Parade reserved seating?

[midnight star]

How early do you think you'd have had to.be there if you didnt have that package?

People began camping out around 5pm. Like with blankets, costco pizza, etc.

 

[tsumgirl]

I did the package for the Main St Electrical Parade, as well, and was very happy with curb-side seating. I arrived about 15 min before the stated time on the voucher, but this was on a Wednesday, and was definitely one of the lower attendance days. If you're attending on the first day of the parade, I would anticipate the package selling out, and arrive no later than 45 min before the stated time just to get a decent view. Earlier, if possible.

Can someone explain to me what "One Plaza Inn credential" means?

The credential is a souvenir badge on a lanyard with the parade logo. It was a cute souvenir, but it's not necessary to wear it to enter the viewing area. The CM will be asking for the voucher.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Is there a parade at all right now, we’re going next week

The new parade starts 2/28. New ‘Magic Happens’ Parade to Premiere on Feb. 28, 2020 at Disneyland Park

 

[mdurette]

Can someone explain to me what "One Plaza Inn credential" means?

I'm wondering this too.....

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I'm wondering this too.....

See post #22 just above. It's a lanyard.

We did the package for the MSEP when it was offered at BB. We did enjoy it (and the parade!), but the reserved area was absolutely packed -- there wasn't even enough room for everyone who had the package -- CMs were trying to squeeze in late arrivals in the back (where there was no view at all). Reviews for the Holiday Parade package at Plaza Inn were not positive. We had posters here say that the view just across the way on the train station benches (free!) was better and more comfortable.

 

[Peachy0118]

I'll be curious to hear reviews of people who try to out when it first opens. We aren't going until April so hopefully there will be a few reviews by then

 

[UrsulaTime]

This has been helpful...I'm leaning towards cancelling, especially with the Boarding Group uncertainty in the mix. I will update if we keep it, though.

 

[PRomano]

What time is the 2nd parade? I booked the lunch today but might cancel

 

[UrsulaTime]

What time is the 2nd parade? I booked the lunch today but might cancel

Second parade is at 6pm

 

[PRomano]

Thank you!

 

[UrsulaTime]

I was going to cancel the dining package...and then I saw this: https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-storie...-for-magic-happens-parade-at-disneyland-park/
Is it just me or do those costumes and performers look AMAZING?!

there wasn't even enough room for everyone who had the package -- CMs were trying to squeeze in late arrivals in the back (where there was no view at all)

If you're attending on the first day of the parade, I would anticipate the package selling out, and arrive no later than 45 min before the stated time just to get a decent view. Earlier, if possible.

So let's assume this would add up to 1.5 - 2 hours of waiting. But if I'm willing to get there 1.5 - 2 hours early for the second parade, do you think I could still get a great viewing spot without the dining package? That would make sense to me, but I've never experienced a parade at Disneyland, much less its opening day. I know there's not an exact answer but any additional insight would be appreciated!

 

[tsumgirl]

I was going to cancel the dining package...and then I saw this: https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-storie...-for-magic-happens-parade-at-disneyland-park/
Is it just me or do those costumes and performers look AMAZING?!



So let's assume this would add up to 1.5 - 2 hours of waiting. But if I'm willing to get there 1.5 - 2 hours early for the second parade, do you think I could still get a great viewing spot without the dining package? That would make sense to me, but I've never experienced a parade at Disneyland, much less its opening day. I know there's not an exact answer but any additional insight would be appreciated!

I'm honestly not sure. My personal feeling is that you may have better chances with the first parade before locals start getting off work/school, but there are no AP block outs that day, so there's no way to be sure what the turnout will be.

You may have good chances of grabbing a spot outside the Alice bathrooms or near It's a Small World. As long as you're flexible and willing to start holding a spot once you see others starting to wait, you can probably get a good view....it just may be a long wait!

I agree...the sneak peeks of the costumes and floats look amazing! Disney went all out for this parade and I can't wait to see it!!!!

 

[UrsulaTime]

I'm honestly not sure. My personal feeling is that you may have better chances with the first parade before locals start getting off work/school, but there are no AP block outs that day, so there's no way to be sure what the turnout will be.

I know, and it's hard! I do still appreciate any hunches from more frequent visitors, so thank you for that!

You may have good chances of grabbing a spot outside the Alice bathrooms or near It's a Small World.

I have read (on the Dis and elsewhere) both of those spots are recommended, so with your suggestion as well, that's where I'll plan to be.

As long as you're flexible and willing to start holding a spot once you see others starting to wait, you can probably get a good view....it just may be a long wait!

On the upside, I just bought one of those pocket blankets to bring in the parks - I'd definitely get my money's worth out of that purchase!

 

[tsumgirl]

I know, and it's hard! I do still appreciate any hunches from more frequent visitors, so thank you for that!

I have read (on the Dis and elsewhere) both of those spots are recommended, so with your suggestion as well, that's where I'll plan to be.

On the upside, I just bought one of those pocket blankets to bring in the parks - I'd definitely get my money's worth out of that purchase!

I'm rooting for you! It's exciting to be there on the first day, and it'll definitely be worth it

 

[UrsulaTime]

I'm rooting for you! It's exciting to be there on the first day, and it'll definitely be worth it

Aw thanks!

 

[iHEARTflorida]

We’re in the parks 28-2nd. I’m trying to figure out which showing of the parade to catch. Sunday is out as we’ll be in DCA most of the day.

