I'm at 60 days, can get a FP+ for Anna and Elsa, but not for afternoon parade. My trip is ruined!

Stinky_Pete

Stinky_Pete

DIS Veteran
Joined
Feb 16, 2000
Just kidding. I don't base my happiness on what FP+ I can get.

But I did really want to get one for the afternoon parade. I haven't seen it in years, and have never seen this one. I hate the whole staking out and defending my spot thing.

One time, after staking out a spot for 45 minutes, some woman walked up 10 minutes before the parade started and actually told me I should give up my spot because "it's for the children." I told her she could have been in my spot if she would have gotten there 45 minutes ago like I did, but she didn't think that was good enough. So she kept making comments. I ignored her, but it still kind of ruined the parade experience for me. So I guess I won't bother with the parade.

This goes to the whole "is a parade FP+ 'worth it'?" For some it isn't. For someone like me, it is, because I won't bother with the parade without the FP+
 
Stinky_Pete said:
I ignored here, but it still kind of ruined the parade experience for me. So I guess I won't bother with the parade.

This goes to the whole "is a parade FP+ 'worth it'?" For some it isn't. For someone like me, it is, because I won't bother with the parade without the FP+
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Wouldn't it be great if WDW sold an "ignore" device, like a visored helmet, or guest-cancelling headphones, so you could just tune out people around you and focus on the parade or show?
 


We had the parade issue, with people wanting us to give up our spots for kids. Last I checked Disney was for everybody lol!! We enjoyed the parade last year, looking forward to it this year, I would also recommend frontier land.
 
karrit2000 said:
I got the "it's for kids" speech from some jerk at Fantasmic once when I complained about the idiot in front of me who found it necessary to sit their child on their shoulders to see the show.
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Oh my gosh! That happened to me once at Mickeys Magical Map in DL. I was one of the first people in the theatre- picked the perfect spot- then at the last second this guy puts his daughter on his shoulders. I pointed out to him that he just blocked my kids view and asked if she could just sit on his lap instead. He then had the nerve to start raising his voice with me & caused a big scene.
 


Stinky_Pete said:
Just kidding. I don't base my happiness on what FP+ I can get.

But I did really want to get one for the afternoon parade. I haven't seen it in years, and have never seen this one. I hate the whole staking out and defending my spot thing.......
Click to expand...
Good one.......:D its what made me read the post. The "defending my spot" issue can sometimes occur in the FP+ area too.......although with fewer folks to defend against :P We did this last Sept and still had to arrive 40 or so minutes before the parade and stake out a spot. However, "our" spot was in the FRONT ROW :-)..........so I get your point. I'd suggest do what you can to see the parade it is worth it..............

Have a great vacation.

Doug :goofy:
 
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Stinky_Pete said:
Just kidding. I don't base my happiness on what FP+ I can get.

But I did really want to get one for the afternoon parade. I haven't seen it in years, and have never seen this one. I hate the whole staking out and defending my spot thing.

One time, after staking out a spot for 45 minutes, some woman walked up 10 minutes before the parade started and actually told me I should give up my spot because "it's for the children." I told her she could have been in my spot if she would have gotten there 45 minutes ago like I did, but she didn't think that was good enough. So she kept making comments. I ignored her, but it still kind of ruined the parade experience for me. So I guess I won't bother with the parade.

This goes to the whole "is a parade FP+ 'worth it'?" For some it isn't. For someone like me, it is, because I won't bother with the parade without the FP+
Click to expand...

A month ago, we were walking down the street in Hollywood Studios, and we heard the music and the parade coming. The sidewalks were covered with people, but we still were able to stop and watch the frozen parade. It was great. We didn't even know there was a frozen parade. We watched it, took photos, and really enjoyed it. We really didn't need to sit on the curb for it because it was pretty short. When it was over, we continued down the street to the shop we had been walking to. I don't really know why anyone would need to FP+ it.
 
I hate to burst your bubble, but having a fast pass for the afternoon parade doesn't stop them. We entered the fast pass area 30 minutes before the parade. Next to us was a Grandma and her grand daughter in a stroller and about a 12 year old boy. Other family members would come up to the rope, talk to them for a minute and then walk away. About a minute before the parade gets to you, they take the rope and poles down. About 15 family members immediately swarmed into our spot coming from the direction of Tony's. The CM did nothing about it as the parade was upon us. I am thinking only three of them were able to get Fast Passes and they knew that the roped dropped before the parade. I know they were locals because they talked about where they were going to stop and eat on the drive home that night.
 
