Where to sit for parades without a FP+

[floydfamily4]

Hi all. The last time I went to MK (6 years ago) we were able to find a spot along the parade route and see the parade from there. Now I believe there are FP+ to see the parades and I am a little confused about it. Are all the rope areas around the parade route blocked for FP+ or is it just a section of the route. I don't think we will be using a FP+ for a parade but may want to see it. Hope the question makes sense! Thanks!

 

[hammie59]

The FP+ is a specific roped off area. You can still line up along the rope by the curb etc. Nothing else is different. Somewhere on here is a map showing the FP+ areas. No worries if you don't get a FP.

 

[Noelle Powell]

Hi Floydfamily4,

Last time we went to MK was 6 years ago as well. We just recently returned home from 2 week vacation at Ft. Wilderness. We did not use any FP+ for any parades at any of the parks and were lucky enough to get great spots 30 minutes before hand. If you look on Pinterest, they advise what & where the best spots for a Disney parade are. One advice was to stand behind a garbage can, that way no one will stand in front of you during the parade. No cameras, IPhones, or IPads blocking your view. This seem to hold true when we waited & watched the 3pm Festival of Fantasy Parade in Frontierland. We had the best view for pictures.

Wishes the best spot is the new Castle area towards Tomorrowland. Main Street is way too crowded. This way you can still see Tinkerbell fly from the castle. Again got a spot 45 minutes before hand.

Yes, I believe there's a section along the parade route they rope off for folks with FP+. According to what I read on Pinterest it's not really recommended to use a FP+ for a parade, especially if there's a ride you'd rather use a FP+ on.

But to each his own. Good luck & have fun on your trip!

Regards,
Noelle

 

[Noelle Powell]

The FP+ is a specific roped off area. You can still line up along the rope by the curb etc. Nothing else is different. Somewhere on here is a map showing the FP+ areas. No worries if you don't get a FP.

Hammie59,

I agree with your statement regarding the MK parades.

Regards,
Noelle

 

[sersee05]

Great info#

 

[aVASTGrl]

Hi Floydfamily4,

One advice was to stand behind a garbage can, that way no one will stand in front of you during the parade. No cameras, IPhones, or IPads blocking your view. This seem to hold true when we waited & watched the 3pm Festival of Fantasy Parade in Frontierland. We had the best view for pictures.


Regards,
Noelle

This is my advice, as well. Put yourself right next to, or right behind the trashcan, and nobody can push you out of the way or step in front of you, since the rope goes right in front. I like the one on the corner of Main St. and the Plaza Restaurant, since it also provides a great fireworks vantage point! The trashcan technique is also very helpful to us solo travelers who don't have anyone to help hold a spot

 

[Robo]

A look at the MK Parade Route-

Disney's (MS) Electrical Parade starts near the Firehouse and exits near Splash Mtn.

The 3 O'Clock Parade (Festival of Fantasy) and both the MVMCP and MNSSHP parades start near Spalsh Mtn. and exit near the Firehouse.

Less crowded than on Main Street, but still spectacular viewing can be found near the Hall of Presidents, or deep into Frontierland, past the Country Bears. (But, from those locations you won't be able to see the spectacular, not-to-be-missed show that is actually projected on the front of the Castle, "Celebrate the Magic," which begins about 15 minutes before the fireworks.)

 

[Robo]

Below is a rough estimate of the Fireworks viewing spots
based on other posters' info on the boards and personal experience.

This is a new version of this map that features a representation of the new hub and its FP+ Wishes viewing areas.
At this point, I'm not sure how the new "outer sidewalks" will be allowed or blocked
for fireworks viewers.
Not all of the sidewalks I've depicted have actually been built, yet.
As the actual Hub construction goes along, I'll revamp the shaded areas.

 

[floydfamily4]

Below is a rough estimate of the Fireworks viewing spots
based on other posters' info on the boards and personal experience.

This is a new version of this map that features a representation of the new hub and its FP+ Wishes viewing areas.
At this point, I'm not sure how the new "outer sidewalks" will be allowed or blocked
for fireworks viewers.
Not all of the sidewalks I've depicted have actually been built, yet.
As the actual Hub construction goes along, I'll revamp the shaded areas.

Thank you! Awesome info!

 

[floydfamily4]

A look at the MK Parade Route-

Disney's (MS) Electrical Parade starts near the Firehouse and exits near Splash Mtn.

The 3 O'Clock Parade (Festival of Fantasy) and both the MVMCP and MNSSHP parades start near Spalsh Mtn. and exit near the Firehouse.

