35 responses

  1. Nic Mo
    May 3, 2016

    Hi we are a family of 4 from Scotland(kids will be 7 and 6 when we get there in July) 1st time in Florida and wondered what the best days to visit each park. We have 14 day unltd disney and Universal combo tickets and I am trying to work out where to go on what day to make the most of the whole experience for us all. We will probably do one waterpark, maybe afternoon shopping and Kennedy Space Centre but other than that just using park tickets. Various sites contradict each other on what days are busiest for Universal parks and Disney Parks so very confused but I would rather have a plan in place before we go as best as I can. Any help appreciated .,? Thanks

    Reply

    • Dave
      May 4, 2016

      Nic, for WDW see this and for Universal see this.

      Reply

  2. Leah
    August 18, 2015

    Thanks! Changed it to 4:30. Now hoping we make our 5:25 reservations at Grand Floridian! 😀

    Reply

  3. Leah
    August 18, 2015

    The parade ends by the fire station on main street, correct? If we have an appointment at the barbershop at 3:30, will we get to see the whole parade. What if we moved the appointment to 4pm? Thanks!! 🙂

    Reply

    • Dave
      August 18, 2015

      Yes it does Leah–although now and then for operational reasons they might reverse it, it’s rare. I would definitely chnage to 4p–it still be rolling around the barbershop at 3.30p

      Reply

  4. Dave
    June 26, 2015

    OK Jackie, arrive well before open then indeed head to Fantasyland. See right away the rides there that build lines for which you don’t have FastPass+–Peter Pan and Seven Dwarfs are the prime targets.

    Reply

  5. Jackie
    June 23, 2015

    Hi! We’re going to MK this weekend and I keep changing our Fast passes in fear we won’t have time to get to certain spots. This is our first time going and only going 1 day. Is it best to start in fantasy land and work our way back around to front? How long is the 3:00 parade? We have to see a few characters in fantasy land, have to eat lunch, Bibbidi bobbidi boutique appt , then parade at 3:00!! How does fast pass actually work? For example 9:00-10:00 – do I plan for an hour of standing or can I go to it anytime in that block??

    Reply

    • Dave
      June 24, 2015

      Jackie, on your last question you can enter the FastPass+ return line anytime in that window. A one day visit is very hard as it takes two days to see everything. How old are your kids??

      Reply

      • Jackie
        June 24, 2015

        Only bringing our oldest who is 5 years old.

        Reply

  6. Jane
    May 28, 2015

    We are staying at a Disney resort but we only have 1.5 days at MK. Our vacation is 6.5 days long, and we’ll be getting the 4 day park hoppers that come with the military salute (that is, assuming it is renewed again). We don’t want to do more park days b/c the extra cost for more tickets is pretty high, and there is so much other stuff at WDW to do. Thank you for recommending the FP, I didn’t know that was available. Not sure if we want to use FP for that but will think about it. It’s our 2nd visit so we’re mostly going to use FP for things we missed the first time around, and the parade is one of those things.

    Reply

    • Dave
      May 31, 2015

      Jane, got you. In those circumstances, FP+ is worth it…

      Reply

  7. Jane
    May 28, 2015

    Hi Dave, how early do you recommend getting into place for the parade during a high crowd time of year? We have little kids but I think they are tall enough to see these extra tall floats even if others are in front of them, so I’m not that worried about it. But we didn’t at all try to see a parade with them last time, so I am new at this. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Dave
      May 28, 2015

      Jane, how many days are you at MK? And are you staying at a WDW resort? The reason I’m asking is that if you are in a WDW resort and have three or more days at MK, then a parade FastPass+ is probably the best answer…

      Reply

  8. Debbie
    March 26, 2015

    Forgot to mention late October and its a party of 5. My husband, my 3 sons (15,13,13) and me. Thanks!

    Reply

  9. Debbie
    March 26, 2015

    Hi Dave, we are going to Disney in October and we’re planning. We want to have FP+ that will be done by 12:30. Is it worth it to try to get a daytime parade FP+, then later the nighttime parade FP+ after? Or should we spread our FP+. If we don’t, should we book more attractions after instead of parades? Will the crowds be a problem and affect any of this? I’m just really confused and have a hundred things in my hand. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Dave
      March 27, 2015

      Debbie, FP+ for the parades will almost certainly be booked weeks before, so you will not be able to add them that day. For more on FastPass+, see this, and we also have extensive guidance and priority lists in Chapter 6 of our book, and technical guidance on how to book it in Chapter 9.

