Main Street Electrical Parade viewing areas - "Central Plaza Viewing" questions

[Stine]

hi! I was just able to get a FP for the MS Electrical Parade. I get "central plaza viewing", and the description is "preferred viewing in front of Cinderella's Castle". According to the Map, it seems to be at the top of the plaza, just behind and across the street from the Walt Disney/Mickey statue and in front of the Castle.

My questions are:
1) How many people do they pack into the space? Are they a few rows deep or,
2) Is it possible to get a front row, right on the line spot, assuming we get there early? My DD is performing in this parade, so photos are a must!!! I plan on getting there even before they open at the 8:40 arrival window start time. How will we know where to line up for a spot?
3) Anyone have actual experience in this area? What are your thoughts?

I am thinking that if we are in front of the Castle, we won't have pics with her and the Castle in view (which I thought to be a long shot anyway), so if this is not a good spot, should I camp out elsewhere? That was our original plan, but if this is a good location, I'll keep the FP. Also, according to my DD, she will on the side of the castle as the parade comes around, if that helps in understanding what I am asking.

Thanks for the help!!

 

[reichdisney]

Just curious what ended up happening with this. We have fast pass for the parade in September! I would love to know the process!

 

[Stine]

Hi! sorry, since we have been back from vacation I have not been checking. My daughter was actually dancing in the pre-parade, to begin at 8:30, so we (being that kind of parents!) got to our spot at around 7:00. Shortly after, they began putting up the ropes and told us that we were in the FP area. We explained about the parade and that we did indeed have a FP, and was told, too bad, you have to wait until 8:40 when they open the area up. Again, explained that our parade started at 8:30. Didn't care, you have to vacate the area and wait until they open it up (there was a sign on the right hand side of the circle, if you are facing the Castle, where the entrance was), at 8:40. Fine, then I will wait at the opening. No, you can't, go get a pretzel and come back at 8:40. We got escalated up to another manager type, who kept telling us the same thing (FYI, there was also a man in a wheel chair at this time waiting to get in!). Finally, after seeing that I was going to be very persistant and not moving, the manager found me a better spot, in front of the rope where the parade turns into Frontier land, so I watched the pre-parade from there (and the smile on my daughters face, and those of her dance team, were priceless!!!). For those w/o children in the pre-parade, it seemed to go smoothly, so just arrive around 8:40 and you should get a pretty good spot.