Anniversary dinner & Fireworks

Hi all,

We arrive at SNA on Sat. Aug 29 at around 6:30 pm on our anniversary. Our plan is to checkin quick at PPH and head straight to the parks because we really want to see the Fireworks (prefer to view from Main St.). We would also like to eat dinner (preferably in the park). Seeing the parade isn't the priority for us thie 1st night, since we are there for 3 nights - so we'll catch it multiple times during our visit. We really aren't willing to give up eating dinner to sit for hours for the parade!

I've made a priority seating at Carnation Cafe for 8:20 - thinking we would be in a good position to eat, catch some of the parade & then go find a spot on Main St. For the fireworks once the parade ends. But, now I'm second guessing my plan. I think we will want to eat sooner.

I looked and there are still available PS times for BB (also Fantasmic dining packages).

What would you do? What's a good time to book a dinner PS -- making sure to give us enough time to eat & also a good place to view the fireworks?

TIA!

Arriving at 6:30pm, I think the earliest you would get to the parks is 8:00pm (if everything goes perfectly and you don't hit traffic). Your Carnation reservation may be your best bet, but I'm not sure you would even make that. When you enter DL, you will have to go through the corridor behind Main Street, then cross at the Hub and go back down MS to the Cafe.

Might want to check ahead of time what the specific penalty is for missing your dining reservation (in case your flight is delayed or something). Disney implemented something like $10/per person penalties for missed reservations awhile back if they aren't cancelled 24 hours ahead of time. My memory is a little sketchy on the exact details and I believe the policy and amounts can change by restaurant.

Personally I would really not count on being able to dine at BB at 8:20 and still being able to watch the firework show from Main St. Your ressie may be for 8:20 but that's not a guarantee you'll get seated on time and it's much more of a eat slowly and enjoy the atmosphere type reservation. Also, you may not be interested in the parade really but lots of people still are and right after the parade they mostly stick around for the fireworks and are all moved into the middle of main street to watch the firework show from the edges where they watched the parade. I don't know what it's like to try to slip in to catch the firework show on Main St but it does not strike me as something possible at the very last minute as that's prime viewing area.

oh man! @lorijohnhill is so right... I forgot all about "crowd control" and guest corridor flows during the parade and firework show times. That can add a lot of time to walking to wherever you're trying to get especially on main street.

I would not plan dinner any earlier and if there are any flight or traffic delays you might not make it in time for your current 8:20 reservation. Something to be aware of is the $10 per person no show fee if you are delayed and miss your reservation. You could also have a counter service meal when you get to the park.

As far as getting to Carnation, our experience has been that before the parade we were able to walk down Main Street or through the shops. The bypass wasn't open until just before the parade so with a reservation 30 minutes before the parade, you should be okay.

As soon as the parade passes Carnation (it will be coming from Small World) everyone on the sidewalk will immediately step out onto the street for the fireworks so if you are finished dining you will be in a perfect position to see them, although you will not be able to see the Matterhorn. Fireworks will appear a little to the left of the castle as you are facing the castle.

Thanks for all of the replies! I still think we'll be able to make it to DLR by 6:30 -- we've done this same flight/rental car routine many times before...but, its our anniversary and I really don't won't to stress out on our first evening at DLR!

I'm thinking we'll just 'wing it' and I'll cancel the PS at Carnation.