Seeing the Disney Stars on Parade was one of the highlights of our trip to Disneyland Paris and it would be remiss if I didn’t share just a little bit of that Disney Magic and some top tips to have the best parade experience.
The parade runs daily starting near the It’s a Small World ride, moving past Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, through Central Plaza and then down Main Street U.S.A to Town Square. The times of the parade can vary according to the season, always check on the Disneyland Paris app.
The parade celebrates Disney and Pixar characters and stories and the “lands of imagination.” It features all your favourite characters from Disney and Pixar films – old and new with more than 100 performers, over 2500 costumes and 650 pairs of shoes and look something like this…
TIP! Make sure your phone is fully charged – you won’t want to miss this. I personally think a battery pack is a Disneyland Paris essential!
TIP! When choosing your spot, avoid areas with straight lines where you might not see the parade coming towards you.
TIP! If you find a spot near It’s a Small World where the parade starts, when the parade finishes you’ll be able to hop on the ride (or another Fantasyland ride of your choice) while everyone else is still watching the parade!
TIP! If you’re on/near Main Street and want to make a hasty retreat after the parade, cut through the crowds by walking through the Liberty or Discovery arcades on either side of the street. They both provide an alternate pathway bypassing the main drag and make for a much faster and less crowded experience.
TIP! When choosing a spot to watch the parade, think about where you want to go immediately after. The crowds take a while to disperse after the parade and can be tricky to navigate, especially if you have small children in tow.
TIP! Be aware that that the cast members will ask you to stand up and move back from the road when the parade approaches so be ready to stand and make sure you have some space behind you.
TIP! One of the best places to watch the Parade is just past City Hall as the road bends round to the Disneyland Railroad. If you stand on the corner, you’ll get a fantastic view as the floats approach and as they move on to the end of the route. Bonus points – there are toilets right behind you!
TIP! To get a good spot be prepared to be at your preferred viewing hour at least 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to the start of the parade.
TIP! One of the best spots to watch the parade is directly behind a bin. (Don’t worry, Disneyland Paris isn’t the happiest place in Europe, it’s also one of the cleanest.) There is no sidewalk in front of the bin, so no one can stand in front of you!
TIP! If you aren’t watching the parade – this is a great time to grab a bite at a restaurant or go on some of your favourite rides with minimal wait times.
Did you see any of your favourite characters? Have you been to Disneyland Paris? Have you got any tips to add to the list?
