Advice on shows/parades/etc dessert parties/dining packages

[ninafeliz]

We will be in DL/DCA for three days - Dec 12-14 (total trip 11-15). We frequent WDW but have never been to DL (well, I went once in 2006). We are big fans of doing any meal packages or dessert parties to get guaranteed viewing areas instead of having to line up and wait/fight for a spot. I know there is WOC and Fantasmic, what else is there and what would you recommend for seeing what we can with guaranteed spots but also not spending all day dining to get them? Is there a Christmas parade then that this would apply to? Our park reservations are for DCA/DL/DCA, it it matters (I went with the parks that had EE).

I'm open to any thoughts or opinions on this - I feel like a fish out of water planning for DL compared to WDW! I want to both see and do it all (lol) and have time to take it in - if that makes any sense. We are staying at the GC and have park hoppers with LLMP from Costco.

 

[Tinkaboo]

Plaza Inn has a package for the parade but it looks like it's already sold out for your dates. WOC Dessert Party still has availability. This should be a very busy weekend so I would book your rezzies right away, if you haven't already.

ADDED: The other option for reserved parade seating is to do the Holiday Tour.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Dining Package for Fantasmic = Must Do
4 Options
1. Expensive = Cafe Orleans
2. Mid Price = Riverbelle Restaurant
3. Cheapest = Rancho del Zocalo
All above you eat the food during the day, and get a ticket for the waterside viewing sections. All 3 sit on the concrete ground for the show.
4. Mid Price = Riverbelle Terrace
You seat at the outside section of Riverbelle Restaurant and eat during the show. Restricted view but you sit at a table and chair

Parade Dining (Available for daytime and night time parades) Package = Not Necessary
Eat lunch at Plaza Gardens and then watch the parade from a reserved section.
Not necessary as the parade route is long and its easy to get a view of the parade.

Dining Package for World of Color = Not Necessary But Nice To Do
3 Options
1.Buffet at Storytellers Cafe
2. Wine Country Trattoria
Both above you eat the food during the day, and get a ticket for the waterside viewing sections. Both stand in the viewing sections during the show
3. Desert Party
Sit at table and chair during the show. Desert plate and drinks served before the show

World of Color Virtual Queue
There is one daily opportunity to join the virtual queue for World of Color
12:00 PM (Noon) – Guests must have entered Disney California Adventure Park with a valid one-park ticket or Park Hopper ticket, or Disneyland Park with a Park Hopper ticket.

World of Color Standby Viewing Section
Go to Paradise Bay viewing area 30 to 45 minutes before showtime to check in with a Cast Member for walk-up viewing options.

 

[ninafeliz]

Plaza Inn has a package for the parade but it looks like it's already sold out for your dates. WOC Dessert Party still has availability. This should be a very busy weekend so I would book your rezzies right away, if you haven't already.

ADDED: The other option for reserved parade seating is to do the Holiday Tour.

Bummer! Are there any dining reservation finders for DL like there are for WDW? I know I should have done this earlier, but... well, I didn't!

 

[ninafeliz]

So I made WOC dessert party for the 11th and Fantasmic first showing lunch at Rancho Del Zocalo for the 12th. I wanted the fantasmic where you actually sit and watch from the River Belle Terrace, but didn't see that as an option. Not sure if it's filled or I don't know how to book that one specifically. I want to see the Christmas parade, but from what it says in the above post it sound like we should not have much problem finding a decent viewing spot for that? So maybe we will plan on that between the fantasmic lunch at 11:45 and fantasmic - now I'm juggling time to do anything but eat and watch shoes/parades though haha. Also, won't DL have fireworks? How should I fit those in around fantasmic and WOC? I'm trying to keep our last night unplanned so we can do whatever we decide at the time - but maybe that isn't either feasible or a good idea.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Fantasmic first showing lunch at Rancho Del Zocalo for the 12th. Also, won't DL have fireworks? How should I fit those in around fantasmic

The fireworks at Disneyland are scheduled AFTER the first Fantasmic show. They use the Fantasmic water screens for the projections and play the audio through the Fantasmic sound system. You will see the higher up fireworks above the trees.

They expect people to stay in the viewing sections for the fireworks.

The process is

1. Fantasmic ends
2. The lights go up
3. Everyone stands up
4. The cms' remove the rope barriers and everyone moves forward to the railings
5. There is an announcement for people to stay in the area to watch the fireworks and that the lights will be turned off during the fireworks
6. About 5 minutes later the lights go off and the fireworks start

You will not be able to go to Main Street / The Castle after Fantsmic to view the fireworks due to the crush of people and there is only about 5 minutes between Fantasmic ending the fireworks starting.

