Rose Parade logistics: Reality of allowable section 1 entrance time?

I never cared for section one's commenting 

I'm no more help than the previous comments, but since you mentioned the Rose Parade:

As a member of the MMB, obviously we wanted to go to the Rose Bowl every year. But as far as an enjoyable bowl trip, it was a lot of work, at least back "in my day." 

For the parade itself, we had to be up at 4am on New Year's Day. And who goes to bed early New Year's Eve? Long parade--which was fun, don't get me wrong. But then the very physically demanding pregame show. And then halftime. And we lost the game, so there was all that emotional distress. But the memories are indelible. So thankful to have had the opportunity.

Plus, by losing that Rose Bowl, we got Cooper to coach at Ohio. Perhaps the single loss with the best long-term benefit in M history.

You have to be clear into your area before the parade starts.  Once the route is closed, if you are on the wrong side, you are at the mercy of the authorities in the area.  My experience is they are helpful, but they also have a critical security function to uphold.   They will close and clear the street well before the parade starts, so 7am is real.  Treat it as a HARD deadline.  Plan on parking at 6am and walking from there.

Here is the reality of live parade viewing:  you have to get up really damn early, it will take longer than you expect to get there, and you will be a fool to try and cut it close. Beware that it is usually  damn cold early in the morning.  It is also one of the most amazing, joyous, and unique experiences you will ever witness.

I have been several times in both small and large groups.  If I do it again, I'll let someone else drive rather than drive my party.  I wish you and your parents all the best and strongly encourage you to get there early and embrace the anticipation.

I'm trying to maximize the amount of sleep my senior citizen parents can get and 
 

Here’s a novel idea…. Have them GO TO BED EARLIER so they get their sleep!?!?

I have been to a few Rose Bowl games and parades.  If your tickets say get there at a certain time, I would do so.   I would also dress warmly as early morning weather is typically in the mid-40's.

It is worth leaving a bit of extra time as the area is very crowded.  We have always had reserved parking and it still required a bit of time and patience.

The parade is a very impressive event.  The floats are amazing and of course there are more than a few bands including one from Ann Arbor that will likely catch your attention. /s

Unless you're in New Orleans or Brazil parades largely suck. Speaking from experience the Rose Parade largely sucks. This is the end of my unhelpful commentary.

Went as a 10 year old in 97. I have scattered memories of the trip, but absolutely zero memories of attending the parade. I'm told by the relatives I went with that we had to get up at the crack of dawn, and there was a lot of sitting around and waiting...

My Rose Bowl game/parade experience.

Sold my tickets to the parade after seeing there wasn't any parking near our reserved seats. We had a rental car and would be driving in from Burbank. People were camped out on the sidewalks two days before the parade, some businesses had temporary fencing up to prevent this. About 4 am a large group of charter busses lined up outside of the hotel to begin taking people to the parade. Not sure how many people attend the parade, but it will be a congested mess for sure.

Good luck getting transportation to and from both events 🤞.

Go Blue!!

I dunno, but whether it's traffic, or a concert, or a game, or a doctor's appointment... Whenever I show up on time, some a holes show up much later and are totally fine while I sit there like an idiot hours in advance.

BEHOLD! The airing of grievances!

Are you sure about this?

which functionally says people with section 1 tickets are in the Rose Parade's "secure zone" and NEED to be at their seat by 6:30AM.   

 

Zone 1 also has bleachers on Colorado.  It says;

If your seats are located on Orange Grove Blvd. between Colorado Blvd. and Green St., within the boundaries of the Tournament of Roses® security zone, 

but it doesn't mention all of section 1.

I'm @ 450 W. Colorado and my tickets say "Area 1," and "SECURE AREA," but I don't think that means the ToR security zone they're describing. I was not planning to be in our seats @ 0630.  Looking at the map, with the OG Blvd bleachers on the west side of the street, you'd have to cross the parade route to get to your seats, so for those it would seem so.  We're shooting more for your 0700-715 range, but it seems like anything later is asking for trouble.  The whole area looks to be a huge cluster, and I think rapid transit and shuttle buses will work out well for us.

Can you just stand around the parade and see part of it? Or is the whole route covered by these stands that you need to buy tickets for?

Be there at 630