Less crowded than on Main Street, but still spectacular viewing can be found near the Hall of Presidents, or deep into Frontierland, past the Country Bears. (But, from those locations you won't be able to see the spectacular, not-to-be-missed show that is actually projected on the front of the Castle, "Celebrate the Magic," which begins about 15 minutes before the fireworks.)

[/QUOT
E]


Thank you!!

 

[floydfamily4]

This is my advice, as well. Put yourself right next to, or right behind the trashcan, and nobody can push you out of the way or step in front of you, since the rope goes right in front. I like the one on the corner of Main St. and the Plaza Restaurant, since it also provides a great fireworks vantage point! The trashcan technique is also very helpful to us solo travelers who don't have anyone to help hold a spot

Thanks!!

 

[floydfamily4]

Hi Floydfamily4,

Last time we went to MK was 6 years ago as well. We just recently returned home from 2 week vacation at Ft. Wilderness. We did not use any FP+ for any parades at any of the parks and were lucky enough to get great spots 30 minutes before hand. If you look on Pinterest, they advise what & where the best spots for a Disney parade are. One advice was to stand behind a garbage can, that way no one will stand in front of you during the parade. No cameras, IPhones, or IPads blocking your view. This seem to hold true when we waited & watched the 3pm Festival of Fantasy Parade in Frontierland. We had the best view for pictures.

Wishes the best spot is the new Castle area towards Tomorrowland. Main Street is way too crowded. This way you can still see Tinkerbell fly from the castle. Again got a spot 45 minutes before hand.

Yes, I believe there's a section along the parade route they rope off for folks with FP+. According to what I read on Pinterest it's not really recommended to use a FP+ for a parade, especially if there's a ride you'd rather use a FP+ on.

But to each his own. Good luck & have fun on your trip!

Regards,
Noelle

Thanks Noelle! When we were last there we actually sat on a bench in Frontierland and waiting while DH got dinner at Columbia House for us. It was a great spot and I wondered about it this time. I appreciate the personal experience - always a help!

 

[sersee05]

Thats great info... So it might be better to be over by hall of presidents for the festival of fantasy parade and then eventually head over to a trash can near the plaza for fireworks viewing. What is the "new castle area" toward tomorrowland..would that be considered the orange arm to the right on the map above?

We have never seen festival of fantasy . I was grabbing my fp+'s last night for my second mk day and was surprise to see all those fast passes were gone for the day. I wasn't grabbing one..but I was just surprised that I could get mines roller coaster but festival of fantasy was gone?

 

[Noelle Powell]

Thats great info... So it might be better to be over by hall of presidents for the festival of fantasy parade and then eventually head over to a trash can near the plaza for fireworks viewing. What is the "new castle area" toward tomorrowland..would that be considered the orange arm to the right on the map above?

We have never seen festival of fantasy . I was grabbing my fp+'s last night for my second mk day and was surprise to see all those fast passes were gone for the day. I wasn't grabbing one..but I was just surprised that I could get mines roller coaster but festival of fantasy was gone?

I won't worry too much about having a FP+ for any of the parades cause your still going to have folks blocking your view with kids on shoulders, cameras, phones, & IPads.

Yes, you may want to grab a spot anywhere between the New Castle Hub & the walkway to Tomrrowland for Wishes.

For the Festival of Fantasy Parade we were lucky enough to be behind 2 trash cans across from Country Bears. Me & my kids had a place to put our purse/backpack, which helped to have a free hand for excellent photos. Plus my 9 year old had a place to sit without blocking anyone's view.

Have fun on your trip!

 

[Noelle Powell]

Thanks Noelle! When we were last there we actually sat on a bench in Frontierland and waiting while DH got dinner at Columbia House for us. It was a great spot and I wondered about it this time. I appreciate the personal experience - always a help!

We were lucky enough to grab a spot behind 2 garbage cans across from Country Bear Jamboree.

 

[Noelle Powell]

We were lucky enough to grab a spot behind 2 garbage cans across from Country Bear Jamboree.

My apologize, my fingers pushed buttons before I finished my thought. Hate when that happens (Lol). Anyways I wanted to say your experience sounds like a great spot as well. I'll have to remember that. No problem and glad to be of help.

 

[ttintagel]

The porch of the Liberty Tree Tavern is also a good place for the MK parades if you can manage to get a spot there. There's not a ton of space up there, but since you're slightly elevated you get a better view. And the pillars can act as a crowd buffer.

 

[godders]

This is my advice, as well. Put yourself right next to, or right behind the trashcan, and nobody can push you out of the way or step in front of you, since the rope goes right in front. I like the one on the corner of Main St. and the Plaza Restaurant, since it also provides a great fireworks vantage point! The trashcan technique is also very helpful to us solo travelers who don't have anyone to help hold a spot

I am definitely going to have to take advantage of this on my next solo trip!