Where's the best place to watch the DL parade?

[mousecrazy]

I think I remember reading that Ridemax suggests a place to view the parade?? Are there any secret viewing spots - ones you don't have to camp out at to get a front row spot?

 

[mystic_path]

Well it depends if your catching a 3pm show or a 6pm show... if its 3pm then the parade starts at IASW and ends in mainstreet, so your best bet would be to sit somewhere by IASW. That way you are the first to see the parade and the first to leave while the rest of the park is watching the parade. When the majority is sitting down you might as well take advantage of the shorter rides.

Same as the 6pm show, except sit on mainstreet and catch the parade there then then head out to the rides or attractions.

 

[godalejunior]

So if I am understanding correctly.........first show starts at IASW and second show starts from Main Street?

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

Yes, but only on weekends or when there are 2 parades. Otherwise, during weekdays when there is only one parade, the evening one, then that starts at IASW ( the opposite of what it does when there are 2 parades that day). Hope that makes sense. Also, what float stops in front of you depends on where you are watching the parade. There was a great thread on this on another board. I'll see if I can find it and post the link.

 

[mystic_path]

Yes, but only on weekends or when there are 2 parades. Otherwise, during weekdays when there is only one parade, the evening one, then that starts at IASW ( the opposite of what it does when there are 2 parades that day). Hope that makes sense. Also, what float stops in front of you depends on where you are watching the parade. There was a great thread on this on another board. I'll see if I can find it and post the link.

I know exactly what thread your talking about. That would be great if you came across it.

My favorite spot is the half way mark by the Matterhorn, facing Astro Oribitors

 

[DangerMouse]

I think the spot you are talking about is on the trail between the hub and Alice, across from the Matterhorn and almost directly in front of the bathrooms. The reason it's such an awesome spot is b/c there is no seating on the opposite side, so all the characters give you their full attention as they go by.

 

[mystic_path]

I think the spot you are talking about is on the trail between the hub and Alice, across from the Matterhorn and almost directly in front of the bathrooms. The reason it's such an awesome spot is b/c there is no seating on the opposite side, so all the characters give you their full attention as they go by.

Yeah The first float with Tink and Peter Pan stopped right there and Peter Pan came flying around the corner and entertained us. It was fab. The lion king also stopped there, as did Alice in Wonderland.

 

[momto2nenas]

Do the parade floats generally stop in the same location? Last year the 1st float (Peter Pan and Tink) stopped in front of us and then the Princesses. We would LOVE to get the same spot since DD loves the Princesses.

 

[mousecrazy]

Good stuff! Thanks.

I would love to know the order of the floats and where along the route do they stop.

 

[ChrisMouse]

Ok, so let me see if I understand...the day we want to see the parade is a Tuesday, and there's only one parade that day, so it will start at IASW.

Where is the best spot for us in that scenario? Should we try to find this path between the hub & alice?

Anyone who can give me a good suggestion (with great details regarding exactly where to go so that the floats stop, etc.) I appreciate the help!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I like to sit in the area between the hub and Alice. Its on the same side as Alice, and there is a long, stone bench that is always shady and very comfy. There are bathrooms nearby too which is handy. As I recall when the parade started at IASW, we had either the Pinnochio float or the Lion King one. But that is hazy so don't quote me. There will be something for you to see in a stop mode regardless of where you sit. This area I am talking about is across from the Fantasyland side of the Matterhorn que, near King Tritons Garden. I just love sitting on a bench in the shade! I think I am talking about pretty much the same spot Mystic Path and Dangermouse are talking about.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

I found the post that I was looking for with info. on the float stops for the parade:
Here it is:

We are going to use this on our upcoming trip (10 more days!) so that we will be able to see a lot of the float stops that we haven't seen yet!

Also, here is a link to the entire thread on this subject:
mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=67053&highlight=parade+stops




Here's a general description of each float so you get an idea for the flow.

