Thanks for the reply,
@monique5. That's good/interesting to know about the
DAS -- and the park/ride wait times. Doing the rides isn't a huge consideration for us with the party. We are mostly going for the decorations and shows. But as it is our only Disney park day -- and since we do intend to be there right for 4 p.m. -- we were hoping to get on maybe 3-4 rides. But we're being realistic about it. Trying to let everyone pick one and keep expectations low. We're making clear that this isn't a "ride" park trip. Right now the preferences for rides that have been stated are: Jungle/Jingle Cruise, Pirates, Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain. If the wait time is low (which I don't expect to happen) for 7DMT that would be a "dream on" type ride on the list too. As it is, I feel the "top picks" might be unrealistic given that we'd have to criss-cross so much of the park to hit them all. It's hard to plan since sometimes there are "better" days or "decent" says with the medical challenge. But if it is a "bad" day, we can't expect much. And we can only ever expect so much or predict so much. Currently we are planning our party night for the second day of our trip. Rest on afternoon arrival day, a full day to recoup (and likely not do too much), and then a do-nothing all morning/afternoon day on our party night. But still, that evening period tends to be a "witching" hour in terms of how things ever go. And after we get passed 7 p.m., most nights, all bets are off. SO we're really kind of gambling a bit on this party -- maybe more than most families. We're really trying to push it as "we're going to see holiday decorations and lights" and anything else is just kind of a bonus. Trying to keep everyone in that frame of mind. But, of course, that's hard when it's Disney and there starts to build excitement and a push to over-extend things and abilities.
We don't necessarily feel the need to get a DAS if they'd let all of us into the wheelchair area with just a wheelchair or seated walker (and not split us up). Or if they were to likely allow us to bring a folding camp stool into the park. But it's definitely good to know they don't work the same way as regular park hours.
If we were to watch the parade in Frontierland, how much time would we have to get over to Main Street to see the fireworks? And how crowded is it likely to be at that point?
Is it still really crowded if you move closer to the entrance of the park/beginning of Main St? Can you still see the castle projections from that position?
Is the area near the castle to watch the Mickey's Merriest stage show really crowded usually? How far back can you be (or do you need to be) to be out of the crowd and still see it? Do they set up screens to project it on and see it better if you're far back?