      Reply

  10. Ann
    February 27, 2015

    I was able to get an ADR for BOG lunch on both days that we will be at MK for spring break!!!
    We also have a FP for Anna and Elsa (starting at 3:20) on our second day there. On one of the days in the park, I want to see the afternoon parade. We have a friend with us who has never been to Disney. The parade is really fantastic and I highly recommend everyone see it at least once! Especially for the kiddos. We saw it when it debuted last year. Purely by accident. We had finished lunch at BOG and ended up right in front of the castle. The sun was hot, but great viewing. So my concern this year is the timing…we have the lunch at BOG very late (I had forgotten about the parade) at 2:15 and on another day at 2:20. Things were pretty wild getting the ADR on Feb. 25th, so I blindly just grabbed what I could and was happy. If we try to catch the parade on our first day at MK, after the 2:15 ADR, what is the quickest route to a good viewing spot?? We just sort of happened upon it all last year. Keeping in mind we will be coming out of BOG. I’ll try and look at a map too. How likely is it they will do a second parade during sping break? One last question: how is all that hub construction hampering movement around the castle?

    Reply

    • Dave
      February 28, 2015

      Ann, the timing may well be tight. Head back towards the Castle, but go right between its a small world and Peter Pan, and continue past Haunted Mansion, to find a spot in Liberty Square.

      The hub construction is having little impact on movement–and some is done!!

      Reply

  11. Amy
    September 14, 2014

    Thank you so much! That’s what we’ll do!

    Reply

  12. Amy
    September 14, 2014

    I was hoping you could give me some good tips/advice for Festival of Fantasy parade. My family & I have fast passes for the Seven Dwarf ride at 2:25-3:25 on the day we are at Magic Kingdom. (We’re just doing a short Disney trip this year so we only have 1 day at Magic Kingdom).
    At the time I made the fast pass reservations, I had forgotten about this parade. I plan on being in line for seven dwarf right at 2:25 then hopefully catching the parade.
    Do you think it would be best to head towards the main entrance to watch it or head towards frontierland? I tried to change the times of my fast pass but there are no other times available.
    We will be at magic kingdom the night before for the holloween party so another option would be to try to ride the ride during that time if the line isn’t crazy, then skipping the fast pass for the day we have it & line up for the parade early. What is your opinion on this?

    Reply

    • Dave
      September 14, 2014

      Amy, 7 Dwarfs is still seeing lines on party nights til late, so I would stick with your FP+–although you should check its lines after the second parade at your party! You can (usually) enter 5 minutes before your official FP+ window, so try at 2.20p. The ride itself is very short, so you should be able to get to Frontierland. Take the path to the right of the castle and right of the hub (when facing Main Street).

      Reply

  13. Chris
    July 20, 2014

    I’d like to see this in Frontierland, on the south side (by Pecos Bill’s). However, we plan to be near Splash/Big Thunder before the parade starts. How soon do they start roping off the area? Can we get across “the street” at 2:45?

    Reply

    • Dave
      July 20, 2014

      Chris, sure you can!

      Reply

  14. Ian
    April 17, 2014

    This parade is surely AMAZING! I’ve only seen it on Youtube but I can’t wait to see it for real this summer! xD By any chance do you happen to know if the soundtrack will be released soon?

    Reply

    • Dave
      April 18, 2014

      Ian, I haven’t heard anything about the soundtrack–but I don’t track such closely…

      Reply

  15. Wendy
    April 6, 2014

    Any specific spots in Frontierland that you think are best for viewing? We will have a 7 and 4 year old with us and probably won’t be able to wait more than 30 min for it to start. Will be there 5/5/14 which is ranked 5th on your weeks to go. Thanks for any help!

    Reply

  16. Lisa
    March 28, 2014

    Do you know if this parade is long standing as in will it still be running in September? Also are you aware if Malifecient will also be in the parade or just the dragon?

    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Dave
      March 28, 2014

      Lisa, yes this will now go on for years. And as long as Maleficent is in her dragon form as a float, that’s the only way I expect her to show up!

      Reply

  17. KE
    March 21, 2014

    So not worth a FP+? How long in advance does one need to stake out a spot in order to get a great view if not FP+’ing it? And how early/late can you arrive if you have a FP+?

    I ask because when we went a few months ago we only saw one parade (MCMCP) and the worst part was containing/entertaining the children while we waited. This parade is a must for us on the next trip and I’ve been wondering if FP+ is worth it or not in our case…Thanks for your thoughts!

    Reply

    • Dave
      March 22, 2014

      KE, because the floats are so tall you can get great views from all kinds of spots. To see the dancers at ground level, FP+ is OK, or pick a spot 30 minutes befroe in Frontierland.

      Reply

  18. joe
    March 11, 2014

    Is the parade worth a fp? 2 days in Mk for us.
    Thanks!!

    Reply

    • Dave
      March 12, 2014

      Joe, there’s plenty of great viewing spots for the parade, so I don’t think it worth a FastPass+.

      Reply

  19. Jennifer M
    March 10, 2014

    Dave, this parade looks awesome. I so wish we could have seen it. We flew home the day it started. We had an amazing time there. Kids enjoyed thoroughly. I’m glad I found your site. I used the info I found on it wherever we went.

    Reply

    • Dave
      March 11, 2014

      Thanks, Jennifer!

      Reply

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