Where to watch Pixar parade?

[Luckymommatoo]

Hi! I'm going to be at DCA fairly soon with my 2 and 4-year-old niece and nephew. Any recommendations as to a good spot for the Pixar parade at 5:15? Hoping not to wait more than 30 minutes. Thanks!

 

[Epek]

On Father's Day, we had great luck in front of Ariel's. It was only 1/2 full 30 mins before the parade. Keep in mind, this is closer to the end of the route. Even though we weren't that early, it felt like a long wait!

 

[mystic_path]

Not everyone will do this, but this is a really cool tip regardless. If anyone ever plans to eat at the Wine Country Trattoria, find out the DCA schedule ahead of time and pre-make reservations for when the parade is going to start and eat out on the patio by the road. You get a nice meal and a show all in one We do this every trip and plan to do it again in September.

 

[zukeeper]

I second the Ariel spot. They have a rope up for the walkway and we sat right in front next to the rope. We got there about 15 min before. Most people sit back a bit but you can go to where the pavement changes color and sit down.

 

[cgh]

A s/o (if that's okay). If you want to eat take out from flo's or the mexican place, where would you plan on seeing the parade?

 

[HopLow1968]

Not everyone will do this, but this is a really cool tip regardless. If anyone ever plans to eat at the Wine Country Trattoria, find out the DCA schedule ahead of time and pre-make reservations for when the parade is going to start and eat out on the patio by the road. You get a nice meal and a show all in one We do this every trip and plan to do it again in September.

Hmmm, I wonder if this tip can be combined with a Wine Country Trattoria World of Color Dining package?

 

[courtneybeth]

Yes! We were able to do this one night - which was fun. Dinner and a show... and a show

Just prepare your timing in advance. And request to be seated down below by the rails. Otherwise they may shove you upstairs and you can't see anything.

 

[HopLow1968]

Yes! We were able to do this one night - which was fun. Dinner and a show... and a show

Just prepare your timing in advance. And request to be seated down below by the rails. Otherwise they may shove you upstairs and you can't see anything.

Thank you! We'll definitely have to do this!

 

[HopLow1968]

Do the day time parades (pixar, soundsational) run daily in off-season? Or just on weekends? We're going in October

 

[courtneybeth]

The daytime parades should, but no idea on the schedules. You'd have to check the times. Wine Country World of Color dining package won't fill up on your 60 day reservation date so you can wait a bit to reserve until you see the actual schedule!

 

[mystic_path]

Hmmm, I wonder if this tip can be combined with a Wine Country Trattoria World of Color Dining package?

Yes it can! We have done both the WOC dining package, and just a regular lunch while watching the parade. We booked the WOC dining at the Wine Country this September and have full plans to watch the parade during this time.

 

[Metalliman98]

Not everyone will do this, but this is a really cool tip regardless. If anyone ever plans to eat at the Wine Country Trattoria, find out the DCA schedule ahead of time and pre-make reservations for when the parade is going to start and eat out on the patio by the road. You get a nice meal and a show all in one We do this every trip and plan to do it again in September.

We did this in May and it was great. We are going in August and are doing the WoC dinner at Carthay, and are going to try to get outdoor seating on the balcony for a different view. Has anyone done that, and if so how's the view?

 

[courtneybeth]

We've only had Fireworks viewing on the patio and it's great - they pipe in the music so you get the "full experience". As for the view, you definitely see a lot of "down below" so you'll be fine for the parade.

 

[Epek]

A s/o (if that's okay). If you want to eat take out from flo's or the mexican place, where would you plan on seeing the parade?

We ate at the Mexican restaurant before heading for our spot by Ariel! Easy, close walk. If you go with Flo's, maybe there will be spots right outside of Carsland? If not, just head towards the pier and you're bound to find something not too far away.

 

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

We got a great spot near the water on the opposite side of Wine Country Trattoria. DH got ice cream sundaes fron Ghirardelli and we sat and watched the parade. It was perfect!

 

[ktlm]

Hmmm, I wonder if this tip can be combined with a Wine Country Trattoria World of Color Dining package?

We did it last week and last year. Even if you are seated at a table where you can't see the parade, they will let you take the kids down to the railing (not the first level were diners can't see over you, but the second), to watch - which is what happened to us last year. They actually held DD's meal until she came back. This year, we had made our reservation for 5:00 p.m. hoping to be seated in time for the 5:15 parade, but then found out the Inside Out Pre-Parade Float comes at 5:00. We showed up about 4:40 (1. to try to get a table where we could see the parade from the table; and 2. because it is about impossible to get to that restaurant in the few minutes before the parade since it is on the parade route). They were going to seat us immediately at a table upstairs where you can't see the parade from the tables. We asked if we could be seated downstairs at a table on the side to see the parade. They told us if we were willing to wait 30 minutes, they could do that. Worked for us because that would have been right when the parade started, and we also knew that they would let us watch from the rail if we were there waiting on a table. We were seated within 10 minutes at a great table to watch the parade!

 

[mystic_path]

We did it last week and last year. Even if you are seated at a table where you can't see the parade, they will let you take the kids down to the railing (not the first level were diners can't see over you, but the second), to watch - which is what happened to us last year. They actually held DD's meal until she came back. This year, we had made our reservation for 5:00 p.m. hoping to be seated in time for the 5:15 parade, but then found out the Inside Out Pre-Parade Float comes at 5:00. We showed up about 4:40 (1. to try to get a table where we could see the parade from the table; and 2. because it is about impossible to get to that restaurant in the few minutes before the parade since it is on the parade route). They were going to seat us immediately at a table upstairs where you can't see the parade from the tables. We asked if we could be seated downstairs at a table on the side to see the parade. They told us if we were willing to wait 30 minutes, they could do that. Worked for us because that would have been right when the parade started, and we also knew that they would let us watch from the rail if we were there waiting on a table. We were seated within 10 minutes at a great table to watch the parade!

That's the one thing I love about the parks. They are extremely accommodating to your needs and wants. Despite all the people, Disney has this one on one way of making you feel like you are the only person in the park that matters and will do their best to make your day there amazing.