 

[OlliePop27]

We will be in DL/DCA for three days - Dec 12-14 (total trip 11-15). We frequent WDW but have never been to DL (well, I went once in 2006). We are big fans of doing any meal packages or dessert parties to get guaranteed viewing areas instead of having to line up and wait/fight for a spot. I know there is WOC and Fantasmic, what else is there and what would you recommend for seeing what we can with guaranteed spots but also not spending all day dining to get them? Is there a Christmas parade then that this would apply to? Our park reservations are for DCA/DL/DCA, it it matters (I went with the parks that had EE).

I'm open to any thoughts or opinions on this - I feel like a fish out of water planning for DL compared to WDW! I want to both see and do it all (lol) and have time to take it in - if that makes any sense. We are staying at the GC and have park hoppers with LLMP from Costco.

As an aside, I encourage you to reconsider starting two days at DCA. It's simply not necessary and the first 3 hours of the day are the most valuable for short ride lines. Unlike at WDW, the parks are nearly empty the first 2-3 hours at DLR.

I understand you'd miss EE, but honestly DL has 3x as many things to do as DCA. I recommend changing one of your starts to DL and booking LLMP for DCA for things you want to re-do on your non-starting day (assuming you have hoppers).

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

As an aside, I encourage you to reconsider starting two days at DCA. It's simply not necessary and the first 3 hours of the day are the most valuable for short ride lines. Unlike at WDW, the parks are nearly empty the first 2-3 hours at DLR.

I understand you'd miss EE, but honestly DL has 3x as many things to do as DCA. I recommend changing one of your starts to DL and booking LLMP for DCA for things you want to re-do on your non-starting day (assuming you have hoppers).

I also agree with this.

EE does not give as much advantage as at WDW. California is a locals park. The golden time is from rope drop to about mid day. The crowds only start to build from lunch time.

I have been going to Disneyland for almost 15 years. Rope drop to about 11.30am most rides are a walk on or under 15 minutes wait. I can usually do every ride in Fantasyland as well as a few of the headliners like Haunted Mansion / Pirates / Buzz all without lightning lanes.

I stack the lightning lanes for the afternoon and evening.

The same with the paid lightning lanes. Rise does not sell out until the afternoon, as the locals will do the 2 hour standby waits , they dont buy or book lightning lanes.

 

[ninafeliz]

The fireworks at Disneyland are scheduled AFTER the first Fantasmic show. They use the Fantasmic water screens for the projections and play the audio through the Fantasmic sound system. You will see the higher up fireworks above the trees.

They expect people to stay in the viewing sections for the fireworks.

The process is

1. Fantasmic ends
2. The lights go up
3. Everyone stands up
4. The cms' remove the rope barriers and everyone moves forward to the railings
5. There is an announcement for people to stay in the area to watch the fireworks and that the lights will be turned off during the fireworks
6. About 5 minutes later the lights go off and the fireworks start

You will not be able to go to Main Street / The Castle after Fantsmic to view the fireworks due to the crush of people and there is only about 5 minutes between Fantasmic ending the fireworks starting.

Wow. So you can't do both in one night? If we want to see the fireworks we would have to do those Sunday night if we have Fantasmic Saturday night and WOC Friday night? What is the view of the fireworks like from the first Fantasmic? Sounds pretty not great. So what about if we watch the second Fantasmic? Can you see them both in one night then, or no? I don't see that times of nighttime events and park hours are out yet for this weekend, but out you can make reservations for them - which is odd to me

 

[Tinkaboo]

The view is fine, they do the projections on the water screens.
As BPT2.0 said, you just stay in place after your 1st showing of Fantasmic, then they'll ask everyone to stand for fireworks.

The evening parade is early, as it will be dark earlier. You can find space usually back at IASW, and you could maybe time it to see the projection show on that facade.

I don't know about seeing fireworks the night of WOC, depending on when show ends, sometimes I've caught part of it in the esplanade. But with three weekend nights, you should be able to see everything.

Added: I second what others said...don't waste two mornings on DCA. Use your mornings at DL to knock out Fantasyland and some of the big rides. This really is the golden time. You'll have ample time to see everything in DCA with your PH.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Wow. So you can't do both in one night?

No, you cant do the first Fantasmic in a viewing section AND view the Fireworks at The Castle on the same night. Rivers of America / Adventureland / Frontierland become really crazy with crowds. There are people trying to leave the Fantsmic area, people trying to get into Fantasmic area and people just wanting to walk past Fantsmic area in both directions all the same time. The cms have rope barriers up and direct the flow of people in various directions. Its totally different to walking through those areas in the day time.

If we want to see the fireworks we would have to do those Sunday night if we have Fantasmic Saturday night and WOC Friday night?

If you want to view the fireworks in front of The Castle, then yes that is the only option.

What is the view of the fireworks like from the first Fantasmic? Sounds pretty not great.