I've never had a parade FP+ but I'm with you on the Disney is for everyone. Because EVERYONE PAYS AN ENTRANCE FEE.
And it happened to us as well where on Main Street where they rope off the parade. We all had a spot and I gave my spot up for 2 kids because they were behind me. The parents were appreciative, and then some idiot (2 adults) with an iPad tried to squeeze Into the roped off section we we had the kids. I immediately tapped them and said those are our children and we their families didn't squeeze in there YOU are definitely not going to either. I called a CM over and since all the kids parents spoke up the CM agreed and said I roped them in there and you weren't here. So there were told to leave. We felt vindicated LOL. Score 1 for Early Birds... The nerve of people feeling entitled when they don't set priorities and want to bully there way in.
 
I found a great spot for the parade, the trail from liberty square to the castle.......those benches halfway up.....I hunkered down about 5 min prior and had a great view! I mean, not the best character interaction (Anna and Elsa DID see our Anna and Elsa crowns and waved at us though) but a good view of everything for sure!
 
If you can time it right, there's a crossover from the Tiki Bird/Magic Carpet area to Country Bear Hall. Last summer, we were able to slip through the crossover and into the Country Bear stroller parking area just as the 3 pm parade was approaching. The kids got front row with a less than 30 second wait. Not too bad.
 
I understand how you feel, we won't watch Wishes without a FP+ anymore, but we've never felt the real need for a fp+ for the parade. There are so many good spots to watch from that I really think it can be done without too much of a hassle. Frontierland is a great area to view the parade. If it means that much to you to see it, I'd give it a try. We watched from there and didn't arrive move than 30 minutes before the parade started- had our choice of where to stand and no one fighting for our spot.

Another spot we tried and really liked was right at the exit, under the train station. We've also done the train station itself, but that requires you to stake out a spot quite early. Still, the view of the dragon from there is amazing.

We've had our share of rude people pushing in or pushing their kids in at the last second- even to the point of my daughter getting injured, so I completely understand calling it quits without a fp+. We just haven't found the parade to be near as nasty an experience as Wishes. I think it's because the fireworks have to be viewed from the front to get the full experience while with the parade, it doesn't really matter as long as you're on the parade route somewhere. The hub seems to attract the crazies I think. ;)
 
I was able to get a FP for the afternoon parade at about a week out from our trip last year. People are constantly changing their plans so just keep checking and I bet you find one!
 
Thanks.

Last time I tried Frontierland I positioned myself behind a trash can that was right on the taped off area, so no one could be in front of me. Then, a few minutes later, some guy comes along next to the trash can. He and his kid were right against the tape, so perfect view right up front! So what does he do? Looks at me, knows I'm there to watch the parade, and puts his kid on top of the trash can, right in front of me. So I went and rode BTMRR. It seems there's nowhere that's safe.
 
Would anyone happen to have a link to parade route maps handy? I know I've seen them. I'm not a parade person and I hate staking out a spot or using a fp+ on them. But, my kids love them and since "it's for the kids" (sigh) I guess I'm going to have to watch them from somewhere.
 
I also like afternoon parades in Frontierland. Just in front of the walk-through to Adventureland. If it's still there, there is a planter with just enough room before the ropes. But - I confess - I like the camp-out/rest time. :)
 
I totally feel your pain with parades. We rarely watch them because it's just too stressful, and I'm short, so unless I'm in the front there's no point.

We did manage to get FPs for the Christmas parade last year, and it was amazing! Front row seats with no pushing, shoving, crowding, etc. I would definitely keep trying, as things open up as it gets closer.

As for the "it's for the kids" mentality... my firm opinion is that the burden to give my kids a good experience is mine and mine alone, not a random stranger's, or even a CM's. If you want great memories for your kids, YOU need to put in the effort to make that happen. Don't rely on other peoples' generosity. Unfortunately, those who push and shove their way in at the last minute "for the kids" don't seem to share this opinion, which is why the whole ordeal is usually to stressful for me.
 
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