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Parades |
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 Magic
Kingdom Parades
Nobody does a parade like Disney!
Parades at the Magic Kingdom are truly spectacular. During these daily
extravaganzas guests are treated to a combination of floats, dancers and Disney
characters all marching to the beat of the latest Disney imagination. The
special affects are first rate and the entertainment value is second to none. |
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| Parade Fact: During each parade the second story windows on the buildings along
the parade route open and close automatically to reveal speakers, which play
music that is synchronized with the floats. |
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Disney Parades:
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Typically there are two parades held daily at the Magic Kingdom. One is commonly
referred to as the afternoon parade and is held at 3:00pm. The second parade is
referred to as the evening parade and is staged at around 9:00pm. During the
less busy times of the year the evening parade will often be omitted during the
week days, but generally it will be offered year round on the weekends. If the
evening parade is a must see for you and yours, then phone ahead (407) 824-4321
and check for when and if it will be presented during your stay.
The route is the same for each parade and will either set out from Town Square
making its way to Frontierland or start at Frontierland and make its way to Town
Square. This variation will most likely depend upon the time of day and where
the previous parade ended.
When the parade initiates from Town Square it will make its way around Town
Square then head down Main Street, travel around the central hub passing in
front of Cinderella Castle, before crossing the bridge that leads to Liberty
Square. After making its way through Liberty Square it will briefly pass through
Frontierland, before disappearing through a large gate and into a staging area
behind Splash Mountain.
Where is the best spot?
All along the parade route well before the parade starts guests can be seen
standing, sitting and perched from every available piece of real estate that
offers a view. The thought for the day here is first come first serve. If you
don’t want to be standing 4 or 5 people deep wondering what all the cheering is
about, then there is no other choice but to plant yourself somewhere before a
family from Ohio does.
Here are our picks for the spots that offer the best view.
Take a tip from the Disney stake your claim early, because the best spots go
to those who arrive first. What do we mean by early? Typically the prime viewing
locations begin to fill up anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours before
parade time. If you pay attention you will sense when the time to pounce has
come. As you look around you will at first see a group here and a group there.
This will be your cue to head to your first choice, because those small groups
will turn into a crowd before you can say Mickey Mouse.
Afternoon parade:
Sleepy Hollow Snack Shop – This location can be found by crossing the bridge
that leads from the central hub to Liberty Square. As soon as you cross the
bridge look to your right for this open-air snack bar. Arrive early grab a drink
and a snack and position yourself at a table along the railing. This location
works best when the parade initiates at Town Square.
Liberty Square – The covered walkway between Liberty Tree Tavern and The
Horseshoe Saloon Revue
The Evening Parade
That fact that the sun will have long since gone down opens up a number of other
choice viewing locations. Here again you and yours will be required to arrive
early.
In addition to those spots listed above as picks for the afternoon parade, which
will also serve as prime locations for the evening parade, we have listed some
additional choices.
The Main Street Railroad Platform – One of the best advantage points is the
upper platform of the Walt Disney World Railroad Station at the Town Square end
of Main Street. This is also an excellent advantage point for Fantasy in the Sky
Fireworks that often follows the evening parade. The challenge here is that you
will have to stake out your spot as much as an hour and a half to two hours in
advance of parade time. If this is your choice you will find you are in a good
position to exit the park, because as the parade ends you will be competing with
literally tens of thousands of people for the exit.
Between Sleepy Hollow Snack Shop and the Castle – In between the Sleepy Hollow
Snack Shop and the Castle is a walkway that provides an excellent viewing
location when the parade departs from Town Square.
An additional thought or two about the evening parade
During the busier times of the year when the park hours are extended guests
maybe treated to not just one but two evening parades. Guests can look for the
first parade to be presented at around 8:00pm and a second later in the evening,
usually around 11:00pm. It is worth noting here that the earlier parade is often
more crowded than the later one.
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| Disney Tip: If you are touring the Magic Kingdom on one of these bonus
nights and plan on being there for the duration consider catching the second of
the two evening parades. In doing so you will be able to take advantage of the
traffic pattern that will unfold during these special nights. Due to the large
number of guests lining the parade route for the first parade many of the
attractions will see some of their shortest waits of the day. Take advantage of
this and enjoy some of the headline attractions that may have been too crowded
earlier. |
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How do I get there from here?
Traffic patterns are greatly influenced by the daily parades. Once the parade
starts to make it’s way through the Magic Kingdom guests will find it impossible
to cross from one part of the park to the other. This is due the fact that the
parade will literally cut the park into two sections. For example those who find
themselves on the Adventureland side will be unable to cross over to Fantasyland
or Tomorrowland. So if you do not plan on viewing the parade and want to ride a
particular attraction make sure you are where you need to be before the parade
starts.
