the Main St fire station towards IASW rather than the other direction). It all seemed odd to me. In speaking with another CM this week, he said that it's because of the Christmas parade...and that we would be the "opening act" for the 6:30pm parade.

My question is...do people actually line up that early to watch the parade? I was a little disappointed that the march would be when it's dark, and won't have the castle in the background. But maybe there will be a bigger crowd when we perform? If anyone has any insight, it would be great so that we can get the kids excited about marching in the dark!

 

[sophy1996]

If it’s the Christmas parade then the park should have all the other holiday decor. The holiday lights will be so pretty and they’ll have the huge DL tree behind them. Should be especially cool in front of IASW.

People do start gathering more than a hour before the parade so very likely will have a good audience.

 

[Pluto468]

Last Spring, I had this great idea to try to organize a Disneyland performance for my son's high school marching band. The band director wanted a very specific date -- the day after the band's championship tournament. We are hoping it will be a victory march down Main Street!

During the planning phase, I had several calls with Disney. While they said they wouldn't be able to tell us our performance time until about 3 weeks out, they said that marches happen in the early afternoon -- typically between noon and 3:00pm. Last week, we finally had our planning call and were told our performance time is 5:20pm (and marching from the Main St fire station towards IASW rather than the other direction). It all seemed odd to me. In speaking with another CM this week, he said that it's because of the Christmas parade...and that we would be the "opening act" for the 6:30pm parade.

My question is...do people actually line up that early to watch the parade? I was a little disappointed that the march would be when it's dark, and won't have the castle in the background. But maybe there will be a bigger crowd when we perform? If anyone has any insight, it would be great so that we can get the kids excited about marching in the dark!

People will already be lined up. Also, people who are in the vicinity of the parade route will stop to watch if they see the marching band. What a fun thing to do! My oldest is in marching band. (Percussion )

 

[LisaT91403]

People will already be lined up. Also, people who are in the vicinity of the parade route will stop to watch if they see the marching band. What a fun thing to do! My oldest is in marching band. (Percussion )

My kiddo is a percussionist as well! The band is so excited about marching down Main St. It should be a blast!

 

[Pluto468]

My kiddo is a percussionist as well! The band is so excited about marching down Main St. It should be a blast!

That's the coolest thing ever. They will have a wonderful time!

 

[BrianL]

In my experience at Disneyland, there will be at least a few people lined up for the parade at about 8:01 AM.

 

[SpaceMan5]

In my experience at Disneyland, there will be at least a few people lined up for the parade at about 8:01 AM.

You say that tongue in cheek but in reality you are not that far off it seems. I have notice ppl queuing up in the 3+ hr range. Kid you not.

I will admit, DL parades are cool but this dude is not parking his keister on a bench for that long. I know you can trade off holding a spot with your group but at certain point ppl start crowding you in.

But in this case, if I had the opportunity to watch one of my kiddos marching down Main St then count me in to a 3+ hr wait. That's what we do as parents to support our kids and to enjoy these kind of unique opportunities that don't roll around often.

The quote in my signature line from Capt. Jack is quite fitting, "Not all treasure is silver and gold Mate"

 

[BrianL]

You say that tongue in cheek but in reality you are not that far off it seems. I have notice ppl queuing up in the 3+ hr range. Kid you not.

I will admit, DL parades are cool but this dude is not parking his keister on a bench for that long. I know you can trade off holding a spot with your group but at certain point ppl start crowding you in.

But in this case, if I had the opportunity to watch one of my kiddos marching down Main St then count me in to a 3+ hr wait. That's what we do as parents to support our kids and to enjoy these kind of unique opportunities that don't roll around often.

The quote in my signature line from Capt. Jack is quite fitting, "Not all treasure is silver and gold Mate"

Yeah, I was exaggerating a little, but not that much. There are people who will scramble for that porch on Main Street and park there all day long.

 

[SpaceMan5]

Yeah, I was exaggerating a little, but not that much. There are people who will scramble for that porch on Main Street and park there all day long.

I know, right!

I can get a vibe of those that are just resting but then you have those that are hunkering down for the day like you said.