Hi All,
As this will be my first time to Disneyland Paris I was wondering where people would recommend the best place to stand is for the Parade and Disney Dreams. I'll have a three year old with me. Is it best to get your spot at least 30 minutes before they start?
Thank you :)
This very much depends on when you're going. When will that be?
People can start queuing for Dreams up to 2 hours before - it all depends what time of year it is, how busy the park is and how keen you are to be at the front. If the weather is good, you can pick your spot in front of the castle, sit on the ground and take a book or tablet or something else to occupy your family. If the weather s cold or its not busy, you can get your spot around 30 minutes before the show.
For the parade, again it all depends on how busy the park is. Main Street is usually busy, with people picking their spot on kerbside around an hour before. Its usually quieter around small world and the route that leads to the castle.
For the parade, we always go to the start, near It's a Small World. We usually get a spot near the Bella Notte restaurant. That area is the last to get really filled, so usually we go 30-20 minutes before and find a first row spot. Sometimes I go ahead and save a spoit while my DH takes our daughter to IASW, so she doesn't need to wait for too long.
For Dreams we always end up to the right of the castle, between Discoveryland and the castle. Again it's a bit quieter than other areas, and depending on how busy it is (and how late we get there) we can either get a good front row spot, or stay further back. Since it's quieter our daughter can usually run around (if she's not too tired and resting in her push chair). If your little one is sensitive to loud noises or bright lights, maybe try standing further back (like around the rocks at the entrance of Discoveryland).
We always watch the parade right from the start too. Then walk round while other people are still waiting for it to get to them, occasionally we catch it twice if we're leaving the park :-)
For Dreams, it's normally cold when we go so we don't stake out a space for too long and the time we did a family then stood right in front of us at the last minute anyway. The good thing is that you can pretty much see if from anywhere, I was surprised at how far back you could make it all out - even in the town square. If you can get a bench or near a railing where no-one can stand in front that's probably best but most of the detail is very high up on the castle so can see.
Thanks so much for your replies :). We will be there last week of April so I guess could be cold but fingers crossed getting a bit warmer. This forum is so fabulous for helping me plan our Disney adventure.
We always try to find a spot near the two little towers at the bella notte toilets for the parade
We always try to find a spot behind a flower bed in the center cirkel for Dreams
Simple: there is no best spot. Everyone likes different spots for different reasons.
For me personally... I'm very short (only 5"1) and I do a lot of photography.
So I won't settle for anything less than front row.
This makes it that for me regarding Disney Dreams, I always watch it right in front of the castle.
Not second row, not in Main Street. No, against the rope all the way at the front.
I'm a die hard and I take my spot at least 2 hours before Dreams starts.
The longest I've ever waited was 3,5 hours. The park was insanely crowded that day.
Regarding the Disney Magic On Parade (or any other parade like the Halloween Cavalcade and Christmas Parade) I watch it either all the way at the beginning or all the way at the end.
Not halfway the beginning or halfway the end. No.
I'm either the first person at the entry gates or the last person at the exit gates.
And usually I take my spot about 1,5 hours before start of the parade.
But again, this is all very personal. There is no right or wrong spot.
Hi with having little ones in our party who don't like to be still for very long it's not practical for us to be waiting hours. We usually get there 20-30 min before, the longest we've waited is 1hr 20 and we only managed that because we sat near Caseys having food and playing games.
It's personal choice as there are lots of good spots to watch the parade and dreams - but for our party and needs we tend to go for the seats near the castle stage for the parade, gives everyone a sit down rest, close to toilets etc and fantastic view of floats coming between the towers near Bella notte.
For dreams we have seen this in a number of places. Found the main bit of main street way too crowded. Near the railings by Caseys was okay. Near the railings in front of the castle was great view but got pushed around a lot. Think my favourite spot so far has been between plaza gardens and discovery arcade, quiet, room for little ones to play and we can walk about a bit, also straight down discovery arcade and out the left gates is a super speedy exit from the parks, perfect for little ones wanting to get to bed and in avoiding the leaving crowds!