All who leave this happy place
Following the evening parade and fireworks literally tens of thousands of guest
will make their way to the exit. Please note that the word exit is singular. All
who wish to leave this the “happiest place on earth” will need to pass down Main
Street, back under the Main Street railway platform and then through the
turnstiles. So, unless you decide to leave this the World Series of vacations in
the sixth inning you will need to be prepared to face large crowds of exhausted
guests leading herds of tired and cranky kids, as they jockey for a spot on a
monorail, bus or ferry like it was the last seat on a lifeboat.
Second thoughts?
Having second thoughts about whether one of the Magic Kingdom parades is worth
the hassle? Don’t. We are going to close this subject the way we opened it.
Nobody does parades like Disney and they are indeed truly spectacular. With just
a little planning you and yours can be treated to this special brand of Disney
entertainment that is most certainly worth the effort.
The kids have waited years for this
Here we are going to offer a couple of possible touring plans that will work the
evening parade into your itinerary without causing your troops to question the
wisdom of their leader. Make sure that the Magic Kingdom will be open late and
will be offering an evening parade (407) 824-4321.
Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort
If you are staying at a Walt Disney World resort considering returning to your
hotel early to mid afternoon for a swim and nap.
Arrive early at the Magic Kingdom when the park first opens. Follow your touring
plan enjoying as many attractions as you are able until the crowds start to
build. Then around 1:00pm break off and head back to your resort for a lunch,
swim and a break. You will experience and enjoy more between your 8:30am arrival
and 1:00pm departure, then will be gained by those guests who remain to fight
the crowds the rest of the day. Around 5:00pm or 6:00pm head back to the Magic
Kingdom with the sole intent of enjoying the evening parade. Around an hour and
half to two hours prior to the parade pick out your first choice for a viewing
location and plant yourself there. You can take turns monitoring the spot or
have someone run and get a snack or even a fast food offering to be brought back
and shared with everyone. It really can be a relaxing time during which you can
people watch and just take in some of the often over looked details that are
everywhere.
Staying off Disney Property or just don’t want to be bothered returning to your
resort
Plan to make the day of it? No problem. Our advice is still essentially the
same. Plan for a break. One possibility would be to make a priority seating for
a character meal in the Magic Kingdom. This relaxing, nourishing and enjoyable
experience is a welcomed and much needed break from the heat, crowds and lines.
Option One
One such possible character meal and break would be a late lunch at the Crystal
Palace for around 2:30-3:00pm. Prices are less then dinner and you can make it
your big meal of the day. The restaurant while winding down from lunch will not
feel rushed. To make a priority seating before leaving home call (407) WDW-DINE.
Crystal Palace Located near Main Street. Lunch is served here buffet style with
Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet all in attendance.
Lunch Adult-$16.99, Child-$9.29 (ages 3-11) Priority seating is recommended To
make a priority seating before leaving home call (407) WDW-DINE.
Option Two
A second plan that allows for a nice break and chance to recharge your batteries
is an early character dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern. Enjoy a relaxing dinner
around 4:30pm or 5:00pm and when you are finished the temperature will have
dropped and you can claim your spot for the evening parade.
Liberty Tree Tavern Located in Liberty Square
This early American style restaurant offers a character meal at dinner with
Minnie, Chip, Dale and Pluto on hand. Your meal will be served up family style
and will include such wholesome favorites such as ham, turkey, flank steak,
vegetables and salad. Dinner Adult-$19.95, Child-$9.95 (ages 3-11)
Priority seating is recommended. To make a priority seating before leaving home
call (407) WDW-DINE.
Option Three
Touring with young children
Plan to arrive when the park opens and make the most of the less crowded and
cooler portion of the day. A nice idea is to depart about 1:00pm for the
Wilderness Lodge. This is a nearby Disney resort that can be enjoyed easily by
catching the ferry just outside the turnstiles at the front entrance to the
park. The short ten-minute boat ride will transport you to another world. This
family friendly resort has plenty of lounge areas many hidden away on the second
and third floor enclaves over looking the lobby. Find a spot where the kids can
rest and you can recharge your batteries. There are two very family friendly
dining options available at the Wilderness Lodge. If you are on a budget The
Roaring Fork is one of the best counter service restaurants on Disney property.
Another family friendly choice for those who would like the food brought to them
would be the Whispering Canyon.
Whispering Canyon Café Located at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Cuisine: American
Prices: Moderate
Priority seating recommended for dinner T To make a priority seating before
leaving home call (407) WDW-DINE.
More comfortable than formal this restaurant is located just off the hotel’s
eight-story lobby. The restaurant boasts a family style all you care to eat
offering for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as, an a al carte menu for
those not wanting to stuff themselves silly. |
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