1) Peter Pan driving the train with Mickey floral (also with Tinker Bell, Blue Fairy, Fairy Godmother, Flora, Fauna, Merryweather, and now Merlin). For the show stop, Peter gets out of the train and all the characters (except Tinker Bell) do a dance routine.

2) Beauty and the Beast (Belle, Beast, Mrs. Potts, Chip, Cogsworth, and an entourage of plates, forks, knives, and spoons). Show stop is primarily a dance routine.

3) Geppetto acting as puppeteer to two live marionettes with Russian "bungee flippers" (also with Jiminy Cricket, Cleo, Pinocchio, Foulfellow, Gideon, and an entourage of wind-up toys). Show stop involves dance routine, but also raising of the bungee tower for some awesome flipping stunts. This is my favorite show stop.

4) Ariel (live Ariel atop an underwater world with Flounder and Sebastian, led by dancing seaweed and pearls). Show stop involved dance routine by those on the ground. Ariel can't do too much but sing along from atop her perch.

5) Ursula (huge Sea Witch float led by black pearls and Flotsom and Jetsum). Again, the show stop is dancing by those on the ground, though I find it pretty funny watching this huge robotic Ursula singing along to "Welcome to our family time! Welcome to our brotherly time!" while normally she's taunting everyone.

6) Alice in Wonderland (Caterpillar and various Wonderland creatures adorn the float as Alice and the Mad Hatter play with each other. It's led by very tall bouncing flowers, playing cards, the Queen of Hearts, Tweedle Dee [or Dum] in a tea cup, and the White Rabbit on roller blades). During the show stop, Alice and the Mad Hatter come down from the float while the playing cards come up and do gymnastics on the trampoline in the float's center. This is my second favorite show stop.

7) Lion King (Rafiki, Simba, Nala, Pumbaa, Zazu and birds on the float led by Timon and a host of African animals). Show stop includes raising of the tree the birds are attached to so they can perform stunts on their rope. This is my third favorite show stop.

8) The castle (Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale, Donald, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella all on the float with Goofy and the Seven Dwarfs leading the way). Show stop is primarly a dance routine.

Okay, so I lied a little--Peter Pan getting out of his train to do his dance is my favorite show stop, but I'm terribly biased! Other than that little obsession, the three I listed are my favorites. Since this post ended up being so long, I'll do another one for where they all stop.
_________________

This is to the best of my knowledge, which is much stronger in the Fantasyland area. I have seen the parade a couple of times from Main Street, but my exact knowledge for that area is limited. Perhaps someone else can clear up some of my "probablies."

Parade Route from IASW to Main Street (first parade of the day--3:30 on days with two parades, 7:00 on days with one):

Peter Pan
1) Just below the Matterhorn before Triton Gardens
2) Not exactly sure, but somewhere along Main Street.
3) Just before the parade exit in front of the Mad Hatter shop

Beauty and the Beast
1) Near the bathrooms below Alice in Wonderland across from the Matterhorn
2) Again, not exactly sure, but just after the Peter one around Main Street.
3) In front of the Main Street Train Station

Pinocchio
1) Between the Mad Tea Party and Alice in Wonderland.
2) Not exactly sure, but probably around Coke Corner or the south side of the Hub
3) Around City Hall

Ariel
1) In front of the Mad Tea Party
2) Near the Hub
3) Around the Fire House

Ursula
1) In front of Storybook Land
2) Around the Hub
3) Across from the Emporium

Alice in Wonderland
1) Between Storybook Land and Small World
2) Between the Hub and Triton Gardens
3) Just past Ursula on Main Street, near the Magic Shop

Lion King
1) In front of the entrance to Small World
2) Near Triton Gardens
3) In front of the Market House on Main Street

Castle
1) In front of the queue for Small World (usually you can't watch from there, though)
2) Near the restrooms below Alice in Wonderland
3) At the end of Main Street near Coke Corner


Parade Route from Main Street to IASW (7:00 ONLY on days there are two parades):

Peter Pan
1) Not exactly sure, but probably near Coke Corner
2) In front of Alice in Wonderland
3) In front of the queue for Small World (again, you usually can't watch from here)

