Rose parade 2016

Has anyone done the POST Rose Parade float viewing?

Their web site does not say if it is wheelchair friendly but it does say it is not stroller friendly.

Planned our cruise around going to this event but having second thoughts if we can't get around.

Thanks

We tried to do the post parade viewing, and we could not do it. It's definitely not scooter or wheelchair friendly, plus the HUGE crowds make it nearly impossible to do much of anything. I was nearly trampled.

BTW, what cruise is in that area at that time of year? Just curious.

West Coast Getaway with Catalina Island. Jan.4 2016.

May have to rethink it if I can not use a wheelchair. Did you go the last day , early entry at 7 A.M. for seniors?

The post parade viewing will be on the afternoon of January 1 and all day on January 2 and 3.

Early entry is available for Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons at 7:00am to 9:00am. From the website:

LOCATION AND SCHEDULE

Entrance to Post Parade is located at the corner of Sierra Madre & Washington Boulevards in Pasadena, California.

January 1, 2016: 1PM – 5 PM (last entry 3:30 PM)

January 2, 2016: 9 AM – 5PM (Senior citizens and disabled visitors welcome 7 AM – 9 AM, last entry 3:30 PM)

January 3, 2016: 9 AM – 5PM (Senior citizens and disabled visitors welcome 7 AM – 9 AM, last entry 3:30 PM)

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The two access issues for disabled persons are the access to get close to floats parked on soft ground (lawns) and the ability for wheelchairs and scooters to navigate if there is any significant rain or similar weather issues.

Otherwise, if you are willing to get up early on Saturday and/or Sunday, by all means plan on going. Two hours is plenty of time to see the amazing work done on the floats. But trust me, the crowds can be daunting anytime on January 1 and after 11:00am or so on Saturday and Sunday.

Also be aware that parking could be a challenge. Yes, there are handicap parking areas but the best strategy is a taxi drop off at the gate.

BTW, if your travel plans can accommodate, it's a real kick visiting the float construction areas, most of which are accessible. The majority of them are near the Rose Bowl. What we love to do is go to the float construction buildings and study4 or 5 floats which we "adopt," then watch them on TV, then see how they fared when we find them at the post parade. (Occasionally they are even looking for volunteers to help with the floats.) Those areas are usually available starting around December 27. Here's a link to the site: http://www.tournamentofroses.com/events/float-viewing

Considering that you are sailing on Princess, here's the rendering of last year's Princess float:

Thanks

Is there pavement around the lawns? Can you wheel around and look without getting up close?

Thanks

 

Is there pavement around the lawns? Can you wheel around and look without getting up close?

Yes. In fact most of the floats are parked on regular 2 lane road surfaces.

The biggest issue for wheelchairs, strollers and scooters is the crowd, which makes the early 7am to 9am start a real benefit. Fewer people and the flowers get refreshed a bit overnight. We find that we can see all we want to see in that two hours and do it when the weather is more comfortable. (Yes, it can get hot in Pasadena in January.)

Thanks again.

Our plan was to take a car service from the Hyatt Regency hotel(Princess) in Long Beach and be there for 7 sun. morning.

Have the car service (any suggestions) pick us up in 2-3 hours.

 

Thanks again.

 

Our plan was to take a car service from the Hyatt Regency hotel(Princess) in Long Beach and be there for 7 sun. morning.

Have the car service (any suggestions) pick us up in 2-3 hours.

Perfect. The trip from Long Beach is about 45 miles (mostly freeway @ 65mph) and should be no more than 60 minutes door to door. A 10:00am return pick up will give you time to take a break at a food/coffee stand in the viewing area.

As for a car service I suggest you check with the Hyatt's concierge before you arrive. There are several different services. (We've got Uber so your chances for a good sized SUV are quite good.)

Incidentally, we're doing the 4 day Catalina/Ensenada cruise on the Ruby at the end of September so we'll report back on the Princess board. In case you weren't aware, Catalina is a tender port and Ensenada is a full tie up docking port.

I'd go the before the parade if possible. The tents near the Rose Bowl are on parking lots.

Princess uses their own tenders in Catalina.

Carnival is using the old Catalina Ferries. Ramps allow scooters and wheelchairs to be rolled onboard.

In Ensenada the sidewalks have cutouts but they're "Mexican Standard". The shuttle driver called a cab for a friend who uses a wheelchair and can transfer. About $4 into town.