Where is your favorite spot for parade/fireworks etc?

[MaryKatesMom]

I'd like to hear where everyone likes to stand for any of the parades, fireworks, fantasmic, Illusions, ect.

Was there an awful spot where you were jostled by passersby or didn't realize until it started that you had an obstructed view?

Is there a great place no-one bothers to walk to?

Someone told me that the begining of Main street was great because it was easy to leave at the end of the parade but another mentioned they were so overcrowded and the foot traffic was awful.

I made the mistake of standing on the wrong side of a "crossing spot" and people were walking in front of me the entire time.

Heard on the board that sitting in the front of Fantsmic meant getting sprayed occasionally.

I'd love to hear all the stories good and bad.

 

[tjkraz]

With regard to Fantasmic, sitting in the last row means you get sprayed <b>occasionally</b>. Sitting in the front likely means you get drenched, depending on which way the wind is blowing.

Much of the show is played-out on giant video screens that are literally huge umbrella-shaped fountains. We sat in the back third of the stadium, and could feel the spray frequently.

You also don't have much control over your seat in the stadium. The stadium itself is a semi-circle divided into about 8 separate wedges. The CMs fill the stadium one wedge (section) at a time. You can almost draw a parallel to parking your car--you park where the CM points. At Fantasmic, you really can't predict your section or row. You just go with the flow.

 

[dzneelvr]

The parade MK: by the pin stand in front of Tonys Town Square right as the street curves. We get to see more of the floats as they slow down to make the curve. It's gives you a bit more time to get that great picture.
For the evening parade, stand outside the saloon in Frontierland. You can see the line flowing from Splash Mountain until it turns the corner by the Liberty Tree Tavern.

For fireworks at MK: Outside the Crystal Palace. Make sure no trees are blocking your view. Or right in the Street directly in front of the castle. It's crowded, but it it totally magical!! Look for Tinker Bell to approach from the right.

The parade at Disney Studios: right outside the souvenier store as you turn from the main street onto the boulevard. You get to see the entire line coming from the Chinese Theatre. Another winner is across from the ice cream stand near the Star Tours (on the same side as Indiana Jones). If you have small children, you're close to rest rooms and the parade starts next to Star Tours.

The parade at AK: there isn't a bad spot. The parade goes by so close to where you stand that you feel like you're in it.

Illuminations: Look at Birnbaums latest edition. we always follow their lead and have never regretted it. Last year we stood right in front of China and had a wonderful view. You need the advice for this one, as there is so much going on in the show that you want to be able to see all that's going on both in the lagoon and around the nations.

These events are what Disney Magic is all about !!

 

[kilee]

For the MK parade we had always sat by Liberty Tavern. On our last trip, we wanted to go see our pictures when the parade was over so we decided on Main Street. It was crowded and there was still 45 minutes to go (slow season too). Anyway, we were able to get a spot on the corner between a garbage can and the roped off area right by Casey's the hot dog place. It was great we had room and 3 floats stopped in front of us. My son got pulled into the parade even, which had never happened before. I don't think I'll sit anywhere but on Main Street now.
As for Fantasmic, this is our first time seeing it (we usually leave the parks before night. Usually we go in April and it is hot and busy. DH was in an accident a few years ago, shattered one of his legs. Anyhow, he has trouble with all that walking, and he says no to a wheelchair. When we were there 2 weeks ago he did great and we stayed for almost all the night time events.) We got there almost 50 minuted early and there are no more than 100 people there. Nobody was sitting on the short benches right in the front. We asked the CM if we could and he said to go ahead. Anyway they make the annoucement about the possibility of getting wet. I have heard this several times w/ Disney and Universal now, and I barely get more than misted (obviously not talking kali or sp mt.). So we thought we'd be fine. It had been a warm day, and we were in shorts and t-shirts. Anyway it was cooling off fast and we GOT WET!! Luckily, we had a dry trip so far and I had my cheap ponchos in our bag. Once we put them on, we enjoyed the up close view immensely.
As for illuminations, we sat in front of Japan and thought we could of done better.
MGM-- we sat right in front of the photo shop there and thought it was just okay of a view. Not too much interaction.

 

[jfulcer]

There's a wall between the outside seating are of Pecos Bills restraunt and the walkway. It looks like it's made of sticks, and has a rock base. If you sit on that rock base, facing the intersection by Splash Mountain it's a GREAT seat. CM's won't let you park strollers or wheelchairs there, but also won't let anyone else sit in front of you cause theres not enough room. Then, since that's right where the entrance/end of the parade is if you just saw the start of the parade, you can walk down the walkway past Alladin's ride and see the parade again.