Should we shoot for the debut parade on the Friday at 3:30pm? Or perhaps the 6pm

Saturday we have a 2pm lunch res so mostly like won’t make the 3:30pm showing. Possibly 6pm.

Monday, I’m not sure we’d make the 3:30pm parade and we have a 7:30pm flight from LAX and was planning on getting an Uber around 4pm. How long does it take the parade to get to main st?

 

[Pamela M]

Can't speak to the first day of a parade but a couple of years ago I was able to snag a spot near small world about 1/2 before. I picked the spot in the sun. While I was waiting I had my umbrella up for shade so I wasn't baking.

Looking forward to seeing the parade in April

 

[gottalovepluto]

Was so excited at the thought of a Plaza Inn package that came with reserved seating for the new parade I really should have known better! Reserved standing only it says...

 

[maleficent55]

I have reservations for it, lunch package at 1 for the second parade.

I’m honestly not sure I’ll keep it, I’ll wait until how the it sounds like it is as it rolls out.

 

[UrsulaTime]

Here to report on our experience with the Magic Happens dining package. We did it Friday 2/28, the parade's first day (although there was an unscheduled soft opening the day before).

1. Dining Our reservation at Plaza Inn was for 1pm. Our 10 year-old cousin absolutely needed to take a break at noon, so we went back to the Tropicana and missed our reservation. While she and my sister stayed at the motel, I went back to DL around 2pm to get our lanyards for the parade and pay for the package although we'd been unable to eat. The CMs at The Plaza were sympathetic and accommodating. First they offered to box up food to take back to the hotel; when I explained that probably wouldn't work, they wrote down my name and said we could come back before 11pm that day and dine off the regular menu. I wasn't expecting that and appreciated the gesture!
2. Arriving at the reserved viewing area The ticket said to arrive between 5:30 and 6pm (for the 6pm parade) at the reserved viewing area, which was across from the Main Street train station. (I was expecting and would have preferred a Main Street location but wasn't too disappointed.) We arrived around 5:05 and walked around the area for a few minutes trying to determine where to wait. We eventually saw a few people with lanyards directly across from the train station and joined them. I noticed about ten people (at most) with lanyards at that point.
3. Waiting at the reserved area before being let in My sister stood next to the few people waiting and I took my cousin to buy a churro from a stand a few feet away. She ate the churro sitting on a nearby bench in view of my sister who was officially waiting. I went up to my sister and offered to take her place to let her sit on the bench or get food. She took me up on that and I started chatting with the women who had been there before we arrived. At this point (perhaps 5:15 or 5:20?) there was a significant number of people waiting. Notably, two distinct groups had formed - one at each end of the rope blocking off the reserved section. The women expressed concern at which side of the rope would eventually be opened, since they had been waiting much longer than the folks at the other end. They predicted those in the first 'row' (which would of course be taken by those let in first) would be able to sit on the curb for the parade, while the rest would stand. Personally I just wanted to be able to sit UNTIL the parade, but I knew my younger cousin's feet were pretty exhausted and decided to try to get a first row spot. My sister and cousin joined me then.
4. Rope drop There were two CMs on the other side of the rope who were chatting with the women next to us for a bit; they were aware who had been there first. (I think most people on our side had arrived earliest.) At one point one of the CMs commented that our side of the rope looked 'easier to open' (I think she just meant that she would open or try to open our side first). At 5:30 a CM who had not been in the area as long as others went to the opposite end of the rope and let in guests with wheelchairs/ECVs and 'red tag strollers' (and their parties). This process made me feel a little awkward, as she needed to shout to be heard and then needed to ask the crowd to make a path for the parties being called. There was a little stressful shuffling around to make the path without totally losing our 'place' in the un-line. Then the CM said (well, shouted, out of necessity) the rest of us could come in, one at a time, one party at a time.
The whole process was a bit chaotic and made me inwardly cringe; I couldn't help but be aware that the women next to us had been first to the area, that one of them had a minor medical issue that made it more desirable to sit rather than stand...and that we also had been there earlier than the people on the side now being opened. I don't like to push my way in a crowd (I mean, who does?) but I realized I would need to be assertive, at least. So after more shouting from the CM with reminders to not push and to let through the parties of each person whose ticket was currently being scanned, I asserted myself, got my ticket scanned, and then called for/made sure my sister and cousin got past a couple people who had inserted themselves between us. We were some of the first people in (although I'd been a little more aggressive than I was comfortable with) and got a spot on the curb. I don't think there were too many left. However, the 'row' of people behind us sat as well, and as far as I could tell, there were no bad viewing spots in the area. One group situated behind us asked my sister if their toddler could sit on the curb next to her (they sat directly behind their child) and she of course said yes and had fun chatting with the little girl.

Not knowing exactly what was going to happen while we were waiting or how they'd organize us once in the viewing area was awkward and, at the very end, slightly chaotic. It seems like the CMs could communicate more with the people waiting at the rope before 5:30, thereby facilitating a more orderly and friendly environment!

5. The parade was AMAZING and all three of us LOVED IT. The music! The costumes! The choreography! The floats!
6. Would I recommend the dining package? Based on our experience, I wouldn't recommend it. However, theoretically, you could walk into the reserved area at 5:55 and get a great view...which is worth considering.
7. Was the dining package worth it for us? Strangely enough, I don't regret purchasing the dining package even though we didn't get to eat and I'm almost sure we could have gotten a great spot without the package at 5:05pm. We had only 2.5 days at Disneyland (basically first timers and probably won't be able to return for years and years) and I decided the parade was a priority for us. And it didn't disappoint!