Which parade is more crowded?

[karylrocks]

Is the afternoon or evening parade generally more crowded, specifically on a Wednesday in June when the park closes early for grad night? I am trying to help a friend plan a one-day trip for her and her 11yo son who has never been to DL so I am trying to really limit wait times. She definitely wants to see the fireworks at 8:45 also.

 

[iceskatejen]

I would suggest the second one, in a spot near the castle so that she can get a good fireworks spot immediately after the parade. These fireworks are really worth the wait it takes to get the right spot.

 

[MATTERHORN]

I personally have experienced that the afternoon is more crowded than the evening. I don't know if it's that a lot of people tend to stay till the 3:00 parade is over and then head out of the park for a rest/dinner or what, but it just seems to be packed tighter in the afternoon.

I think a lot of people with little kids are out of the park by the evening parade! Luckily, ours can hang with the best of them so we take advantage when the park is open late! I hope they have a great time!

Andrea

 

[hlbtimes2]

I've never had a problem getting a spot for either one. I recomend a spot back toward IASW, rather then on main street. People tend to line the sides of main street, and its easier to get a spot by the matterhorn or IASW.

 

[karylrocks]

Does the parade always start at IASW and end on Main Street? I used to think that the first parade went one direction and the last one went the other, but the last couple of times I have seen it, once in the afternoon, a different day in the evening, it started at IASW both times. Actually I am picturing every parade I have seen going that direction. Maybe I am thinking of WDW that goes both ways.

 

[iceskatejen]

No--the 3:15 parade starts at IASW. The 7:00 parade starts on Main Street. The only times you might see the evening parade start at IASW is when there's only one parade, which is common on weekdays.

 

[Janomi]

Having been at both, I agree that the 3pm one seems to feel a lot busier than the later one. Also, the parade at 3pm usually starts from IASM and ends on Main Street, and reverse for the evening show.

If I had one day, I would agree with iceskatejen. Find a spot for the evening parade, and immediately following keep or find a nicer spot for the fireworks. Hope there are a few people in the party so you can rotate saving the spots while the others are seeing the rest of the park or going on rides.

 

[fruit_smoothie]

I heard from my friend that the afternoon one is packed compared to the evening one and also you can get good firework spots right from the parade when your done to see the show of fireworks