 

[ErinASB]

Illuminations-We stood between Mexico and Norway and had a great, unobstructed view. No trees or anything. We got there about 45 minutes early and we're glad we did. Quite a few people tried to crowd in front of us. But, we held our ground and were rewarded with a super show.

Fireworks at MK-We sat on one of benches aound the Disney and Mickey statue in front of the castle. There are trees, but we kept scooting over until we got good view. The view also turned out to be great to watch Tinkerbell fly. We actually staked our place almost two hours before the fireworks. Once again, we're glad we did. People were everywhere. I was very concerned that we wouldn't be able to sit and see, with all of the people standing in front of us. But, while the show was going on, I didn't see another person.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Birnbaum's suggests the bridge next to China for Illuminations

 

[DebbieB]

At MK, I like to be in Town Square, Main Street or at the hub in front of the castle. Frontierland just seems too narrow to me. We watched the Christmas Parade last year in Liberty Square and it was too dark.

A good spot for Illuminations if you don't want to wait is in front of Japan or Morocco. You can usually grab a last minute spot there and still have a good view of the globe. Plus a quick exit out the International Gateway.

 

[TigerLaw]

This is my ALL TIME FAVORITE TIP to give out regarding WDW (of course I have to admit up front my girlfriend discovered it, not me) anyway, for MK parades, sit down on the benches by the shooting gallery. then, when the CPs set up the rope line, move the benches right up to the line! instant front row seating! Now, I must state that we have done this several times, and one time, during MVMCP, a mean CP manager made us move the benches back and did it to five other families within a span of 15 minutes. Now, a trick here is that the benches on the opposite side of the parade route (where you would be looking at the shooting gallery) also move and there was less of an issue made doing this trick with those benches.

For illuminations, I recommend the bar area at rose and crown, but these seats can be gone well in advance of the show.

Finally, for MGM, I suggest the top of the steps at the old ABC theatre for a nice unobstructed view.

hope this helps!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Bump

 

[yasuern]

We like to watch the MK parades in the Liberty square area near the flagpole - usually(at least the few times we watched from here) not that crowded.

Fantasmic - We like to sit in the Scar or Mickey section - these are the two center sections - we usually get there 1hour early and sit half way down - Now the CM's job is to occassionally squeeze people towards the center so as to accomadate more folks - so if you want to stay at the edges/aisle if you are in the Scar section or left as you look the at the show area sit as far right as you can - if you are in the Mickey section sit as far left as you can - because the ask everyone to slide to the middle towards the center which is these two sections.

Illuminations - Fav spot is on a boat - other than that we had good veiwing right after Mexico but before Norway - and we also veiwed near Italy, and once near Canada all times gd views. Be forewarned - if you see a spot grab and stake your claim - I have been the victim of a family who just literally attempted to push us out of our spot by actually pushing - I told them their young ones could stand in front with ours but they were not getting in front of us - it worked out the 4 kids in front and 4 adults right behind them. I think parents just want their children to have the best possible everything at WDW that sometimes common sense and manners go out the window.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

For Illuminations, there can be no better place than the porch of the R&C, but it's a feat to get these prized seats (it's doable during Value Season). So if not the R&C, then by the lagoon in Front of Germany.


Pat

 

[Bill3]

If your watching Spectromagic the 2nd show is alot less crowded than the first. We also sit by the shooting gallery, the CMs are less strict at the 2nd parade. We sometimes watch them both.The daytime parades at any park are dependant on crowds. If its busy every location is hot, crowded and full of rude people. If the crowds aren't to bad it doesn't make much difference.

 

[Cebhfhionn]

Hi,

I just wanted to thank whoever posted about the viewing of Tinkerbell right before the fireworks begin. I stood on the bridge between Main Street & Tomorrowland and she flew right over my head!!! Boy, was I a happy, happy girl!!!

Thanks so much!!! You are all the best!!!

Brightest Blessings!
Polly

 

[ilovefh]

We love to watch Fantasy in the Sky from the beach at the Poly.
For Spectro. you can't beat the atmosphere of Main Street, but we have found that the least crowded areas are in Lib. Square and frontierland. Our fave is spot is right before the parade goes over the bridge from Lib. Square.