OT: Santa Claus Parade. Ever been? Advice needed.

My hubby is thinking about taking my girls tomorrow to the parade and I am wondering how early they should get there to get good seats.  The girls are 4 and 6, so they'll need to be up close to see.  Also, does anyone have advice about things to bring with you (eg. I guess I should send them with chairs?).  Do any of you have a preferred location?  Thanks in advance for the parade.  We've never been, but it seems like a big undertaking. 

We've been a few times with our children but truthfully it's been so hard for us because yo uhave to get there crazy early.  Last year were were there at 10 am and we couldn't get a curbside seat.  I imagine you'd have to get there sometime between 9 and 10 to get a decent spot.  Usually we bring a blanket to spread out over the actual curb for the children to sit on (like a sleeping bag) and we bring camping chairs for us to sit behind them. It's a really really long wait from the time you have to get there until the parade actually gets to you so keep that in mind - we usually bring sidewalk chalk and lots of snacks - keep in mind there are no bathrooms only the ones in stores and usually they want you to buy something before you can use their toilets - we waited nearly 45 minutes for our son to use the bathroom two years ago.

We've decided no to go this year because while the parade is spectacular we just think we'll wait a couple more years and try again - it's sooooooooo long of a wait and Im not sure my kids can really handle it.

Hmmmmmm...that is my concern.  I don;t feel prepared with stuff to bring for the wait (that's assuming I too brave the cold with this virus I've got).  I think it feels like it will be an entire day's event and I am not sure I am up for that.  They are still little and that is a long time to wait.  I tried to convince my eldest that there are many other Santa parades to enjoy, like the evening one in Brampton, but she is convinced (thanks to her friends at school), that this is the best one and "besides, mommy, everyone knows that this is the only one that the REAL Santa shows uo to.  The rest are just helpers dressed up like Santa."  She has her heart set on it and I am not sure I can let her down.  Ugh. 

Ugh - in your condition I'm not sure I'd brave the outside all day long.  My parents took us lots when we were little, but also made a special day at home if we weren't going.  We'd make popcorn and hot chocolate and watch on TV.  It was equally as fun! 

Decided not to go.  It just seem like a huge undertaking that I am not up for this weekend even if it is going to be 13 degrees.  I saw on the internet lots of hotel deals associated with the parade.  Next year, I think we've decided we'll make a special mini-vacation of it and stay downtown, take them out for dinner and then be right there and ready the next morning for when it starts to get busy.  We'd also othen have a room to return to for bathroom purposes (depending on if they'd give us a late checkout).
So today, they are going with Mike to see Happy Feet 2 at the theatre, shopping at Chapters for some new books (they have certificates), and we'll watch the parade this afternoon over dinner and treats.  I already have it on the PVR.

Marny that is what my sister always does.  Hubby goes down early to set up and she stays in room with kids til closer to parade time.

 When i used to take my kids (they are too old now), i would try to find a spot  that had a timmies or mcdonalds(etc ) for bathroom breaks (just in case). I recommend that you bring a fleece blanket or something warm that you don't mind getting dirty to place on the siewalk so the kids can sit on the edge of the sidewalk..trust me it will keep them warm...also have them bring their letters to Santa as there are volunteers that will collect them (as they did last year)..my favourite spot to watch is near the beginning at bathurst and bloor .It starts at Christie Pits (which is about 3 blocks before Bathurst)..that way you don't have to wait so long if you were at the end of the route. It's about 90 minutes long so the earlier you see it the better.
Have a great time ..it will be very busy but you and the kids will have a great time.
Ho! Ho! Ho!

I just took my 6yo daughter to the Ottawa parade last night. You want to sort of get there a little early so you can have your kids sit on the curb.  Last night, we got there right as the parade started due to heavy traffic but were lucky to find an elevated spot to hang out. The only concern is to try to find a spot where the kids are comfortable, that way they don't drive ya nuts. ;)

Foldable chairs for you and your husband are nice, water, hot chocolate, warm clothes.  

I tend to like going to an outside turn in the parade, that way the floats have to slow down and you get to see both sides.

Hey Jonathin, I went to the parade in Ottawa last night as well because my nieces were in it. I don't know if you recall a group of dancers called the Classical Dance Academy...they were dressed in red shirts, had santa hats and were carrying lighted candy canes.  Anyhow, they were part of that group and my sister in law was one of the ones carrying the banner for the academy.

A word of note on getting there early...I was so peeved off last night...my family and I headed down to our spot at 3:30 in the afternoon as the parade started at 5:00 and we definitely wanted to be curbside for pics and such.  We were all in our spots and at 4:45 others started arriving. At 4:55 this guy comes up with his family, and asks 3 of the adults in our party to move so he could spread a blanket out for him and his family.  I politely said, I'm sorry, we have been here since 3:30, and have participants in the parade that we wanted to get good pics of, so for this reason we were not moving.  Well he shot me a look like I was an evil witch.  I was ready to clock the guy one. I love kids and have on EVERY other occasion invited children that I didn't know to come and stand in front of me so they could see...but sorry buddy not for this one. 

I then said to him, sorry you should have come a little earlier than 5 minutes before start time and you could have gotten a good spot.   GRRRR

Marny the Mississauga parade is fun too!! ( next Sunday) Not nearly as exciting as the TO one but my kids always have a great time and look forward to it every year.