Watching the fireworks from Fantasmic is my must do place. Its actually amazing as its like a second Fantasmic type show. I always sit at the railings in the viewing section for Fantasmic and then stand up and Im at the railings for the fireworks , a clear view across the water and no where near as chaotic and crushed as at Main Street.

Disneyland also have a Star Wars viewing package for the fireworks called Fire of The Rising Moons. I havent been to it yet, but the food part is in Docking Bay 7 and then they play a Star Wars soundtrack for the actual fireworks, as they are visible from The Millennium Falcon area of Galaxys Edge.

So what about if we watch the second Fantasmic? Can you see them both in one night then, or no? I don't see that times of nighttime events and park hours are out yet for this weekend, but out you can make reservations for them - which is odd to me

Technically yes , watch The Fireworks in front of the Castle on Main Street. But again its a total mess crowd wise. You will be going against the flow of people leaving after the fireworks AND leaving from the Fantasmic viewing sections. The cms will direct you to walk in a way thats not conducive to speed or an efficient way to get down to Harbour Gally where the entrance to the viewing areas are.

 

[geargrinder]

Disneyland also have a Star Wars viewing package for the fireworks called Fire of The Rising Moons. I havent been to it yet, but the food part is in Docking Bay 7 and then they play a Star Wars soundtrack for the actual fireworks, as they are visible from The Millennium Falcon area of Galaxys Edge.

I just did this package last friday. They have two seatings for for food. I'd get the earlier. It gives a bento style box of food/treats and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages. There's a couple specialty/novelty drinks included. When you check in, you are given a lanyard that gives you access to an elevated viewing area near the Millenium Falcon. It's a great view of the projections that accompany a soundtrack narrating the timeline of the Star Wars franchise. Afterward, the same viewing area is used for the fireworks with the Star Wars music soundtrack.

It was a great show for anyone that's a fan of Star Wars. The projection show is incredible.


.

 

[ninafeliz]

As an aside, I encourage you to reconsider starting two days at DCA. It's simply not necessary and the first 3 hours of the day are the most valuable for short ride lines. Unlike at WDW, the parks are nearly empty the first 2-3 hours at DLR.

I understand you'd miss EE, but honestly DL has 3x as many things to do as DCA. I recommend changing one of your starts to DL and booking LLMP for DCA for things you want to re-do on your non-starting day (assuming you have hoppers).

I also agree with this.

EE does not give as much advantage as at WDW. California is a locals park. The golden time is from rope drop to about mid day. The crowds only start to build from lunch time.

I have been going to Disneyland for almost 15 years. Rope drop to about 11.30am most rides are a walk on or under 15 minutes wait. I can usually do every ride in Fantasyland as well as a few of the headliners like Haunted Mansion / Pirates / Buzz all without lightning lanes.

I stack the lightning lanes for the afternoon and evening.

The same with the paid lightning lanes. Rise does not sell out until the afternoon, as the locals will do the 2 hour standby waits , they dont buy or book lightning lanes.

Interesting, thanks, I can do that. Any reason to have my only DCA EE day be Friday vs Sunday? LIke I said, DL is so foreign to me. We have park hoppers with the LLMP, so you would suggest instead of just trying to roll the LLMPs we should stack for later in the day?

Another Park Reservation question. Are they tied to a specific resort reservation? So if I make a new reservation will that cancel my park reservations and I would need to make new ones? I was thinking of changing my room view and the change reservation never works, I would need to make a new resort reservation.

 

[Tinkaboo]

If you are Star Wars fans, I would suggest seeing the fireworks from back there on Sunday night, after you've seen the holiday version with Fantasmic. It's the same fireworks but totally different vibe. Catch Rise of Skywalker just before it. It's an incredible production, so different from anything else and I'm not even a SW nerd.

ADDED: From what I remember about WDW MK fireworks (and this was awhile back), the main place to watch was from in front of castle. DL...VERY DIFFERENT. You can watch from IASW, SWGE, and ROA (Fantasmic) and you are still getting a great view, though all slightly different POV. To view from Main Street, in front of castle, to me is a huge hassle. Crowded, and there are a lot of mature trees, so if you aren't in the exactly perfect spot, something is going to be in your way. I'm with BPT on this one too...Fantasmic is the best spot without being TOO crowded.

 

[irlandaise]

So I made WOC dessert party for the 11th and Fantasmic first showing lunch at Rancho Del Zocalo for the 12th. I wanted the fantasmic where you actually sit and watch from the River Belle Terrace, but didn't see that as an option. Not sure if it's filled or I don't know how to book that one specifically.

