I read this from a "Most Scenic Restaurant" post a day or two ago from Tink 33
"Here is my secret dining tip. Book a ps for Wine Country Trattoria (in DCA) about 30 minutes before the Electric Parade is scheduled to begin. If eating dinner that late won't work, just go for dessert or a glass of wine. Wait to be seated in the outdoor patio overlooking the walkway. You will have a premium view of the parade for the cost of dessert."
I requested an 8:15 PM PS just yesterday but was given 8:30 (the parade starts at 8:45). I'm a little uneasy that this will be too late to get a patio table. I chatted with the CM taking the reservation about wanted to see the parade and she indicated that she thought the 8:30 PS for the 8:45 parade would be "perfect", but I'm not so confident. There is a $53 Electrical Parade desert buffet offered now (just like with Fantasmic ), but it hardly seems worth it unless you don't mind spending lots of money. You can get pretty good spots for the ELP without too long of a wait if you don't mind sitting on the ground.