Nicole:
If it tells you anything, I'm planning on using our
FastPass+ options for the Magic Kingdom Parades when we visit in the fall. My understanding is that the reserved seating for both parades is in full-view of the castle in the circle, expanding from the Liberty Square Bridge all the way over to the walkway to Tomorrowland, giving the limited number of guests with FP+ plenty of elbow room, quite a coveted commodity, not to mention some time to ride Buzz Lightyear one more time. Being able to avoid sitting out in the heat in a confined space for an hour with tired kids for the afternoon
Festival of Fantasy Parade makes a lot of sense to me.
I have the opposite thought, though, for using a FastPass+ selection for the fireworks. The location is near the Rose Garden and, although you have virtually no wait to get your "seat" which is lovely on the grass and not a concrete sidewalk, the side view of the fireworks isn't "iconic" nor my favorite view. In addition to not having to wait in the heat of the day for the fireworks, good locations for the fireworks are more available once the parade is over and cast members open up the streets for additional "general admission" spots.
My strategy with my FastPass+ selections is to avoid long waits and hot weather, so I will probably use my remaining one for something else like avoiding a long line for the princesses or a ride that doesn't have an interactive, air-conditioned queue like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Wishing y'all a magical vacation!
Whitney