Review: The Evening Main Street Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom
By Dave Shute
THE MAIN STREET ELECTRICAL PARADE
The evening parade at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, the Main Street Electrical Parade, re-opened in the summer of 2010.
Originally returned for the summer as part of Disney’s Summer Nightastic program, it has been now made the permanent evening parade, replacing Spectromagic.
The Main Street Electrical Parade ran at Walt Disney World for years, and then went to Disney’s California Adventure.
It has returned to Walt Disney World with a few new floats, and a general refurbishment.
For those for whom it is new, the dated modulation of its introduction and orchestration will take a minute to get used to.
After that it is great fun. The evening parade remains ranked, on this site’s Comprehensive Guide to Rides, as a favorite of both littler and bigger ones.
HOW OFTEN THE PARADE HAPPENS
Depending on the time of the year, the evening parade can be on from twice a night to twice a week.
(If the parade is showing twice in a night, and you have the energy to stay for the second showing, see that one, and get on rides during the first showing. Each will be less crowded.)
Check the Magic Kingdom Calendar (find your month, then click on the days of your visit) to see when it is playing during the time you will be at Walt Disney World.
WHERE TO PERCH YOURSELF TO SEE THE MAIN STREET ELECTRICAL PARADE
The best place to see the parade depends on how much time you are willing to sit and wait for the parade (thereby saving your seats), how short your kids are, and what is happening after the parade.
If the parade is closing the park, then you want to see it from Main Street, nearer to the entrance than to the Castle end. This will let you beat most of the crowds exiting the Magic Kingdom when the parade ends. If your kids are short, you need to be near the curb so that they can see the parade as it passes by. Depending on how crowded the park is, you may need to stake out your spot 60 minutes or more before the parade beings.
If fireworks happen after the parade, and you plan to stay for them, then a spot at the end of Main Street closer to the Castle, or in the hub in front of the Castle itself, is best, as you will then be in the best spot to see the fireworks. You may need to reserve your spot 90 minutes in advance.
If nothing is happening after the parade–the park is not closing, and either the fireworks aren’t showing or you aren’t going to watch them, then the best place to see the parade is from Frontierland. In all but the busy seasons, you can get good spots 30 minutes before the parade.
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20 comments
Do the still have the electrical light parade in a thunderstorm?h
Erica, there’s lots of dancers in the parade. If either really wet streets, wind, or lightning makes it dangerous for them, or the people in the floats, they will cancel it… It doesn’t get canceled often, but it happens…
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hi, I have a child of 5 years old and a 12 year old, my husband and I want to book a restaurant for the new year display 2013, we want to have a view of the castle for the firework’s from the restaurant what are the main restaurants we should be looking to book in for the best view.
thank you, Maria Smith.
Maria, there are no restaurants at the Magic Kingdom from which you can get a good view of the fireworks. But do check out the Tommrrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/tomorrowland-terrace-fireworks-dessert-party/ You can book this 180 days in advance–in early July–and it will sell out quickly…
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Hi, I have a child 3 years old and 1-1/2 years old, and we are planning to spent December 31 st from 6pm until the end of the 11:50 pm fireworks. Do you think it is a good idea with kids this age???
Thanks
Carolina, honestly I think they will give out with boredom or frustration well before the 11.50 fireworks.
However, there’s another set of fireworks–not for NYE, but rather the standard (great) evening fireworks–at 8.30p (see this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2013/12/27/next-week-december-28-2013-through-january-5-2014-at-walt-disney-world/ ) and they should be up for that!
Hi Dave,
I am going to MK in October with my kids, and mom who will be on a scooter. We would like to see the Electric Parade and then exit the park (my youngest son doesn’t like fireworks). Any tips for getting out along main street/shops along main street if we watch in Fronteirland? I am concerned about navigating the scooter up Main Street after the parade.
Peggy, Main Street will be packed with people waiting for Celebrate the Magic and Wishes. People make this journey on scooters every day, but as you fear, it will be slow and awkward. Why not watch the parade from closer to the park exit??
Hi Dave, we are trying to figure out if there is any chance of seeing the MSEP and Wishes on a Tues night during a crowd 9 week. We have a BOG res for about 7:30. I see that BOG is very far away! Would it at all be worth it to try to get there in time? We have 3 small kids who won’t be able to see well. There is also a possibility we could come back to the MK on that Friday just for these programs, possibly eating at the Crystal Palace first. I see how much closer the CP is than the BOG to main st., but I also read that the CP tends to run very late and our res is for 7:15. Thanks!
Jane, I can’t advise without knowing your date, as the times of Wishes and MSEP vary…
Hi Dave, didn’t see your response until now, sorry. The parade is at 9 and Wishes is at 10. At this time they’re saying MK closes at 10 but I am thinking they will probably extend the hours since this is Thanksgiving week. If we don’t see these things on Tues we might see them with just adults on Wed, or with the whole group on Fri.
Jane I agree that MK will likely extend hours and do a second show of the parade at 11p. This will make it easy. Otherwise show up for BOG early and tell your server that you hope to be completely done by 8.45.
Hi Dave, I´m flying from Mexico City to Miami and planning to visit Disney World from december 26 to december 29 (unfortunately just 4 days). We are four adults. Please any suggestions where I can find out for a 4 day guide and if it is covenient to by a Fasat Pass?
Juan, your best bet is to pick parks based on this http://www.easywdw.com/category/calendar/12-december-2014-crowd-calendar/ and use these for your daily plans: http://www.easywdw.com/category/cheat-sheets/ You need also to book your FastPass+ ASAP.
Hi! We will be there the last week of September and really want to see the parade. Is it better (less crowded in the park for the day) on a Monday or Wednesday? We have a BOG 8:20 am breakfast on Wednesday. Is it worth keeping the early breakfast for early park entrance and see the parade on Wednesday? Or cancel and go on Monday? Thanks!!!
So I just saw that they have added some early hours to Hollywood studios (that you must purchase a ticket for) on Mondays and Wednesdays. Will this impact Jedi Training??? (Had planned to do it Monday). I know this post doesn’t go with the Electrical Parade, but I figured that since it is for the same trip I’d ask it all at once. Thanks!!!
Dee, it likely will a bit.
Dee, there’s not a lot of difference–both will be quite crowded.
I just read the electrical parade is ending in Disney World & going to Disney land. Any idea how long it will be gone?
Heather, it’s believed that it is gone forever.
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