Beauty and the Beast
1)Not exactly sure, but probably near the Market House on Main Street
2) Near the restrooms below Alice in Wonderland and Triton Gardens
3) In front of the entrance to Small World

Pinocchio
1) Not sure, but probably near the Magic Shop
2) Again, not quite sure, but most likely just past the Hub
3) Between Small World and Storybook Land

Ariel
1) Probably near the Emporium
2) Probably right around the Hub
3) Just above Storybook Land

Ursula
1) Probably near the Fire House
2) Probably just below the Hub
3) In front of Storybook Land

Alice in Wonderland
1) In front of the Main Street Train Station
2) Probably right around Coke Corner
3) In front of the Mad Tea Party

Lion King
1) In front of the Opera House
2) Probably around the Market House
3) Near the restrooms below Alice in Wonderland

Castle
1) In front of the Mad Hatter on Main Street
2) Probably near the Magic Shop
3) In front of Triton Gardens


Like I said, this is all to the best of my knowledge, which is sketchy at best in regards to Main Street. I do know that if you're watching from the Train Station (up above everything), you can see a lot of the show stops at once. My favorite place to watch is from the spot between Alice in Wonderland and the Tea Cups because you can show up 15 minutes before the parade starts and still get a front row seat because that's when they set up the rope turning it from a walkway into a viewing area. There's not a lot of viewing there, so you need to be there when the rope is set up, but there's a lot of character interaction because there's no viewing from the Matterhorn queue across the street so all the focus is on you. And the bungee guys stop right in front of you for the first parade, and Peter for the second! I've seen this parade dozens of times and I still tend to watch it when I come as a guest. I have to show everyone I bring to the park because it truly is a phenomenal parade, so even if you do end up watching it 4 times, it won't be time wasted.

Okay, hopefully this wasn't information overload. Please help me fill in some of the "probably" gaps if you are able!

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

I forgot to mention that if you go to the link for the entire thread, it may fill in some of the "probably" gaps that the op mentioned. There are several pages of discussion there. Hope this is helpful!

 

[mattmommy]

Are there any "premium" spots we can do a tour and get? We're flying from NJ to see our 6 year old cousin dance at the parade.

 

[mystic_path]

Oh My! Thanks disneyfan4ever54 for the list, I copy and pasted it. Its gonna go into my little folder for future use.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

You are very welcome! When I first saw that post, I was amazed that the person took all that time and effort to explain each float and where to see it. It is such a great piece of information! When we went last September, I had no idea where to sit etc. as we were just seeing it for the first time. Now that we have seen 2 different float stops, we can follow this information and hopefully catch the rest of them! I copied it and put it in my DIsneyland notebook which is coming with us for our trip the week after next!

 

[mousecrazy]

disneyfan4ever54- I'll add my big THANK YOU too. That was a most excellent thread on the parade. I'm glad you found the link!

I've watched previous parades near Alice and I agree it's a great, relatively crowd free place to enjoy the parade. The steps leading up to IASW are also a pretty good place to hang out and get a place to sit.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

disneyfan4ever54- I'll add my big THANK YOU too. That was a most excellent thread on the parade. I'm glad you found the link!

I've watched previous parades near Alice and I agree it's a great, relatively crowd free place to enjoy the parade. The steps leading up to IASW are also a pretty good place to hang out and get a place to sit.

You're very welcome also! Glad to help I've been thinking about seeing the parade from the place that you mentioned and I think we will try it out ....sounds great!

 

[hrhlaurie]

I have a related parade question - so the area near Alice and bathrooms sounds great and we decide we want to view the parade from that spot. One of two of us find a bench that seats 3 - 4 and we put the stroller next to us so plenty of space.

What is the seat saving protocol? If I get there and the bench is available, then is it tacky to put our jackets down and I sit there saving seats for an hour or whatever?

Usually I catch parades on the fly but taking a 3 yo means I need to get seats early so she can see and enjoy but I don't want to be obnoxious about it.

 

[leslie_537]

The best place to get pictures is from the train station!