It's all about what you want/need. Xx
are there only two parades then?
What is Disney dreams?
Thanks for you help! :)
Quote from: billy on January 21, 2016, 12:32:22 PM
are there only two parades then?
What is Disney dreams?
Thanks for you help! :)
Depending on when you're going.
During Halloween and Christmas season, there's also the special seasonal cavalcades (mini-parades).
But the rest of the year there is just one parade: the Disney Magic On Parade.
Disney Dreams is a projection show on Sleeping Beauty Castle, with light, water and fireworks elements.
thanks DLRP Wonders that is really helpful.
I've already been told the parade is on the Friday night so ill keep an eye out for the dreams one as i know my girls willl love that ;)
Quote from: billy on January 21, 2016, 04:54:18 PM
thanks DLRP Wonders that is really helpful.
I've already been told the parade is on the Friday night so ill keep an eye out for the dreams one as i know my girls willl love that ;)
There is no nighttime parade, but the Disney Magic On Parade (currently at 16.45, but it will move to 17.30 in March) is daily.
Dreams isn't a parade, it's a show.
Quote from: DLRPWonders on January 21, 2016, 10:11:52 PM
Quote from: billy on January 21, 2016, 04:54:18 PM
thanks DLRP Wonders that is really helpful.
I've already been told the parade is on the Friday night so ill keep an eye out for the dreams one as i know my girls willl love that ;)
There is no nighttime parade, but the Disney Magic On Parade (currently at 16.45, but it will move to 17.30 in March) is daily.
Dreams isn't a parade, it's a show.
Do you know when in March it will change? And how long does the Parade go on for?
Thanks.
according to disney reservations there is a parade on the friday night at 8pm (friday 26th feb) as they advised us of this when we went to book our meal at mickey's cafe.
maybe this is a special one as it is the kids school holidays!!
Quote from: billy on January 22, 2016, 11:03:30 AM
according to disney reservations there is a parade on the friday night at 8pm (friday 26th feb) as they advised us of this when we went to book our meal at mickey's cafe.
maybe this is a special one as it is the kids school holidays!!
That's not a parade, that's Disney Dreams.
8pm is the closing time of the park on that date, and Dreams is daily at closing time of the park.
As I said, there's only one parade and that's currently at 4.45pm.
There is no nighttime parade anymore.
Quote from: DLRPWonders on January 22, 2016, 11:17:31 AM
Quote from: billy on January 22, 2016, 11:03:30 AM
according to disney reservations there is a parade on the friday night at 8pm (friday 26th feb) as they advised us of this when we went to book our meal at mickey's cafe.
maybe this is a special one as it is the kids school holidays!!
That's not a parade, that's Disney Dreams.
8pm is the closing time of the park on that date, and Dreams is daily at closing time of the park.
As I said, there's only one parade and that's currently at 4.45pm.
There is no nighttime parade anymore.
Ah ok thank you, they didnt say this on the phone they called it a parade. thank you so much for your help.
I'll check the schedule to see what day the parade is or is it daily at that time?
Quote from: billy on January 22, 2016, 01:00:24 PM
Quote from: DLRPWonders on January 22, 2016, 11:17:31 AM
Quote from: billy on January 22, 2016, 11:03:30 AM
according to disney reservations there is a parade on the friday night at 8pm (friday 26th feb) as they advised us of this when we went to book our meal at mickey's cafe.
maybe this is a special one as it is the kids school holidays!!
That's not a parade, that's Disney Dreams.
8pm is the closing time of the park on that date, and Dreams is daily at closing time of the park.
As I said, there's only one parade and that's currently at 4.45pm.
There is no nighttime parade anymore.
Ah ok thank you, they didnt say this on the phone they called it a parade. thank you so much for your help.
I'll check the schedule to see what day the parade is or is it daily at that time?
I've answered your questiom 3 times now...
The Disney Magic On Parade is DAILY at 4.45pm and from March DAILY at 5.30pm