Viewing Rose Parade Float Decorating?

Okay, so I went to the official site and saw where and when we can view the floats being decorated this week prior to the parade. Has anyone been to any of these sites this year or in the past? Does anyone have suggestions on which two sites to visit? Also, do we have any chance of getting in? I didn%26#39;t realize the tickets you buy online have to be mailed, so we%26#39;d be standing in line tomorrow to see them tomorrow. Any thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!!

Located at the Rose Bowl Stadium:

Rosemont Pavilion

700 Seco St., Pasadena

Brookside Pavilion (accessible to mobility-impaired viewers)

Lot I - South side of Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena

Schedule:

December 28 and 29: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

December 30: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

December 31: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Located in Pasadena:

Rose Palace

835 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena

Schedule:

December 28, 29 and 30: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

December 31: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Located in Irwindale:

Irwindale Pavillion

Exit from the 210 Freeway at Irwindale or travel north on Irwindale and follow event signs.

Schedule:

December 28 and 29: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

December 30: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

December 31: Not open for Public Viewing

Viewing Rose Parade Float Decorating?

So, I thought I%26#39;d answer my own post for people in the future!

We went down to the Rose Bowl Stadium area on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 around noon. We got tickets and went in one of the two pavilions there. Getting tickets was easy - no line at all. Then, we stood in line for about an hour to get into a pavilion (tent) and got to see two of the big floats being decorated. It was really cool! We could have waited in another line to see the other pavilion (you get to visit two ';sites'; for the price of a $7 ticket) but we decided one site was enough. We saw the Sesame Street float and the Beach/Amusement park one. The other pavilion was the cool robot that was at the start of the parade. The people said that that was the first day of such long lines. So, for future visitors, try to go the first 2 days if you can. It was really fun and we%26#39;re glad we got to do it. I%26#39;m sure some of the other sites are just as great, but this worked for us. :-)

Viewing Rose Parade Float Decorating?

Sounds like a nice time. The key thing about float viewing is the first day you will see the floats more in their ';raw'; state as they start to get the floats decorated; the last day (i.e.December 31) they start to get the roses, etc.on the floats so you see them in more of a complete state. We have gone many times in the past and its always wonderful to see; one year we even decorated a float and really appreciate the amazing amount of detail that go into decorating each of the floats. For example, we cut petals off of small flowers for hours just to get a small portion of one float decorated; there are so many wonderful volunteers who help get the floats done and its also an amazing experience to do so. That is another way to see the floats up close and personal. Realize this is now for 2010.

Glad again you had a fun time=