It sells out very quickly. To answer another question you asked, yes, there are reservation alert services for Disneyland. Probably the same companies that do alerts for WDW. I don't have names at hand but I'm sure you can find them with a web search. Or if you've already used a certain service for WDW, check and see if they also cover DL.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

Rancho del Zocalo for me is the best Dinning option its pretty cheap, the food is good and you can get two shows for it with Fantasmic and the Fireworks if you see the first show

 

[irlandaise]

I was thinking of changing my room view and the change reservation never works, I would need to make a new resort reservation.

When you say "the change reservation never works," do you mean on the Disneyland website? Call Disneyland instead. The phone center CMs are very helpful with modifying resort reservations. I did so when I couldn't get a discount applied properly on the DL website.

 

[ninafeliz]

The view is fine, they do the projections on the water screens.
As BPT2.0 said, you just stay in place after your 1st showing of Fantasmic, then they'll ask everyone to stand for fireworks.

The evening parade is early, as it will be dark earlier. You can find space usually back at IASW, and you could maybe time it to see the projection show on that facade.

I don't know about seeing fireworks the night of WOC, depending on when show ends, sometimes I've caught part of it in the esplanade. But with three weekend nights, you should be able to see everything.

Added: I second what others said...don't waste two mornings on DCA. Use your mornings at DL to knock out Fantasyland and some of the big rides. This really is the golden time. You'll have ample time to see everything in DCA with your PH.

No, you cant do the first Fantasmic in a viewing section AND view the Fireworks at The Castle on the same night. Rivers of America / Adventureland / Frontierland become really crazy with crowds. There are people trying to leave the Fantsmic area, people trying to get into Fantasmic area and people just wanting to walk past Fantsmic area in both directions all the same time. The cms have rope barriers up and direct the flow of people in various directions. Its totally different to walking through those areas in the day time.

If you want to view the fireworks in front of The Castle, then yes that is the only option.

Watching the fireworks from Fantasmic is my must do place. Its actually amazing as its like a second Fantasmic type show. I always sit at the railings in the viewing section for Fantasmic and then stand up and Im at the railings for the fireworks , a clear view across the water and no where near as chaotic and crushed as at Main Street.

Disneyland also have a Star Wars viewing package for the fireworks called Fire of The Rising Moons. I havent been to it yet, but the food part is in Docking Bay 7 and then they play a Star Wars soundtrack for the actual fireworks, as they are visible from The Millennium Falcon area of Galaxys Edge.


Technically yes , watch The Fireworks in front of the Castle on Main Street. But again its a total mess crowd wise. You will be going against the flow of people leaving after the fireworks AND leaving from the Fantasmic viewing sections. The cms will direct you to walk in a way thats not conducive to speed or an efficient way to get down to Harbour Gally where the entrance to the viewing areas are.

I just did this package last friday. They have two seatings for for food. I'd get the earlier. It gives a bento style box of food/treats and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages. There's a couple specialty/novelty drinks included. When you check in, you are given a lanyard that gives you access to an elevated viewing area near the Millenium Falcon. It's a great view of the projections that accompany a soundtrack narrating the timeline of the Star Wars franchise. Afterward, the same viewing area is used for the fireworks with the Star Wars music soundtrack.

It was a great show for anyone that's a fan of Star Wars. The projection show is incredible.


.

So they do one fireworks show, but if you watch from Galaxy's Edge they play different music and do star wars projections, if you watch by IASW they have projections on it , and if you watch from Fantasmic you can see the actual fireworks in addition to projections on the water screens? And I assume a disney or christmas soundtrack everywhere but GE? So you only also see the castle if you watch from main street - which will be chaos? This is very confusing for the first time lol. For a first time (and not likely frequent repeat visitor) what would you recommend?

 

[ninafeliz]

If you are Star Wars fans, I would suggest seeing the fireworks from back there on Sunday night, after you've seen the holiday version with Fantasmic. It's the same fireworks but totally different vibe. Catch Rise of Skywalker just before it. It's an incredible production, so different from anything else and I'm not even a SW nerd.

ADDED: From what I remember about WDW MK fireworks (and this was awhile back), the main place to watch was from in front of castle. DL...VERY DIFFERENT. You can watch from IASW, SWGE, and ROA (Fantasmic) and you are still getting a great view, though all slightly different POV. To view from Main Street, in front of castle, to me is a huge hassle. Crowded, and there are a lot of mature trees, so if you aren't in the exactly perfect spot, something is going to be in your way. I'm with BPT on this one too...Fantasmic is the best spot without being TOO crowded.

Thanks, we could do that our last night if seeing the fireworks from the first fantasmic is enough to appreciate them and say you saw them. I'll have to look up what Rise of Skywalker is - there are a lot of nighttime things for only two parks!

 

[Tinkaboo]

Also...be aware that this might be the "dance event" weekend...
@LKing, I tried searching for your wonderful event calendar but it must be buried somewhere. Is Dance the Magic this same weekend?